Paecilomyces variotii, also known by the name Byssochlamys spectabilis for the sexual state, is a common environmental mold from the Phylum Ascomycota (Family Thermoascaceae).[1] It is widespread in the environment and can be found in composts, soils and wood,[2][3][4] as well es a common environmental contaminant in indoor air and carpet dust.[5] Ascospores of the sexual state of P. variotii (B. spectabilis) are strongly heat-resistant. As such the fungus is a common contaminant of heat-treated foods and juices. Paecilomyces variotii has been associated with a number of infective diseases of humans and animals.[6]

Paecilomyces variotii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Eurotiomycetes
Order: Eurotiales
Family: Thermoascaceae
Genus: Paecilomyces
Species:
P. variotii
Binomial name
Paecilomyces variotii
Bainier (1907)
Synonyms
  • Byssochlamys spectabilis (Udagawa & Shoji Suzuki) Houbraken & Samson (2008)[1]
  • Paecilomyces aureocinnamomeum (Biourge) Thom (1930)[1]
  • Paecilomyces varioti[1]
  • Penicillium aureocinnamomeum Biourge (1923)[1]
  • Penicillium variotii (Bainier) Sacc. (1913)[1]
  • Talaromyces spectabilis Udagawa & Shoji Suzuki (1994)[1]

Taxonomy

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Paecilomyces variotii was first described by Georges Bainier in 1907, while its teleomorph was described in 1994 and ranked in Byssochlamys. P. variotii is closely related to P. brunneolus, P. formosus, P. divaricatus and P. dactylethromorphus.[7]

Morphology

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Paecilomyces variotii is fast growing, producing powdery to suede-like colonies that are yellow-brown or sand-colored.[8] It is distinguishable from microscopically similar microfungi, such as the biverticillate members of the genus Penicillium (affiliated with the genus Talaromyces) by its broadly ellipsoidal to lemon-shaped conidia, loosely branched conidiophores and phialides with pointed tips.

The colonies are usually flat, powdery to suede-like and funiculose or tufted.[9] The color is initially white, and becomes yellow, yellow-brown, or sand-colored as they mature. A sweet aromatic odor may be associated with older cultures.[10] Colonies of P. variotii are fast growing and mature within 3 days. Colonies grown on Sabouraud's dextrose agar reach about 7–8 mm after one week. Colonies on CYA are flat, floccose in texture, produce brown or olive brown from conidia, and range in diameter from 30 to 79 mmn in one week.[11] Colonies on malt extract agar reach 70 mm diameter or more, otherwise very similar in appearance to those on CYA. Colonies on G25N media reach 8–16 mm diameter, similar to on CYA but with predominantly white mycelium. Microscopically, the spore-bearing structures of P. variotii consist of a loosely branched,[12] irregularly brush-like conidiophores with phialides at the tips.[7][9] The phialides are swollen at the base, and gradually taper to a sharp point at the tip.[12] Conidia are single-celled, hyaline, and are borne in chains with the youngest at the base.[7] Chlamydospores (thick-walled vegetative resting structures) are occasionally produced singly or in short chains.[13]

The teleomorph of Paecilomyces variotii has also been described by the name Byssochlamys spectabilis.[7] However, the Byssochlamys state is rarely observed in culture due to the heterothallic nature of this species (i.e., it requires culturing of positive and negative strains in co-culture to produce the teleomorph).

Genetics

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This fungus is heterothallic, and mating experiments have shown that P. variotii can form ascomata and ascospores in culture when compatible mating types are present.[2][7]

The teleomorph of P. variotii, Byssochlamys spectabilis, is rarely observed in cultures from environmental or clinical specimens, which tend to be colonized by a single mating type.[7] The genome sequences of two isolates of P. variotii of opposite mating type have been generated.[14]

Ecology

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This species is thermophilic, able to grow at high temperatures as high as 50–60 °C.[7][10] It can withstand brief exposures of up to 15 min at 80–100 °C.[15] Accordingly, it typically causes spoilage of food products following pasteurization or other heat-treatments (e.g., curry sauces, fruit juices).[15][16] It also has been reported as a contaminant in salami and margarine.[5] The fungus is known from a number of non-food items including compost, rubber, glue, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation and creosote-treated wooden poles.[5][16] The combination of its ability to survive significant heat stress and its ability to break-down aromatic hydrocarbons has led to interest in P. variotii as a potential candidate organism to assist in bioremediation.

