Phylogeny of the Clinically Relevant Species of the Emerging Fungus Trichoderma and Their Antifungal Susceptibilities

Abstract

A set of 73 isolates of the emerging fungus Trichoderma isolated from human and animal clinical specimens were characterized morphologically and molecularly using a multilocus sequence analysis that included the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the nuclear ribosomal DNA and fragments of the translation elongation factor 1 alpha (Tef1), endochitinase CHI18-5 (Chi18-5), and actin 1 (Act1) genes. The most frequent species was Trichoderma longibrachiatum (26%), followed by Trichoderma citrinoviride (18%), the Hypocrea lixii/Trichoderma harzianum species complex (15%), the newly described species Trichoderma bissettii (12%), and Trichoderma orientale (11%). The most common anatomical sites of isolation in human clinical specimens were the respiratory tract (40%), followed by deep tissue (30%) and superficial tissues (26%), while all the animal-associated isolates were obtained from superficial tissue samples. Susceptibilities of the isolates to eight antifungal drugs in vitro showed mostly high MICs, except for voriconazole and the echinocandins.

Fungi from a Groundwater-Fed Drinking Water Supply System in Brazil

“…Some species of this genera, such as Trichoderma longibrachiatum , which is mentioned as the main human pathogen of the genus, and T. atroviride , T. citrinoviride , T. harzianum , T. koningii , T. orientale , T. pseudokoningii , T. reesei , and T. viride are associated with infections, allergic sinusitis, keratitis, otitis, superficial and subcutaneous infection, peritonitis, endocarditis, brain abscess and deep pulmonary infection [55,56]. …”

Hyalohyphomycosis: Infection Due to Hyaline Moulds

“…T. longibrachiatum is the most common species to cause human disease. Based on in vitro susceptibilities, the echinocandin antifungal drugs or amphotericin are most likely to be effective against these fungi [58].…”

Virulence and Experimental Treatment of Trichoderma longibrachiatum, a Fungus Refractory to Treatment

“…Antifungal susceptibility data are scarce, and appropriate treatment does not exist. Although amphotericin B shows poor in vitro activity, it is the most used drug, while voriconazole and echinocandins show better in vitro activities (14). Our aim was to evaluate the virulence of T. longibrachiatum in a murine model and the efficacies of amphotericin B, liposomal amphotericin B, micafungin, and voriconazole.…”

“…Two clinical strains of T. longibrachiatum (FMR 12626 and FMR 12643), identified by multilocus sequence analysis (14), were used. Antifungal activity was determined following the CLSI guidelines (14,15).…”

“…Antifungal activity was determined following the CLSI guidelines (14,15). For FMR 12626, the MICs of amphotericin B and voriconazole were 0.13 and 0.5 g/ml, respectively, and for FMR 12643, the MICs were 2 and 4 g/ml, respectively.…”