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Fungi are some of the most important organisms in the production of bioactive secondary metabolites. This success is related to the advances in biotechnology and also to the possibility of working with techniques such as the "OSMAC" (one strain-many compounds) to achieve different fungal secondary metabolites profiles upon modifying the culturing conditions. Using this approach, the fungal species Paecilomyces lilacinus was cultivated in potato dextrose broth under 14 different fermentative conditions by adding the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium to the growing medium in order to provide biotic stress. S. typhimurium was added alive or after inactivation by autoclave or microwave irradiation in different stages of fungal growth. Extracts were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction using ethyl acetate, a medium polarity solvent in order to avoid extracting culturing media components. Production of fatty acids of relevance for the pharmaceutical and food industries was enhanced by the modified fermentative conditions and they were identified and quantified. The extracts were evaluated for acetylcholinesterase inhibition and the more active extract (91±2.91% inhibition) was prepared in large scale. From this active P. lilacinus extract, a novel pyridone alkaloid, named Paecilomide, was isolated and its structure was elucidated by modern nuclear magnetic resonance techniques and mass spectrometric analyses. Paecilomide (1) was also evaluated for acetylcholinesterase inhibition, presenting 57.5±5.50% of acetylcholinesterase inhibition., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

A 72-year-old man presented with Paecilomyces keratitis subsequent to immunosuppressive treatment. Despite medical therapy with voriconazole, perforation occurred requiring a tectonic keratoplasty of 10 mm. Despite oral, topical and intracameral voriconazole, there was recurrent stromal infiltration. A corneoscleral graft of 15 mm was undertaken. Two weeks later, hyphae were seen on the anterior lens capsule with hypopyon requiring phacoemulsification and anterior chamber washout. Six weeks later, there was evidence of endophthalmitis. Pars plana vitrectomy, capsulectomy and intravitreal injection of voriconazole were performed. Voriconazole treatment was continued for a further 10 months and then ceased. At 16 months following the last recurrence of Paecilomyces, there was no evidence of infection. After 20 months, the patient had a sutured intraocular lens with an artificial iris. Vision is 6/36 unaided and 6/24 pinhole., (© 2012 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Optometry © 2012 Optometrists Association Australia.)

The fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus is a rare but emerging pathogen that causes severe human infections, especially in immunocompromised hosts. It is an important organism to identify due to its poor susceptibility to conventional antifungal drugs, including amphotericin B, itraconazole, and fluconazole. Oculomycosis and cutaneous infections are the two most common manifestations of P. lilacinus infections. Voriconazole has been used successfully to treat P. lilacinus endophthalmitis, but reports of skin and soft tissue infections treated with voriconazole are limited to six prior publications. Our immunocompromised patient had a subcutaneous P. lilacinus infection successfully treated with 3 months of voriconazole therapy.

Insect fungus gardens consist of a community of interacting microorganisms that can have either beneficial or detrimental effects to the farmers. In contrast to fungus-farming ants and termites, the fungal communities of ambrosia beetles and the effects of particular fungal species on the farmers are largely unknown. Here, we used a laboratory rearing technique for studying the filamentous fungal garden community of the ambrosia beetle, Xyleborinus saxesenii, which cultivates fungi in tunnels excavated within dead trees. Raffaelea sulfurea and Fusicolla acetilerea were transmitted in spore-carrying organs by gallery founding females and established first in new gardens. Raffaelea sulfurea had positive effects on egg-laying and larval numbers. Over time, four other fungal species emerged in the gardens. Prevalence of one of them, Paecilomyces variotii, correlated negatively with larval numbers and can be harmful to adults by forming biofilms on their bodies. It also comprised the main portion of garden material removed from galleries by adults. Our data suggest that two mutualistic, several commensalistic and one to two pathogenic filamentous fungi are associated with X. saxesenii. Fungal diversity in gardens of ambrosia beetles appears to be much lower than that in gardens of fungus-culturing ants, which seems to result from essential differences in substrates and behaviours., (© 2012 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To report 5 cases of culture-proven fungal keratitis that resolved with moxifloxacin monotherapy., Methods: Case reports and review of medical literature. Five patients with fungal keratitis were treated with topical moxifloxacin., Results: All 5 patients had resolution of their infection with topical moxifloxacin monotherapy., Conclusions: Topical fluoroquinolone agents may have significant antifungal properties. However, the vast majority of fungal keratitis patients cannot be cured with fluoroquinolone monotherapy. An initial response of keratitis to topical fluoroquinolone therapy should not lead to the assumption that the infection is bacterial because the possibility of fungal infection cannot be ruled out on that basis.

