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Updated: Feb 21, 2026
A Contrast of Three Inoculation Techniques used to Determine the Race of Unknown Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. niveum Isolates
Published on: October 28, 2021
[Evaluation of Fusarium spp. pathogenicity in plant and murine models]
Consuelo M Forero-Reyes1, Angela M Alvarado-Fernández1, Ana M Ceballos-Rojas1
1Unidad de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.
Abstract:
The genus Fusarium is widely recognized for its phytopathogenic capacity. However, it has been reported as an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Thus, it can be considered a microorganism of interest in pathogenicity studies on different hosts. Therefore, this work evaluated the pathogenicity of Fusarium spp. isolates from different origins in plants and animals (murine hosts). Twelve isolates of Fusarium spp. from plants, animal superficial mycoses, and human superficial and systemic mycoses were inoculated in tomato, passion fruit and carnation plants, and in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed BALB/c mice. Pathogenicity tests in plants did not show all the symptoms associated with vascular wilt in the three plant models; however, colonization and necrosis of the vascular bundles, regardless of the species and origin of the isolates, showed the infective potential of Fusarium spp. in different plant species. Moreover, the pathogenicity tests in the murine model revealed behavioral changes. It was noteworthy that only five isolates (different origin and species) caused mortality. Additionally, it was observed that all isolates infected and colonized different organs, regardless of the species and origin of the isolates or host immune status. In contrast, the superficial inoculation test showed no evidence of epidermal injury or colonization. The observed results in plant and murine models suggest the pathogenic potential of Fusarium spp. isolates in different types of hosts. However, further studies on pathogenicity are needed to confirm the multihost capacity of this genus.
Insights
Fusarium species demonstrate pathogenic potential in both plants and animals, infecting various organs. While not all isolates caused mortality in mice, their ability to colonize diverse hosts warrants further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Pathogen Research
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The genus Fusarium is known for causing plant diseases.
- Fusarium species are also opportunistic pathogens in humans, affecting both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals.
- This highlights Fusarium's potential as a multihost pathogen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the pathogenicity of Fusarium species isolates from various sources.
- To assess their infectivity in both plant and animal models.
- To understand the genus's broader pathogenic capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Inoculation of twelve Fusarium spp. isolates into tomato, passion fruit, and carnation plants.
- Inoculation into immunocompetent and immunosuppressed BALB/c mice.
- Observation of plant symptoms, colonization, and murine host responses, including mortality and organ colonization.
Main Results:
- Fusarium isolates caused vascular bundle colonization and necrosis in plants, indicating infective potential.
- In murine models, isolates caused behavioral changes, and five isolates led to mortality.
- All isolates successfully infected and colonized various organs in mice, irrespective of host immune status or isolate origin.
- Superficial inoculation did not result in epidermal injury or colonization.
Conclusions:
- Fusarium species isolates possess pathogenic potential against diverse hosts, including plants and mammals.
- The genus demonstrates a capacity for systemic infection in murine models.
- Further research is required to confirm the multihost pathogenicity of Fusarium.
