title: Genomic Analyses of Cladophialophora bantiana, a Major Cause of Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis Provides Insight into Its Lifestyle, Virulence and Adaption in Host.
abstract: Cladophialophora bantiana is a dematiaceous fungus with a predilection for causing central nervous system (CNS) infection manifesting as brain abscess in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. In this paper, we report comprehensive genomic analyses of C. bantiana isolated from the brain abscess of an immunocompetent man, the first reported case in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. The identity of the fungus was determined using combined morphological analysis and multilocus phylogeny. The draft genome sequence of a neurotrophic fungus, C. bantiana UM 956 was generated using Illumina sequencing technology to dissect its genetic fundamental and basic biology. The assembled 37.1 Mb genome encodes 12,155 putative coding genes, of which, 1.01% are predicted transposable elements. Its genomic features support its saprophytic lifestyle, renowned for its versatility in decomposing hemicellulose and pectin components. The C. bantiana UM 956 was also found to carry some important putative genes that engaged in pathogenicity, iron uptake and homeostasis as well as adaptation to various stresses to enable the organism to survive in hostile microenvironment. This wealth of resource will further catalyse more downstream functional studies to provide better understanding on how this fungus can be a successful and persistent pathogen in human.
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Chee Sian
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5828-7065
authors: CS
authors: Kuan
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Jalan Residensi, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.|Department of Surgery, Neurosurgical Division, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Chun Yoong
authors: CY
authors: Cham
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Jalan Residensi, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
authors: Gurmit
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1210-1138
authors: G
authors: Singh
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Su Mei
authors: SM
authors: Yew
authors: Codon Genomics SB, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors: Yung-Chie
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6221-6630
authors: YC
authors: Tan
authors: Codon Genomics SB, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors: Pei-Sin
authors: PS
authors: Chong
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Yue Fen
authors: YF
authors: Toh
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Nadia
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2547-4996
authors: N
authors: Atiya
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Shiang Ling
authors: SL
authors: Na
authors: Codon Genomics SB, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors: Kok Wei
authors: KW
authors: Lee
authors: Codon Genomics SB, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors: Chee-Choong
authors: CC
authors: Hoh
authors: Codon Genomics SB, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors: Wai-Yan
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9196-0362
authors: WY
authors: Yee
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Kee Peng
authors: KP
authors: Ng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000382:microbiology; D020314:Central Nervous System Fungal Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D060425:Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D016681:Genome, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D023281:Genomics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010802:Phylogeny; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology