Talaromyces marneffei isolated from nasal swabs in Portugal. (22nd March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Matos, Manuela; Jota Baptista, Catarina; Oliveira, Paula A; Matos, Ana Cristina; Soares, Ana Sofia; Santos, Marlene; Figueira, Luís; Coelho, Ana Cláudia
• Is Part Of: Medical mycology. Volume 61:Number 4(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03-22
• Subjects: fungi -- mycobiota -- nasal mucosa -- Talaromyces marneffei -- penicilliosis; Medical mycology -- Periodicals; Veterinary mycology -- Periodicals; Mycology -- Periodicals; Mycoses -- Periodicals; Pathogenic fungi -- Periodicals; 616.969005
• DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-3786

Abstract

Abstract: Mycobiota are essential to the health of any living being, creating a balanced and complex interaction between bacteria, the immune system, and the tissue cells of the host. Talaromyces marneffei (also known as Penicillium marneffei ) is a dimorphic fungus, endemic in South Asia, which often causes a life-threatening systemic fungal infection (called penicilliosis), particularly in immunocompromised hosts. Nasal swabs from 73 healthy volunteers were analysed to characterize their mycobiota, through its cultural characteristics, morphology, and molecular methods (PCR). All volunteers were also asked to answer to an anonymous questionnaire. Three women were positive (and asymptomatic) for T. marneffei . One of them was reported to have lupus. This study contributes to improving our knowledge about human normal mycobiota, identifying mycotic agents that may cause complicated systemic infections (as T. marneffei ), especially in immunosuppressed patients, as well as other possible risk factors of exposure or prognosis. Lay Summary: Talaromyces marneffei is a zoonotic fungus that may be responsible for life-threatening systemic infections in immune-comprised patients. Talaromyces marneffei was identified in nasal swabs from asymptomatic volunteers. This suggests that this fungus may be part of the nasal normal mycobiota of some humans.