Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Mycobacterium avium Complex Pulmonary Disease in a Brazilian Amazon Cohort

The incidence of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MACPD) has been globally increasing. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of clinical characteristics and treatment response among patients in the Amazon region of Brazil and conduct a retrospective cohort study at a prominent referral hospital in the State of Par, Brazil, from 2012 to 2020. The M. avium group represented 58.9% of cases, followed by M. intracellulare (35.7%), M. colombiense (3.6%), and M. chimaera (1.8%). The majority of patients (73.2%) were female and with an average age of 63 years. Primary clinical manifestations included persistent cough and sputum production. The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) averaged 2.47, with 36.3% of patients having a CCI score equal to higher than 3. Notably, over 70% of patients had received treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis before initiating treatment for MAC infection. The fibrocavitary radiologic form was the most prevalent (55.4%), frequently exhibiting a bilateral distribution (53.6%). Antimicrobial susceptibility revealed a significant prevalence of MAC resistance to drugs in the therapeutic regimen. Despite this, most of the patients experienced clinical improvement (50%). In conclusion, this study highlights a higher prevalence of MAC infections among middle-aged women, with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis treatment and presenting the fibrocavitary radiological form was predominant.

Polymorphisms of the Toll-Like Receptor-2 Gene in Patients with Leprosy and Their Healthy Contacts

Leprosy is an immunopathology caused by M. leprae;its evolution depends on immunological and genetic aspects of the host. The objective was verifying the relationship between SNPs 2029 and 2258 of the TLR-2 gene and leprosy. Blood samples from 127 individuals were analyzed: 45 patients, being 34 multibacillary (MB) and 11 paucibacillary (PB) and 82 contacts, in the municipalities of the State of Pará-Brazil. SNPs 2029 and 2258 of the TLR-2 gene were genotyped by sequencing on the ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems), analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. Distribution of SNP 2029 genotypes: all MB individuals presented the C/C genotype and the mutant (C/T) genotype was observed in contacts and PB. Alleles: all MB individuals presented only C allele and the mutant allele (T) was observed in contacts and PB. SNP 2258 genotypes: 79 contacts had G/G genotype and only 3 had G/A genotype, the MB group had only G/G genotype and the PB group was predominant G/G, with only 1 G/A genotype. Alleles: all MB individuals had allele G and the mutant allele (A) was observed in contacts and PB. The association between the SNPs and the susceptibility or protection to leprosy was not observed.

An assessment of the taxonomy and chemotaxonomy of Ganoderma

The taxonomic and nomenclatural history of the genus Ganoderma and related basidiomycetes is reviewed and compared to recent studies on its molecular phylogeny.A basidiomycete belonging to the genus Ganoderma can often rather easily be recognised in the field from the macromorphological characters of the sporocarp.The most important species and lineages can also be discriminated well by molecular phylogeny.However,the application of incongruent species concepts and the frequent misapplication of European names by chemists and other non-taxonomists have created confusion in the scientific literature.The identity of the species reported in the course of mycochemical studies can often not be verified,since no voucher material was retained.In this review,an overview on the most important types of specific chemotaxonomic traits(i.e.,secondary metabolites of the basidiomes and mycelia)reported from the genus is provided.Albeit certain triterpenoids such as ganoderic and lucidenic acids,steroids(e.g.ergosterol)and triterpenes(e.g.friedelin)appear to have some chemotaxonomic value at the generic rank,their relevance for species discrimination remains to be assessed.We propose that all important names in Ganoderma should be,as required,epitypified by fresh collections for which living cultures should be made available and that these should be examined by a combination of morphological,chemotaxonomic and molecular phylogenetic methods to attain a more stable taxonomy.

