Comparison of High-resolution Melting Curve Analysis with Specific Target Gene Sequencing to Identify the Most Common Species of Aspergillus and Fusarium

authors:

avatar Fariba Shirvani ORCID 1 , avatar Zeynab Yassin 2 , avatar Mahzad Erami 3 , avatar Ensieh Lotfali ORCID 4 , avatar Reza Ghasemi ORCID 5 , avatar Azam Fattahi ORCID 6 , *

Pediatric Infections Research Center, Research Institute for Children Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

how to cite: Shirvani F, Yassin Z, Erami M, Lotfali E, Ghasemi R, et al. Comparison of High-resolution Melting Curve Analysis with Specific Target Gene Sequencing to Identify the Most Common Species of Aspergillus and Fusarium. Jundishapur J Microbiol. 2020;13(12):e110205. https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm.110205.

Abstract

Background:

Currently, it appears that new molecular-based methods could substitute microscopic and culture assessment for the first-line detection of microorganisms isolated from clinical specimens. However, it will remain the "continual strategy" until this technology is attuned to identifying all fungi that can be isolated from biological specimens.

Objectives:

The present study aimed to validate a high-resolution melting (HRM) technique to identify clinical filamentous fungi. Moreover, it was attempted to compare the results with those of the target gene’s polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing.

Methods:

A total of 54 specimens of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), nail, ear discharge, blood culture, and cornea were collected from patients suspected of fungal infection. All Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus spp. were recognized based on Tef-α and beta-tubulin region sequencing, as well as PCR-HRM analysis.

Results:

The Tef-α sequence analysis revealed the most frequent spp. to be Fusarium solani followed by F. oxysporum (n = 3), F. caucasicum (n = 3), F. coeruleum (n = 3), F. falciforme (n = 1), F. proliferatum (n = 1), F. brevicatenulatum (n = 1), F. globosom (n = 1), and F. verticillioides (n = 1). Based on the beta-tubulin sequences, Aspergillus flavus (n = 10), A. fumigatus (n = 7), A. niger (n = 2), A. terreus (n = 1), and A. orezea (n = 1) were identified in this study. Furthermore, the dataset analysis of PCR-HRM revealed that 33 isolates belonging to Fusarium spp. were F. solani (n = 24), F. oxysporum (n = 3), F. proliferatum (n = 3), F. falciforme (n = 1), F. verticillioides (n = 1), and F. brevicatenulatum (n = 1). Moreover, isolates (n = 21) belonging to Aspergillus spp. included A. flavus (n = 11), A. fumigatus (n = 7), A. niger (n = 2), and A. terreus (n = 1).

Conclusions:

The sequencing method has a time-consuming and costly nature, and there exists conformity between the sequence results of the Tef-α/beta-tubulin regions and PCR-HRM. The PCR-HRM method is a reliable approach in the clinical laboratory to identify Aspergillus and Fusarium spp. However, some closely related spp. show no curve algorithm differences in PCR-HRM.

1. Background

Currently, it appears that new molecular-based methods could substitute microscopic and culture assessment for the first-line detection of microorganisms isolated from clinical specimens (1). However, it will remain the “continual strategy" until this technology is attuned to identifying all fungi that can be isolated from biological specimens. In this regard, Aspergillus spp. is considered the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals (2-4). In the clinical laboratory, molecular methods are not regarded as global identification tools since they fail to discriminate filamentous fungi. The most commonly used method to identify is DNA sequencing. However, this technique is time-consuming and involves a high cost since it necessities the sequencing of the whole section of query genes (5).

The results obtained from the improved polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis via enzymatic digestion of a specific PCR segment of DNA showed two or more segments in the restriction site. In this region, the lack of the restriction position highlights the occurrence of mutation (6). Moreover, PCR-RFLP is a reasonable and straightforward method, and it is appropriate to discriminate Aspergillus from colony culture (7). However, it is recommended to compare this method with other methods to obtain more realistic results.

The high-resolution melting (HRM) is an approach that can probably screen DNA for mutations. This technique follows the usual PCR program of the point zone in the presence of an intercalating double-stranded DNA-binding dye (8). Consequently, the double-stranded DNA is a portion with rising heat. A melting curve was obtained after separating the double-stranded DNA, followed by a reduction in fluorescence and a release in the intercalating double-stranded DNA-binding dye (9). The melting curves of particular DNA fragments contain unique melting temperature (Tm) points, and 50% of the DNA is double-stranded in these points (10). Moreover, a DNA section has a particular Tm, which requires numerous features, such as guanine/cytosine, content, and length of the fragment (10).

2. Objectives

To date, very few studies have used HRM to identify fungi isolated from clinical specimens (10-13). Most of the isolates belong to the genus Candida; however, little is known about the reliability of HRM in identifying filamentous fungi of clinical interest. The present study aimed to validate the PCR-HRM technique to identify clinical filamentous fungi. Moreover, it was attempted to compare the obtained results with those of the target gene's PCR sequencing.

