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Neoscytalidium is a phytopathogen that is often found in plants and soil. It mostly leads to skin and nail infections, and invasive diseases of the sinuses, lung, and brain have been described mostly in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of a post-renal transplant patient who received anti-thymocyte globulin for induction immunosuppression. A month after her transplant, she presented with fever and new-onset seizures, and computed tomography revealed a brain abscess with mass effects and herniation. The patient underwent abscess drainage and craniectomy. The pathological findings showed filamentous septate hyphae. The surgical culture rapidly grew wool-like colonies with a black reverse on Sabouraud agar. Lactophenol cotton blue staining showing septate branched hyphae with one to two arthroconidia cells with flattened ends. The patient was given a combination of amphotericin B and voriconazole but unfortunately died ten days after the diagnosis. This case highlights Neoscytalidium as a cause of invasive fungal disease in immunocompromised patients that is difficult to treat and is often fatal, even when combined surgical and medical therapies are used as treatment modalities.

Neoscytalidium is a phytopathogen that is often found in plants and soil. It mostly leads to skin and nail infections, and invasive diseases of the sinuses, lung, and brain have been described mostly in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of a post-renal transplant patient who received anti-thymocyte globulin for induction immunosuppression. A month after her transplant, she presented with fever and new-onset seizures, and computed tomography revealed a brain abscess with mass effects and herniation. The patient underwent abscess drainage and craniectomy. The pathological findings showed filamentous septate hyphae. The surgical culture rapidly grew wool-like colonies with a black reverse on Sabouraud agar. Lactophenol cotton blue staining showing septate branched hyphae with one to two arthroconidia cells with flattened ends. The patient was given a combination of amphotericin B and voriconazole but unfortunately died ten days after the diagnosis. This case highlights Neoscytalidium as a cause of invasive fungal disease in immunocompromised patients that is difficult to treat and is often fatal, even when combined surgical and medical therapies are used as treatment modalities. • Neoscytalidium spp. is a rare human pathogenic fungal disease that most likely leads to superficial infection. • Immunocompromised host is at particularly higher risk of invasive disease. • This is the fifth case in the literature describing cerebral invasive disease caused by Neoscytalidium spp. • The present case further confirms the aggressiveness of the disease and refractoriness to antifungal therapy. • The diagnoses need to be entertained, especially in an immunocompromised patient and who have history of exposure to agricultural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of wood coloured by fungi, or 'spalted' wood, stretches back to the Renaissance. Most of this work was restricted to shades of blue-green, brown, white, and black zone lines. Modern spalting has added in shades of red and blue. The current colour palette of spalting fungi has the potential to be expanded through the use of Scytalidium ganodermophthorum, a fungal pathogen and suspected soft rot of wood, which produces multiple colours of pigment throughout its growth, including yellow and purple. However, no previous study has tracked colours of the extracted fungal pigment across time. This study showed significant colour change of extracted fungal pigments across 36 weeks of growth, transitioning over time from bright yellow to green shades, before finally becoming slate purple. This diversity of hues increases the colours available to artists working with spalting pigments, and has the potential to expand the art form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of effective natural dyes with the potential for low environmental impact has been a recent focus of the textile industry. Pigments derived from spalting fungi have previously shown promise as textile dyes; however, their use has required numerous organic solvents with human health implications. This research explored the possibility of using linseed oil as a carrier for the pigment from Scytalidium cuboideum as a textile dye. Colored linseed oil effectively dyed a range of fabrics, with natural fibers showing better coloration. