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Diaporthe (teleomorpho)-Phomopsis - (anamorph) (DP) is a fungal group of great genetic diversity with over 900 species associated to a wide host range that includes cultivated and uncultivated species, forest, fruit trees and weeds. DP isolates are hemibiotrophs and have different sources of primary inoculum as stubble and seeds to restart cycles of parasitism - saprophytism. They colonize host tissues from early plant stages and establish different nutritional relationships, acting as endophytic and necrotrophic fungi. The plasticity of the Phomopsis genus has favored its expansion to different agro-ecosystems and various hosts constituting an epidemiological risk. The objective was to validate the identity and evaluate the biological relationships among 12 isolates of P longicolla and D. phaseolorum var. sojae (anamorph P phaseoli var. sojae) obtained in different tempered and subtropical agro-environments of Argentina, in order to analyze the variability and strategies for preserving fungal biodiversity. Macromorphological attributes (such as texture and color of colonies, stroma shape and distribution, pycnidia and perythecia shape and distribution) and micro-morphological characteristics (such as size and shape of conidia, asci and ascospores) allowed identifying three new isolates as P longicolla. A complementary molecular analysis was also made to overcome the limitations derived from the morphological analysis, thus the AFP.8413 isolate was finally identified as P longicolla. The molecular characterization was useful to identify the evaluated isolates and to group them in four taxa of the Diaporthe-Phomopsis complex: ten isolates were included in P. longicolla, one isolate was included in D. phaseolorum var. sojae (anamorph P. phaseoli var. sojae), one isolate was identified as D. phaseolorum var. caulivora and two isolates were included in D. phaseolorum var. meridionalis. The use of phenotipic and molecular tools have contributed to an accurate identification of P longicolla, and comprehension about the biological relationships (homo or heterothallic hibridizations) among D. phaseolorum varieties (P phaseoli) and species of Diaporthe-Phomopsis. This allowed also a better understanding of the mechanisms of fungic plasticity, to colonize and expand their host range and genetic variability, promoting thus their biodiversity conservation. Rev. Biol. Trop. 63 (3): 871-884. Epub 2015 September 01.

We report a case of mycotic keratitis caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in a 60-year-old man with a history of ocular trauma with vegetable matter. Ophthalmological assessment with slit-lamp and microbiological evaluation of the corneal ulcer by conventional microbiological techniques were performed. Mycology study of the corneal scraping showed the presence of fungal filaments and the isolate was identified as Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Patient was treated with natamycin 5% and fluconazole 0.2% for 37 days. The infection was controlled but the corneal scars required a cornea transplant. This is the first case of keratitis by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in Paraguay. Difficulties in the management of these cases, which often requires surgical procedures, are discussed.

Colombia is a megadiverse country, but with a substantial gap in the taxonomic and ecological knowledge of fungi and lichens. Thus, the objective of the present study was an ecogeographical analysis of the Sticta species in Colombia. The data included macrodistribution (with respect to mountain ranges and life zones) and microhabitat preferences (light, substrate) and were obtained from field work and herbarium collection labels (completed by comparison with modern geographic and vegetation maps), for 103 species of Sticta currently recognized in Colombia (plus seven additional biotypes with different photobionts or reproductive mode). Using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS), correlations between ecogeographical variables and species were established, and ecotypes were delimited. Colombian species of Sticta showed distinct distribution patterns relative to altitude, mountain ranges, life zones, as well as light exposure and substrate, forming several distinct groups. Cyanobacterial species tend to have wider distribution ranges than green algal species. We concluded that the orogeny of the Northern Andes substantially affected speciation of the genus Sticta and its ecogeographical differentiation.

Curvularia inaequalis (Shear) Boedijn is a fungus dematiaceo, saprophyte and plant pathogen found mainly in tropical and subtropical areas, associated with various organic substrates. Rarely been identified in systemic infections, skin and there is only one report of allergic rhinosinusitis described above. A case of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis by Curvularia inaequalis (Shear) Boedijn in which diagnosis was considered the signs and symptoms, sinus CT and cultivation of mucin.The patient was treated with endoscopic surgical toilet, plus use of inhaled steroids and itraconazole systemic. With good clinical response, is asymptomatic at one year.

The advent of molecular techniques, mainly DNA sequencing, has led to important changes in the taxonomy of pathogenic fungi and a better understanding of the phylogenetic relationships among them. The number of fungal species potentially pathogenic for humans has increased dramatically. Most of them are cryptic species belonging to complex species that have replaced traditional single morphospecies. This has occurred in several genera of mucorales and particularly in different ascomycetous genera, such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, Sporothrix and Scedosporium, among others. The correct identification of these species is crucial for a better management of patients, since on many occasions those species show different virulence and different antifungal responses. This review summarises some of the most striking recent taxonomic changes produced in pathogenic fungi., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

This is a case of fungal sphenoid sinusitis in a diabetic patient with non-specific symptoms and bone erosion radiological findings in the superior and posterior sphenoid walls. Surgical treatment was performed by transnasal endoscopic approach and voriconazole orally thereafter. The histopathological study found fungus hyphal without mucosa invasion and the molecular study determined DNA to be Phialemonium curvatum, an unusual pathogen., (Copyright © 2009 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Invasive fungal infections of the respiratory tract are a major cause of serious morbidity and mortality especially in immunocompromised patients due to neutropenia, corticosteroids, or hematologic malignancy. The role of imaging is very important in the management of patients with fungal infections and chest x-ray is still the most used exploration. Nevertheless, new approaches recommend the systematic use of computed tomography scan for early documentation of invasive fungal infection. Combination of clinical setting with recognition of radiological pattern is the best approach to pulmonary fungal diseases. The following is a review of the imaging features of different invasive fungal infections we can face in our daily practice.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate an ELISA indirect method in patients with chromoblastomycosis caused by Cladophialophora carrionii. Samples collected before, during and postreatment with ajoene or itraconazole, and those from apparently healthy people from the endemic area were evaluated with the ELISA test. 94 individuals were studied, 10 with chromoblastomycosis, and 84 apparently healthy subjects. All of them were evaluated by clinical-dermatological examinations. On those with lesions suggestive of chromoblastomycosis, mycological studies were carried out to confirm the disease. This approach was repeated during and at the end of therapy. Five patients with lesions < or = 5 cms were treated with ajoene and five with lesions > 5 cms, received itraconazole. Mycological cure (60%) was similar in both groups of patients and persisted three months after therapy. One hundred and fourteen sera were analyzed by ELISA, 30 from 10 patients with chromoblastomycosis, before, during and postreatment and 84 from apparently healthy people, using a somatic antigen of C. carrionii (AgSPP). All patients with chromoblastomycosis were positive before-treatment, two became negative on day 45 of treatment and a total of six patients were negative three months post-treatment. All sera from apparently healthy individuals were negative. The sensitivity and specificity was 100% and 98.9%, respectively. The relationship between clinical-mycological studies and the ELISA assay was 100% before and after treatment. In summary, ELISA could be a valuable tool for the diagnosis and evolution of the therapeutic efficacy in patients with chromomycosis (C. carrionii). The use of an ELISA test is therefore highly recommended to establish remission criteria in chromoblastomycosis caused by C. carrionii.

The kinetics of growth of eight heterothallic species of the genus Ascobolus was studied in liquid culture media. The results obtained showed variation among the species in the duration of the different phases of the growth cycle. Three groups can be recognized considering the extension of the exponential phase of growth. The stationary phase, which differs in its length, is frequently very short, entering quickly in the phase of death, accompanied by autolysis of the mycelium.

Fourteen isolates, members of the Ascobolaceae family, representing two widespread genera, Ascobolus and Saccobolus, were obtained from dung of herbivorous animals. All the isolates were capable of growing and producing clearing zones in CMC agar media. The species of Ascobolus gave larger clearing zones than the species of Saccobolus. S. verrucisporus and S. longevisporus were the most cellulolytic species in this genera while A. bistisii was the most cellulolytic among all the species tested. The results obtained showed that more than one method of screening must be employed to analyse the cellulolytic ability of different species.

Endoglucanase production was measured in culture filtrates of four species of Saccobolus growing in media containing glucose or crystalline cellulose as the only carbon sources. Enzyme activity was four to seven times higher in the presence of cellulose than glucose. S. saccoboloides showed maximal growth and enzyme production. The extracellular proteins secreted during growth on cellulose were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and stained for proteins. A zymogram technique was used to visualize bands with endoglucanase activity. The four species showed different protein and isoenzyme patterns.