3. Methods

3.1. Specimens

A total of 54 specimens of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), nail, ear discharge, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and cornea of patients suspected of fungal infection were collected from the mycology laboratory of the Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran, Iran. All fungal isolates were identified by the morphological features (the distinctive macro/microscopic structures of the colonies), and a stock of all these strains was kept in the tryptic soy broth (TSB) (Merck, Germany) at -70˚C. This study included two standard strains of A. flavus (ATCC9643, PTCC 5004) and A. fumigatus (PTCC 5054), as well as two standard strains of F. solani complex (PTCC 5284) and A. oxysporum (PTCC 5115).

3.2. Molecular Assays

3.2.1. DNA Extraction

All clinical isolates and reference control strains were cultured on SDA and incubated at 35˚C for five days. A fungal colony was scratched from the SDA plate using the bistoury and transferred into the liquid nitrogen. Subsequently, DNA was extracted according to a previously used method (14).

3.2.2. PCR Assay Targeting Tef-α and Beta-Tubulin Regions

The Tef-α and beta-tubulin genes were amplified for each proven sample of Fusarium and Aspergillus spp. (Table 1) (15, 16). The reaction mixture was prepared in 25 µL and included 12.5 µL of master mix (Amplicon, Denmark), 1 µL of each specific primer and DNA (2 µL), and ddH2O up to the final volume. The PCR condition was planned and initially denatured at 95˚C for 15 min, followed by 30 cycles of 30s at 94˚C, 30s at 58˚C, 45s at 72˚C, and a final extension step at 72˚C for 5 min.

Table 1.

Sequencing Primers Used in the Study

LocusPrimer Sequences (5'-3')
Tef-α
ForwardATGGGTAAGGARGACAAGAC
ReverseGGARGTACCAGTSATCATGTT
BT2
ForwardGGTAACCAAATCGGTGCTGCTTT
ReverseCATCCTTGGAGATACCAGC

3.2.3. Sequencing

The PCR products were subjected to the sequence using the mentioned primers by Noor Gene Company. The sequences were analyzed using the sequence analysis software (version 3.1). Subsequently, they were edited and aligned with Mega software (version 10).

3.2.4. High-resolution Melting Analysis

High-resolution melting (HRM) was used to screen the 54 specimens known by sequencing the Tef-α and beta-tubulin genes. This liquefaction was run on the Corbet using the HRM Reagent Kit (Amplicon, Denmark). The HRM reactions (20 µL) contained 2X HRM master, 1 µL of each primer, and 2 µL DNA. The HRM cycling setting was set at 95˚C for 10 min continued by 40 sets at 95˚C for 15 s and 58˚C for 1 min. Subsequently, dissolving evaluation was accomplished by heating to 95˚C for 10 s and cooling to 60˚C for 1 min. It was continued with an incremental increase in warmth to 95˚C, a modification of 0.03˚C per second, and an ultimate chilling to 60˚C for 15 s. In the present study, all Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus spp. were recognized based on Tef-α and beta-tubulin regions' sequencing. The Tef-α and beta-tubulin sequences of the tested isolates were aligned using the Clustal W, as implemented in MEGA software (version 7.0.21). The query sequences were matched with those in the GenBank database using the Blast analysis.

4. Results

4.1. Identification of Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus spp. Using PCR Sequencing

The Tef-α sequence analysis revealed that the most frequent species was F. solani (14), followed by F. oxysporum (n = 3), F. caucasicum (n = 3), F. coeruleum (n = 3), F. falciforme (n = 1), F. proliferatum (n = 1), F. brevicatenulatum (n = 1), F. globosom (n = 1), and F. verticillioides (n = 1). A phylogenetic analysis based on Tef-α sequences was performed to position the isolates in the genus Fusarium (Table 2). Based on beta-tubulin sequences, A. flavus (n = 10), A. fumigatus (n = 7), A. niger (n = 2), A. terreus (n = 1), and A. orezea (n = 1) were identified in this study (Table 2). Some sequences were deposited in GenBank (Table 2).

Table 2.