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a pigment film over the fabric surface. While mechanical testing showed no strength loss in treated fabric, colorfastness tests showed significant changes in color in response to laundering and bleach exposure with variable effects across fabric varieties. SEM investigation confirmed differences in pigmented oil layer loss and showed variation in pigment crystal formation between fabric varieties. Heating of the pigmented oil layer was found to result in a bright, shiny fabric surface, which may have potential for naturally weatherproof garments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complete enzymatic degradation of plant polysaccharides is a result of combined action of various carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). In this paper, we demonstrate the potential of the filamentous fungus Scytalidium candidum 3C for processing of plant biomass. Structural annotation of the improved assembly of S. candidum 3C genome and functional annotation of CAZymes revealed putative gene sequences encoding such proteins. A total of 190 CAZyme-encoding genes were identified, including 104 glycoside hydrolases, 52 glycosyltransferases, 28 oxidative enzymes, and 6 carbohydrate esterases. In addition, 14 carbohydrate-binding modules were found. Glycoside hydrolases secreted during the growth of S. candidum 3C in three media were analyzed with a variety of substrates. Mass spectrometry analysis of the fungal culture liquid revealed the presence of peptides identical to 36 glycoside hydrolases, three proteins without known enzymatic function belonging to the same group of families, and 11 oxidative enzymes. The activity of endohemicellulases was determined using specially synthesized substrates in which the glycosidic bond between monosaccharide residues was replaced by a thiolinkage. During analysis of the CAZyme profile of S. candidum 3C, four β-xylanases from the GH10 family and two β-glucanases from the GH7 and GH55 families were detected, partially purified, and identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalase from Scytalidium thermophilum is a homotetramer containing a heme d in each active site. Although the enzyme has a classical monofunctional catalase fold, it also possesses oxidase activity towards a number of small organics, including catechol and phenol. In order to further investigate this, the crystal structure of the complex of the catalase with the classical catalase inhibitor 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole (3TR) was determined at 1.95 Å resolution. Surprisingly, no binding to the heme site was observed; instead, 3TR occupies a binding site corresponding to the NADPH‐binding pocket in mammalian catalases at the entrance to a lateral channel leading to the heme. Kinetic analysis of site‐directed mutants supports the assignment of this pocket as the binding site for oxidase substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 1970s, the strain Geotrichum candidum Link 3C was isolated from rotting rope and since then has been extensively studied as a source of cellulose and xylan‐degrading enzymes. The original identification of the strain was based only on morphological characters of the fungal mycelium in culture. Recent comparison of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) fragments derived from the draft genome published in 2015 did not show its similarity to G. candidum species. Given the value of the strain 3C in lignocellulosic biomass degradation, we performed morphological and molecular studies to find the appropriate taxonomic placement for this fungal strain within the Ascomycota phylum. ITS, 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA sequences, and RPB2 encoding genes were used to construct phylogenetic trees with Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. Based on sequence comparison and multiple gene sequencing, we conclude that the fungal strain designated as Geotrichum candidum Link 3C should be placed into the genus Scytalidium (Pezizomycotina, Leotiomycetes) and is redescribed herein as Scytalidium candidum 3C comb. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a systemic mycosis in a German shepherd dog caused by Scytalidium spp. The patient presented for progressive cervical pain and forelimb hemiparesis. Cervical computed tomography revealed lysis associated with multiple vertebrae and a soft tissue mass adjacent to the spinal cord, as well as prescapular lymphadenopathy. Fine needle aspirates of the lymph nodes yielded hyphae, and a subsequent culture obtained a Scytalidium spp. Itraconazole therapy was initiated, but the subject was euthanized three months later due to progressive neurologic disease and discomfort. This appears to be the first report of disseminated disease by this species in veterinary medicine.

