User:Sakinaka3/sandbox: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
fixed spacing |
||
| Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
== Discovery == |
== Discovery == |
||
Walter Gams and Michael McGinnis were first to describe the ''Phialemonium'' genus. They described it as an intermediary genus between the ''Acremonium'' genus and ''Phialophora'' genus<ref name=":1" /> <ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|title = Phialemonium, a New Anamorph Genus Intermediate between Phialophora and Acremonium|url = http://www.jstor.org/stable/3792653|journal = Mycologia|date = 1983-11-01|pages = 977-987|volume = 75|issue = 6|doi = 10.2307/3792653|first = Walter|last = Gams|first2 = Michael R.|last2 = McGinnis}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|title = Phialemonium obovatum|url = http://www.mycobank.org/BioloMICS.aspx?Link=T&TableKey=14682616000000067&Rec=20540&Fields=All|website = www.mycobank.org|accessdate = 2015-11-17}}</ref> <ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|title = Fatal Endocarditis in a Neonate Caused by the Dematiaceous Fungus Phialemonium obovatum: Case Report and Review of the Literature|url = http://jcm.asm.org/content/40/6/2207|journal = Journal of Clinical Microbiology|date = 2002-06-01|issn = 0095-1137|pmc = 130710|pmid = 12037088|pages = 2207-2212|volume = 40|issue = 6|doi = 10.1128/JCM.40.6.2207-2212.2002|language = en|first = Patrick J.|last = Gavin|first2 = Deanna A.|last2 = Sutton|first3 = Ben Z.|last3 = Katz}}</ref> |
Walter Gams and Michael McGinnis were first to describe the ''Phialemonium'' genus. They described it as an intermediary genus between the ''Acremonium'' genus and ''Phialophora'' genus<ref name=":1" /> <ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|title = Phialemonium, a New Anamorph Genus Intermediate between Phialophora and Acremonium|url = http://www.jstor.org/stable/3792653|journal = Mycologia|date = 1983-11-01|pages = 977-987|volume = 75|issue = 6|doi = 10.2307/3792653|first = Walter|last = Gams|first2 = Michael R.|last2 = McGinnis}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|title = Phialemonium obovatum|url = http://www.mycobank.org/BioloMICS.aspx?Link=T&TableKey=14682616000000067&Rec=20540&Fields=All|website = www.mycobank.org|accessdate = 2015-11-17}}</ref> <ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|title = Fatal Endocarditis in a Neonate Caused by the Dematiaceous Fungus Phialemonium obovatum: Case Report and Review of the Literature|url = http://jcm.asm.org/content/40/6/2207|journal = Journal of Clinical Microbiology|date = 2002-06-01|issn = 0095-1137|pmc = 130710|pmid = 12037088|pages = 2207-2212|volume = 40|issue = 6|doi = 10.1128/JCM.40.6.2207-2212.2002|language = en|first = Patrick J.|last = Gavin|first2 = Deanna A.|last2 = Sutton|first3 = Ben Z.|last3 = Katz}}</ref>. They had to describe this as a new genus as they found that some hyphomycetes were very difficult to classify as an ''Acremonium'' or ''Phialophora''. This therefore led them to develop a new taxon which would better help in classifying this genus<ref name=":0" />. There are three species in the ''Phialemonium'' genus, and ''Phialemonium obovatum'' is the only one that produces green colonies and obovate shaped conidia which are the physical characteristics used to identify it from the other two species.<ref name=":8">{{Cite journal|title = Phialemonium obovatum infection in a burned child|url = http://jmvm.oxfordjournals.org/content/24/1/51|journal = Journal of Medical and Veterinary Mycology|date = 1986-01-01|issn = 0268-1218|pages = 51-55|volume = 24|issue = 1|doi = 10.1080/02681218680000061|language = en|first = Michael R.|last = McGinnis|first2 = Walter|last2 = Gams|first3 = Malcolm N.|last3 = Goodwin}}</ref>''<nowiki/>'' |
||
== Appearance == |
== Appearance == |
||
When placed in culture, ''Phialemonium obovatum'' colonies initially begin as white or off-white in colour. As they continue to grow and increase in size, they begin to turn pale or produce a green colour <ref name=":5">{{Cite journal|title = Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Therapy of Infections Caused by Dematiaceous Fungi|url = http://www.maneyonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/joc.2003.15.Supplement-2.36|journal = Journal of Chemotherapy|date = 2003-01-01|issn = 1120-009X|pages = 36-47|volume = 15|issue = Supplement-2|doi = 10.1179/joc.2003.15.Supplement-2.36|first = M.e.|last = Brandt|first2 = D.w.|last2 = Warnock}}</ref> |