It is also known from decaying wood and creosote-treated wood utility poles.[7][8]

Health significance

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Although frequently encountered as a contaminant in clinical specimens, P. variotii is an uncommon causative agent of human and animal infections, but is considered to be an emerging agent of opportunistic disease, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. It has been suggested that the extremotolerant nature of the fungus contributes to its pathogenic potential. P. variotii is one of the most commonly encountered species in cases of cutaneous hyalohyphomycosis.[7][17][18][19] Pneumonia due to P. variotii has been reported, albeit rarely, in the medical literature.[20][21] Most cases are known from diabetics or individuals subject to long-term corticosteroid treatment for other diseases.[22][23] P. variotii has also been reported as a causative agent of sinusitis,[24][25][26] endophthalmitis,[27][28][29] wound infection following tissue transplant,[30] onychomycosis,[31] osteomyelitis,[32] otitis media[33] and dialysis-related peritonitis.[6][34] It has also been reported from mastitis in a goat, and as an agent of mycotic infections of dogs and horses. [citation needed] Besides clinical samples, the fungus is a common contaminant of moisture-damaged materials in the indoor environment including carpet, plaster and wood.[5] It is commonly found in indoor air samples and may contribute to indoor allergy.[5] This species produces the mycotoxin viriditoxin,[5] via the action of six enzymes encoded within a cluster of genes within the genome.[35]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Page Paecilomyces variotii on "Mycobank Database". Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
  2. ^ a b Houbraken J, Varga J, Rico-Munoz E, Johnson S, Samson RA (March 2008). "Sexual reproduction as the cause of heat resistance in the food spoilage fungus Byssochlamys spectabilis (anamorph Paecilomyces variotii)". Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 74 (5): 1613–9. Bibcode:2008ApEnM..74.1613H. doi:10.1128/aem.01761-07. PMC 2258620. PMID 18192427.
  3. ^ Pitt JL, Hocking AD (2009). Fungi and food spoilage (3rd ed.). Bibcode:2009ffs..book.....P.
  4. ^ Guarro J, Chander J, Alvarez E, Stchigel AM, Robin K, Dalal U, Rani H, Punia RS, Cano JF (January 2011). "Apophysomyces variabilis infections in humans". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 17 (1): 134–5. doi:10.3201/eid1701.101139. PMC 3204648. PMID 21192877.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Samson RA, Houbraken J, Summerbell RC, Flannigan B, Miller JD (2001). "Common and important species of fungi and actinomycetes in indoor environment". In Flannigan B, Samson RA, Miller JD (eds.). Microorganisms in Home and Indoor Work Environments. CRC Press. pp. 285–473. ISBN 978-0-203-30293-4.
  6. ^ a b Rinaldi S, Fiscarelli E, Rizzoni G (May 2000). "Paecilomyces variotii peritonitis in an infant on automated peritoneal dialysis". Pediatric Nephrology. 14 (5): 365–6. doi:10.1007/s004670050775. PMID 10805461. S2CID 21567918.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Houbraken J, Verweij PE, Rijs AJ, Borman AM, Samson RA (August 2010). "Identification of Paecilomyces variotii in clinical samples and settings". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 48 (8): 2754–61. doi:10.1128/jcm.00764-10. PMC 2916617. PMID 20519470.
  8. ^ a b Ellis D (May 2001). "Paecilomyces variotii." Mycology Online". The University of Adelaide.
  9. ^ a b Bainier D (Nov 2013). "Paecilomyces Species". Paecilomyces Species.
  10. ^ a b de Hoog GS, Guarro J, Gene J, Figueras MJ (2000). Atlas of Clinical Fungi. Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). Reus, Spain: Universitat Rovira i Virgili. ISBN 978-90-70351-43-4.
  11. ^ Pitt J, Hocking AD (1985). "Fungi and Food Spoilage". Sydney: Academic: 186–96.
  12. ^ a b Samson RA (1974). Paecilomyces and some allied hyphomycetes. Vol. 6. pp. 1–119. ISBN 978-94-91751-00-4. {{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  13. ^ Sampson RA (1975). "Paecilomyces and Some Allied Hyphomycetes". Transactions of the British Mycological Society. 64: 174. doi:10.1016/s0007-1536(75)80098-2.
  14. ^ Urquhart AS, Mondo SJ, Mäkelä MR, Hane JK, Wiebenga A, He G, Mihaltcheva S, Pangilinan J, Lipzen A, Barry K, de Vries RP, Grigoriev IV, Idnurm A (2018). "Paecilomyces variotii (Eurotiales)". Frontiers in Microbiology. 9: 3058. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.03058. PMC 6300479. PMID 30619145.
  15. ^ a b Piecková E, Samson RA (2000). "Heat Resistance of Paecilomyces variotii in Sauce and Juice". Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology. 24 (4): 227–30. doi:10.1038/sj.jim.2900794. S2CID 35360797.