Trichoderma spp. are used as antagonists against different pathogens. Despite many possibilities of using Trichoderma as an antagonist, there are gaps in the knowledge of the interaction between Trichoderma, cassava and Scytalidium lignicola. This fungus causes cassava black root rot and is an inhabitant of the soil, so it is difficult to control. Antagonists may contribute to the possible induction of resistance of plants because, when exposed to such pathosystems, plants respond by producing antioxidative enzymes. The test for potential inhibition of growth of S. lignicola CMM 1098 in vitro was performed in potato-dextrose-agar with two Trichoderma strains T. harzianum URM3086 and T. aureoviride URM 5158. We evaluated the effect of the two selected Trichoderma to reduce the severity of cassava black root rot and shoots. Subsequently, the production of enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) was evaluated in cassava plants. All two Trichoderma strains show an inhibition of the growth of S. lignicola CMM 1098. The most efficient was T. harzianum URM 3086, with 80.78% of mycelial growth inhibition. T. aureoviride URM 5158 was considered the best chitinase producer. All treatments were effective in reducing severity, especially treatments using Trichoderma. Cassava plants treated with T. aureoviride URM 5158 had the highest enzyme activity, especially peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase. Trichoderma harzianum URM3086 and Trichoderma aureoviride URM 5158 were effective in reducing the severity of cassava black root rot caused by S. lignicola CMM 1098. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycothermus thermophilus (Syn. Scytalidium thermophilum / Humicola insolens ), a thermophilic fungus, is being reported to produce appreciable titers of cellulases and hemicellulases during shake flask culturing on cellulose/wheat-bran/rice straw based production medium. The sequential and differential expression profile of endoglucanases, β-glucosidases, cellobiohydrolases and xylanases using zymography was studied. Mass spectrometry analysis of secretome (Q-TOF LC/MS) revealed a total of 240 proteins with 92 CAZymes of which 62 glycosyl hydrolases belonging to 30 different families were present. Cellobiohydrolase I (17.42%), β glucosidase (8.69%), endoglucanase (6.2%), xylanase (4.16%) and AA9 (3.95%) were the major proteins in the secretome. In addition, carbohydrate esterases, polysaccharide lyases, auxiliary activity and a variety of carbohydrate binding modules (CBM) were identified using genomic database of the culture indicating to an elaborate genetic potential of this strain for hydrolysis of lignocellulosics. The cellulases from the strain hydrolyzed alkali treated rice straw and bagasse into fermentable sugars efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed at isolation and screening of thermophilic cellulase producer, optimization and stability studies for maximum cellulase production. Fifteen thermophilic cellulase producing fungi were isolated from thermogenic habitats (vegetable market compost, mushroom compost, horse dung, municipal waste, nests of birds, decomposing litter, soils from furnace area, cattle dung, zoo dump, and industrial waste.) of Telangana. All the fungal isolates were screened for their ability to produce cellulases. Scytalidium thermophilum SKESMBKU02 showed the highest cellulase activity in screening and was selected for further studies. The results showed that S. thermophilum SKESMBKU02 found to have high cellulolytic activity at 45 °C and pH 5.0 - 6.0. Optimization of enzyme production was studied in different carbon and nitrogen sources. The endo and exoglucanase activities were higher in media containing glucose as their carbon source followed by xylose. Yeast extract and peptone were good nitrogen sources for endoglucanase and exoglucanase activity respectively. The organism showed maximum dry weight in (NH4)2SO4 and NH4Cl. The exo and endocellulases produced by the S. thermophilum SKESMBKU02 were highly stable at pH 8.0 and temperature of 75 °C. The results indicate that the endo and exocellulases produced by the fungi were more stable at high temperature and alkaline pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spiroscytalin ( 1 ), a new tetramic acid that possesses an uncommon spiro-ring fusion between a polyketide-derived octalin ring system and a 2,4-pyrrolidinedione, along with two known compounds, leporin B ( 2 ) and purpactin A ( 3 ), were isolated from a solid phase culture of the fungus Scytalidium cuboideum (MSX 68345). The molecular connectivity of 1 – 3 was determined using NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The relative configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by NOESY experiments. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) via a combination of experimental measurements and computational calculations. While leporin B was known, it displayed activities that had not been reported previously, including cytotoxicity against three human tumour cell lines and antibacterial activity against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Dermatomycoses are not diseases requiring compulsory notifications; rather they cause cosmetic defacements. Indian subcontinent with a varied topography is favorable for various fungal infections. Objective. To look for the epidemiological and mycological profile of superficial mycoses in North India. Methods. Three hundred and fifty-one clinical samples of skin, hair, and nail were examined to find the fungal etiology of the dermatomycoses. Results. Dermatomycoses were seen in 215/351 (61.2%) of cases. Most common isolates obtained were nondermatophyte molds (NDMs) (36.1%), followed