White-nose syndrome(WNS)has caused recent catastrophic declines among multiple species of bats in eastern North America.The disease's name derives from a visually apparent white growth of the newly discovered fung...White-nose syndrome(WNS)has caused recent catastrophic declines among multiple species of bats in eastern North America.The disease's name derives from a visually apparent white growth of the newly discovered fungus Geomyces destructans on the skin(including the muzzle)of hibernating bats.Colonization of skin by this fungus is associated with characteristic cutaneous lesions that are the only consistent pathological finding related to WNS.However,the role of G.destructans in WNS remains controversial because evidence to implicate the fungus as the primary cause of this disease is lacking.The debate is fuelled,in part,by the assumption that fungal infections in mammals are most commonly associated with immune system dysfunction.Additionally,the recent discovery that G.destructans commonly colonizes the skin of bats of Europe,where no unusual bat mortality events have been reported,has generated further speculation that the fungus is an opportunistic pathogen and that other unidentified factors are the primary cause of WNS.展开更多
[Objectives] To study the microstructure and ultrastructure changes of P. ginseng root tip infected by C. destructans. [Methods]The paraffin section and superfine slice were used to observe the microstructure and ultr...[Objectives] To study the microstructure and ultrastructure changes of P. ginseng root tip infected by C. destructans. [Methods]The paraffin section and superfine slice were used to observe the microstructure and ultrastructure of root tip of P. ginseng,respectively.[Results] Microstructure and ultrastructure observation indicated that,the morphology and structure of epidermal cells of P. ginseng were regular,cells had abundant contents,and organelles were easy to observe in control. However,after infected by C. destructans,the cell walls were thicken seven days post inoculation,particles were deposited in epidemic cells and pith,cell walls were broken,and cells began to disintegrate. Furthermore,morphology of cells was abnormal and contents in cells were decreased when infected by C. destructans. The organelles were break up,and difficult to be distinguished. [Conclusions] Through the results we deduced that,the hypha of C. destructans should firstly invade the epidermal cells of P. ginseng,and then enter into the xylem of P. ginseng root through the intercellular space,which obstructed the transport of water and inorganic salt,and finally led to death of ginseng seedlings.展开更多
Purpose: To report the first human case of fungal keratitis caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans and to highlight the issues with the use of topical steroids, the duration of antifungal treatment and the potential rol...Purpose: To report the first human case of fungal keratitis caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans and to highlight the issues with the use of topical steroids, the duration of antifungal treatment and the potential role of topical ciclosporin. Methods: A patient presented following being injured in the left eye by a fuchsia plant. Data was collected by slit lamp examination and review of the case notes and microbiology reports. Results: No organisms were cultured from a corneal scrape however cultures from a corneal biopsy identified cylindrocarpon species morphologically resembling Cylindrocarpon destructans. The patient responded well to topical amphotericin and clotrimazole and oral voriconazole but, developed a corneal perforation, which required an urgent tectonic penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Despite being on topical dexamethasone and natamycin, the patient presented two months post-operatively with a corneal epithelial defect and a large hypopyon. Subsequently, the patient developed a deep corneal infiltrate and corneal vascularisation with a persistent epithelial defect. Conclusion: This is the first reported case of keratitis caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans. The case highlights: the contentious issues in the use of topical steroids following PKP and the duration of antifungal treatment both in primary infection and following PKP. Furthermore, the case accentuates a potential role for ciclosporin as an alternative to steroids following PKP.展开更多
Bat guano from six different karst caves in Slovenia was screened by PCR for the presence of Geomyces destructans [1]. Two identical DNA sequences from guano heaps in two of the caves with recent bat droppings were re...Bat guano from six different karst caves in Slovenia was screened by PCR for the presence of Geomyces destructans [1]. Two identical DNA sequences from guano heaps in two of the caves with recent bat droppings were retrieved. These sequences were closely related to several unidentified Geomyces clones and to pathogenic G. destructans, but definitive identification remained elusive. Despite the presence of Geomyces species, thus far there has been no report of Whitenose syndrome (WNS) symptoms in bats in Slovenia. Overall physical and chemical conditions in guano, particularly in large guano heaps, offer a suitable environment which might serve as a reservoir for pathogenic Geomyces strains and could represent a permanent reservoir for in situ infection of bats. Screening of guano and analysis of more data related to guano ecology could lend clues to control WNS outbreaks and mortality linked to G. destructans.展开更多
文摘White-nose syndrome(WNS)has caused recent catastrophic declines among multiple species of bats in eastern North America.The disease's name derives from a visually apparent white growth of the newly discovered fungus Geomyces destructans on the skin(including the muzzle)of hibernating bats.Colonization of skin by this fungus is associated with characteristic cutaneous lesions that are the only consistent pathological finding related to WNS.However,the role of G.destructans in WNS remains controversial because evidence to implicate the fungus as the primary cause of this disease is lacking.The debate is fuelled,in part,by the assumption that fungal infections in mammals are most commonly associated with immune system dysfunction.Additionally,the recent discovery that G.destructans commonly colonizes the skin of bats of Europe,where no unusual bat mortality events have been reported,has generated further speculation that the fungus is an opportunistic pathogen and that other unidentified factors are the primary cause of WNS.