Paecilomyces lilacinus infection is rare and is found worldwide. The majority of infections occur in immunocompromised people. Among immunocompetent patients, cutaneous infections are the second most common site of infection but are difficult to treat because of antifungal resistance. We report a case of hand cutaneous involvement with synovitis in an immunocompetent patient that improved after treatment with oral voriconazole. To the best of our knowledge, there are only five published cases of cutaneous P.lilacinus infection, all in immunocompromised patient, treated with oral voriconazole. We review all previously reported cases.

This study evaluated the quaternary ammonium compound cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as an alternative to the chemically related dodecylguanidine (dodine) for the selective isolation of entomopathogenic fungi. Oatmeal agar (OA) with chloramphenicol was used as basal medium, and three concentrations of CTAB (0.5, 0.6, 0.7 g/L) were evaluated and compared against OA + 0.46 g/L dodine. Selective isolation and growth studies were performed with the entomopathogens Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. and Paecilomyces lilacinus and five common non-entomopathogenic non-target species. The three entomopathogenic fungi sporulated earlier on OA + 0.6 g/L CTAB than on OA + 0.46 g/L dodine, while none of the non-target fungi sporulated on OA + 0.6 g/L CTAB. All entomopathogenic fungal isolates grew on OA + 0.6 g/L CTAB, despite some intra-species variation, whereas non-target fungi showed no growth or sporulation. OA + 0.6 g/L CTAB resulted in an efficient medium to isolate B. bassiana, M. anisopliae s. l. and P. lilacinus from soil samples. Results of our study suggest that OA + 0.6 g/L CTAB is a suitable, simple and inexpensive to prepare medium to replace OA + 0.46 g/L dodine for the selective isolation of these fungi.

Fungi of the genus Paecilomyces, a causative agent of the fungal disease paecilomycosis, have been found in the blood of productive animals (sheep, cattle, pigs, goats) that are carriers of Echinococcus larvocysts. In the Republic of Uzbekistan, the echinococcosis affection of sheep, cattle, pigs, and goats continues to remain high. Domestic fowls (chickens, turkeys, and gooses) have been established to be blood carriers of Paecilomyces fungi, which is also true for wild birds, such as my-lady's-belts, quails, chukars, and crows. The degree of fungal affection has been also established for birds.

Experiments were carried out on 35 lambs infected with echinococcus eggs taken from canine donors, 5 lambs with echinococcosis, 5 lambs with echinococcosis + paecilomycosis, 5 lambs with coenurosis, 5 with cysticercosis ovis, 5 with alveococcosis, 5 with paecilomycosis, inoculated by the material taken from patients; and 5 healthy lambs formed a control group. Cystic hydatidosis was found to induce substantial cardiovascular changes.

Paecilomyces lilacinus is a filamentous fungus that is a rare cause of infection in immunocompromised human hosts. We present a case of lilacinus septic olecranon bursitis in an otherwise healthy 78-year-old male. This patient's case was complicated by wound breakdown after bursectomy and appropriate anti-fungal treatment, requiring a local soft tissue rearrangement. This case demonstrates the need for appropriate and timely medical and surgical treatment in infections involving lilacinus, which are not isolated solely to systemically immunocompromised and medically-ill patient populations. In cases where the patient is systemically immumocompromised or has been rendered locally immunocompromised, it is essential to obtain a full culture work-up, including fungi.

Background: Endophytic fungi are little known for exogenous secretion of phytohormones and mitigation of salinity stress, which is a major limiting factor for agriculture production worldwide. Current study was designed to isolate phytohormone producing endophytic fungus from the roots of cucumber plant and identify its role in plant growth and stress tolerance under saline conditions., Results: We isolated nine endophytic fungi from the roots of cucumber plant and screened their culture filtrates (CF) on gibberellins (GAs) deficient mutant rice cultivar Waito-C and normal GAs biosynthesis rice cultivar Dongjin-byeo. The CF of a fungal isolate CSH-6H significantly increased the growth of Waito-C and Dongjin-byeo seedlings as compared to control. Analysis of the CF showed presence of GAs (GA1, GA3, GA4, GA8, GA9, GA12, GA20 and GA24) and indole acetic acid. The endophyte CSH-6H was identified as a strain of Paecilomyces formosus LHL10 on the basis of phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequence similarity. Under salinity stress, P. formosus inoculation significantly enhanced cucumber shoot length and allied growth characteristics as compared to non-inoculated control plants. The hypha of P. formosus was also observed in the cortical and pericycle regions of the host-plant roots and was successfully re-isolated using PCR techniques. P. formosus association counteracted the adverse effects of salinity by accumulating proline and antioxidants and maintaining plant water potential. Thus the electrolytic leakage and membrane damage to the cucumber plants was reduced in the association of endophyte. Reduced content of stress responsive abscisic acid suggest lesser stress convened to endophyte-associated plants. On contrary, elevated endogenous GAs (GA3, GA4, GA12 and GA20) contents in endophyte-associated cucumber plants evidenced salinity stress modulation., Conclusion: The results reveal that mutualistic interactions of phytohormones secreting endophytic fungi can ameliorate host plant growth and alleviate adverse effects of salt stress. Such fungal strain could be used for further field trials to improve agricultural productivity under saline conditions., (© 2012 Khan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.)