by dermatophytes (13.8%) and yeasts (8.6%). Aspergillus niger (9%) was the most common mold. Trichophyton rubrum (4.6%) was the most common dermatophyte isolated, while amongst the yeasts Non-albicans Candida (NAC) species were more common (6%). Many other NDMs like Syncephalastrum spp., Cunninghamella spp., Rhodotorula spp., A. terreus, Scytalidium spp. and Scopulariopsis spp. were also isolated. Conclusion. Our study reflects an increasing role of NDMs (thought to be normal laboratory or environmental contaminants) as a causative agent of dermatomycoses, replacing the dermatophytes. Clinician’s awareness of the demographic profile of the population involved along with more studies on dermatomycoses can help in understanding the etiological profile in area, leading to prevention of disease occurrence and cosmetic disfigurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mycoparasite, Scytalidium parasiticum sp. nov., isolated from the basidiomata of Ganoderma boninense causing basal stem rot of oil palm in Johor, Malaysia, is described and illustrated. It is distinct from other Scytalidium species in having smaller asci and ascospores (teleomorphic stage), longer arthroconidia (anamorphic stage), hyaline to yellowish chlamydospores, and producing a fluorescent pigment. The phylogenetic position of S. parasiticum was determined by sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacers and the small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene regions. A key to identify Scytalidium species with teleomorphic stage is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genome of the thermophilic fungus S cytalidium thermophilum (strain CBS 625.91) harbours a wide range of genes involved in carbohydrate degradation, including three genes, abf62A, abf62B and abf62C, predicted to encode glycoside hydrolase family 62 ( GH62) enzymes. Transcriptome analysis showed that only abf62A and abf62C are actively expressed during growth on diverse substrates including straws from barley, alfalfa, triticale and canola. The abf62A and abf62C genes were expressed in E scherichia coli and the resulting recombinant proteins were characterized. Calcium-free crystal structures of Abf62C in apo and xylotriose bound forms were determined to 1.23 and 1.48 Å resolution respectively. Site-directed mutagenesis confirmed Asp55, Asp171 and Glu230 as catalytic triad residues, and revealed the critical role of non-catalytic residues Asp194, Trp229 and Tyr338 in positioning the scissile α- L-arabinofuranoside bond at the catalytic site. Further, the +2 R substrate-binding site residues Tyr168 and Asn339, as well as the +2 NR residue Tyr226, are involved in accommodating long-chain xylan polymers. Overall, our structural and functional analysis highlights characteristic differences between Abf62A and Abf62C, which represent divergent subgroups in the GH62 family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermophilic fungi have received substantial attention in industry for their potential to produce thermostable enzymes and as production platforms tolerant of high temperature. Studies exploring the ecology and biosystematics of thermophilic fungi have lagged behind studies in applied biology. The species commonly known as Scytalidium thermophilum (Chaetomiaceae) is one of the most frequently encountered organisms in surveys of thermophilic fungi. There is evidence that it is ecologically and economically important, for example in the context of commercial mushroom growing. As described here, this species should not be placed in the genus Scytalidium or any other existing genus. We propose a new genus and combination, Mycothermus thermophilus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing interest in the use of naturally produced pigments for textile dyeing has led to increased efforts towards the identification of such pigments that are less toxic, more sustainable, and more stable over time than currently used synthetic compounds. This work utilised various concentrations of green, red, and yellow pigments extracted with dichloromethane from the wood-staining fungi Chlorociboria aeruginosa, Scytalidium cuboideum, and S. ganodermophthorum, respectively, for the effective dyeing of bleached cotton, spun polyamide (nylon 6.6), spun polyester (Dacron 54), spun polyacrylic, and worsted wool. All three pigments utilised in this study show significant potential for use as textile dyes. Colour changes suggested that drip application methods were superior to submersion using dichloromethane. Colour changes as compared with the untreated fabrics were most significant on polyester, which is likely due to increased levels of polymer swelling in polyester exposed to dichloromethane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slippery scar is one of the most destructive diseases encountered in the cultivation of Auricularia polytricha (hairy wood ear); however, the identity of the pathogenic agent has remained uncertain. This study was designed to identify the causative pathogen of