  16. ^ a b Samson RA, Hoekstra ES, Frisvad JC (2004). Introduction to food- and airborne fungi (7th ed.). Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures. ISBN 978-90-70351-52-6.
  17. ^ Athar MA, Sekhon AS, Mcgrath JV, Malone RM (February 1996). "Hyalohyphomycosis caused by Paecilomyces variotii in an obstetrical patient". European Journal of Epidemiology. 12 (1): 33–5. doi:10.1007/bf00144425. PMID 8817175. S2CID 21416639.
  18. ^ Naidu J, Singh SM (October 1992). "Hyalohyphomycosis caused by Paecilomyces variotii: a case report, animal pathogenicity and 'in vitro' sensitivity". Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. 62 (3): 225–30. doi:10.1007/bf00582583. PMID 1416918. S2CID 7611095.
  19. ^ Vasudevan B, Hazra N, Verma R, Srinivas V, Vijendran P, Badad A (June 2013). "First reported case of subcutaneous hyalohyphomycosis caused by Paecilomyces variotii". International Journal of Dermatology. 52 (6): 711–3. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05761.x. PMID 23679876. S2CID 32544478.
  20. ^ Saddad N, Shigemitsu H, Christianson A (2007). "Pneumonia from Paecilomyces in a 67-year-old immunocompetent man". Chest. 132 (4): 710. doi:10.1378/chest.132.4_meetingabstracts.710.
  21. ^ Grossman CE, Fowler A (2005). "Paecilomyces: emerging fungal pathogen". Chest. 128 (4): 425S. doi:10.1378/chest.128.4_meetingabstracts.425s.
  22. ^ Byrd RP, Roy TM, Fields CL, Lynch JA (1992). "Paecilomyces varioti pneumonia in a patient with diabetes mellitus". Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications. 6 (2): 150–3. doi:10.1016/1056-8727(92)90027-i. PMID 1611140.
  23. ^ Steiner B, Aquino VR, Paz AA, Silla LM, Zavascki A, Goldani LZ (2013). "Paecilomyces variotii as an Emergent Pathogenic Agent of Pneumonia". Case Reports in Infectious Diseases. 2013: 1–3. doi:10.1155/2013/273848. PMC 3683431. PMID 23819077.
  24. ^ Eloy P, Bertrand B, Rombeaux P, Delos M, Trigaux JP (1997). "Mycotic sinusitis". Acta Oto-rhino-laryngologica Belgica. 51 (4): 339–52. PMID 9444380.
  25. ^ Otcenásek M, Jirousek Z, Nozicka Z, Mencl K (May 1984). "Paecilomycosis of the maxillary sinus". Mykosen. 27 (5): 242–51. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0507.1984.tb02025.x. PMID 6540366. S2CID 32910633.
  26. ^ Thompson RF, Bode RB, Rhodes JC, Gluckman JL (May 1988). "Paecilomyces variotii. An unusual cause of isolated sphenoid sinusitis". Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. 114 (5): 567–9. doi:10.1001/archotol.1988.01860170097028. PMID 3355698.
  27. ^ Lam DS, Koehler AP, Fan DS, Cheuk W, Leung AT, Ng JS (1999). "Endogenous fungal endophthalmitis caused by Paecilomyces variotii". Eye. 13 ( Pt 1): 113–6. doi:10.1038/eye.1999.23. PMID 10396397.
  28. ^ Tarkkanen A, Raivio V, Anttila VJ, Tommila P, Ralli R, Merenmies L, Immonen I (April 2004). "Fungal endophthalmitis caused by Paecilomyces variotii following cataract surgery: a presumed operating room air-conditioning system contamination". Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica. 82 (2): 232–5. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0420.2004.00235.x. PMID 15043549.
  29. ^ Anita KB, Fernandez V, Rao R (2010). "Fungal endophthalmitis caused by Paecilomyces variotii, in an immunocompetent patient, following intraocular lens implantation". Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology. 28 (3): 253–4. doi:10.4103/0255-0857.66491. PMID 20644318.
  30. ^ Lee J, Yew WW, Chiu CS, Wong PC, Wong CF, Wang EP (October 2002). "Delayed sternotomy wound infection due to Paecilomyces variotii in a lung transplant recipient". The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. 21 (10): 1131–4. doi:10.1016/s1053-2498(02)00404-7. PMID 12398880.
  31. ^ Arenas R, Arce M, Munoz H, Ruiz-Esmenjaud J (1998). "Onychomycosis due to Paecilomyces variotii. Case report and review". Journal de Mycologie Médicale. 8 (1): 32–33.
  32. ^ Cohen-Abbo A, Edwards KM (1995). "Multifocal osteomyelitis caused by Paecilomyces varioti in a patient with chronic granulomatous disease". Infection. 23 (1): 55–7. doi:10.1007/bf01710060. PMID 7744494. S2CID 46975431.
  33. ^ Dhindsa MK, Naidu J, Singh SM, Jain SK (1995). "Chronic suppurative otitis media caused by Paecilomyces variotii". Journal of Medical and Veterinary Mycology. 33 (1): 59–61. doi:10.1080/02681219580000121. PMID 7650580.
  34. ^ Marzec A, Heron LG, Pritchard RC, Butcher RH, Powell HR, Disney AP, Tosolini FA (September 1993). "Paecilomyces variotii in peritoneal dialysate". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 31 (9): 2392–5. doi:10.1128/jcm.31.9.2392-2395.1993. PMC 265767. PMID 8408561.
  35. ^ Urquhart, AS; Hu, J; Chooi, YH; Idnurm, A (2019). "The fungal gene cluster for biosynthesis of the antibacterial agent viriditoxin". Fungal Biology and Biotechnology. 6: 2. doi:10.1186/s40694-019-0072-y. ISSN 2054-3085. PMC 6600887. PMID 31304040.