In this report, two cases of systemic mycosis in captive sharks are characterized. These cases were progressive and ultimately culminated in terminal disease. Paecilomyces lilacinus, an uncommon pathogen in human and veterinary medicine, was associated with areas of necrosis in the liver, heart, and gill in a great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran). Fungal growth was observed from samples of kidney, spleen, spinal fluid, and coelomic cavity swabs. Dual fungal infection by Exophiala pisciphila and Mucor circinelloides was diagnosed in a juvenile zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum). Both fungi were present in the liver, with more severe tissue destruction associated with E. pisciphila. E. pisciphila also produced significant necrosis in the spleen and gill, while M. circinelloides was associated with only minimal tissue changes in the heart. Fungal cultures from liver, kidney, and spleen were positive for both E. pisciphila and M. circinelloides. Identification of P. lilacinus and M. circinelloides was based on colonial and hyphal morphology. E. pisciphila was identified by sequence analysis of the 28S rRNA D1/D2 region and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region between the 18S and 28S rRNA subunit. These cases, and a lack of information in the literature, highlight the need for further research and diagnostic sampling to further characterize the host-pathogen interaction between elasmobranchs and fungi.

Paecilomyces lilacinus causes multiple diseases in humans, especially in immunocompromised patients. Cutaneous infections are the second most commonly encountered circumstance. We describe a woman with liver cirrhosis with hemorrhagic, bullous, ulcerative leg lesions caused by Paecilomyces lilacinus. The lesions improved after treatment with oral voriconazole and topical nystatin powder. We also reviewed previously reported cases of cutaneous P. lilacinus infection that were treated by oral voriconazole.

A 41-year-old male who was 3 years status post heart transplant presented with a 3-month history of painful erythematous nodules and ulcers on his lower legs and right hand. First, Mycobacterium chelonae infection was revealed through several biopsies with molecular sequence analysis, and combination treatment, including clarithromycin, was started. During the treatment, lesions of the legs showed an improvement, but a fluctuant erythematous nodule on the thumb did not respond. Repetitive biopsy from the thumb ultimately identified Paecilomyces species and the patient was treated with itraconazole and terbinafine sequentially. Our case is the first report, to our knowledge, of synchronous infection with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and Paecilomyces in a solid organ transplant recipient. Our findings highlight the importance of recognizing cutaneous NTM infections or deep mycoses, as well as the importance of choosing an appropriate treatment., (© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Paecilomyces tenuipes reportedly have anticancer and immune activities, along with various other medicinal uses. Cultured products with P. tenuipes are certified for use in food in South Korea, and processed goods containing this fungus have been developed in many countries, particularly South Korea, Japan, and China. Research on mass production technology-procured raw materials for the manufacture of P. tenuipes is very important; however, cultures of the fungus have been unstable. This study identified stable cultivation conditions, focusing on growth inhibition and revitalization. Moisture regulation and preservation of pupae inoculated with P. tenuipes were used to control growth inhibition and revitalization. When inoculated silkworm pupae were dehydrated to 4% moisture and preserved freeze-dried or at -70 degrees C, -20 degrees C, or 4 degrees C, the mycelia in their bodies were able to survive for 14 d. Inoculated silkworm pupae were rehydrated for 3 h and the mycelia within their bodies were recovered at 94.3-96.3%. Silkworm pupae at 4% moisture were able to survive for 135 d at temperatures < 4 degrees C and for 1 y after freeze-drying. Optimal conditions for synnemata induction were 25 degrees C and 100-300 1x.

Invasive fungal infections of the sinonasal tract are a rare but known entity in immunocompromised patients. Paecilomyces lilacinus is a nematophagous fungi with septate hyphae that has afflicted humans in multiple forms, causing cutaneous, ocular, and sinonasal infections. Only 4 cases of P lilacinus and 2 cases of Paecilomyces variotii in the sinonasal tract have been reported in the literature. We present a case of invasive fungal rhinitis secondary to P lilacinus infection in an immunocompromised patient. She was managed successfully with a novel treatment: voriconazole and endonasal microdebridement.

A novel phenol-degrading filamentous fungus, strain JH6, was isolated from activated sludge and identified as a member of Paecilomyces variotii based on standard morphological and phylogenetic analysis. The degradation assays suggested that the strain was able to utilize phenol as the sole source of carbon and energy at concentrations up to 1800 mg/l. The strain exhibited optimum phenol degradation performance with the addition of 100 mg/l glucose at pH 5, 37°C. Haldane's model could be fitted to the growth kinetics data well over a wide range of initial phenol concentrations (100-1800 mg/l), with kinetic values μ(max)=0.312 h(-1), K(s)=130.4 mg/l, and K(i)=200 mg/l. The decay coefficient was found to be 0.0073 h(-1). Complete phenol degradation by strain JH6 could be achieved in the presence of other toxicants, such as m-cresol and quinoline, which were often found in the real phenol-containing wastewater., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The features of radial growth of three microscopic fungi species were investigated at illumination by yellow, blue, green and red light. The studied species of fungi differed by isolation site (some of them were isolated from the places of high radioactive pollution, others--from the places with background level of radioactivity) and pigmentation degree (melanin-containing and light-colored). The parameters of radial growth, which are the integral indexes of the fungal organism physiology state were investigated: radial growth rate, branching degree and summarizing index--the intensity of substrate consumption. It was shown that the melanin-containing fungi Cladosporium cladosporioides growth was twice more rapid in response to blue and yellow light. Whereas such light depressed growth of non-pigmented strain of the same species as compared to control. A light response of other pigment-containing species Hormoconis resinae was far less expressed, and the light-colored species Paecilomyces lilacinus had no response to any offered conditions of illumination.

An outbreak of disseminated granulomatous disease occurred in a group of veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) in a zoo collection. An adult female and six offspring developed large granulomas in multiple organs and were euthanized. At necropsy, roughly spherical yellow-to-white nodules 1 to 3 mm in diameter were grossly visible in the liver and other organs. Histopathology revealed fungal elements that were spherical to ovoid in shape, fragments of slender to irregularly swollen hyphae, and occasional conidia produced on phialides. Fungal isolates were initially suspected on the basis of morphology results to represent Paecilomyces viridis, a species known only from one outbreak of fatal mycosis in carpet chameleons (Furcifer lateralis). Data obtained from morphological studies and from phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal rRNA (rDNA) sequence data revealed the Danish chameleon isolates to be a related undescribed anamorphic species within the family Clavicipitaceae that includes many insect pathogens. Chamaeleomyces granulomatis gen. et sp. nov. is given as the name for the newly described fungus, and P. viridis is transferred to the new genus as Chamaeleomyces viridis comb. nov. Chamaeleomyces species are distinguished by having basally swollen phialides tapering to a narrow neck, conidia in fragile chains, and pale green to greenish-gray colonies. Both species are dimorphic, producing a transitory yeast stage characterized by ovoid-to-subglobose or subcylindrical yeast-like cells. Chamaeleomyces species appear to be rare but aggressive pathogens of chameleons.

Paecilomyces variotii is a commonly occurring species in air and food, but it is also associated with many types of human infections and is among the emerging causative agents of opportunistic mycoses in immunocompromised hosts. Paecilomyces can cause hyalohyphomycosis, and two species, Paecilomyces lilacinus and P. variotii, are the most frequently encountered organisms. In the present study, a set of 34 clinical isolates morphologically identified as P. variotii or P. lilacinus were formally identified by sequencing intergenic transcribed spacer regions 1 and 2 (including 5.8S rDNA) and a part of the beta-tubulin gene. Three isolates were identified as P. lilacinus, and five of the presumptive P. variotii isolates did not belong to the genus Paecilomyces but were identified as Talaromyces eburneus (anamorph, Geosmithia argillacea) or Hamigera avellanea (anamorph, Merimbla ingelheimense). Applying the most recent taxonomy, we found that the clinical P. variotii isolates could be identified as P. variotii sensu stricto (14 strains), P. formosus (11 strains), and P. dactylethromorphus (1 strain). These data indicate that P. formosus occurs in clinical samples as commonly as P. variotii. Susceptibility tests showed that the antifungal susceptibility profiles of P. variotii, P. formosus, and P. dactylethromorphus are similar and that all strains tested were susceptible to amphotericin B in vitro. P. lilanicus, T. eburneus, and H. avellanea had different susceptibility profiles; and flucytosine and voriconazole were the least active of the antifungal drugs tested against these species. Our results indicate that correct species identification is important to help guide appropriate antifungal therapy.