slippery scar in A. polytricha and to investigate the taxonomic classification of the pathogen by morphological observations, in vivo pathogenicity tests, and molecular evidences of ITS and RPB2 sequences. The results showed that the pathogen was a new Scytalidium species, here named Scytalidium auriculariicola. Scytalidium auriculariicola was characterized by its rapid growth rate, the catenate conidia of variable size, and the pale brown to brown chlamydoconidia. Phylogenetic analyses based on internal transcribed spacer regions and RPB2 sequences on the pathogen isolated and related species supported that S. auriculariicola was a true Scytalidium species. It was congeneric with and close to Scytalidium lignicola, the type species of Scytalidium. However, it differed from the latter species in the size of conidia, 33 different nucleotide bases in ITS sequences and 30 different nucleotide bases in RPB2 sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extracellular colorants produced by Chlorociboria aeruginosa, Scytalidium cuboideum, and Scytalidium ganodermophthorum, three commonly utilized spalting fungi, were tested against a standard woodworker's aniline dye to determine if the fungal colorants could be utilized in an effort to find a naturally occurring replacement for the synthetic dye. Fungal colorants were delivered in two methods within a pressure treater--the first through solubilization of extracted colorants in dichloromethane, and the second via liquid culture consisting of water, malt, and the actively growing fungus. Visual external evaluation of the wood test blocks showed complete surface coloration of all wood species with all colorants, with the exception of the green colorant (xylindein) from C. aeruginosa in liquid culture, which did not produce a visible surface color change. The highest changes in external color came from noble fir, lodgepole pine, port orford cedar and sugar maple with aniline dye, cottonwood with the yellow colorant in liquid culture, lodgepole pine with the red colorant in liquid culture, red alder and Oregon maple with the green colorant in dichloromethane, and sugar maple and port orford cedar with the yellow colorant in dichloromethane. The aniline dye was superior to the fungal colorants in terms of internal coloration, although none of the tested compounds were able to completely visually color the inside of the test blocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twelve solvents were tested for their ability to extract the pigments of Chlorociboria aeruginosa and Scytalidium cuboideum, two fungi used primarily for the spalting of decorative wood. Solvents were assessed on the basis of the saturation of pigment produced, their ability to diffuse through filter paper, and whether they reacted with the extracted pigments. Solvents that performed well in extraction testing were then tested to determine whether they could also dissolve the extracted pigment once dried. Of the solvents tested, only dichloromethane was capable of quick, non-reactive extraction with filter paper diffusion, as well as being able fully to redissolve dried pigment extracted from C. aeruginosa. The results of this study show dichloromethane to be an ideal solvent for extracting and applying fungal pigments that offers new possibilities for spalting in which fungi do not need to be grown directly on a substrate in order to produce pigmented wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inonotus hispidus, Scytalidium ganodermophthorum and two strains of Scytalidium lignicola were tested for their ability to produce yellow extracellular pigment on media plates, sterile wood blocks and non-sterile logs to determine their suitability for use as spalting fungi. All three fungi produced a penetrating yellow pigment in the non-sterile logs after 12 weeks of incubation; however, results from the sterile block tests indicated that the incubation time necessary for I. hispidus to produce sufficient yellow pigment may be as low as 4 weeks of incubation. An incubation period of 4 weeks is the shortest recorded for controlled spalting and will allow for the currently utilised production time for yellow spalted wood of 12 weeks to be substantially decreased using an isolate of I. hispidus as the inoculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the year 2008 to 2009, a new disease of stem canker was noticed in most red-fleshed dragon fruit ( Hylocereus polyrhizus) plantations in Malaysia. The symptoms observed were small circular sunken orange spot, black pycnidia and rotted stem. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of the stem canker on H. polyrhizus in Malaysia, subsequently to isolate, identify and characterize the fungal pathogen based on morphology and molecular characteristics and pathogenicity test. From the surveyed 20 plantations in Malaysia, stem canker was detected in all the plantations. A total of 40 isolates of Scytalidium-like fungus were isolated and identified as Neoscytalidium dimidiatum based on morphological characteristics and ITS region sequences, which showed 99% similarity to N. dimidiatum ( FJ648577). From the phylogenetic analysis using maximum-likelihood tree, isolates of N. dimidiatum from stem canker of H. polyrhizus were grouped together and did not show any sequence variation. From pathogenicity test, all 40 isolates of N. dimidiatum were pathogenic causing stem canker on H. polyrhizus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of stem canker of H. polyrhizus caused by N. dimidiatum in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We successfully expressed the neutral β-glucosidase (BGL4) from Scytalidium thermophilum in the thermotolerant yeast Candida glabrata. Compared to the strain expressing Aspergillus acidic β-glucosidase (BGL1), the BGL4-expressing strain showed a higher cellobiose fermentation ability at pH 6.0 and 40°C, leading to a higher ethanol production from alkaline-pretreated rice straw. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost all monofunctional haem catalases contain a highly conserved core containing the active site, which is connected to the exterior of the enzyme by three channels. These channels have been identified as potential routes for substrate flow and product release. To further investigate the role of these molecular channels, a series of mutants of Scytalidium thermophilum catalase were generated. The three-dimensional structures of four catalase variants, N155A, V123A, V123C and V123T, have been determined at resolutions of 2.25, 1.93, 1.9 and 1.7 Å, respectively. The V123C variant contains a new covalent bond between the S atom of Cys123 and the imidazole ring of the essential His82. This variant enzyme has only residual catalase activity and contains haem b instead of the normal haem d. The H82A variant demonstrates low catalase and phenol oxidase activities (0.2 and 20% of those of recombinant wild-type catalase-phenol oxidase, respectively). The N155A and N155H variants exhibit 4.5 and 3% of the wild-type catalase activity and contain haem d, showing that Asn155 is essential for catalysis but is not required for the conversion of haem b to haem d. Structural analysis suggests that the cause of the effect of these mutations on catalysis is the disruption of the ability of dioxygen substrates to efficiently access the active site. Additional mutants have been characterized biochemically to further probe the roles of the different channels. Introducing smaller or polar side chains in place of Val123 reduces the catalase activity. The F160V, F161V and F168V mutants show a marked decrease in catalase activity but have a much lower effect on the phenol oxidase activity, despite containing substoichiometric amounts of haem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Onychomycosis by Neoscytalidium constitutes chronic infection of the nails, and its frequency has increased in recent decades. Currently, no effective standard treatment exists and literature data remain scarce. This work aimed to conduct a pilot project of combined treatment for this infection. Methods: Thirty patients were divided into three treatment groups: oral terbinafine plus ciclopirox nail lacquer twice a week; ciclopirox nail lacquer twice a week; and ciclopirox nail lacquer 5 days a week, all associated with nail abrasion when required, for 12 months, with 6 months posttreatment follow-up. Clinical and mycological criteria were used for evaluation. Results: Twenty-five patients completed the study. Significant clinical lesion reduction in disease occurred in all three treatment groups: 21 patients (84 %) entered the study with more than 50 % of diseased nail plate, at the end of treatment, and at 6-month follow-up, 84 and 96 %, respectively, presented less than 25 % nail lesion. Negative microscopy was observed in 36 % of the patients at the end of treatment and in 24 % of the patients at 6-month follow-up. At treatment completion (12 months), culture was negative in 21 patients (84 %) and in 18 (72 %) at follow-up. It was not possible to establish any clinical or mycological statistical differences between groups ( p > 0.05). Global medical evaluation upon treatment completion revealed that one patient (4 %) presented complete cure, 8 (32 %) presented partial cure, 16 (64 %) presented therapeutic failure. At the end of follow-up period, 6 patients (24 %) were considered to have recurrence/reinfection. Conclusions: The results obtained at the 6-month period of follow-up showed marked improvement (96 % of clinical improvement and 72 % of negative culture) of the patients treated for onychomycosis caused by Neoscytalidium in the three tested groups with no statistical differences between them. Multicentric studies with greater number of patients enrolled are necessary to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal melanonychia is a relatively rare nail disorder caused by nail infection that produces brown-to-black pigmentation of the nail unit. The number of organisms implicated as etiologic agents of fungal melanonychia is increasing, and the list