Book of Abstracts (PDF) - International Mycological Association

IMC7 Main Congress Theme III: PATHOGENS AND NUISANCES, FOOD AND MEDICINE Posters
842 - Gliotoxin production by Aspergillus fumigatus
E. Jonsson 1* , A. Stepinska 1 , V. Wenehed 2 , P. Haggblom 1 &
A. Forsby 2
1 Dept of Animal Feed, National Veterinary Institute, 751
89 Uppsala, Sweden. - 2 Dept of Neurochemistry and
Neurotoxicology, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm,
Sweden. - E-mail: Eva.Jonsson@sva.se
It is well known that various moulds can grow on animal
feed and produce a range of toxic metabolites
(mycotoxins). To study production of mycotoxins,
Aspergillus fumigatus, that is one of the most common
fungi in animal feed, was chosen. A. fumigatus is known to
produce, among other toxins, gliotoxin, a highly toxic
mycotoxin. The purpose of the study is to develop a
screening in vitro method to identify toxicological
components in feed, which may help to minimise
application of animal tests also for other purposes. A.
fumigatus CCUG 17460 were grown on Czapek-Dox Broth
with 30% glucose (37 °C; 10 samples). The Czapek-Dox
Broth was extracted and purified by a solid-phase
purification method. The extracts were run at HPLC, and
gliotoxin was detected in 9/10. The maximum
concentration of gliotoxin was produced after 87 hours of
inoculation. The purified extracts were applied to the
human neuroblastoma SH-SY5 cells, and the general
cytotoxicity was determined. The extracts showed to be
cytotoxic to the SH-SY5 cells. This study proves that it is
possible to produce gliotoxin in vitroby means of
inoculating Czapek-Dox Broth with A. fumigatus. The
effects of the in vitro produced gliotoxin agree with the
effects of pure gliotoxin.
843 - Expressed sequences in the basidiomycetaus tree
pathogen Heterobasidion annosum during early
infection of Scots pine
M. Karlsson * , Å. Olson & J. Stenlid
Forest Mycology & Pathology, Box 7026, SE-750 07,
Uppsala, Sweden. - E-mail:
Magnus.Karlsson@mykopat.slu.se
The basidiomycete fungus Heterobasidion annosum is the
causal agent of annosum root rot and is economically the
most important disease of coniferous forests in northern
temperate regions. H. annosum is a wood-decaying
pathogen which can utilize a variety of carbon sources. The
purpose of this research project is to investigate the
molecular mechanisms behind the pathogenicity of H.
annosum and to identify key factors, which enables the
fungus to infect and cause disease. A cDNA library was
constructed from mycelia that had been challenged with
pine seedling roots. Fragment lengths are spanning from
300 bp to 3000 bp with an average of 850 bp. Individual
cDNA fragments were sequenced once from the 5' end to
generate expressed sequence tags (ESTs) which were used
for similarity searches against already available sequence
data. In this way we can get an idea about the putuative
function of the corresponding genes. So far 1150 fragments
have been sequenced, corresponding to 337 different
contigs from which 228 have significant similarity to other
genes. The largest fuctional groups are those involved in
information pathways (including protein synthesis) and
basic metabolism but genes involved in electron transport
and transmembrane transport are also common. In order to
pinpoint the genes that are important for the pathogenicity
of the fungus the cDNA fragments are screened for
differential expression during different stages of the
infection process.
844 - Fungal infection for the recipients of living donor
liver transplantation
N. Kawagishi * , N. Ohkohchi & S. Satomi
Division of Advanced Surgical Science and Technology,
Tohoku University, 1-1 Seiryoumachi Aobaku Sendai 980-
8574, Japan. - E-mail: kawan@mail.cc.tohoku.ac.jp
(Introduction) Fungal infection is potentially fatal
complication in patients with liver transplantation. The aim
of this study was to review the single-center experience
with fungal infections in living donor liver transplantation
and to report its management for the early diagnosis and
treatment. (Methods) From July 1991 to December 2001,
52 cases of LDLTx were performed in our institution.
Immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus or
cyclosporine, corticosteroids and in some cases
azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil. The diagnosis of
fungal infection was based on clinical findings, culture and
serological examinations such as β-D glucan, Candida Ag,
Aspergillus Ag and Cryptococcus Ag. For the prophylaxis
of the fungal infection, administration of fluconazole and
gargle by amphotericin B were performed before LDLTx.
Active fungal infection was treated by fluconazole,
amphotericin B and flucytosine. (Results) Mycoses were
cultured for 41 cases (78.8%) and 23 cases(44.2%) were
detected before LDLTx. C. albicans was accounted for
more than 60% of the recipients and the greatest number of
fungal isolates were obtained from pharynx and stool.
There was no recipient who died directly because of
invasive fungal infection. Detection of β-D glucan was
effective for the prevention from severe invasive fungal
infection. (Conclusion) For the management of fungal
infection in LDLTx, it is important to notify the role of
prophylaxis, empiric and pre-emptive therapy.
845 - Phyllachora epidemic on common ragweed
(Ambrosia artemisiifolia): a unique natural control
phenomenon in Hungary in 1999
L. Kiss 1* , L. Vajna 1 , Gy. Bohar 2 , D. Magyar 1 , U. Paksiri 3 &
S. Takamatsu 4
1 Plant Protection Institute, Hungarian Academy of
Sciences, H-1525 Budapest, P.O. Box 102., Hungary. -
2 Bioved Bt., 2310 Szigetszentmiklos, Ady Endre u. 10.,
Book of Abstracts 253