Thirty-six piglets (15 days old) were inoculated with Echinococcus according to the authors' procedure. Hepatic hydatid cyst growth in the piglets was ultrasonographically monitored 3 months after inoculation. In 15 piglets, the size of hepatic hydatid cysts was as high as 6.5 x 8.5 cm 5 months after infection. The cavity of larvocystic fibrous capsule was eliminated, by inverting the resection margins inward with interrupted catgut sutures. For content aspiration, the cystic bed was occasionally drained by a polyvinyl chloride tube with two side holes, which was brought outward through an individual incision. Thesubhepatic area was also drained by a "cigar" tampon through an individual incision. The wound healed in layers, tightly. Marginal resection of the liver was performed to stimulate regenerative processes in the resected area.

We report the case of a 70-year-old man who was admitted for anterior endophthalmitis following an intraocular lens implantation. He had developed a fluffy growth resembling a fungal mass on the iris of the right eye. The mass was removed and sent for fungal studies to our department. Direct microscopy revealed hyphae. Further studies helped identify the fungus to belong to genus Paecilomyces. This is a rare case of fungal endophthalmitis caused by Paecilomyces variotii in an immunocompetent person.

A 6-year-old, spayed female domestic shorthair cat was referred for an intermittent cough and wheezing of 3 to 4 months' duration. Thoracic radiography revealed atelectasis of the right middle and caudal lung lobes with hyperinflation of the accessory lobe, consistent with bronchial obstruction. Bronchoscopy confirmed a narrowing of the right mainstem bronchial lumen; however, positive-pressure ventilation resulted in a severe pneumothorax. A lateral thoracotomy and right caudal lung lobectomy resulted in complete resolution of the pneumothorax and respiratory signs. Histopathology and culture of the lung revealed Paecilomyces lilacinus. The cat was placed on itraconazole therapy for 6 months. Since dismissal from the hospital, the cat has not exhibited clinical evidence of wheezing, coughing, or dyspnea and is neurologically normal.

Purpose: To report a series of 5 patients with soft contact lens (SCL) related fungal keratitis caused by unusual organisms diagnosed at the Wills Eye Institute, Cornea Service in 2008., Methods: Chart review of patients with SCL related Alternaria and Paecilomyces keratitis diagnosed in 2008 was performed. Causes of these fungal infections were compared to previous years., Results: During a period from 1999 to 2007, among 64 patients with fungal keratitis, Alternaria was isolated from one case after corneal foreign body removal in 2004, and Paecilomyces was not isolated in any of these patients. In 2008, however, 5 patients with SCL-related atypical fungal keratitis were diagnosed. Alternaria was isolated from 2 cases and Paecilomyces from 3 cases. All patients wore Acuvue SCL (Johnson & Johnson Vision Care): Acuvue Oasys, Acuvue Advance, and Acuvue 2 (1 case each) and Acuvue unspecified (2 cases). A total of 2 patients with Alternaria and 1 patient with Paecilomyces used ReNu or a generic-brand solution manufactured by Bausch & Lomb; 2 with Paecilomyces keratitis used Opti-free Replenish solution. A total of 3 patients wore lenses for daily wear and 2 wore them occasionally for overnight wear. The patients were treated with either voriconazole drops alone or combined with voriconazole 200 mg pills or Natamycin 5% drops. Three patients responded well to treatment. One patient with Paecilomyces keratitis developed a corneal perforation managed with tissue adhesive. One Paecilomyces keratitis patient required an emergency penetrating keratoplasty because of a perforated corneal ulcer present at the initial examination., Conclusions: We report 2 cases of Alternaria and 3 cases of Paecilomyces keratitis in patients wearing frequent replacement lenses and using multipurpose solutions diagnosed during 2008. We want to raise awareness of fungal keratitis caused by unusual organisms associated with SCL wear.

Purpose: To report the successful medical treatment of Paecilomyces lilacinus keratitis case with topical voriconazole., Methods: A 72-year-old male farmer developed a corneal infection in the left eye and corneal culture revealed Paecilomyces lilacinus. Infection was progressive despite initial treatment with hourly topical amphotericin B (1.5 mg/mL) and topical 5% natamycin. Treatment was switched to hourly topical voriconazole (10 mg/mL)., Results: The infection responded well to topical voriconazole and resolved within 1 month without any surgical intervention. The patient's best-corrected visual acuity was 20/200 secondary to central corneal scarring and a cataract in the left eye at the 10-month follow-up., Conclusion: Voriconazole may be effective in the treatment of Paecilomyces lilacinus keratitis refractory to standard antifungal agents. Early organism detection and appropriate treatment are necessary to eradicate such an infection.

Two hundred and thirty-six echinococcosis patients aged 17 to 70 years were examined for paecilomycosis. Seventy-five subjects of different ages who were considered to be clinically healthy were prepared as a control. Of them who had physiological parameters of blood fungi, 24 subjects, including 9 subjects aged 17 to 23 years and 15 subjects aged 15 to 30 years, were eligible. The other examinees were patients with paecilomycosis of varying stages. Nizoral, fluconazole, diflucan, orungal, mycosyst, and teknazol, which have been tested by the authors, are proposed for use in paecilomycosis-complicated echinococcosis prior to and after surgery. It is advisable to use one fungicide. In this respect, the authors have conducted clinical trials that have yielded positive results.