When placed in culture, ''Phialemonium obovatum'' colonies initially begin as white or off-white in colour. As they continue to grow and increase in size, they begin to turn pale or produce a green colour <ref name=":5">{{Cite journal|title = Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Therapy of Infections Caused by Dematiaceous Fungi|url = http://www.maneyonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/joc.2003.15.Supplement-2.36|journal = Journal of Chemotherapy|date = 2003-01-01|issn = 1120-009X|pages = 36-47|volume = 15|issue = Supplement-2|doi = 10.1179/joc.2003.15.Supplement-2.36|first = M.e.|last = Brandt|first2 = D.w.|last2 = Warnock}}</ref><ref name=":4" />. The green pigments then diffuse and, in the center of their colonies, begin producing black-coloured pigments <ref name=":4" />. |
||
Based on their visual appearance in culture, some researchers and scientists have portrayed them to be moniliaceous fungi <ref name=":3" />. However, it could be a [[dematiaceous]] fungi as well because they are known to give off dark colours like this species does<ref name=":5" />. With the aid of a special staining procedure known as Fontana-Masson stain, it was demonstrated that ''Phialemonium obovatum'' contains melanin in their cell walls <ref name=":3" /> <ref name=":1" />. Further tests showed that there were melanin pigments found in the walls and septa of hyphae<ref name=":3" />. These pigments of melanin in cell walls of hyphae and conidia were found to be the reason for the dark colours seen in the center of the colonies <ref name=":5" />. The presence of melanin in their cell walls is a characteristic trait used to identify fungi as dematiaceous; fungi that give off dark colours <ref name=":5" /> |
Based on their visual appearance in culture, some researchers and scientists have portrayed them to be [http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/moniliaceous moniliaceous] fungi <ref name=":3" />. However, it could be a [[dematiaceous]] fungi as well because they are known to give off dark colours like this species does<ref name=":5" />. With the aid of a special staining procedure known as Fontana-Masson stain, it was demonstrated that ''Phialemonium obovatum'' contains melanin in their cell walls <ref name=":3" /> <ref name=":1" />. Further tests showed that there were melanin pigments found in the walls and septa of hyphae<ref name=":3" />. These pigments of melanin in cell walls of hyphae and conidia were found to be the reason for the dark colours seen in the center of the colonies <ref name=":5" />. The presence of melanin in their cell walls is a characteristic trait used to identify fungi as dematiaceous; fungi that give off dark colours <ref name=":5" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> . Therefore, it was concluded that ''Phialemonium obovatum'' is a dematiaceous fungi. |
||
== Growth and Morphology == |
== Growth and Morphology == |
||
Walter Gams and Michael McGinnis describe ''Phialemonium obovatum'' as having a flat, smooth texture with hyphal strands that radiate outwards |
Walter Gams and Michael McGinnis describe ''Phialemonium obovatum'' as having a flat, smooth texture with hyphal strands that radiate outwards described as floccose (fluffy or cotton like)<ref name=":0" />. These radiating hyphal strands help it spread out and characterize ''Phialemonium obovatum'' as a filamentous fungi <ref name=":2" />. It is moist and has no distinct odour<ref name=":0" />. It produces guttulate, a smooth and obovate shaped conidia meaning that they are narrow at their base. Their shape is similar to a tear drop or an egg-like shape<ref name=":4" /> <ref name=":3" /> <ref name=":8" /> . ''Phialemonium obovatum'' conidia arise from adelophialides (phialides/phialidic necks that do not contain a basal septum) which do not have collarettes<ref name=":0" /> <ref name=":8" /> <ref name=":3" /> . When placed in an agar culture, sporulation was observed and conidia arose from the hyphae which were only at the surfaces of agar. In very rare scenarios have there been any conidia appearing from submerged hyphae or aerial hyphae, branching filaments that are already growing in the air <ref name=":0" /> <ref name=":8" />. |
||
''Phialemonium obovatum'' is seen to grow optimally between 24°C-33°C. It can grow at temperatures as low as 15°C and as high as 40°C. This gives it an advantage in affecting living organisms (see Pathogenicity)<ref name=":0" />. |
''Phialemonium obovatum'' is seen to grow optimally between 24°C-33°C. It can grow at temperatures as low as 15°C and as high as 40°C. This gives it an advantage in affecting living organisms (see [[User:Sakinaka3/sandbox#Pathogenicity|Pathogenicity]])<ref name=":0" />. |
||
== Pathogenicity == |
== Pathogenicity == |
||
Saprophytic species are generally pathogenic to plants, as the name implies. However, more and more of these species are seen as causes of human infections. ''Phialemonium obovatum'' is a type of saprophytic dematiaceous fungi that can cause infections in the human hosts it invades <ref name=":3" /> <ref name=":4" /> |
Saprophytic species are generally pathogenic to plants, as the name implies. However, more and more of these species are seen as causes of human infections. ''Phialemonium obovatum'' is a type of saprophytic dematiaceous fungi that can cause infections in the human hosts it invades <ref name=":3" /> <ref name=":4" /> <ref name=":1" /> <ref name=":6">{{Cite journal|title = Outbreak of Bloodstream Infection With the Mold Phialemonium Among Patients Receiving Dialysis at a Hemodialysis Unit •|url = http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/508822|journal = Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology|date = 2006-11-01|pages = 1164-1170|volume = 27|issue = 11|doi = 10.1086/508822|first = MD|last = Thomas Clark|first2 = MD|last2 = Gregory D. Huhn|first3 = MD|last3 = Craig Conover|first4 = MPH|last4 = Salvatore Cali|first5 = DrPH|last5 = Matthew J. Arduino|first6 = MD|last6 = Rana Hajjeh|first7 = PhD|last7 = Mary E. Brandt|first8 = MD|last8 = Scott K. Fridkin}}</ref>. While there may be some animals that are infected, most cases of infections have been reported in humans <ref name=":3" /> <ref name=":4" /> <ref name=":1" /> <ref name=":6" />. Some of these infections include (fatal) [[endocarditis]], [[keratitis]], [[peritonitis]], [[osteomyelitis]], and infections caused by burns <ref name=":3" /> <ref name=":4" /> <ref name=":1" /> <ref name=":6" />. The commonality this fungi shows when causing infections is that it does not infect all humans but majorly those who are immunocompromised (i.e. those with weak immune systems). Thus it is labelled as an opportunistic fungi however, it can also target immunocompetent hosts as well (i.e. those with normal immune systems)<ref name=":1" /> <ref name=":4" /> <ref name=":3" /> <ref name=":8" />. And for this reason, it is said that as numbers of immunocompromised patients increase, there is set to be an increase in the emergence of pathogenic fungi as well <ref name=":3" />. More specifically, it has been shown that dematiaceous fungi such as ''Phialemonium obovatum'' are becoming a greater cause of infections in people who receive transplants because these people have to suppress their immune systems for the body to accept transplanted organs<ref name=":6" /> <ref name=":3" />. This allows species such as ''Phialemonium obovatum'' an opportunity to develop infections. Therefore, it can be deduced that ''Phialemonium'' species in particular may develop into a more common pathogenic fungi.<ref name=":3" /> |
||
''Phialemonium obovatum’s'' ability to infect humans is due to its ability to grow at body temperature which makes it pathogenic. Generally, pathogenicity tests are completed by measuring the temperatures fungi can withstand. Dematiaceous species can withstand temperatures at 35°C which means they can be invasive to human tissue and are likely to spread as it is near body temperature <ref name=":3" />. Furthermore, it has been shown that ''Phialemonium obovatum'' species can grow at temperatures as low as 15°C and as high as 40°C, with their optimum growth being in between 24°C-33°C <ref name=":0" />. Since this species has shown that their ability to grow at temperatures of up to 40°C, they can easily be an invasive pathogenic fungi. Additionally, this ability also allows them to infect the central nervous system <ref name=":3" />. |
''Phialemonium obovatum’s'' ability to infect humans is due to its ability to grow at body temperature which makes it pathogenic. Generally, pathogenicity tests are completed by measuring the temperatures fungi can withstand. Dematiaceous species can withstand temperatures at 35°C which means they can be invasive to human tissue and are likely to spread as it is near body temperature <ref name=":3" />. Furthermore, it has been shown that ''Phialemonium obovatum'' species can grow at temperatures as low as 15°C and as high as 40°C, with their optimum growth being in between 24°C-33°C <ref name=":0" />. Since this species has shown that their ability to grow at temperatures of up to 40°C, they can easily be an invasive pathogenic fungi. Additionally, this ability also allows them to infect the central nervous system <ref name=":3" />. |
||
Being able to grow in the body is only one aspect of being infectious; the other aspects include how it spreads and what factors it has that cause it to be virulent rather than harmless. Some research suggests that melanin pigments found in cells walls have antioxidant properties which can serve as virulence factors<ref name=":3" /> . In case studies involving infections following severe burns, researchers have found that |
Being able to grow in the body is only one aspect of being infectious; the other aspects include how it spreads and what factors it has that cause it to be virulent rather than harmless. Some research suggests that melanin pigments found in cells walls have antioxidant properties which can serve as virulence factors<ref name=":3" /> . In case studies involving infections following severe burns, researchers have found that ''Phialemonium obovatum's'' hyphae have the ability to invade into blood vessels and tissues<ref name=":8" />. Other case studies revealed yeast-like cells in the blood of infected individuals. Therefore, once invaded, ''Phialemonium obovatum'' can disseminate, colonize, and infect different places <ref name=":3" />. Some cases have proven to be fatal <ref name=":3" />. |
||
== Potential uses == |
== Potential uses == |
||
The aging process of wine in wooden barrels is a traditional process used to enhance the richness of wine. However, this method is expensive for winemakers as preparing wine barrels is a costly and time consuming process. The wooden barrels undergo biochemical changes and develop mycotic infections in order to produce compounds to create a rich taste in wine. This entire process is a preparation of wooden barrels which takes upwards of 36 months alone. Wine makers have considered the use of wood chips an alternative to barrels to produce the wine’s flavour and aroma. Using this method can also speed up the aging of the wood<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal|title = Use of microfungi in the treatment of oak chips: possible effects on wine|url = http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jsfa.4130/abstract|journal = Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture|date = 2010-12-01|issn = 1097-0010|pages = 2617-2626|volume = 90|issue = 15|doi = 10.1002/jsfa.4130|language = en|first = Leonardo|last = Petruzzi|first2 = Antonio|last2 = Bevilacqua|first3 = Claudio|last3 = Ciccarone|first4 = Giuseppe|last4 = Gambacorta|first5 = Giuseppina|last5 = Irlante|first6 = Sandra|last6 = Pati|first7 = Milena|last7 = Sinigaglia}}</ref>. This therefore led researchers to consider the use of oak chips inoculated with fungi including ''Phialemonium obovatum'' in order to observe their effects on the composition of wine<ref name=":7" />. If the oak chips are inoculated with certain fungi, researchers can control what enzymes the wood is exposed to thus they are capable of manipulating its effect on wine. Additionally, this process can increase the aging process of the wood with the enzymes that the inoculated fungi produces.<ref name=":7" /> |
The aging process of wine in wooden barrels is a traditional process used to enhance the richness of wine. However, this method is expensive for winemakers as preparing wine barrels is a costly and time consuming process. The wooden barrels undergo biochemical changes and develop mycotic infections in order to produce compounds to create a rich taste in wine. This entire process is a preparation of wooden barrels which takes upwards of 36 months alone. Wine makers have considered the use of wood chips an alternative to barrels to produce the wine’s flavour and aroma. Using this method can also speed up the aging of the wood<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal|title = Use of microfungi in the treatment of oak chips: possible effects on wine|url = http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jsfa.4130/abstract|journal = Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture|date = 2010-12-01|issn = 1097-0010|pages = 2617-2626|volume = 90|issue = 15|doi = 10.1002/jsfa.4130|language = en|first = Leonardo|last = Petruzzi|first2 = Antonio|last2 = Bevilacqua|first3 = Claudio|last3 = Ciccarone|first4 = Giuseppe|last4 = Gambacorta|first5 = Giuseppina|last5 = Irlante|first6 = Sandra|last6 = Pati|first7 = Milena|last7 = Sinigaglia}}</ref><ref name=":9" />. This therefore led researchers to consider the use of oak chips inoculated with fungi including ''Phialemonium obovatum'' in order to observe their effects on the composition of wine<ref name=":7" />. If the oak chips are inoculated with certain fungi, researchers can control what enzymes the wood is exposed to thus they are capable of manipulating its effect on wine. Additionally, this process can increase the aging process of the wood with the enzymes that the inoculated fungi produces.<ref name=":7" /> |
