No abstract available.
Aspergillus* ; Sinusitis*

Aims: The study was aimed to isolate and characterize the mycotoxin-producing filamentous Aspergillus parasiticus from the feed samples. The sensitivity pattern of the isolates was assessed against different disinfectants. Methodology and results: Fifty different feed samples were screened for A. parasiticus isolation. Isolates were subjected to macroscopic and microscopic characterization. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to confirm the isolates at the genomic level. Mycotoxin producing potential of the isolates was assessed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). To quantify the toxins, high performance liquid (HPLC) was employed. The antifungal potential of disinfectants was determined by the well diffusion method followed by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) calculation. Out of twenty isolates of A. parasiticus, 11(55%) isolates were observed positive for toxin production. Three toxigenic isolates (AspP2, AspP4 and AspP8) were selected to evaluate their susceptibility against disinfectants by well diffusion method. AspP2 produced maximum (5.90 ng/mL) toxin, followed by AspP4 (3.11 ng/mL) and AspP8 (18.47 ng/mL). Terralin showed maximum fungicidal activity with 29.66 ± 8.08 mm zone of inhibition at 0.42 μg/mL MIC. Hypochlorite and Instru Star showed 99% disinfection with 30, 60 and 90 min contact time (6 mean log reduction) for all A. parasiticus isolates. Alpha Guard inhibited growth after 15 min contact time for all the isolates. Conclusion, significance and impact of study This study provides data indicating the contamination of feed samples with mycotoxin-producing A. parasiticus isolates and their sensitivity against commercially available disinfectants. Use of these disinfectants in appropriate concentrations and time could help prevent the contamination of food, feed and healthcare settings with the fungal species.
Mycotoxins ; Aspergillus

Objective To compare the clinical features and auxiliary examination results of sinus-originated intracranial aspergillosis（ICA）and rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis（ROCM）. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of seven patients with sinus-originated ICA and six patients with ROCM who were diagnosed and treated in our hospital from January 2018 to January 2023. Results The pathogenic factor of CNS fungal infection was observed in all patients with ROCM and 57.1% of the patients with sinus-originated ICA. Compared with the patients with sinus-originated ICA，the patients with ROCM were more likely to develop ocular symptoms and signs such as exophthalmos，periorbital swelling，and intraocular inflammation，as well as non-ocular symptoms and signs including fever，facial swelling，and facial nerve palsy. Compared with the patients with sinus-originated ICA，the patients with ROCM had significantly greater increases in blood glucose，erythrocyte sedimentation rate，C-reactive protein，and procalcitonin. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed that sinus-originated ICA often affected the paranasal sinuses，orbital apices，retro-orbital regions，and cavernous sinuses，while the patients with ROCM were more likely to have sinusitis，bone destruction，and mucormycosis invading cerebral vessels. As for treatment，50% of the patients with ROCM and 42.9% of the patients with sinus-originated ICA received antifungal therapy alone，while 50% of the patients with ROCM and 57.1% of the patients with sinus-originated ICA received a combination of medication and surgery. By follow-up to September 2023，50% of the patients with ROCM and 28.6% of the patients with sinus-originated ICA had no response to treatment and died. Conclusion Both sinus-originated ICA and ROCM have rapid progression，and ROCM survivors with diabetes are more likely to experience disabilities. Timely diagnosis and initiation of antifungal therapy，correction of underlying predisposing factors，and active surgical debridement are essential for the treatment of CNS fungal infections.
Aspergillus ; Mucormycosis

To report a case of an immunocompetent young adult male patient diagnosed with intracranial Aspergillus flavus infection， and to investigate the clinical features of this disease and related experience in diagnosis and treatment.A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of a patient who had the initial presentation of high fever and headache and then progressed to meningoencephalitis， and the results of cerebrospinal fluid （CSF） metagenomic next-generation sequencing （mNGS） and treatment outcomes were summarized.The patient had an acute onset， with no response to empirical anti-infective therapy in the incipient stage， and then he gradually developed disturbance of consciousness and meningeal irritation sign. CSF analysis showed inflammatory changes， while conventional pathogen tests yielded negative results， and mNGS detected 27 specific sequences of Aspergillus flavus. The symptoms of the patient was significantly improved after antifungal therapy with voriconazole， with no recurrence after follow-up for 3 months.For unexplained central nervous system infections， especially those with negative results from conventional tests， mNGS can improve the detection rate of rare pathogens（e.g.，Aspergillus flavus）. Early diagnosis and targeted antifungal therapy are crucial for improving prognosis. This case highlights that invasive fungal infections should be considered even in immunocompetent individuals.
Aspergillus flavus

63 strains of Aspergillus section Fumigati were isolated from 17 samples of arable soil in a central province of Korea. Based on the results of genotypic and phenotypic analyses, they were identified as Aspergillus fumigatus, A. lentulus, Neosartorya coreana, N. fennelliae, N. fischeri, N. glabra, N. hiratsukae, N. laciniosa, N. pseudofischeri, N. quadricincta, N. spinosa and N. udagawae. Among these, N. fennelliae, N. hiratsukae, N. quadricincta, and N. udagawae had not been previously recorded in Korea. The diversity of Aspergillus section Fumigati species from arable soil in Korea is also addressed.
Aspergillus ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; Korea ; Neosartorya ; Soil

No abstract available.
Aspergillus* ; Coinfection* ; Influenza, Human*

No abstract available.
Aspergillus ; Coinfection ; Cytomegalovirus ; Pneumonia

No abstract available.
Aspergillus niger* ; Cicatrix*

In our continuing study on the chemical constituents in the fruiting bodies of Daldinia concentrica, diaporthin and orthosporin were isolated. Their chemical structures were assigned based on various spectral studies. Diaporthin and orthosporin, phytotoxins previously found in Aspergillus ochraceus, were isolated from wood-rotting mushroom D. concentrica for the first time.
Agaricales ; Aspergillus ochraceus ; Fruit*

Aims: This present study focused on purification of fungal β-mannanase produced by Aspergillus niger USM F4 and also physicochemical characterisation of the purified enzyme. Methodology and results: The purified β-mannanase with a molecular mass of ~47.4 kDa was demonstrated on SDSPAGE gel. The enzyme signified a purification degree of 4-fold, with final specific activity of 196.42 U/mg. It reached an optimum catalytic activity at pH 4.0 and 60 °C. The thermal stability of the enzyme was up to 70 °C and maintained the 50% activity after 30 min at 80 °C. Meanwhile, the pH stability was in the range of pH 3.0-9.0 and a 30 min half-life at pH 10.0. All chemical substances manifested an inhibitory effect on purified β-mannanase, with SDS (28.16 ± 0.05% residual activity) as the strongest inhibitor, followed by cupric ion (Cu2+) (49.51 ± 0.09% residual activity). As a whole, the enzyme displayed a substrate specificity in the order of locust bean gum (LBG) > carboxymethylcellulose > soluble starch > xylan from oat spelt > α-cellulose. Its preference for LBG has generated the Km and Vmax values of 0.20 mg/mL and 9.82 U/mL, respectively. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The outcomes of our study offer potential for use at industrial scales, particularly in the oligosaccharides production that involve acid-related activity, wide-ranging temperature and pH stability.
Aspergillus niger ; beta-Mannosidase