Detail of Fusarium and Aspergillus Identified in the Study

SpeciesSourceGenBank Accession NumberPhylogenetic Tree Clade
Fusarium solaniNail (No., 4); Cornea (No., 16)MW551548FSSC
F. falciformeCornea (No., 1)MW551549FSSC
F. caucasicumCornea (No., 3)MW551550FSSC
F. oxysporumCornea (No., 3)MW551551FOSC
F. coeruleumCornea (No., 3)MW551552FFSC
F. verticillioidesCornea (No., 1)MW551553FFSC
Aspergillus flavusCSF (No., 1); BAL (No., 1); Cornea (No., 8)MW551554Section Flavi
A. orezeaCornea (No., 1)MW551555Section Flavi
A. fumigatusCSF (No., 1); BAL (No., 3); Cornea (No., 5)MW551556Section Fumigati
A. nigerEar discharge (No., 2)MW551557Section Nigri
A. nigerEar discharge (No., 1)MW551558Section Nigri
A. terreusCornea (No., 1)MW551559Section Terrei

4.2. Identification of Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus spp. Using the HRM

The obtained melting curves using PCR-HRM are shown in Figure 1. The close curve changes are not exhibited for isolated 3, 4, 9 - 12 Fusarium, and 4 Aspergillus spp. Accordingly, there were overlaps between curves 3 and 13 (F. globosom/proliferatum), the curves 4, 9, and 32, and the curves 1, 7, and 24 (F. solani/caucasicum). Furthermore, an overlap was observed between curves 10 and 12 and the curves 1, 7, and 24 (F. solani/coeruleum). Regarding Aspergillus spp., there was an overlap between the curves 3 and 4 (A. flavus/orezea).

The high-resolution melting curve analysis of clinical samples containing Fusarium spp. (A) and Aspergillus spp. (B). The close curve changes are not exhibited for isolated 3, 4, 9 - 12 Fusarium, and 3 Aspergillus spp.
The high-resolution melting curve analysis of clinical samples containing Fusarium spp. (A) and Aspergillus spp. (B). The close curve changes are not exhibited for isolated 3, 4, 9 - 12 Fusarium, and 3 Aspergillus spp.

5. Discussion

Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the sequencing results, the Fusarium spp. were classified in FFSC, FSSC, and FOSC clades. Furthermore, F. caucasicum was included in FSSC, and F. coeruleum belonged to a well-characterized phylogenetic clade closer to FFSC (Table 1). Based on the results, F. brevicatenulatum was not classified in these mentioned clades. A phylogenetic tree belonging to the beta-tubulin fragment was created for all Aspergillus isolates. The dendrogram defined associations among all the tested isolates and the isolates belonging to each species were assembled with high support (more than 90%) in separate clades. It should be noted that A. orezea was classified into section Flavi (Table 1).

Using molecular approaches yielded 100% accuracy in identifying the usual Aspergillus and Fusarium spp. in the present study. Moreover, the results of identifying Aspergillus and Fusarium spp. using HRM were confirmed by the sequence of the conserved region. The dataset analysis of PCR-HRM revealed that 33 isolates belonged to Fusarium spp., including F. solani (n = 24), F. oxysporum (n = 3), F. proliferatum (n = 3), F. falciforme (n = 1), F. verticillioides (n = 1), and F. brevicatenulatum (n = 1). Additionally, isolates (n = 21) belonging to Aspergillus spp. were A. flavus (n = 11), A. fumigatus (n = 7), A. niger (n = 2), and A. terreus (n = 1).

A previously conducted study discriminated seven F. oxysporum formaespeciales using ITS based on HRM analysis. The results revealed that the real-time PCR-HRM technique was an economical, accurate, and rapid close-tubed test for distinguishing F. oxysporum formaespeciales complexes (17). When melting curves overlap among some species, it can be stated that the pun fungal primer in the PCR-HRM method fails to differentiate the majority of the closely related species.

5.1. Conclusions

Due to the time-consuming and costly nature of sequencing methods and the observed consistency between the results obtained from the sequence of the Tef-α/beta-tubulin regions and PCR-HRM, the PCR-HRM method is regarded as a reliable approach in the clinical laboratory to identify the most common Aspergillus and Fusarium spp. However, it is noteworthy that some closely related species have no curve algorithm differences in PCR-HRM and should be designed using a new pan fungal primer to outperform the existing ones.

Acknowledgements

References

  • 1.

    Badiee P, Hashemizadeh Z. Opportunistic invasive fungal infections: Diagnosis & clinical management. Indian J Med Res. 2014;139(2):195-204. [PubMed ID: 24718393]. [PubMed Central ID: PMC4001330].

  • 2.

    Zarrinfar H, Mirhendi H, Makimura K, Satoh K, Khodadadi H, Paknejad O. Use of mycological, nested PCR, and real-time PCR methods on BAL fluids for detection of Aspergillus fumigatus and A. flavus in solid organ transplant recipients. Mycopathologia. 2013;176(5-6):377-85. [PubMed ID: 24045934]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-013-9657-9.

  • 3.

    Zarrinfar H, Mirhendi H, Fata A, Khodadadi H, Kordbacheh P. Detection of Aspergillus flavus and A. fumigatus in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens of hematopoietic stem cell transplants and hematological malignancies patients by real-time polymerase chain reaction, nested PCR and mycological assays. Jundishapur J Microbiol. 2015;8(1). e13744. [PubMed ID: 25763133]. [PubMed Central ID: PMC4344768]. https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm.13744.