||
Furthermore, researchers inoculated oak chips with different fungi. They used oak chips of different sizes, and in different types of environments in order to favour the fungus. Those chips were then used to age the wine and then concentrations from different compounds that are present in wine were extracted and measured. The results showed that the species of fungi they used and different treatment conditions of the oak chips affected the presence and concentrations of different phenolic and volatile compounds in wine.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web|title = Using Fungi-Treated Oak Chips to Increase the Extraction of Oak Character into Aging Wines|url = http://www.academicwino.com/2011/12/using-fungi-treated-oak-chips-to.html/|website = The Academic Wino|accessdate = 2015-11-17|language = en-US}}</ref> |
Furthermore, researchers inoculated oak chips with different fungi. They used oak chips of different sizes, and in different types of environments in order to favour the fungus. Those chips were then used to age the wine and then concentrations from different compounds that are present in wine were extracted and measured. The results showed that the species of fungi they used and different treatment conditions of the oak chips affected the presence and concentrations of different phenolic and volatile compounds in wine.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web|title = Using Fungi-Treated Oak Chips to Increase the Extraction of Oak Character into Aging Wines|url = http://www.academicwino.com/2011/12/using-fungi-treated-oak-chips-to.html/|website = The Academic Wino|accessdate = 2015-11-17|language = en-US}}</ref> |
||
The |
The wine which contained oak chips treated with ''Phialemonium obovatum'' as well as other fungi showed an increase in the concentrations of syringol and guaiacol compounds. Syringol is a compound that is produced when the wood is toasted thus it indicating the degree to which the wood is toasted. Guaiacol, on the other hand, is synthesized when wood is being toasted and lignin is breaking down. It produces a burnt-like aroma in the wine. Guaiacol has a greater effect than syringol on the flavour of wine.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":9" /> |
||
| ⚫ | This research has shown that the presence of fungi can affect the flavour and composition of wine. Furthermore, with the use of inoculated oak chips one can speed up the aging process but more importantly, the use of inoculated oak chips allow one to customize the composition of wine to one’s taste<ref name=":7" /> <ref name=":9" />. This research is still in its early stages even though it seems promising in its potential applications. Although researchers mentioned that they used non-mycotoxigenic fungi throughout their paper, this method does raise controversial issues regarding the toxicity of some fungi<ref name=":7" />. |
||
| ⚫ | This research has shown that the presence of fungi can affect the flavour and composition of wine. Furthermore, with the use of inoculated oak chips one can speed up the aging process but more importantly, the use of inoculated oak chips allow one to customize the composition of wine to one’s taste<ref name=":7" /> <ref name=":9" />. This research is still in its early stages even though it seems promising in its potential applications. Although researchers mentioned that they used non- |
||
== References == |
== References == |
||
Revision as of 04:46, 17 November 2015
| Sakinaka3/sandbox | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Division: | |
| Subdivision: | |
| Class: | |
| Subclass: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | P. obovatum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Phialemonium obovatum Gams, W. & McGinnis, M.R. (1983)
| |
Phialemonium obovatum
Phialemonium obovatum is a saprophytic filamentous fungi that is capable of infecting humans, especially those with compromised and weakened immune systems[1] [2][3]. Species of the Phialemonium genus are found throughout the environment[2] [1]. They can be found and isolated from sewage, soil, air and water [1][2].
Discovery
Walter Gams and Michael McGinnis were first to describe the Phialemonium genus. They described it as an intermediary genus between the Acremonium genus and Phialophora genus[2] [4] [5] [6]. They had to describe this as a new genus as they found that some hyphomycetes were very difficult to classify as an Acremonium or Phialophora. This therefore led them to develop a new taxon which would better help in classifying this genus[4]. There are three species in the Phialemonium genus, and Phialemonium obovatum is the only one that produces green colonies and obovate shaped conidia which are the physical characteristics used to identify it from the other two species.[7]
Appearance
When placed in culture, Phialemonium obovatum colonies initially begin as white or off-white in colour. As they continue to grow and increase in size, they begin to turn pale or produce a green colour [8][1]. The green pigments then diffuse and, in the center of their colonies, begin producing black-coloured pigments [1].
Based on their visual appearance in culture, some researchers and scientists have portrayed them to be moniliaceous fungi [6]. However, it could be a dematiaceous fungi as well because they are known to give off dark colours like this species does[8]. With the aid of a special staining procedure known as Fontana-Masson stain, it was demonstrated that Phialemonium obovatum contains melanin in their cell walls [6] [2]. Further tests showed that there were melanin pigments found in the walls and septa of hyphae[6]. These pigments of melanin in cell walls of hyphae and conidia were found to be the reason for the dark colours seen in the center of the colonies [8]. The presence of melanin in their cell walls is a characteristic trait used to identify fungi as dematiaceous; fungi that give off dark colours [8][2][6] . Therefore, it was concluded that Phialemonium obovatum is a dematiaceous fungi.
Growth and Morphology
Walter Gams and Michael McGinnis describe Phialemonium obovatum as having a flat, smooth texture with hyphal strands that radiate outwards described as floccose (fluffy or cotton like)[4]. These radiating hyphal strands help it spread out and characterize Phialemonium obovatum as a filamentous fungi [3]. It is moist and has no distinct odour[4]. It produces guttulate, a smooth and obovate shaped conidia meaning that they are narrow at their base. Their shape is similar to a tear drop or an egg-like shape[1] [6] [7] . Phialemonium obovatum conidia arise from adelophialides (phialides/phialidic necks that do not contain a basal septum) which do not have collarettes[4] [7] [6] . When placed in an agar culture, sporulation was observed and conidia arose from the hyphae which were only at the surfaces of agar. In very rare scenarios have there been any conidia appearing from submerged hyphae or aerial hyphae, branching filaments that are already growing in the air [4] [7].
Phialemonium obovatum is seen to grow optimally between 24°C-33°C. It can grow at temperatures as low as 15°C and as high as 40°C. This gives it an advantage in affecting living organisms (see Pathogenicity)[4].
