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Fusarium
Fusarium verticillioides
Fusarium verticillioides
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycota
Class: Sordariomycetes
Order: Hypocreales
Genus: Fusarium

Fusarium is a large genus of filamentous fungi widely distributed in soil and in association with plants. A fungus (ˈfʌŋgəs is a eukaryotic Organism that is a member of the kingdom Fungi (ˈfʌndʒaɪ Ascomycota is a Division / Phylum of Fungi, and subkingdom Dikarya, whose members are commonly known as the Sac Fungi. Sordariomycetes is a class of the subdivision Pezizomycotina, which includes ascomycetous fungi. Hypocreales is an order of Fungi within the class Sordariomycetes. A hypha (plural hyphae) is a long branching filamentous cell of a Fungus, and also of unrelated Actinobacteria. A fungus (ˈfʌŋgəs is a eukaryotic Organism that is a member of the kingdom Fungi (ˈfʌndʒaɪ Most species are harmless saprobes and are relatively abundant members of the soil microbial community. Some species produce mycotoxins in cereal crops that can affect human and animal health if they enter the food chain. Mycotoxin (from the Greek μύκης (mykes mukos "fungus" is a Toxin produced by an organism of the Fungus kingdom which includes Mushrooms The main toxins produced by these Fusarium species are fumonisins and trichothecenes. Trichothecenes are a very large family of chemically related mycotoxins produced by various species of Fusarium Myrothecium Trichoderma Trichothecium Cephalosporium Verticimonosporium

Contents

Pathogen

The genus includes a number of economically important plant pathogenic species. A pathogen (from Greek πάθος pathos "suffering passion" and γἰγνομαι (γεν- gignomai (gen- "I give birth to" infectious

Fusarium graminearum commonly infects barley if there is rain late in the season. Gibberella zeae is a Plant pathogen causing the wheat headblight disease It is of economic impact to the malting and brewing industries as well as feed barley. Fusarium contamination in barley can result in head blight and in extreme contaminations the barley can appear pink. [1] The genome of this wheat and maize pathogen has been sequenced. Fusarium graminearum can also cause root rot and seedling blight. The total losses in the US of barley and wheat crops between 1991 and 1996 have been estimated at $3 billion. [1]

Fusarium species is thought to cause the deadly white nose syndrome in bats, though it may be an opportunistic infection, rather than the actual cause of the condition

In humans

Some species may cause a range of opportunistic infections in humans. White nose syndrome is a poorly understood malady associated with the deaths of thousands of Bats. An opportunistic infection is an infection caused by Pathogens that usually do not cause disease in a healthy Immune system. In humans with normal immune systems, fusarial infections may occur in the nails (onychomycosis) and in the cornea (keratomycosis or mycotic keratitis). A nail is a horn -like structure at the end of an animal's Finger or Toe. Onychomycosis means fungal infection of the nail. It is the most common disease of the nails and constitutes about a half of all nail abnormalities The cornea is the transparent front part of the Eye that covers the iris, Pupil, and Anterior chamber. A fungal keratitis is an 'inflammation of the Eye 's Cornea ' (called Keratitis) that results from infection by a Fungal organism [2] In humans whose immune systems are weakened in a particular way (neutropenia, i. Neutropenia (adjective neutropenic) from Latin Prefix neutro- and Greek Suffix -πενία (deficiency is e. , very low count of the white blood cell type called neutrophils), aggressive fusarial infections penetrating the entire body and bloodstream (disseminated infections) may be caused by members of the Fusarium solani complex, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium proliferatum and rarely other fusarial species. Neutrophil granulocytes, generally referred to as neutrophils, are the most abundant type of White blood cells in humans and form an essential part of the Haematonectria haematococca is a plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum, also referred to as Panama disease or Agent Green, is a Fungus that causes Fusarium wilt disease in Gibberella fujikuroi is a fungal plant pathogen It causes Bakanae disease in Rice seedlings by overloading them with the Phytohormone Fusarium proliferatum is a fungal plant pathogen [3] The neutropenia in such cases is almost always the result of chemotherapy against certain kinds of leukemia or else heavy use of immunosuppressive drugs in problematic cases of major organ transplant surgery. Chemotherapy, in its most general sense refers to treatment of disease by chemicals that kill cells specifically those of micro-organisms or Cancer. Leukemia or leukaemia (Greek leukos λευκός, "white" aima αίμα, "blood" is a Cancer of the Blood

Fusarium fungus has been detected in food from smallscale producers in South Africa, where HIV infected people find it difficult to fight off the fungal attack with their immune system so badly compromised. Researchers from the Morogo Research Programme at South Africa's North-West University found nine types of toxic Fusarium fungi in food produced by smallscale producers. The fungi, found in maize and green vegetables in home gardens, can cause organ failure in HIV and immune-suppressed patients, according to research in the South African Journal of Science. [4]

