Characterization of a Paracoccidioides spp. strain from southeastern Brazil genotyped as Paracoccidioides restrepiensis (PS3) and review of this phylogenetic species

Abstract

Phylogenetic species of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis complex (S1a and S1b, PS2, PS3, and PS4) and Paracoccidioides lutzii are agents of paracoccidioidomycosis, an endemic fungal disease in Latin America. P. restrepiensis (PS3 genotype) was classified as monophyletic and geographically restricted to Colombia and neighboring territories. BAT (or Pb-327B) was isolated from a patient living in the southeast region of Brazil but with genotype similar to Colombian Paracoccidioides spp. strains. This study aimed to define the phylogenetic species of BAT isolate by using additional genotyping methods, as well as reviewing the epidemiological and clinical studies related to P. restrepiensis isolates. Genomic DNA of BAT isolate and reference strains of P. brasiliensis sensu stricto (S1b), P. americana (PS2), P. restrepiensis (PS3), and P. lutzii were analyzed by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of partial gp43 exon 2 loci, by PCR-RFLP technique of tub1 gene, and by sequencing of the whole gp43 exon 2 loci. Here, we show that BAT isolate belongs to P. restrepiensis species, which is an unusual identification in southeastern Brazil, where P. brasiliensis sensu stricto is the prevalent genotype. This identification has relevance for geographical distribution and propagation of the genus Paracoccidioides in South America.

Phylogenetic Species of Paracoccidioides spp. Isolated from Clinical and Environmental Samples in a Hyperendemic Area of Paracoccidioidomycosis in Southeastern Brazil

“…The isolate HCRP BAT, identified as the PS3 genotype, was obtained from a 33-year-old male patient who presented the subacute form of PCM. The patient, who was born and lived in the region of Ribeirão Preto, SP, had no history of travel to other geographic regions of the Brazilian territory and countries of Latin America, suggesting the acquisition of the fungus in that region of the southeast of Brazil [ 11 ]. The isolate HCRP BAT (also called Pb 327-B) had been evaluated together with P. brasiliensis samples from different South American countries using techniques such as RAPD and RFLP, being grouped close to P. brasiliensis (PS3) isolates from Colombia [ 27 , 28 ].…”

“…In this study, the chronic form of PCM was observed in most cases attributed to P. brasiliensis sensu stricto and in patients infected with P. americana (PS2) and P. lutzii . The patient infected with P. restrepiensis (PS3) had the subacute form of PCM, but most of the clinical isolates PS3 correspond to cases of the chronic form [ 11 , 12 ]. It has not been possible to associate phylogenetic species with the clinical form of PCM, as the chronic form of PCM has been predominant in this and other studies in cases related to different Paracoccidioides spp.…”

“…Its wide geographic occurrence includes particularly the southeast and south regions of Brazil (the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Paraná, and Rio Grande do Sul) [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. On a smaller scale, there are reports of the occurrences of P. americana (PS2) and P. restrepiensis (PS3) (southeast and south regions) in Brazil [ 8 , 11 , 12 ]. Brazil also has the largest endemic area of P. lutzii (midwest and north regions) [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Molecular Tools for Detection and Identification of Paracoccidioides Species: Current Status and Future Perspectives

“…Remaining genetic clusters such as PS3 and PS4 are less frequent PCM agents, and isolated cases have been found in Colombia and Venezuela, respectively. Recently, sparse cases related to PS3 have been found outside Colombia, in Argentina, Peru, and Brazil ( Figure 2 ) [ 19 , 23 , 24 ]. P. lutzii , on the other hand, encompasses a single species and is predominantly distributed in the Midwest and Amazon regions of Brazil and Ecuador ( Figure 2 ) [ 25 , 26 ].…”

Immunoproteomic Analysis Reveals Novel Candidate Antigens for the Diagnosis of Paracoccidioidomycosis Due to Paracoccidioides lutzii

“…PS3 and PS4 are rare agents of PCM, and isolated cases have been found in Colombia and Venezuela, respectively. Lately, cases related to PS3 have begun to emerge in Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and Brazil [ 42 , 43 , 44 ]. The offshoot P. lutzii encompasses a single species.…”