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Abstract: Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch (anamorph F. graminearum Schwabe) is the primary causal agent of FHB of wheat in Uruguay. In the last decade, F. graminearum has produced destructive epidemics on wheat in Uruguay, causing yield losses and price discounts due to reduced seed quality. Strains of F. graminearum clade usually express one of three strain-specific profiles of trichothecene metabolites: nivalenol and its acetylated derivatives (NIV chemotype), deoxynivalenol and 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-AcDON chemotype), or deoxynivalenol and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-AcDON chemotype). A multiplex PCR assay of Tri3, Tri5, and Tri7 was used to determine the trichothecene genotype of 111 strains of F. graminearum collected during 2003 and 2009 growing seasons from fields located in the major wheat production area of Uruguay. The result showed that all except one of the isolates were of DON genotype, with the remainder of NIV genotype in years 2003 and 2009. All strains with the DON genotype were also of the 15-AcDON genotype in 2003 and nearly all (45/50) in 2009. No DON/3-AcDON genotypes were found in either growing season. No potential shifts in the populations were found in the trichothecene genotypes between 2003 and the 2009 epidemic FHB harvest seasons. This study provides the first data on trichothecene genotypes of F. graminearum strains isolated from wheat in Uruguay and add to the current regional knowledge of trichothecene genotypes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Candida kefyr has been increasingly associated with bloodstream infections. This study reports on the identification and antifungal susceptibility pattern of 33 Candida isolates, identified biochemically as C. kefyr. One strain was finally identified as Candida sphaerica (Kluyveromyces lactis) by ITS sequencing. Both species seem to be emerging pathogens and highly susceptible in vitro to currently licensed antifungal compounds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A survey of the natural occurrence of deoxynivalenol (DON) in barley harvested in Uruguay from 1996 to 2002 was conducted. A total of 292 samples were analyzed for DON by an immunochemical method using inmunoaffinity columns and fluorimetric detection. Between 26 and 100% of the samples were positive for DON while mean DON contents varied between the quantification limit (500 μg/kg) to 6349 μg/kg. Annual maximum levels in individual samples ranged from 1900 μg/kg to 10,000 μg/kg. The mean DON contents were similar from 1996 to 1999 increasing markedly from 2000 to 2002. The percentage of the samples with DON were highest in 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2002 (67, 90, 100 and 100%) as was the accumulated precipitation during the flowering period. A positive correlation between DON levels and precipitation was seen. These results suggest that monitoring for DON barley crops, particularly in years with heavy rainfall during the flowering period, must be regularly performed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]