Genetic diversity and antifungal susceptibility profiles in causative agents of sporotrichosis

Author(s)

Rodrigues, Anderson Messias ^[1] ; de Hoog, G. Sybren ^[2] ; Pires, Debora de Cassia ^[3] ; Nogueira Brihante, Raimunda Samia ^[4] ; da Costa Sidrim, Jose Julio ^[4] ; Gadelha, Marcos Fabio ^[5] ; Colombo, Arnaldo Lopes ^[3] ; de Camargo, Zoilo Pires ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Fed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, Cellular Biol Div, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] KNAW Fungal Biodivers Ctr, Cent Bur Schimmelcultures, Utrecht - Netherlands

^[3] Fed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Med, Infect Dis Sect, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Ceara, Specialized Med Mycol Ctr, Postgrad Program Med Microbiol, Fortaleza, Ceara - Brazil

^[5] Univ Estadual Ceara, Postgrad Program Vet Sci, Fortaleza, Ceara - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES; v. 14, APR 23 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 65

Abstract

Background: Sporotrichosis is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis of humans and animals, which is typically acquired by traumatic inoculation of plant material contaminated with Sporothrix propagules, or via animals, mainly felines. Sporothrix infections notably occur in outbreaks, with large epidemics currently taking place in southeastern Brazil and northeastern China. Pathogenic species include Sporothrix brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii s. str., Sporothrix globosa, and Sporothrix luriei, which exhibit differing geographical distribution, virulence, and resistance to antifungals. The phylogenetically remote species Sporothrix mexicana also shows a mild pathogenic potential. Methods: We assessed a genetically diverse panel of 68 strains. Susceptibility profiles of medically important Sporothrix species were evaluated by measuring the MICs and MFCs for amphotericin B (AMB), fluconazole (FLC), itraconazole (ITC), voriconazole (VRC), posaconazole (PCZ), flucytosine (5FC), and caspofungin (CAS). Haplotype networks were constructed to reveal interspecific divergences within clinical Sporothrix species to evaluate genetically deviant isolates. Results: ITC and PCZ were moderately effective against S. brasiliensis (MIC90 = 2 and 2 mu g/mL, respectively) and S. schenckii (MIC90 = 4 and 2 mu g/mL, respectively). PCZ also showed low MICs against the rare species S. mexicana. 5FC, CAS, and FLC showed no antifungal activity against any Sporothrix species. The minimum fungicidal concentration ranged from 2 to > 16 mu g/mL for AMB against S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii, while the MFC90 was >16 mu g/mL for ITC, VRC, and PCZ. Conclusion: Sporothrix species in general showed high degrees of resistance against antifungals. Evaluating a genetically diverse panel of strains revealed evidence of multidrug resistant phenotypes, underlining the need for molecular identification of etiologic agents to predict therapeutic outcome. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/54024-2 - Molecular biology and proteomics of medically interesting fungi: Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Sporothrix schenckii
• Grantee: Zoilo Pires de Camargo
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants