First Molecular Identification of Three Clinical Isolates of Fungi Causing Mucormycosis in Honduras

Abstract

Mucormycoses are rare but serious opportunistic fungal infections caused by filamentous organisms of the order Mucorales. Here we report the first molecular identification of Rhizopus oryzae (heterotypic synonym Rhizopus arrhizus), R. delemar, and Apophysomyces ossiformis as the etiological agents of three cases of severe mucormycosis in Honduras. Conventional microbiological cultures were carried out, and DNA was extracted from both clinical samples and axenic cultures. The ITS ribosomal region was amplified and sequenced. Molecular tools are suitable strategies for diagnosing and identifying Mucorales in tissues and cultures, especially in middle-income countries lacking routine diagnostic strategies.

Mucormycosis caused by Apophysomyces species: An experience from a tertiary care hospital in Western India and systematic review of global cases

“…From literature search and meticulous study selection process, 89 studies were included in this systematic review with data retrieved from additional 250 cases of mucormycosis due to Apophysomyces species 5,9–96 (Figure 1). The worldwide distribution of reported cases of mucormycosis due to Apophysomyces species is shown in Figure 2.…”

“…Studies have shown the presence of Apophysomyces species in outdoor air samples and a high isolation rate of the fungus from Indian soil with low nitrogen content 4,98 . Besides India, the disease has been reported from other tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including Afghanistan, 29 Sri Lanka, 35 Japan, 80 Australia, 12,26,46,56,79,85,94 and parts of South East Asia, 31,32,71 Middle East, 23,24,34,36,43,45,69 Europe 33,37,88 and Central and South America 11,25,28,39,50,64,72,83 …”

“…4,98 Besides India, the disease has been reported from other tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including Afghanistan, 29 Sri Lanka, 35 Japan, 80 Australia, 12,26,46,56,79,85,94 and parts of South East Asia, 31,32,71 Middle East, 23,24,34,36,43,45,69 Europe 33,37,88 and Central and South America. 11,25,28,39,50,64,72,83 Until 2010, Apophysomyces was considered as a monotypic genus with A. elegans as the only species. 2 However, subsequent taxonomic revisions based on genetic, physiological and morphological analysis showed that A. elegans is a complex of five distinct species, namely A. elegans, A. variabilis, A. ossiformis, A. trapeziformis and A. mexicanus.…”