Pathogenicity
Saprophytic species are generally pathogenic to plants, as the name implies. However, more and more of these species are seen as causes of human infections. Phialemonium obovatum is a type of saprophytic dematiaceous fungi that can cause infections in the human hosts it invades [6] [1] [2] [9]. While there may be some animals that are infected, most cases of infections have been reported in humans [6] [1] [2] [9]. Some of these infections include (fatal) endocarditis, keratitis, peritonitis, osteomyelitis, and infections caused by burns [6] [1] [2] [9]. The commonality this fungi shows when causing infections is that it does not infect all humans but majorly those who are immunocompromised (i.e. those with weak immune systems). Thus it is labelled as an opportunistic fungi however, it can also target immunocompetent hosts as well (i.e. those with normal immune systems)[2] [1] [6] [7]. And for this reason, it is said that as numbers of immunocompromised patients increase, there is set to be an increase in the emergence of pathogenic fungi as well [6]. More specifically, it has been shown that dematiaceous fungi such as Phialemonium obovatum are becoming a greater cause of infections in people who receive transplants because these people have to suppress their immune systems for the body to accept transplanted organs[9] [6]. This allows species such as Phialemonium obovatum an opportunity to develop infections. Therefore, it can be deduced that Phialemonium species in particular may develop into a more common pathogenic fungi.[6]
Phialemonium obovatum’s ability to infect humans is due to its ability to grow at body temperature which makes it pathogenic. Generally, pathogenicity tests are completed by measuring the temperatures fungi can withstand. Dematiaceous species can withstand temperatures at 35°C which means they can be invasive to human tissue and are likely to spread as it is near body temperature [6]. Furthermore, it has been shown that Phialemonium obovatum species can grow at temperatures as low as 15°C and as high as 40°C, with their optimum growth being in between 24°C-33°C [4]. Since this species has shown that their ability to grow at temperatures of up to 40°C, they can easily be an invasive pathogenic fungi. Additionally, this ability also allows them to infect the central nervous system [6].
Being able to grow in the body is only one aspect of being infectious; the other aspects include how it spreads and what factors it has that cause it to be virulent rather than harmless. Some research suggests that melanin pigments found in cells walls have antioxidant properties which can serve as virulence factors[6] . In case studies involving infections following severe burns, researchers have found that Phialemonium obovatum's hyphae have the ability to invade into blood vessels and tissues[7]. Other case studies revealed yeast-like cells in the blood of infected individuals. Therefore, once invaded, Phialemonium obovatum can disseminate, colonize, and infect different places [6]. Some cases have proven to be fatal [6].
Potential uses
The aging process of wine in wooden barrels is a traditional process used to enhance the richness of wine. However, this method is expensive for winemakers as preparing wine barrels is a costly and time consuming process. The wooden barrels undergo biochemical changes and develop mycotic infections in order to produce compounds to create a rich taste in wine. This entire process is a preparation of wooden barrels which takes upwards of 36 months alone. Wine makers have considered the use of wood chips an alternative to barrels to produce the wine’s flavour and aroma. Using this method can also speed up the aging of the wood[10][11]. This therefore led researchers to consider the use of oak chips inoculated with fungi including Phialemonium obovatum in order to observe their effects on the composition of wine[10]. If the oak chips are inoculated with certain fungi, researchers can control what enzymes the wood is exposed to thus they are capable of manipulating its effect on wine. Additionally, this process can increase the aging process of the wood with the enzymes that the inoculated fungi produces.[10]
Furthermore, researchers inoculated oak chips with different fungi. They used oak chips of different sizes, and in different types of environments in order to favour the fungus. Those chips were then used to age the wine and then concentrations from different compounds that are present in wine were extracted and measured. The results showed that the species of fungi they used and different treatment conditions of the oak chips affected the presence and concentrations of different phenolic and volatile compounds in wine.[10][11]
The wine which contained oak chips treated with Phialemonium obovatum as well as other fungi showed an increase in the concentrations of syringol and guaiacol compounds. Syringol is a compound that is produced when the wood is toasted thus it indicating the degree to which the wood is toasted. Guaiacol, on the other hand, is synthesized when wood is being toasted and lignin is breaking down. It produces a burnt-like aroma in the wine. Guaiacol has a greater effect than syringol on the flavour of wine.[10][11]
This research has shown that the presence of fungi can affect the flavour and composition of wine. Furthermore, with the use of inoculated oak chips one can speed up the aging process but more importantly, the use of inoculated oak chips allow one to customize the composition of wine to one’s taste[10] [11]. This research is still in its early stages even though it seems promising in its potential applications. Although researchers mentioned that they used non-mycotoxigenic fungi throughout their paper, this method does raise controversial issues regarding the toxicity of some fungi[10].