Use as human food

Fusarium venenatum is produced industrially for use as a human food by Marlow Foods, Ltd. Fusarium venenatum is a Fungus, more precisely a Mould, from which a Mycoprotein can be derived , and is marketed under the name Quorn in Europe and North America. Quorn is the leading brand of Mycoprotein food product in the UK and a leading brand elsewhere

Biological warfare

Mass casualties occurred in the Soviet Union in the 1930s and 1940s when Fusarium-contaminated wheat flour was baked into bread, causing alimentary toxic aleukia with a 60% mortality rate. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Symptoms began with abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and prostration. Abdominal pain can be one of the Symptoms associated with transient disorders or serious disease In Medicine, diarrhea, also spelled diarrhoea (see spelling differences) is frequent loose or liquid Bowel movements Acute diarrhea Vomiting (also called throwing up, emesis) is the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's Stomach through the Mouth and sometimes the Prostration is the placement of the body in a Reverentially or Submissively Prone position Within days fever, chills, myalgias and bone marrow depression with granulocytopenia and secondary sepsis. Fever (also known as pyrexia, from the Greek pyretos meaning fire or a febrile response, from the Latin word Febris Rigor is a shaking occurring during a high Fever. It occurs because cytokines and Prostaglandins are released as part of an Immune Myalgia means " Muscle Pain " and is a symptom of many diseases and disorders Bone marrow is the flexible tissue found in the hollow interior of Bones In adults marrow in large bones produces new Blood cells It constitutes 4% of Granulocytes are a category of White blood cells characterised by Sepsis is a serious medical condition characterized by a whole-body inflammatory state (called a Systemic inflammatory response syndrome or SIRS caused Further symptoms included pharyngeal or laryngeal ulceration and diffuse bleeding into the skin (petechiae and ecchymoses), melena, bloody diarrhea, hematuria, hematemesis, epistaxis, vaginal bleeding, Pancytopenia and gastrointestinal ulceration. Ulceration may refer to Ulcer, healing wound that develops on the skin Fear Factory, an American heavy metal band formerly known as Ulceration A petechia (pɨˈtiːkiə plural petechiae (pɨˈtiːkɪiː is a small (1-2mm red or purple spot on the body caused by a minor Hemorrhage (broken Capillary In Medicine, melena or melaena refers to the black "tarry" Feces that are associated with gastrointestinal Hemorrhage. In Medicine, hematuria (or "haematuria" is the presence of Red blood cells (erythrocytes in the Urine. Hematemesis or haematemesis (see American and British spelling differences) is the Vomiting of Blood. Epistaxis (or a nosebleed in Plain English) is the relatively common occurrence of Hemorrhage from the Nose, usually noticed when the blood drains Vaginal bleeding refers to bleeding in females that is either a physiologic response during the non-conceptional Menstrual cycle or caused by hormonal or organic problems of Pancytopenia is a medical condition in which there is a reduction in the number of red and White blood cells as well as Platelets Fusarium sporotrichoides contamination was found in affected grain in 1932, spurring research for medical purposes and for use in biological warfare. Biological warfare (BW — known as a germ warfare, biological weapons and bioweaponry — is the use of any Pathogen ( Bacterium The active ingredient was found to be trichothecene T-2 mycotoxin, and was produced in quantity and weaponized prior to the passage of the Biological Weapons Convention in 1972. Trichothecenes are a very large family of chemically related mycotoxins produced by various species of Fusarium Myrothecium Trichoderma Trichothecium Cephalosporium Verticimonosporium T-2 (also known as "Yellow Rain" a Trichothecene Mycotoxin, is a naturally-occurring Mold byproduct of Fusarium spp The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (usually referred to as the The Soviets were accused of using the agent, dubbed "yellow rain", to cause 6,300 deaths in Laos, Kampuchea, and Afghanistan between 1975 and 1981. Laos (ˈlɑːoʊs or /ˈlaʊs/ officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a Landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma Democratic Kampuchea (កម្ពុជាប្រជាធិបតេយ្យ (Kampuchéa Démocratique Vietnamese: Kampuchea Dân chủ) was a Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, [5][6] The supposed biological warfare agent was later shown to be bee feces. Feces, faeces, or fæces (see spelling differences) is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the Anus [7][8]