Laccase can catalyze the oxidation of a wide range of organic and inorganic substrates. In this study, an easily detectable method was employed for screening laccase-producing microorganisms by using 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) as laccase-secretion indicator. A novel laccase-producing strain was isolated and identified as Paecilomyces sp. WSH-L07 according to the morphological characteristics and the comparison of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene sequences. In further investigation, the production of laccase by Paecilomyces sp. WSH-L07 was greatly enhanced by the nontoxic inducers of copper sulphate and methylene blue. Under the induction of 50 microM copper sulphate and 20 microM methylene blue, the maximum laccase production was obtained. When these inducers were added into cultivation medium at 24 h and 12 h, respectively, an increment of about 100 times of laccase activity compared with that of in inducer-free medium and about two times of that of in single copper-supplemented medium was observed. Compared with other Paecilomyces species, Paecilomyces sp. WSH-L07 exhibit the better laccase-producing characteristics with an activity of 1,650 U/l on the eighth day, suggesting its potential ability for industrial application.

An oxidative stress resistance in Paecilomyces lilacinus strain from Chernobyl Atomic Energy Station (ChAES) as well as in P. lilacinus strains from zones with control level of radioactive pollution has been studied. It was shown that radial growth rate of the colony of the ChAES strain in a range of glucose concentrations 0.002%; 0.2%; 0.5%; 1.0% showed maximum on the medium with 0.2% glucose. It was 1.5 times higher than growth rate of the control strains. Adaptation slowdown reaction has been found as a result of the first 10-30 min H2O2 treatment most profound in the ChAES (No 1941) strain. Under 10(-3) mol/l H2O2 growth of No 1941 resumed with 20% loss in growth rate. Cessation of growth of the control strain (No 10) was observed under these conditions. It has been shown that in the strain from ChAES zone adaptation to low glucose content in the medium (0.2%) was coupled with an increased resistance to oxidative stress.

Eleven strains of endophytic fungi which habitat in an endangered, Chinese endemic medicinal plant, Dysosma pleiantha (Hance) Woodson, were isolated and tested for their cytotoxic activity using the brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Six isolates were found to exhibit some cytotoxic activity. Extracts of F1273, F1276, and F1280, which were identified as Trichoderma citrinoviride, Chaetomium globosum and Ascomycete sp., in particular, showed most potent activity with LC50 values of 4.86, 7.71, and 14.88 microg/ml, respectively. These results indicate that endophytic fungi of Dysosma pleiantha could be a promising source for antitumour agents.

The effect of fungal infection on the reproductive potential of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, was evaluated as part of the full biocontrol potential of three entomopathogenic fungi by modeling of fecundity probability. Female mites (or= 0.98), yielding a solution to the probability for the female mites to achieve a specific fecundity {P(m 10 eggs despite some variation among the tested fungi. In contrast, the chances for the non-infected mites to achieve the low and high fecundities were 23 and 55%. The fitted probabilities provide a full coverage of the fecundity potential of infected versus non-infected mites and are more informative than the mean fecundities.

Outbreaks of pseudo-infection due to contamination of specimens have been described, often as localised incidents. From August 2006, several English hospital laboratories began to refer an unusually high number of isolates of the fungus Paecilomyces variotii from clinical specimens to the national mycology reference laboratory for microbiological testing. We describe the methods used during the outbreak investigation in order to provide infection control specialists with an overview of how such national incidents may be investigated. We surveyed the hospitals reporting the contamination problem and conducted microbiological and environmental sampling. We applied analytical epidemiology to supply chain data, comparing the supply lines of key equipment to affected and unaffected hospitals in England. The survey was useful to describe procedures and equipment in use in the hospitals reporting the problem. The microbiological aspects of the investigation helped us understand how the fungal spores were distributed in the hospital environment. In the supply chain investigation we used data that was previously only used for logistical purposes. Overall the investigation was methodologically challenging, with no existing protocol to guide the investigators. To our knowledge, this is a novel approach to the investigation of such a widespread contamination problem, affecting geographically disparate hospitals at the same time.

Fungal endocarditis is a cardiac complication that has been increasing throughout the world. We present a case of infective endocarditis by Paecilomyces variotii in a male patient with a prosthetic mitral valve. Successful treatment consisted of administration of amphotericin B (total dose 3670 mg) and mitral valve replacement. Only six cases have been reported previously, with a 100% mortality rate.