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hong, Kwon Ho; Ryoo, Nam Hee; Chang, Sung Dong. "Phialemonium obovatum Keratitis after Penetration Injury of the Cornea". Korean Journal of Ophthalmology. 26 (6). doi:10.3341/kjo.2012.26.6.465. PMC 3506823. PMID 23204804.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Perdomo, H.; Sutton, D. A.; García, D.; Fothergill, A. W.; Gené, J.; Cano, J.; Summerbell, R. C.; Rinaldi, M. G.; Guarro, J. (2011-04-01). "Molecular and Phenotypic Characterization of Phialemonium and Lecythophora Isolates from Clinical Samples". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 49 (4): 1209–1216. doi:10.1128/JCM.01979-10. ISSN 0095-1137. PMC 3122869. PMID 21270235.
- ^ a b "Phialemonium obovatum". www.cbs.knaw.nl. Retrieved 2015-10-17.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Gams, Walter; McGinnis, Michael R. (1983-11-01). "Phialemonium, a New Anamorph Genus Intermediate between Phialophora and Acremonium". Mycologia. 75 (6): 977–987. doi:10.2307/3792653.
- ^ "Phialemonium obovatum". www.mycobank.org. Retrieved 2015-11-17.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Gavin, Patrick J.; Sutton, Deanna A.; Katz, Ben Z. (2002-06-01). "Fatal Endocarditis in a Neonate Caused by the Dematiaceous Fungus Phialemonium obovatum: Case Report and Review of the Literature". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 40 (6): 2207–2212. doi:10.1128/JCM.40.6.2207-2212.2002. ISSN 0095-1137. PMC 130710. PMID 12037088.
- ^ a b c d e f McGinnis, Michael R.; Gams, Walter; Goodwin, Malcolm N. (1986-01-01). "Phialemonium obovatum infection in a burned child". Journal of Medical and Veterinary Mycology. 24 (1): 51–55. doi:10.1080/02681218680000061. ISSN 0268-1218.
- ^ a b c d Brandt, M.e.; Warnock, D.w. (2003-01-01). "Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Therapy of Infections Caused by Dematiaceous Fungi". Journal of Chemotherapy. 15 (Supplement-2): 36–47. doi:10.1179/joc.2003.15.Supplement-2.36. ISSN 1120-009X.
- ^ a b c d Thomas Clark, MD; Gregory D. Huhn, MD; Craig Conover, MD; Salvatore Cali, MPH; Matthew J. Arduino, DrPH; Rana Hajjeh, MD; Mary E. Brandt, PhD; Scott K. Fridkin, MD (2006-11-01). "Outbreak of Bloodstream Infection With the Mold Phialemonium Among Patients Receiving Dialysis at a Hemodialysis Unit •". Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. 27 (11): 1164–1170. doi:10.1086/508822.
{{cite journal}}: no-break space character in|last2=at position 8 (help); no-break space character in|last3=at position 6 (help); no-break space character in|last4=at position 10 (help); no-break space character in|last5=at position 8 (help); no-break space character in|last6=at position 5 (help); no-break space character in|last7=at position 5 (help); no-break space character in|last8=at position 6 (help); no-break space character in|last=at position 7 (help); no-break space character in|title=at position 118 (help) - ^ a b c d e f g Petruzzi, Leonardo; Bevilacqua, Antonio; Ciccarone, Claudio; Gambacorta, Giuseppe; Irlante, Giuseppina; Pati, Sandra; Sinigaglia, Milena (2010-12-01). "Use of microfungi in the treatment of oak chips: possible effects on wine". Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 90 (15): 2617–2626. doi:10.1002/jsfa.4130. ISSN 1097-0010.
- ^ a b c d "Using Fungi-Treated Oak Chips to Increase the Extraction of Oak Character into Aging Wines". The Academic Wino. Retrieved 2015-11-17.