L’infection broncho-pulmonaire représente le problème majeur des malades atteints de la mucoviscidose. Plusieurs bactéries sont connues depuis des dizaines années comme les principaux agents responsables de ces infections (par exemple Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Burkholderia cepacia, Achromobacter xylosoxidans…). Récemment, certains genres fongiques notamment les champignons filamenteux (comme Aspergillus, Scedosporium…) ont été identifiés comme des pathogènes émergeants ou ré-émergeants pouvant être responsables d’infection invasive. Ainsi, la détection des microorganismes impliqués dans ces colonisations et/ou infections respiratoires demeure importante sur le plan physiopathologique et clinique.Si la culture microbiologique reste la méthode la plus utilisée à ce jour pour le diagnostic des infections microbiennes, elle ne permet pas d’identifier les microbes non-cultivables ou difficiles à cultiver. Depuis quelques années, grâce au développement de la technique moléculaire de séquençage à haut-débit (next generation sequencing ou NGS), plusieurs études ont montré que l’écologie microbienne du poumon des patients atteints de la mucoviscidose est très complexe et correspond à une flore poly-microbienne, appelée le microbiote pulmonaire, comprenant non seulement des bactéries mais également des micromycètes (levures et/ou champignons filamenteux) et des virus et phages. Une dysbiose (modification en abondance et diversité) de cette flore pourrait influencer la fonction respiratoire et l’état clinique du patient.Alors que le microbiome bactérien et son rôle en pathogenèse sont largement étudiés, peu d’études ont porté sur la composante fongique (mycobiote/mycobiome) du microbiote pulmonaire. Notre travail de thèse s’inscrit dans les différents projets développés au sein de l’axe de recherche « Microbiote pro- et eucaryote pulmonaire » coordonné par le Pr Laurence Delhaes dans l’équipe Biologie et Diversité des Pathogènes Eucaryotes Emergeants (BDPEE) dirigée par le Dr Eric Viscogliosi. Il se focalise sur l’analyse NGS du microbiote pro- et eucaryotique respiratoire chez les patients atteints de la mucoviscidose et notamment la comparaison de différentes approches méthodologiques en vue d’une optimisation et standardisation de la méthode.Dans un premier temps, nous présenterons une synthèse des connaissances actuelles d’une part des phénomènes de colonisations/infections fongiques chez les patients atteints de mucoviscidose et d’autre part dans le domaine du microbiote pulmonaire et surtout du mycobiote pulmonaire autour duquel notre équipe se focalise.2Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons travaillé à mieux adapter l’approche NGS aux études du microbiote pulmonaire dans la mucoviscidose. En effet, le séquençage à haut-débit est une technique puissante mais pour laquelle des biais peuvent être introduits à de nombreuses étapes méthodologiques. Un des biais les plus importants est que l’approche NGS ne permet pas de différencier les microorganismes vivants, des cellules mortes ou endommagées, ni de l’ADN extracellulaire. Dans le contexte de notre travail –celui du microbiote pulmonaire chez des patients atteints de mucoviscidose et souvent exposés aux antibiotiques par voie intraveineuse à forte dose, l’analyse NGS pourrait évaluer incorrectement l’abondance et la diversité de ce microbiote pulmonaire. Un prétraitement des échantillons par propidium monoazide (PMA), qui permet de cibler sélectivement l’ADN des cellules vivantes, pourrait être une solution pour palier à cette limite. Notre étude avait donc comme objectif de déterminer si un prétraitement par PMA des expectorations modifiait le microbiote pro- et eucaryote pulmonaire analysé par NGS. Nous discutons l’intérêt et la relevance clinique de cette approche « PMA - NGS » permettant une quantification isolée des microorganismes vivants dans le contexte de la mucoviscidose. / Chronic pulmonary infection results in an irreversible decline in lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). While several bacteria are known as main causes for these infections (for example: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Burkholderia cepacia, Achromobacter xylosoxidans...), more recently some fungal genera including filamentous fungi (such as Aspergillus, Scedosporium...) have also been identified as emerging or re-emerging pathogens able to cause invasive mycosis. Thus, the identification of the microorganisms involved in the respiratory colonizations and/or infections has become essential.Still now culture methods remain the gold standard for diagnostic of microbial infections. However, it could not identify non-culturable or difficult-to-cultivate microorganisms. Thanks to the development of high-throughput sequencing (next generation sequencing or NGS), recent studies have shown that the lung of patients with CF is a complex poly-microbial