  • 4.

    Zanganeh E, Zarrinfar H, Rezaeetalab F, Fata A, Tohidi M, Najafzadeh MJ, et al. Predominance of non-fumigatus Aspergillus species among patients suspected to pulmonary aspergillosis in a tropical and subtropical region of the Middle East. Microb Pathog. 2018;116:296-300. [PubMed ID: 29410233]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2018.01.047.

  • 5.

    Wong FC, Leung AW, Kwok JS, Chan MH, Li CK, Yuen YP. NUDT15 variant and thiopurine-induced leukopenia in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Med J. 2016;22(2):185-7. [PubMed ID: 27095468]. https://doi.org/10.12809/hkmj154783.

  • 6.

    Tilanus MG, Hongming F, van Eggermond MC, vd Bijl M, D'Amaro J, Schreuder GM, et al. An overview of the restriction fragment length polymorphism of the HLA-D region: Its application to individual D-, DR- typing by computerized analyses. Tissue Antigens. 1986;28(4):218-27. [PubMed ID: 2880410]. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-0039.1986.tb00486.x.

  • 7.

    Diba K, Mirhendi H, Kordbacheh P, Rezaie S. Development of RFLP-PCR method for the identification of medically important Aspergillus species using single restriction enzyme MwoI. Braz J Microbiol. 2014;45(2):503-7. [PubMed ID: 25242934]. [PubMed Central ID: PMC4166275]. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1517-83822014000200018.

  • 8.

    Liew M, Pryor R, Palais R, Meadows C, Erali M, Lyon E, et al. Genotyping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms by high-resolution melting of small amplicons. Clin Chem. 2004;50(7):1156-64. [PubMed ID: 15229148]. https://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2004.032136.

  • 9.

    Farrar JS, Wittwer CT. High-resolution melting curve analysis for molecular diagnostics. Molecular Diagnostics. 3rd ed. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States: Academic Press; 2017. p. 79-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-802971-8.00006-7.

  • 10.

    Duyvejonck H, Cools P, Decruyenaere J, Roelens K, Noens L, Vermeulen S, et al. Validation of high resolution melting analysis (HRM) of the amplified ITS2 region for the detection and identification of yeasts from clinical samples: Comparison with culture and MALDI-TOF based identification. PLoS One. 2015;10(8). e0132149. [PubMed ID: 26295947]. [PubMed Central ID: PMC4546670]. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0132149.

  • 11.

    Decat E, Van Mechelen E, Saerens B, Vermeulen SJ, Boekhout T, De Blaiser S, et al. Rapid and accurate identification of isolates of Candida species by melting peak and melting curve analysis of the internally transcribed spacer region 2 fragment (ITS2-MCA). Res Microbiol. 2013;164(2):110-7. [PubMed ID: 23142490]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resmic.2012.10.017.

  • 12.

    Mandviwala T, Shinde R, Kalra A, Sobel JD, Akins RA. High-throughput identification and quantification of Candida species using high resolution derivative melt analysis of panfungal amplicons. J Mol Diagn. 2010;12(1):91-101. [PubMed ID: 20007848]. [PubMed Central ID: PMC2797723]. https://doi.org/10.2353/jmoldx.2010.090085.

  • 13.

    Arancia S, Sandini S, De Bernardis F, Fortini D. Rapid, simple, and low-cost identification of Candida species using high-resolution melting analysis. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2011;69(3):283-5. [PubMed ID: 21353953]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2010.10.003.

  • 14.

    Soleimani M, Salehi Z, Fattahi A, Lotfali E, Yassin Z, Ghasemi R, et al. Ocular fungi: Molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility pattern to azoles. Jundishapur J Microbiol. 2020;13(3). e99922. https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm.99922.

  • 15.

    O'Donnell K, Kistler HC, Cigelnik E, Ploetz RC. Multiple evolutionary origins of the fungus causing Panama disease of banana: concordant evidence from nuclear and mitochondrial gene genealogies. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998;95(5):2044-9. [PubMed ID: 9482835]. [PubMed Central ID: PMC19243]. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.95.5.2044.

  • 16.

    Nasri T, Hedayati MT, Abastabar M, Pasqualotto AC, Armaki MT, Hoseinnejad A, et al. PCR-RFLP on beta-tubulin gene for rapid identification of the most clinically important species of Aspergillus. J Microbiol Methods. 2015;117:144-7. [PubMed ID: 26264625]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2015.08.007.

  • 17.

    Ganopoulos I, Madesis P, Zambounis A, Tsaftaris A. High-resolution melting analysis allowed fast and accurate closed-tube genotyping of Fusarium oxysporum formae speciales complex. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2012;334(1):16-21. [PubMed ID: 22670678]. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6968.2012.02610.x.