Unravelling species boundaries in the Aspergillus viridinutans complex (section Fumigati): opportunistic human and animal pathogens capable of interspecific hybridization

0499826 - MBÚ 2019 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Hubka, Vít - Barrs, V. - Dudová, Z. - Sklenář, František - Kubátová, A. - Matsuzawa, T. - Yaguchi, T. - Horie, Y. - Nováková, Alena - Frisvad, J.C. - Talbot, J.J. - Kolařík, Miroslav
Unravelling species boundaries in the Aspergillus viridinutans complex (section Fumigati): opportunistic human and animal pathogens capable of interspecific hybridization.
Persoonia. Roč. 41, DEC 2018 (2018), s. 142-174. ISSN 0031-5850
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT(CZ) ED1.1.00/02.0109; GA ČR(CZ) GA17-20286S
Institutional support: RVO:61388971
Keywords : Aspergillus felis * Aspergillus fumigatus * invasive aspergillosis
OECD category: Microbiology
Impact factor: 6.860, year: 2018

Although Aspergillus fumigatus is the major agent of invasive aspergillosis, an increasing number of infections are caused by its cryptic species, especially A. lentulus and the A. viridinutans species complex (AVSC).Their identification is clinically relevant because of antifungal drug resistance and refractory infections. Species boundaries in the AVSC are unresolved since most species have uniform morphology and produce interspecific hybrids in vitro. Clinical and environmental strains from six continents (n = 110) were characterized by DNA sequencing of four to six loci. Biological compatibilities were tested within and between major phylogenetic clades, and ascospore morphology was characterised. Species delimitation methods based on the multispecies coalescent model (MSC) supported recognition of ten species including one new species. Four species are confirmed opportunistic pathogens, A. udagawae followed by A. felis and A. pseudoviridinutans are known from opportunistic human infections, while A. felis followed by A. udagawae and A. wyomingensis are agents of feline sino-orbital aspergillosis. Recently described human-pathogenic species A. parafelis and A. pseudofelis are synonymized with A. felis and an epitype is designated for A. udagawae. Intraspecific mating assay showed that only a few of the heterothallic species can readily generate sexual morphs in vitro. Interspecific mating assays revealed that five different species combinations were biologically compatible. Hybrid ascospores had atypical surface ornamentation and significantly different dimensions compared to parental species. This suggests that species limits in theAVSC are maintained by both pre- and post-zygotic barriers and these species display a great potential for rapid adaptation and modulation of virulence.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0292045