flora, also called the CF lung microbiota, which includes not only bacteria but also fungi (yeast and/or filamentous fungi), and viruses and phages. Dysbiosis (loss of abundance and/or diversity) of the lung microbiota has been associated with the patient's decreased lung function and poor clinical status.While lung bacteriota and its role in pathogenesis have widely been studied, few research studies focus on the fungal component (mycobiota/ mycobiome) of the lungs. Our thesis (PhD work) focuses on NGS analysis of pro- and eukaryotic lung microbiota in CF patients, in particular on the comparison of different methodological approaches to optimize and standardize the NGS protocol. This project has been developed under the supervision of Pr. Laurence Delhaes in the “Biology and Diversity of Eukaryotic Emerging Pathogens” team directed by Dr. Eric Viscogliosi.Firstly, we present a state of art on the current knowledge on the fungal colonization/infections risk in CF as well as the development of new concepts of lung microbiota and lung mycobiota on which our team focuses.Secondly, we applied the NGS approach to study the pro- and eukaryotic microbiota in the sputum samples of CF patient lung. Indeed, NGS is a powerful technique that may introduce biases on numerous methodological steps. One of the most important biases is that this technique could not differentiate among the living microorganisms, the dead or damaged cells, and the extracellular DNA. In the context of the CF lung microbiota which is often exposed to high-dose intravenous antibiotics, the analysis by NGS might evaluate4inaccurately the abundance and the diversity of the lung microbiota. Pretreatment of samples by propidium monoazide (PMA), which can target selectively the DNA of viable cells, could be a solution to overcome this limitation. Our study aimed to determine whether a sample pretreatment with PMA modified the lung pro- and eukaryotic microbiota analyzed by NGS. We discuss the clinical relevance of this approach "PMA - NGS" in the context of CF patients to a better quantification of living microorganisms.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Plant Pathology / Christopher R. Little / Fusarium spp. are among the most important pathogen groups on soybeans. However, information regarding this genus on soybean seeds in the state of Kansas remains underexplored. Therefore, the goal of this study was to characterize the identity, frequency, and pathogenicity of soybean seedborne Fusarium spp. in the state of Kansas. For the identification and frequency of seedborne Fusarium spp., culture-dependent (i.e. semi-selective medium) and -independent (i.e. DNA metabarcoding) approaches were used. Also, information regarding the pathogenicity of the most common seedborne Fusarium spp. from soybeans was assessed to better understand their role as soybean pathogens. Overall, eleven Fusarium spp. were identified in this study. Semi-selective media showed that approximately 33% of soybean seed samples were infected with Fusarium spp. Moreover, Fusarium spp. were isolated from seed sampled from 80% of the locations in Kansas. Furthermore, a low incidence of Fusarium spp. was observed within infected seed samples and averaged 2%. Nine Fusarium spp. were found in soybean seeds using the culture-dependent approach. Fusarium semitectum was the most frequent, followed by F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides. Fusarium acuminatum, F. equiseti, F. fujikuroi, F. graminearum, F. oxysporum, and F. thapsinum were found in lower frequencies among naturally infected seeds. DNA metabarcoding experiments showed that Fusarium spp. are more frequent in soybean seeds than previously known. All asymptomatic soybean seeds analyzed, using Illumina MiSeq platform, showed the presence of the genus Fusarium including two pathogenic species, F. proliferatum and F. thapsinum. Fusarium acuminatum, F. merismoides, F. solani, F. semitectum, and Fusarium sp. were also identified using the culture-independent approach. Preliminary results also showed that F. proliferatum and F. thapsinum were observed in all three major soybean seed tissues: seed coat, cotyledons, and the embryo axis. Depending on the soybean genotype, inoculum potential and aggressiveness, F. proliferatum, F. graminearum, F. fujikuroi, F. oxysporum, F. semitectum, F. thapsinum, and F. verticillioides were pathogenic to soybean and negatively affect soybean seed quality, at different levels, in controlled conditions. Moreover, F. equiseti and F. acuminatum did not cause significant damage to soybean seeds and seedlings. Understanding seedborne Fusarium spp. and their influence on soybean seed and seedling diseases is critical for the development of effective disease control strategies, especially regarding early detection of pathogenic strains in seeds (i.e., seed health testing), ensuring the crop productivity, quality, and safety.