Towards a natural classification and backbone tree for Sordariomycetes

Sordariomycetes is one of the largest classes of Ascomycota and is characterised by perithecial ascomata and inoperculate unitunicate asci.The class includes many important plant pathogens,as well as endophytes,saprobes,epiphytes,and fungicolous,lichenized or lichenicolous taxa.The class includes freshwater,marine and terrestrial taxa and has a worldwide distribution.This paper provides an updated outline of the Sordariomycetes and a backbone tree incorporating asexual and sexual genera in the class.Based on phylogeny and morphology we introduced three subclasses;Diaporthomycetidae,Lulworthiomycetidae and Meliolomycetidae and five orders;Amplistromatales,Annulatascales,Falcocladiales,Jobellisiales and Togniniales.The outline is based on literature to the end of 2014 and the backbone tree published in this paper.Notes for 397 taxa with information,such as new family and genera novelties,novel molecular data published since the Outline of Ascomycota 2009,and new links between sexual and asexual genera and thus synonymies,are provided.The Sordariomycetes now comprises six subclasses,28 orders,90 families and 1344 genera.In addition a list of 829 genera with uncertain placement in Sordariomycetesis also provided.

英国的侧盘菌属:属的概况及大型孢子种的研究(英文)

对侧盘菌属在英国的研究概况进行了评述,研究侧重于Otidea apophysata和O.platyspora两个具有大型子囊孢子的种。同时,对4个错误地用于大型孢子种的名称进行了订正:O. abietina(Pseudotis属的模式种)是含糊名称(nomen ambiguum);O.cochleata也为含糊名称;O. felina是O.alutacea的同物异名,并为后者指定了选模式;将O.umbrina处理为O.bufonia的同物异名。此外,确定了Otidea violacea的分类地位。

Epitypification and neotypification:guidelines with appropriate and inappropriate examples

review of phylogenetic studies carried out together with morphological ones shows that a major problem with most early studies is that they concentrated on techniques and used material or strains of fungi that in most cases were not carefully reference,and in a worrying number of cases wrongly named.Most classical species,particularly of microfungi,are not represented by adequate type material,or other authoritatively identified cultures or specimens,that can serve as DNA sources for phylogenetic study,or for developing robust identification systems.Natural classifications of fungi therefore suffer fromthe lack of reference strains in resultant phylogenetic trees.In some cases,epitypification and neotypification can solve this problem and these tools are increasingly used to resolve taxonomic confusion and stabilize the understanding of species,genera,families,or orders of fungi.This manuscript discusses epitypification and neotypification,describes how to epitypify or neotypify species and examines the importance of this process.A set of guidelines for epitypification is presented.Examples where taxa have been epitypified are presented and the benefits and problems of epitypification are discussed.As examples of epitypification,or to provide reference specimens,a new epitype is designated for Paraphaeosphaeria michotii and reference specimens are provided for Astrosphaeriella stellata,A.bakeriana,Phaeosphaeria elongata,Ophiobolus cirsii,and O.erythrosporus.In this way we demonstrate how to epitypify taxa and its importance,and also illustrate the value of proposing reference specimens if epitypification is not advisable.Although we provided guidelines for epitypification,the decision to epitypify or not lies with the author,who should have experience of the fungus concerned.This responsibility is to be taken seriously,as once a later typification is made,it may not be possible to undo that,particularly in the case of epitypes,without using the lengthy and tedious formal conservation and rejection processes.

Naming and outline of Dothideomycetes-2014 including proposals for the protection or suppression of generic names

Article 59.1,of the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae,Fungi,and Plants(ICN;Melbourne Code),which addresses the nomenclature of pleomorphic fungi,became effective from 30 July 2011.Since that date,each fungal species can have one nomenclaturally correct name in a particular classification.All other previously used names for this species will be considered as synonyms.The older generic epithet takes priority over the younger name.Any widely used younger names proposed for use,must comply with Art.57.2 and their usage should be approved by the Nomenclature Committee for Fungi(NCF).In this paper,we list all genera currently accepted by us in Dothideomycetes(belonging to 23 orders and 110 families),including pleomorphic and nonpleomorphic genera.In the case of pleomorphic genera,we follow the rulings of the current ICN and propose single generic names for future usage.The taxonomic placements of 1261 genera are listed as an outline.Protected names and suppressed names for 34 pleomorphic genera are listed separately.Notes and justifications are provided for possible proposed names after the list of genera.Notes are also provided on recent advances in our understanding of asexual and sexual morph linkages in Dothideomycetes.A phylogenetic tree based on four gene analyses supported 23 orders and 75 families,while 35 families still lack molecular data.