基金Supported by Special Research Projects of Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry(201407005)Medical and Health Science and Technology Innovation Project of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences(2016-I2M-3-017)
文摘[Objectives] To study the microstructure and ultrastructure changes of P. ginseng root tip infected by C. destructans. [Methods]The paraffin section and superfine slice were used to observe the microstructure and ultrastructure of root tip of P. ginseng,respectively.[Results] Microstructure and ultrastructure observation indicated that,the morphology and structure of epidermal cells of P. ginseng were regular,cells had abundant contents,and organelles were easy to observe in control. However,after infected by C. destructans,the cell walls were thicken seven days post inoculation,particles were deposited in epidemic cells and pith,cell walls were broken,and cells began to disintegrate. Furthermore,morphology of cells was abnormal and contents in cells were decreased when infected by C. destructans. The organelles were break up,and difficult to be distinguished. [Conclusions] Through the results we deduced that,the hypha of C. destructans should firstly invade the epidermal cells of P. ginseng,and then enter into the xylem of P. ginseng root through the intercellular space,which obstructed the transport of water and inorganic salt,and finally led to death of ginseng seedlings.
文摘Purpose: To report the first human case of fungal keratitis caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans and to highlight the issues with the use of topical steroids, the duration of antifungal treatment and the potential role of topical ciclosporin. Methods: A patient presented following being injured in the left eye by a fuchsia plant. Data was collected by slit lamp examination and review of the case notes and microbiology reports. Results: No organisms were cultured from a corneal scrape however cultures from a corneal biopsy identified cylindrocarpon species morphologically resembling Cylindrocarpon destructans. The patient responded well to topical amphotericin and clotrimazole and oral voriconazole but, developed a corneal perforation, which required an urgent tectonic penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Despite being on topical dexamethasone and natamycin, the patient presented two months post-operatively with a corneal epithelial defect and a large hypopyon. Subsequently, the patient developed a deep corneal infiltrate and corneal vascularisation with a persistent epithelial defect. Conclusion: This is the first reported case of keratitis caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans. The case highlights: the contentious issues in the use of topical steroids following PKP and the duration of antifungal treatment both in primary infection and following PKP. Furthermore, the case accentuates a potential role for ciclosporin as an alternative to steroids following PKP.
文摘Bat guano from six different karst caves in Slovenia was screened by PCR for the presence of Geomyces destructans [1]. Two identical DNA sequences from guano heaps in two of the caves with recent bat droppings were retrieved. These sequences were closely related to several unidentified Geomyces clones and to pathogenic G. destructans, but definitive identification remained elusive. Despite the presence of Geomyces species, thus far there has been no report of Whitenose syndrome (WNS) symptoms in bats in Slovenia. Overall physical and chemical conditions in guano, particularly in large guano heaps, offer a suitable environment which might serve as a reservoir for pathogenic Geomyces strains and could represent a permanent reservoir for in situ infection of bats. Screening of guano and analysis of more data related to guano ecology could lend clues to control WNS outbreaks and mortality linked to G. destructans.