<p>  </p> <p>Plant-parasitic nematodes are amongst the most important pathogens impacting crops. Potatoes and soybean are vital crops for rural livelihoods and essential for food security, but their cyst nematode parasites remain a significant constraint globally. <em>Globodera</em> and <em>Heterodera </em>species are amongst the most damaging and internationally recognized quarantine pests of these crops, causing up to 80% yield loss. Their second stage juveniles (J2s) penetrate the host plant root tips and establish a residence close to the vascular bundle from where they extract nutrients as they complete their life cycle. Restrictions of control chemicals have led to an urgent need for alternative control strategies for cyst nematodes. Biological control is a promising alternative control measure, and fungi possess many characteristics that could make them great biological control agents of cyst nematodes. Most nematode populations are thought to be regulated by their natural enemy community. It is unclear which fungi are best adapted as natural enemies of these parasites and how they might do this. This project aimed to (a) characterize and compare the mycobiome diversity of cyst nematode species; (b) isolate and characterize fungi associated with potato and soybean cyst nematodes (c) screen isolated fungi for their efficacy as biocontrol agents against cyst nematodes; and (d) describe any isolated fungi identified as new and having potential for cyst nematode antagonism. Cyst populations were collected from different regions and screened for fungi using culture-based methods. For our next-generation sequence data analysis, we found differences in fungal community assemblages between center of origin of the potato cyst nematode (Peru; South America) and the regions where these nematodes were introduced such as Europe and North America.  There was no significant difference in fungal community assemblages of cysts collected between the years 2019 and 2020. We characterized fungi associated with the cyst nematodes and found that the most frequently isolated genera were <em>Fusarium, Penicillium, Cylindrocarpon, Phoma, Aspergillus </em>and<em> Verticillium</em>. Filtrates from <em>Trichoderma</em> sp. 2, <em>Alternaria alternata, </em>and <em>Fusarium acaciae-mearnsii </em>were toxic on SCN eggs while <em>Purpureucillium lilacinum, Fusarium proliferatum</em> and <em>Aureobasidium</em> <em>ellingtonae </em>sp. nov. were toxic on PCN eggs and juveniles. A new species of <em>Aureobasidium</em> isolated from the potato cyst nematode (<em>Globodera ellingtonae</em>) for the first time, and having biocontrol potentials against this nematode, was also identified, and described. </p>

Introduction : La maladie de Crohn (MC), maladie inflammatoire chronique intestinale, est une maladie multifactorielle, d’origine inconnue. La dysbiose bactérienne a été largement évoquée dans la pathogénèse de la MC. Notre objectif était de caractériser la flore fongique, conjointement à la flore bactérienne au cours de formes familiales de MC.Méthodes: Nous avons utilisé une plateforme de séquençage à haut débit pour caractériser la flore fongique et bactérienne fécale, échantillonnée dans 9 familles multiplexes atteints de MC (20 patients, et 28 sujets sains apparentés), et 4 familles contrôles (21 individus sains non apparentés). Une analyse bioinformatique a été réalisée pour analyser l’abondance, la biodiversité, et les interactions microbiennes.Résultats : Le microbiote fécal des membres issus des familles multiplexes était statistiquement différent de celui des membres issus des familles contrôles. L’analyse en composantes principales a montré qu’au sein des familles multiplexes, les membres malades et sains partageaient un répertoire fongique commun. Les patients MC avaient en revanche un microbiote enrichi en Candida tropicalis, Escherichia coli et en Serratia marcescens, et appauvri en bactéries dites bénéfiques (Faecalibacterium prausnitzii). De plus les taux d’ASCA (Anticorps anti- S. cerevisiae), marqueur sérologique de MC étaient corrélées à la présence de C. tropicalis (P = .01). Enfin nous avons mis en évidence une synergie entre C. tropicalis, E. coli, et S. marcescens, suggérant une interaction microbienne in vivo participant à l’initiation de l’inflammation intestinale. Ces données ont été validées par la suite avec un modèle de biofilm.Conclusion : Dans ces formes familiales de MC, les interactions microbiennes entre bactéries et champignons sont déterminantes dans l’initiation de la réponse inflammatoire. / Introduction: Crohn's disease (CD) results from a complex interplay between host genetic factors and endogenous microbial communities.Methods: In the current study, we used Ion Torrent sequencing to characterize the gut bacterial microbiota (bacteriome) and fungal community (mycobiome) in patients with CD and their non-diseased first degree relatives (NCDR) in 9 familial clusters living in Northern France/Belgium, and in healthy individuals from 4 families living in the same area (non-CD unrelated, NCDU). Principal components analysis, diversity, and abundance analyses were conducted and CD-associated inter- and intra-kingdom microbial correlations determined. Significant microbial interactions were identified and validated using single- and mixed-species biofilms.Results: CD and NCDR groups clustered together in the mycobiome, but not in bacteriome. Microbiota of familial (CD, NCDR) samples were distinct from that of non-familial (NCDU) samples. Abundance of Serratia marcescens (SM), Escherichia coli (EC) was elevated in CD patients, while that of beneficial bacteria was decreased. Abundance of the fungus Candida tropicalis (CT) was significantly higher in CD compared to NCDR (P = .003), and positively correlated with levels of anti–Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody (ASCA). Abundance of CT was positively correlated with SM and EC, suggesting these organisms interact in the gut. The mass and thickness of Triple species (CT+SM+EC) biofilm were significantly higher than single and double species biofilm. CT biofilms comprised of blastospores, while double and triple species biofilms were enriched in hyphae. SM used fimbriae to co-aggregate or attach with CT/EC, while EC closely apposed with CT. Conclusion: Specific inter-kingdom microbial interactions may be key determinants in CD.

