Filamentous Fungal Human Pathogens from Food Emphasising Aspergillus, Fusarium and Mucor

Abstract

Disease caused by filamentous fungal human pathogens (FFHP) is increasing. These organisms cause severe mycoses in immunosuppressed individuals, such as those: (a) with AIDS; (b) having undergone transplantation; and/or (c) undergoing chemotherapy. Immunocompetent people can become infected. Some FFHP are isolated from foods which may be fomites. However, the information concerning particular species on specific food is large, dispersed and difficult to obtain. Reports of filamentous fungi from food/crops and causing human disease are frequently only available in the literature of food mycology/plant pathology and medical mycology, respectively: it is seldom cross-referenced. Aspergillus contains some species with strains that are the most dangerous FFHP, with Aspergillus fumigatus causing the most serious diseases. Fusarium and Mucor also contain species of high importance and approximately 15 other genera are involved. A checklist and database of FFHP species isolated from food is presented herein with emphasis on Aspergillus, Fusarium and Mucor in summary tables to increase awareness of the connection between food and FFHP. Metadata on all FFHP is provided in a large supplementary table for updating and revision when necessary. Previous names of fungi have been revised to reflect current valid usage whenever appropriate. The information will form a foundation for future research and taxonomic revisions in the field. The paper will be highly useful for medical practitioners, food mycologists, fungal taxonomists, patients, regulators and food producers interested in reducing infectious diseases and producing high quality food.

Human Pathogenic Paecilomyces from Food

“…Its presence in pasteurized beverages causes great economic losses [17]. It can also be found in margarine, processed cheeses, dried fruits, cereal/grains, rye, fruits, meet products, nuts, oils, and seeds [9,14,24]. This species is able to degrade the food preservatives sorbic acid, benzoic acid, and propionic acid, which results in changes in the smell of food products [15].…”

“…The aim of this review is to add information about Paecilomyces from food and the possibility to cause medical problems to special issue Human Pathogenic Filamentous Fungi from Food [14]. …”

Opportunistic Water-Borne Human Pathogenic Filamentous Fungi Unreported from Food

“…However, the majority of reported fungal species were not related exclusively to water, but they can be found also in air, soil, and food [1,5]. Food-related opportunistic filamentous fungi, isolated also from water, included those from the genera Acremonium , Alternaria , Aspergillus , Chaetomium , Fusarium , Mucor , Lichtheimia , Paecilomyces , Penicillium , Phoma , Scopulariopsis , and Trichoderma [1,5].…”

“…Food-related opportunistic filamentous fungi, isolated also from water, included those from the genera Acremonium , Alternaria , Aspergillus , Chaetomium , Fusarium , Mucor , Lichtheimia , Paecilomyces , Penicillium , Phoma , Scopulariopsis , and Trichoderma [1,5]. Paterson and Lima (2017) discussed their presence on food, and their medical relevance, in detail [5]. The present paper thus focuses only on opportunistic filamentous fungi related to water, and not reported from food [5].…”

“…Paterson and Lima (2017) discussed their presence on food, and their medical relevance, in detail [5]. The present paper thus focuses only on opportunistic filamentous fungi related to water, and not reported from food [5]. …”