Purpose: To examine the clinical pathology and management of Paecilomyces lilacinus keratitis., Design: Observational case series, literature review, and laboratory study., Methods: Characteristics and outcome of 17 patients with laboratory-confirmed Paecilomyces keratitis treated at 2 referral centers were combined with 25 previously reported cases. Experimental models were developed by topically inoculating a human corneal isolate of P. lilacinus onto murine eyes and onto human donor corneas., Results: Of 42 reported eyes with Paecilomyces keratitis, 13 (31%) were associated with chronic keratopathy or previous ocular surgery, 11 (26%) followed corneal trauma, and 10 (24%) occurred in soft contact lens wearers. Medical cure occurred in 13 (31%), including 9 of 31 eyes (29%) treated with natamycin or amphotericin B. Penetrating keratoplasty or other surgery was performed in 29 (69%). In vitro testing of P. lilacinus indicated resistance to natamycin and amphotericin B but susceptibility to ketoconazole and voriconazole. Experimental inoculation after superficial scarification established moderately severe corneal paecilomycosis by hyphae and conidia in immunosuppressed mice and in explanted donor corneas., Conclusions: P. lilacinus is an emerging fungal pathogen that infects corneal tissue by filamentous invasion with occasional intrastromal sporulation. P. lilacinus keratitis does not reliably respond to natamycin or amphotericin B and has often required therapeutic keratoplasty, but topical azole antifungal agents such as voriconazole appear promising.

Paecilomyces lilacinus is a saprophytic mould which rarely causes infection in humans. We report a case of Paecilomyces lilacinus catheter-related fungemia in a chronic hemodialyzed patient. Blood cultures remained positive for 8 weeks. The infection was cured after eventual acceptance by the patient of oral voriconazole treatment for 6 weeks and removal of the tunneled catheter. The literature on Paecilomyces fungemia in humans is reviewed.

Fungal peritonitis (FP) is a serious complication in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We report a case of CAPD-related FP caused by Paecilomyces lilacinus in a 15-year-old uraemic boy. The infection was successfully treated by combination therapy consisting of oral voriconazole and terbinafine, which has not been previously reported in the treatment of FP.

The fatty acid profiles have been studied for 5 species 4 genera (9 strains) of soil filamentous fungi isolated from Ukrainian soils polluted with heavy metals and reserve territories. Palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids were found in the highest quantities (up to 66.82%) of the total content of fatty acids of fungi. Fatty acid unsaturation rate in Paecilomyces lilacinus 146 and P. marquandii 153 resistant to copper ions was high (0.85-1.15) under an increase of copper ions concentration in nutrient medium. The same index in the strains of fungi isolated from soils polluted with heavy metals decreased with an increase of copper ions concentration in the medium. Fatty acid unsaturation rate in P. lilacinus 146 and Penicillium velutinum 465 isolated from soils polluted with heavy metals was 2-fold higher than that in the fungal strains isolated from reserve soils.

The ovicidal activity of Paecilomyces lilacinus was evaluated on Moniezia sp. eggs. Eggs of Moniezia sp. were incubated on plates with 2% agar-water inoculated with grown fungal isolates and a control treatment without fungus. After 5, 10 and 15 days post-inoculation, the eggs were removed and classified according to the following parameters: effect type 1, lytic effect without morphological damage to eggshells; effect type 2, lytic effect with morphological change in embryos and eggshells; and effect type 3, lytic effect with morphological change in embryos and eggshells, with hyphal penetration and internal colonization of eggs. Paecilomyces lilacinus showed percentages for ovicidal activity (P < 0.01), mainly type 3 effect, of 19, 20 and 23% on eggs of Moniezia sp., after 5, 10 and 15 days post-inoculation, respectively. Therefore P. lilacinus can be considered as a potential biological control agent for this cestode.

Wild isolates of the egg-parasitic fungi Paecilomyces lilacinus and Verticillium chlamydosporium, obtained from the organic environment of Durg, Chhattisgarh, India, were subjected to screening for in vitro growth using different media types, range of incubation temperature and pH, and their predatory activity to the eggs of Fasciola gigantica and Gigantocotyle explanatum. Maximum growth of P. lilacinus was obtained in corn-meal agar compared to any other media types. The preferred medium for growth of V. chlamydosporium was corn-meal agar, followed by potato-dextrose agar. After initial growth for 16 h of incubation, no growth was observed in water agar for both the fungi. Six different temperatures--4 degrees C, 10 degrees C, 18 degrees C, 26 degrees C, 34 degrees C and 40 degrees C--were used to observe growth profiles of the fungi in corn-meal agar medium. While no and very little growth of P. lilacinus and V. chlamydosporium was observed at 4 degrees C and 10 degrees C, respectively, growth profiles of both the fungi were optimal at 26-40 degrees C. A range of pH (pH 4-8) supported growth of both P. lilacinus and V. chlamydosporium. Full-grown plates of the fungi baited with viable eggs of F. gigantica and G. explanatum revealed that V. chlamydosporium was more vigorous in its egg-parasitic ability compared to P. lilacinus. Distortion of the eggs started on day 2-3 of egg baiting in culture plates of V. chlamydosporium, with complete distortion by day 7. On the contrary, P. lilacinus exhibited very limited egg-parasitic ability and some of the baited eggs even showed development of miracidia.

