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Multilocus Sequence Typing Reveals Extensive Genetic Diversity of the Emerging Fungal Pathogen Scedosporium

Azian Harun1,2, Alex Kan1, Katharina Schwabenbauer1

  • 1Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Westmead Hospital-Research and Education Network, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|January 13, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Scedosporium aurantiacum, a fungus found in cystic fibrosis patients, shows high genetic diversity globally. Australian strains are particularly diverse, suggesting this region as a potential origin and highlighting the need for further research into its population structure.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology and Population Genetics
  • Fungal Pathogenesis and Epidemiology

Background:

  • Scedosporium spp. are significant filamentous fungi, second only to Aspergillus spp. in prevalence among cystic fibrosis patients.
  • Scedosporium aurantiacum, an environmental fungus, is increasingly recognized as a pathogen, particularly in post-transplantation settings.
  • Understanding the genetic diversity of S. aurantiacum is crucial for managing its clinical and environmental impact.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and implement a MultiLocus Sequence Typing (MLST) scheme for Scedosporium aurantiacum.
  • To investigate the population genetic structure, diversity, and geographic distribution of S. aurantiacum.
  • To explore potential origins and dispersal patterns of S. aurantiacum strains.

Main Methods:

  • Developed an MLST scheme using six polymorphic loci (ACT, CAL, EF1α, RPB2, SOD2, TUB) from 24 candidate genes.
  • Analyzed 188 global strains from clinical, veterinary, and environmental sources using the developed MLST scheme.
  • Employed network and phylogenetic analyses to assess genetic relationships and population structure.

Main Results:

  • Identified high genetic diversity within S. aurantiacum, with 159 unique sequence types found among 188 strains.
  • Observed distinct clustering of Australian strains compared to non-Australian strains, suggesting geographic differentiation.
  • Demonstrated evidence of recombination and no correlation between genetic clusters and strain source (clinical, veterinary, environmental).

Conclusions:

  • The high genetic diversity, particularly in Australian strains, supports the hypothesis of an Australian origin for S. aurantiacum.
  • The study provides a valuable MLST dataset for future epidemiological and population genetic studies of S. aurantiacum.
  • Findings contribute to understanding the global dispersal and evolutionary history of this emerging fungal pathogen.
Keywords:
MLST (multilocus sequence typing)Scedosporium aurantiacumclinical associationecological contextgenotypinggeographical origins

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