Abstract Detail

Mycological Section

Wada, Gloria [1], Bretz, Richard [2], Lee, Marcia [1].

Effect of Aloe striata on adhesion in Paecilomyces variotii.

Over twenty years ago, members of the genus Paecilomyces were generally regarded as contaminants of food and raw material. However, they are now recognized as emerging fungal pathogens. Paecilomyces variotii is the most frequently encountered Paecilomyces species in human mycoses. Prevention and treatment of such mycoses are problematic because available antimycotics are limited and often have toxic side effects. Popular folk medicines, such as the inner leaf gel from Aloe spp., offer potential sources of novel antimycotic compounds. In earlier studies, we observed that three different strains each of two other emerging human fungal pathogens, Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum, as well as P. variotii demonstrated an increase in hyphal aberration frequency when treated with Aloe striata, a non-domesticated Aloe species. These hyphal aberrations are characterized by an increase in hyphal diameters that result in intervals of nonparallel cell walls along the length of hyphae. Nonparallel cell walls ostensibly decrease the hyphal surface area readily available for adhesion. To test whether treatment with the inner leaf gel filtrate of A. striata affects adhesion, homogenized, 0.2 µm filtered A. striata inner leaf gel and chamber slides were used in 18 hour adhesion assays. After incubation on chamber slides with homogenized, 0.2 µm filtered A. striata inner leaf gel, we observed a significant decrease in the number of fungi that remained adhered to slides after repeatedly being washed with water. These results suggest that treatment with A. striata inner leaf gel causes a decrease in the ability of P. variotii to remain adhered to the surfaces of potential hosts and raw materials.

1 - Miami University of Ohio, Micrbiology, 32 Pearson Hall, 700 E. High St. , Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
2 - Miami University of Ohio, Chemistry and Biochemistry, 160 Hughes Laboratories, 651 E. High St., Oxford, OH, 45056, USA

Keywords:
Aloe striata
Paecilomyces variotii
adhesion.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PMY028
Abstract ID:640
Candidate for Awards:MSA Best Poster Presentation Award by a Graduate Student