A fungal pathogen that killed adult Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Asian citrus psyllid) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in Florida citrus groves during the fall of 2005 was identified and characterized. Investigation of this pathogen is important because D. citri vectors citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing), which was reported in Florida in 2005. The morphological and genetic data generated herein support identification of the fungus as Isaria fumosorosea Wize (Ifr) (=Paecilomyces fumosoroseus) (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) from the Asian citrus psyllid (Ifr AsCP). Koch's postulates were fulfilled after the fungus was isolated in vitro and transmitted to healthy psyllids, which then exhibited a diseased-phenotype similar to that observed in the field. Both in vitro growth characteristics and two Ifr AsCP-specific molecular markers discriminated the psyllid pathogen from another local Ifr isolate, Ifr 97 Apopka. These molecular markers will be useful to track the dynamics of this disease in D. citri populations. The potential for utilizing Ifr to complement existing psyllid pest management strategies is discussed.

Paecilomyces lilacinus is a little-known mold that causes rare cases of invasive infections in humans regardless of their immune status. We present a unique case in an immunocompromised host with olecranon bursitis because of multidrug-resistant P. lilacinus treated with systemic ketoconazole therapy and surgical debridement. Recognition of this fungus is difficult initially because of its appearance, which can be confused with that of other fungi. Once this organism has been identified, it is recommended that antifungal susceptibility testing be obtained to guide appropriate therapy. Combination of therapeutic modalities requires case-by-case assessment. Surgical debridement and removal of prosthesis may be indicated. Although P. lilacinus can be a laboratory contaminant, in our case, causation was established as the organism grew in repeated cultures, sufficient to confirm a fungal origin for his bursitis.

Chinese soft-shelled turtles (Trionyx sinens) in culture farms using an artificial warming system in Zhejiang, China, often show typical signs of white-spot disease such as white spots on their bodies, skin lesions, anorexia and eventually death. The sick turtles were mostly 5~80 g in weight. A suspected fungal pathogen was isolated from the sick turtles and verified as Paecilomyces lilacinus by sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of its ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Detailed morphological examinations were also conducted to confirm the white-spot disease.

Paecilomyces variotii IRI017 was isolated as a formaldehyde-resistant fungus from wastewater containing formaldehyde. The fungus grew in a medium containing 0.5% formaldehyde and had consumed formaldehyde completely after 5 days. Alcohol oxidase was purified from the fungus grown on methanol. A 20-fold purification was achieved with a yield of 44%. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 73 and 450 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel filtration chromatography, respectively, suggesting that the enzyme consists of six identical subunits. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the subunit was TIPDEVDIII. The enzyme showed an absorption spectrum typical of a flavoprotein and had a noncovalently bound flavin different from FAD, FMN, and riboflavin. The pH optimum of the enzyme activity was pH 6-10. The enzyme was stable in the pH range of pH 5-10. The enzyme retained full activity after incubation at 50 degrees C for 30 min. The enzyme oxidized not only methanol but also lower primary alcohols and formaldehyde. The K (m) values for methanol, ethanol, and formaldehyde were 1.9, 3.8, and 4.9 mmol l(-1), respectively.

672 specimens of entomogenous fungi belonging to 20 species, 8 genera and 4 families were collected from 20 sampling quadrates in the Langya Mountains Nature Reserve of East Anhui. The dominant species were Beauveria bassiana, Paecilomyces farinosus, P. cateinannulatus, B. brongniartii and P. fumosoroseus, and B. bassiana was most dominant, with the relative abundance of 73.8%. The entomogenous fungi in the Reserve were high in amount but low in diversity. The amount of isolates and the abundance of each species were the highest in summer and decreased with decreasing air temperature and rainfall, while the Pielou evenness changed from relatively low to relatively high. Paecilomyces spp. had a less seasonal fluctuation of quantity than Beauveria spp.

Paecilomyces lilacinus (P. lilacinus) is a saprophytic fungus with increasing prevalence as a source of infection in the immunosuppressed patient population. We report a P. lilacinus infection with a sporotrichoid pattern spreading in a renal transplant recipient that responded to itraconazole therapy. There was no recurrence at 3 years follow-up.