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Among the subdivision of Saccharomycotina (ascomycetes budding yeasts), the CTG clade (formerly the Candida clade) includes species that display a particular genetic code. In these yeasts, the CTG codon is predominantly translated as a serine instead of a leucine residue. It is now well-known that some CTG clade species have a major impact on human and its activities. Some of them are recognized as opportunistic agents of fungal infections termed candidiasis. In addition, another series of species belonging to the CTG clade draws the attention of some research groups because they exhibit a strong potential in various areas of biotechnology such as biological control, bioremediation, but also in the production of valuable biocompounds (biofuel, vitamins, sweeteners, industrial enzymes). Here we provide an overview of recent advances concerning the biology, clinical relevance, and currently tested biotechnological applications of species of the CTG clade. Future directions for scientific research on these particular yeasts are also discussed., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

During the last few years, several works have demonstrated the fixation of different host proteins on Aspergillus fumigatus conidia. Thus, after incubation in the presence of normal human plasma, the C3 component of complement is detected at the surface of conidia. In fact, most of the C3 deposited on conidia is converted in C3b or iC3b which would facilitate their phagocytosis by the macrophages. In the non immune host, the activation of the alternative pathway seems to be the main mechanism of the activation of the complement system by the conidia, but the participation of the classical pathway initiated by the fixation of the C-reactive protein has also been suggested. Aspergillus fumigatus conidia interact also with fibrinogen and laminin. These interactions which are mediated by the D domains of fibrinogen and by the fragment P1 of laminin, are specific. The number of fibrinogen binding sites at the surface of conidia has been calculated to be 1200 by cell, and the dissociation constant 2.2 x 10(-7) M. These interactions could determine the adhesion of conidia to the host tissues as suggested by adherence assays of conidia to proteins immobilized onto wells of microtiter plates. Conidia would bind to the fibrin deposits formed on damaged epithelia in response to the inflammatory reaction, or directly to laminin of the subepithelial basement membrane. Finally, different experiments suggested the identity of the binding sites for C3, fibrinogen and laminin at the surface of A. fumigatus conidia.

In order to evaluate the risk of fungal contamination in sand-boxes of the city of Angers' game areas, the authors took 100 samples of sand from different environments: parks, gardens, buildings, nursery schools. They report the presence of a varied and important mycoflora and that the frequency and the distribution are more sensitive to the techniques used to isolate the fungus, as well as to the quality of the sand and to the eco-mesological factors in the four studied areas. The examination of earth samples has allowed the findings of a great number of keratinophilie species. The strains living in the sand do not represent a real danger of infection for the children.

By means of gel agar diffusion techniques (Ouchterlony and immunoelectrophoresis), the authors have demonstrated in hydatid cyst fluid and membrane of E. granulosus, the presence of, at least, one fraction showing a human albumin specificity. This is not a contamination from the host and must be synthesized by the parasite itself. The significance of such a fraction is discussed.

The authors report a case of cutaneous Larva migrans attributed to a gnathostomiasis in a Laotian man living in France since 3 years. The diagnosis was suggested on the basis of epidemiological and clinical context (he often ate raw fresh fish in Thailand) and blood eosinophilia. It was confirmed by ELISA method which showed a very high antibody titer to Gnathostoma spinigerum. The patient was treated with cortisone and diethylcarbamazine and he has remained asymptomatic since.