currently tops 21 species of dematiaceous fungi and at least 8 species of nondematiaceous fungi. These superficial infections may clinically mimic subungual melanoma and are often not responsive to traditional antifungal therapy. This article reviews the literature on fungal melanonychia and the role of fungal melanin in infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Scytalidium spp. is a dematiaceous fungi that has been frequently reported from tropical to semi subtropical regions. We distinguish two pathogenic species: S. dimidiatum and S. hyalinum which is an homologous non-pigmented mutant of S. dimidiatum. This keratinophilic mold may produce superficial disease (skin, nails) indistinguishable from dermatophytes. In Martinique, this pseudodermatophyte could represent more than 50 % of onychomycosis. Contrary to dermatophytes, the clinical response of Scytalidium spp. are typically very poor and topical treatment or systemic agents ineffective. To evaluate the potential efficacy of the new antifungal agent posaconazole, we tested in vitro 12 clinical isolates of Scytalidium spp. (seven S. dimidiatum and five S. hyalinum) against posaconazole by Etest method. For the totality of the isolates, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were low: MICs less or equal to 0.25μg/ml (maximum MICs of 0.25μg/ml for S. dimidiatum and 0.032μg/ml for S. hyalinum). These in vitro efficacy suggest that the new agent posaconazole may be a future alternative treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) is a broadleaf evergreen tree native to western North America that has been in decline for the past 30 years. A fungus has been isolated and was verified as the cause of cankers on dying trees. It was determined to belong in the genus Fusicoccum, an asexual state of Botryosphaeria. This genus in both its sexual and asexual states commonly causes canker diseases of deciduous woody plants. Using morphological and molecular data the fungus causing cankers on Pacific madrone is characterized, described and illustrated as a new species of Fusicoccum, F. arbuti D.E Farr & M. Elliott sp. nov. No sexual state is known for F. arbuti. Evidence from the literature, cultures and specimens suggests that F. arbuti, often mistakenly identified as Nattrassia mangiferae, has been causing madrone canker since at least 1968. Authentic isolates of Nattrassia mangiferae as the synanamorph Scytalidium dimidiatum were sequenced and determined to be different from Fusicoccum arbuti and to belong in Botryosphaeria/Fusicoccum. In addition to molecular sequence data, the morphology of the pycnidial and arthric conidial states of Nattrassia mangiferae/ Scytalidium dimidiatum resembles that of Fusicoccum. Therefore the correct name for Nattrassia mangiferae and its numerous synonyms (Dothiorella mangiferae, Torula dimidata, Scytilidium dimidiatum, Fusicoccum eucalypti, Hendersonula toruloidea, H. cypria, Exospor ina fawcetii, H. agathidia, and S. lignicola) is Fusicoccum dimidiatum (Penz.) D.F. Farr, comb. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a systemic mycosis in a German shepherd dog caused by Scytalidium spp. The patient presented for progressive cervical pain and forelimb hemiparesis. Cervical computed tomography revealed lysis associated with multiple vertebrae and a soft tissue mass adjacent to the spinal cord, as well as prescapular lymphadenopathy. Fine needle aspirates of the lymph nodes yielded hyphae, and a subsequent culture obtained a Scytalidium spp. Itraconazole therapy was initiated, but the subject was euthanized three months later due to progressive neurologic disease and discomfort. This appears to be the first report of disseminated disease by this species in veterinary medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in vitro activity of seven azole compounds viz clotrimozole, isoconazole, bifanazole, fluconazole oxyconazole, Bay n 7133 and Bay L 9139 was investigated against 47 clinical isolates of pathogenic non-dermatophytic filamentous fungi and dermatophytic fungi. The isolates included Hendersonula toruloidea-26, Scytalidium hyalinium-5, Scytalidium japonicum-1, Trichophyton rubrum-5, Trichophyton tonsurans-3, Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes-4, Epidemophyton floccosum-2, Microporum gypseum-2 isolates. The drugs were significantly more active against the dermatophytes (MIC range 0.025-1.56 μg/ml) than non-dermatophytes (MIC range 0.39-6.25 μg/ml). Isoconazole showed more activity than the rest of the azole compound tested. Clotrimazole, fluconazole, oxyconazole, bifonazole were comparable in their inhibitory activity against both dermatophytes and non-dermatophytes. The azole derivatives, Bay n 7133 and Bay L 9139 showed higher MIC range i.e. gave a range of 0.39-1.56 μg/ml for dermatophytes and 1.56-6.25 μg/ml for non-dermatophytic filamentous fungi. The minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) of all the drugs tested were mostly within 2-8 times their MIC values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]