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Evolutionary origin and population diversity of a cryptic hybrid pathogen

Author

Listed:
  • Jacob L. Steenwyk

    (Berkeley
    VU Station B #35-1634
    Vanderbilt University)

  • Sonja Knowles

    (University of North Carolina at Greensboro)

  • Rafael W. Bastos

    (Universidade de São Paulo
    Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte)

  • Charu Balamurugan

    (VU Station B #35-1634
    Vanderbilt University)

  • David Rinker

    (VU Station B #35-1634
    Vanderbilt University)

  • Matthew E. Mead

    (VU Station B #35-1634
    Vanderbilt University
    8th Floor)

  • Christopher D. Roberts

    (University of North Carolina at Greensboro)

  • Huzefa A. Raja

    (University of North Carolina at Greensboro)

  • Yuanning Li

    (72 Binhai Road)

  • Ana Cristina Colabardini

    (Universidade de São Paulo)

  • Patrícia Alves Castro

    (Universidade de São Paulo)

  • Thaila Fernanda Reis

    (Universidade de São Paulo)

  • Adiyantara Gumilang

    (VU Station B #35-1634
    Vanderbilt University)

  • María Almagro-Molto

    (Ludwig Maximilian University)

  • Alexandre Alanio

    (Mycology Department
    Hôpital Saint-Louis)

  • Dea Garcia-Hermoso

    (Mycology Department)

  • Endrews Delbaje

    (Universidade de São Paulo)

  • Laís Pontes

    (Universidade de São Paulo)

  • Camila Figueiredo Pinzan

    (Universidade de São Paulo)

  • Angélica Zaninelli Schreiber

    (State University of Campinas)

  • David Canóvas

    (Universidad de Sevilla
    Clinical Microbiology Unit. Synlab Laboratory at Viamed Sta. Ángela de la Cruz Hospital)

  • Rafael Sanchez Luperini

    (Universidade de São Paulo)

  • Katrien Lagrou

    (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
    University Hospitals Leuven)

  • Egídio Torrado

    (Portugal; ICVS/3B’s-PT Government Associate Laboratory)

  • Fernando Rodrigues

    (Portugal; ICVS/3B’s-PT Government Associate Laboratory)

  • Nicholas H. Oberlies

    (University of North Carolina at Greensboro)

  • Xiaofan Zhou

    (South China Agricultural University)

  • Gustavo H. Goldman

    (Universidade de São Paulo
    National Institute of Science and Technology in Human Pathogenic)

  • Antonis Rokas

    (VU Station B #35-1634
    Vanderbilt University)

Abstract

Cryptic fungal pathogens pose disease management challenges due to their morphological resemblance to known pathogens. Here, we investigated the genomes and phenotypes of 53 globally distributed isolates of Aspergillus section Nidulantes fungi and found 30 clinical isolates—including four isolated from COVID-19 patients—were A. latus, a cryptic pathogen that originated via allodiploid hybridization. Notably, all A. latus isolates were misidentified. A. latus hybrids likely originated via a single hybridization event during the Miocene and harbor substantial genetic diversity. Transcriptome profiling of a clinical isolate revealed that both parental subgenomes are actively expressed and respond to environmental stimuli. Characterizing infection-relevant traits—such as drug resistance and growth under oxidative stress—revealed distinct phenotypic profiles among A. latus hybrids compared to parental and closely related species. Moreover, we identified four features that could aid A. latus taxonomic identification. Together, these findings deepen our understanding of the origin of cryptic pathogens.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacob L. Steenwyk & Sonja Knowles & Rafael W. Bastos & Charu Balamurugan & David Rinker & Matthew E. Mead & Christopher D. Roberts & Huzefa A. Raja & Yuanning Li & Ana Cristina Colabardini & Patrícia , 2024. "Evolutionary origin and population diversity of a cryptic hybrid pathogen," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-52639-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52639-1
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