Phylogenetic Analysis of Clinically Relevant Fusarium Species in Iran

• DOI: 10.1007/s11046-020-00460-x
• Publication Date: 2021-07-15T12:54:46Z
• Authors: Mohammad Javad Na...; Somayeh Dolatabadi; Sybren de Hoog; Mahmoud Karimizad...; Iman Haghani; Seyed Reza Aghili; Roshanak Daei Gha...; Ali Rezaei-Matehk...; Mahdi Abastabar; Abdullah M. S. Al...
• Keywords: Keratitis; 0301 basic medicine; Likelihood Functions; Iran; 03 medical and health sciences; Fusarium; Fusariosis; Consensus Sequence; Onychomycosis; Humans; DNA, Fungal; Phylogeny

Fungi of the genus Fusarium are well known as major plant pathogens but also cause a broad spectrum of human infections. Sixty-three clinical isolates, collected during 2014-2017, were identified using a part of the TEF1 gene as barcoding marker. Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC, n = 41, 65%) showed to be the dominant etiological agent, followed by F. solani species complex (FSSC, n = 14, 22%) and F. oxysporum species complex (FOSC, n = 7, 11%). There was one strain belonging to F. lateritium species complex (FLSC, n = 1, 1.5%). For final identification, a phylogenetic tree was constructed including the type strains of each species complex. Most cases of fusariosis were due to nail infection (n = 38, 60.3%), followed by keratitis (n = 22, 34%). Fusarium infections are difficult to be treated due to their intrinsic resistance to different azoles; however, accurate and fast identification of etiological agents may enhance management of the infection. We present the first phylogenetic study on clinical Fusarium spp. from Iran.