Following an outbreak of Fusarium oxysporum that affected coca plantations in Peru, and other crops planted in the area, the United States has proposed the use of the agent as a mycoherbicide in drug eradication. Fusarium oxysporum, also referred to as Panama disease or Agent Green, is a Fungus that causes Fusarium wilt disease in Not to be confused with Cocoa. Coca is a Plant in the family Erythroxylaceae, native to north-western South America Peru (Perú Piruw Piruw officially the Republic of Peru ( reˈpuβlika del peˈɾu is a country in western South America. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A mycoherbicide is a Bioherbicide based on a Fungus. In the United States In the United State House of Representatives, the Office In 2000, a proposal was passed to use the agent as part of Plan Colombia. The term Plan Colombia is most often used to refer to controversial U In response to concerns that use of the fungus could be perceived as biological warfare, the Clinton Administration "waived" this use of Fusarium. Biological warfare (BW — known as a germ warfare, biological weapons and bioweaponry — is the use of any Pathogen ( Bacterium The United States Presidency of Bill Clinton, also known as the Clinton Administration, was the executive branch of the Federal A subsequent law passed in 2006 has mandated the testing of mycoherbicide agents - either Fusarium oxysporum or Pleospora papaveracea - in field trials in U. A mycoherbicide is a Bioherbicide based on a Fungus. In the United States In the United State House of Representatives, the Office Fusarium oxysporum, also referred to as Panama disease or Agent Green, is a Fungus that causes Fusarium wilt disease in S. territory. [9] Use of Fusarium oxysporum for these tests has raised concerns because resistant coca from the previous outbreak has been widely cultivated, and the fungus has been implicated in the birth of 31 anencephalic children in the Rio Grande region of Texas in 1991, the loss of palm trees in Los Angeles, and eye infections from contact lens solutions[10]. Fusarium oxysporum, also referred to as Panama disease or Agent Green, is a Fungus that causes Fusarium wilt disease in Not to be confused with Cocoa. Coca is a Plant in the family Erythroxylaceae, native to north-western South America Anencephaly is a Cephalic disorder that results from a Neural tube defect that occurs when the cephalic (head end of the neural tube fails to close usually between Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State. Arecaceae or Palmae (also known by the name Palmaceae, which is taxonomically invalid or commonly palm tree) the palm family is a family of Flowering Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West A contact lens (also known simply as a contact) is a corrective, cosmetic, or therapeutic lens usually placed on the Cornea The alternative Pleospora papaveracea is less well-known; despite decades of study in the Soviet biowarfare lab in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the relevant mycotoxins reportedly have not yet been isolated, named, or studied. A soviet (сове́т, "council" originally was a workers' local council in late Imperial Russia. Uzbekistan, officially the Republic of Uzbekistan ( Uzbek: O‘zbekiston Respublikasi or Ўзбекистон Республикаси is a doubly [9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Brewing Microbiology, 3rd edition. Priest and Campbell, ISBN 0-306-47288-0
  2. ^ Walsh TJ, Dixon DM (1996). Spectrum of Mycoses. In: Baron's Medical Microbiology (Baron S et al, eds. ), 4th ed. , Univ of Texas Medical Branch. (via NCBI Bookshelf) ISBN 0-9631172-1-1.  
  3. ^ Howard DH (2003). Pathogenic Fungi in Humans and Animals, 2nd ed. , Marcel Dekker. (via Google Books) ISBN 0-8247-0683-8.  
  4. ^ Van der Walta, A. M. and M. I. M. Ibrahima, H. S. Steyn and C. C. Bezuidenhouta ["Fusarium populations in the household food gardens of a peri-urban community"], South African Journal of Science, 103, November-December 2007. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
  5. ^ World Health Organization (September 1, 1999). Toxic effects of mycotoxins in humans. Retrieved on 2007-05-27. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 927 - Simeon the Great, Tsar of Bulgaria, dies 1120 - Richard III of Capua is anointed
  6. ^ Drug Policy Alliance (2006). Repeating mistakes of the past: another mycoherbicide research bill. Retrieved on 2007-05-27. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 927 - Simeon the Great, Tsar of Bulgaria, dies 1120 - Richard III of Capua is anointed
  7. ^ Yellow rain: Thai bees' faeces found. Nature 1984 PMID 6709055
  8. ^ Yellow rain evidence slowly whittled away. Nature is a prominent Scientific journal, first published on 4 November 1869 Science 1986 PMID 3715471
  9. ^ a b Evaluating Mycoherbicides for Illicit Drug Crop Control: Rigorous Scientific Scrutiny is Crucial. Science is the Academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and is considered one of the world's most prestigious Scientific
  10. ^ Imamura Y, Chandra J, Mukherjee PK, Lattif AA, Szczotka-Flynn LB, Pearlman E, Lass JH, O'Donnell K, Ghannoum MA (2008). "Fusarium and Candida albicans Biofilms on Soft Contact Lenses: Model Development, Influence of Lens Type, and Susceptibility to Lens Care Solutions". Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 52 (1): 171-182. PMID 17999966.  

External links

Dictionary

fusarium

-noun

  1. (biology) Any of various fungi, of the genus Fusarium, that are pathogenic to plants and animals
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