No description available.

<p>Eastern black walnut (<i>Juglans nigra</i> L.) ranks among the most highly valued timber species in the central hardwood forest and across the world. This valuable tree fills a critical role in native ecosystems as a mast bearing pioneer on mesic sites. Along with other <i>Juglans</i> spp. (Juglandaceae), <i>J. nigra</i> is threatened by thousand cankers disease (TCD), an insect-vectored disease first described in 2009. TCD is caused by the bark beetle <i>Pityophthorus juglandis</i> Blackman (Corthylini) and the phytopathogenic fungus <i>Geosmithia morbida</i> Kol. Free. Ut. & Tiss. (Bionectriaceae). Together, the <i>P. juglandis</i>-<i>G. morbida</i> complex has expanded from its historical range in southwest North America throughout the western United States (U.S.) and Europe. This range expansion has led to widespread mortality among naïve hosts <i>J. nigra</i> and <i>J. regia</i> planted outside their native distributions.</p> <p> The severity of TCD was previously observed to be highest in urban and plantation environments and outside of the host native range. Therefore, the objective of this work was to provide information on biotic and abiotic environmental factors that influence the severity and impact of TCD across the native and non-native range of <i>J. nigra</i> and across different climatic and management regimes. This knowledge would enable a better assessment of the risk posed by TCD and a basis for developing management activities that impart resilience to natural systems. Through a series of greenhouse-, laboratory- and field-based experiments, environmental factors that affect the pathogenicity and/or survival of <i>G. morbida</i> in <i>J. nigra</i> were identified, with a focus on the microbiome, climate, and opportunistic pathogens. A number of potentially important interactions among host, vector, pathogen and the rest of the holobiont of TCD were characterized. The <i>holobiont</i> is defined as the whole multitrophic community of organisms—including <i>J. nigra</i>, microinvertebrates, fungi and bacteria—that interact with one another and with the host.</p> <p>Our findings indicate that interactions among host, vector, pathogen, secondary pathogens, novel microbial communities, and novel abiotic environments modulate the severity of TCD in native, non-native, and managed and unmanaged contexts. Prevailing climatic conditions favor reproduction and spread of <i>G. morbida</i> in the western United States due to the effect of wood moisture content on fungal competition. The microbiome of soils, roots, and stems of trees and seedlings grown outside the host native range harbor distinct, lower-diversity communities of bacteria and fungi compared to the native range, including different communities of beneficial or pathogenic functional groups of fungi. The pathogen <i>G. morbida</i> was also associated with a distinct community of microbes in stems compared to <i>G. morbida</i>-negative trees. The soil microbiome from intensively-managed plantations facilitated positive feedback between <i>G. morbida</i> and a disease-promomting endophytic <i>Fusarium solani</i> species complex sp. in roots of <i>J. nigra</i> seedlings. Finally, the nematode species <i>Bursaphelenchus juglandis</i> associated with <i>P. juglandis</i> synergizes with <i>G. morbida</i> to cause foliar symptoms in seedlings in a shadehouse; conversely, experiments and observations indicated that the nematode species <i>Panagrolaimus</i> sp. and cf. <i>Ektaphelenchus</i> sp. could suppress WTB populations and/or TCD outbreaks.</p> <p>In conclusion, the composition, function, and interactions within the <i>P. juglandis</i> and <i>J. nigra</i> holobiont play important roles in the TCD pathosystem. Managers and conservationists should be aware that novel associations outside the host native range, or in monocultures, intensive nursery production, and urban and low-humidity environments may favor progression of the disease through the effects of associated phytobiomes, nematodes, and climatic conditions on disease etiology. Trees in higher diversity, less intensively managed growing environments within their native range may be more resilient to disease. Moreover, expatriated, susceptible host species (<i>i.e.</i>, <i>J. nigra</i>) growing in environments that are favorable to novel pests or pest complexes (<i>i.e.</i>, the western U.S.) may provide connectivity between emergent forest health threats (<i>i.e.</i>, TCD) and native host populations (<i>i.e.</i>, <i>J. nigra</i> in its native range).</p>