Proposed nomenclature for Pseudallescheria,Scedosporium and related genera

As a result of fundamental changes in the International Code of Nomenclature on the use of separate names for sexual and asexual stages of fungi,generic names of many groups should be reconsidered.Members of the ECMM/ISHAM working group on Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium infections herein advocate a novel nomenclature for genera and species in Pseudallescheria,Scedosporium and allied taxa.The generic names Parascedosporium,Lomentospora,Petriella,Petriellopsis,and Scedosporium are proposed for a lineage within Microascaceae with mostly Scedosporium anamorphs producing slimy,annellidic conidia.Considering that Scedosporium has priority over Pseudallescheria and that Scedosporium prolificans is phylogenetically distinct from the other Scedosporium species,some name changes are proposed.Pseudallescheria minutispora and Petriellidium desertorum are renamed as Scedosporium minutisporum and S.desertorum,respectively.Scedosporium prolificans is renamed as Lomentospora prolificans.

Families of Dothideomycetes

Dothideomycetes comprise a highly diverse range of fungi characterized mainly by asci with two wall layers(bitunicate asci)and often with fissitunicate dehiscence.Many species are saprobes,with many asexual states comprising important plant pathogens.They are also endophytes,epiphytes,fungicolous,lichenized,or lichenicolous fungi.They occur in terrestrial,freshwater and marine habitats in almost every part of the world.We accept 105 families in Dothideomycetes with the new families Anteagloniaceae,Bambusicolaceae,Biatriosporaceae,Lichenoconiaceae,Muyocopronaceae,Paranectriellaceae,Roussoellaceae,Salsugineaceae,Seynesiopeltidaceae and Thyridariaceae introduced in this paper.Each family is provided with a description and notes,including asexual and asexual states,and if more than one genus is included,the type genus is also characterized.Each family is provided with at least one figure-plate,usually illustrating the type genus,a list of accepted genera,including asexual genera,and a key to these genera.A phylogenetic tree based on four gene combined analysis add support for 64 of the families and 22 orders,including the novel orders,Dyfrolomycetales,Lichenoconiales,Lichenotheliales,Monoblastiales,Natipusillales,Phaeotrichales and Strigulales.The paper is expected to provide a working document on Dothideomycetes which can be modified as new data comes to light.It is hoped that by illustrating types we provide stimulation and interest so that more work is carried out in this remarkable group of fungi.

Forecasting the number of species of asexually reproducing fungi(Ascomycota and Basidiomycota)

Asexually reproducing fungi play a significant role in essential processes in managed and wild ecosystems such as nutrients cycling and multitrophic interactions.A large number of such taxa are among the most notorious plant and animal pathogens.In addition,they have a key role in food production,biotechnology and medicine.Taxa without or rare sexual reproduction are distinguished based on their sporulating structures and conidiomata in traditional morphology-based taxonomy.The number,variation and diversity of asexually reproducing taxa are insufficiently known,even though fungi capable of asexual reproduction may provide an untapped,rich biological resource for future exploitation.Currently,ca.30,000 asexual species belonging to ca.3800 genera have been reported(including 1388 coelomycetous and 2265 hyphomycetous genera).Recent reports(2017–2020)reiterate that the number of asexually producing fungi is higher than the number of frequently sexually-reproducing fungi.With the advent of molecular tools and the abandonment of the dual nomenclature system for pleomorphic fungi,priority criteria were established and revisited in the latest outline of fungi and fungus-like taxa.However,species numbers and taxonomic boundaries of pleomorphic taxa and their synanamorphs or synasexual morphs have yet to be addressed.The number of species of speciose genera(e.g.Alternaria,Aspergillus,Cercospora,Fusarium,Phoma and Pseudocercospora),cryptic species,species of pleomorphic genera,less studied life modes(such as lichenicolous taxa,taxa from extreme environments)and species from biodiversity-rich areas still need evaluation to achieve more reliable estimates of their diversity.This paper discusses the current knowledge on the matter,with diversity estimates,and potential obstacles in several chapters on(1)speciose genera;(2)pleomorphic genera;(3)cryptic species;(4)well-studied but insufficiently resolved taxa,e.g.leaf inhabiting species,marine fungi,(5)less studied life modes,e.g.lichenicolous,rock-inhabiting fungi,insect-associated and yeast-forming taxa and(6)species from biodiversity-rich areas.