These effects were entirely or predominantly absent for media derived from indomethacin-containing cultures. Addition of medium from Th17 cultures lacking MSCs had no suppressive effect and was not influenced by indomethacin. Reversal of the MSC suppressive effect on primary Th17 differentiation

was also demonstrated using NS-398, a selective COX-2 inhibitor (Fig. 5C). Next, MSCs were FACS-purified from 4-day Th17 co-cultures and subjected to qRT-PCR and Western blotting (Fig. 5D) using COX-1 and COX-2-specific reagents. As shown, specific up-regulation of COX-2 in MSCs co-cultured with CD4+ Navitoclax in vitro T cells under Th17-skewing conditions was observed at mRNA and protein level. Blocking/inhibition experiments carried out to examine the role of other candidate mediators (NO, IDO, selleckchem IL-10, CCL2) yielded negative or minimally significant results (data not shown). Overall, these experiments supported a conclusion that the primary mechanism of Th17 suppression from both naïve and memory-phenotype CD4+ T cells was the production of a prostanoid mediator due to induced up-regulation of COX-2 in MSCs following direct contact between MSCs and activated T cells. As PGE2 has been reported to mediate multiple immune suppressive effects of MSCs 1, 2, 7, 9, 12, 18, supernatants from MSC/Th17 co-cultures of 6–72 h duration were analysed for PGE2 concentration with

relevant controls (Fig. 6A). Neither MSCs cultured alone nor CD4+ T cells cultured with or without Th17-inducing reagents generated high PGE2 levels. In contrast, MSC/T-cell co-cultures under Th17 differentiating ROS1 conditions had significant accumulation of PGE2 over 12–72 h. Interestingly, increased PGE2 production

was also observed from 12 to 24 h in MSC/T-cell co-cultures lacking Th17-inducing factors but levels declined again between 48 and 72 h. In additional experiments, MSCs were formally confirmed to be the predominant source of PGE2 in MSC/Th17 co-cultures by sorting individual cell populations following 18 h of co-culture then re-plating them for an additional 18 h and quantifying PGE2 concentration in the resulting supernatants (Supplementary Figs. S5, S6 and S7A). PGE2 concentration increased in a dose-dependent manner in Th17 cultures involving direct contact with MSCs but not in Transwell® co-cultures at the same MSC:CD4+T-cell ratios (Supplementary Fig. S8A). Additionally, PGE2 concentrations in supernatants from fibroblast/Th17 co-culture supernatants were not different to those of control Th17 cultures (Supplementary Fig. S8B). It was next determined whether MSC suppressive effects on primary Th17 cultures were mediated by PGE2. Addition of purified PGE2 was associated with a dose-dependent inhibition of T-cell proliferation and IL-17A production (Fig. 6B) as well as of CD25 surface expression and IL-17A production following re-stimulation (data not shown).

7-Aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD), anti-human leucocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR)-allophycocyanin (APC), CD3-peridinin chlorophyll (PerCP), CD4-PerCP, CD45RO-APC, CD56-FITC, p-S6-Pacific blue, CD3-horizon V500, CD8-Pacific blue,

CD25-PE and CD14-PE mAb were obtained from BD Biosciences (Erembodegem, Belgium). CD19-PE, CD45RA-FITC, CD38-FITC, CD45-FITC, CD80-FITC and CD123-PE mAb were purchased from Beckman Coulter (Immunotech, Marseille, France) and CD40-APC, CD45RA-PE, immunoglobulin (Ig)G1-FITC, IgG2a-FITC, CD8-APC, anti-IFN-γ-PECy7, IL-17-PE, CD4-APC-eFluor780, anti-FoxP3-APC (clone: 236A/E7), functional grade IgG2a isotype control mAb and IFN-α, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) see more kits were obtained from eBiosciences

(Vienna, Austria). CD86-APC, anti-HLA-ABC-FITC, anti-IL-10-APC and IgG1-APC were obtained from Biolegend (London, UK). cytosine–phosphate–dinucleotide (CpG) A oligodeoxynucleotide selleck kinase inhibitor (ODN) 2336 and loxoribine (LOX) were purchased from InVivogen (San Diego, CA, USA). Anti-LAG3-PE and IL-17 ELISA kit were purchased from R&D Systems (Abingdon, UK). IFN-γ, IL-4 and CXCL-10 (IP-10) ELISA kits and 5,6 carboxy-succinimidyl-fluorescein ester (CFSE) were purchased from Life Technologies (Bleiswijk, the Netherlands). Neutralizing IFN-αReceptor2 mAb was obtained from Merck Millipore (Amsterdam, the Netherlands). Rabbit anti-phosphorylated S6 antibody was from Cell Signaling Technology (Danvers, MA, USA) and mouse-anti-β-actin

antibody from SantaCruz Technology Forskolin cost (Heidelberg, Germany). Granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was a kind gift of Schering-Plough (Kenilworth, NJ, USA) and neutralizing CD80 mAb B7-24 [21] was a kind gift of M. de Boer (Tanox Pharma BV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands), phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) was obtained from Murex (Paris, France). Rapamycin was purchased from Merck (Schiphol-Rijk, the Netherlands) and phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN)-inhibitor VO-OHpic trihydrate, PMA, ionomycin and brefeldin A from Sigma-Aldrich (St Louis, MO, USA). The Fix&perm cell permeabilization kit was obtained from An der Grub (Vienna, Austria). PBMC were isolated from buffy coats of healthy blood-bank donors by Ficoll density centrifugation. For isolation of PDC, PBMC were incubated with anti-BDCA4-PE mAb, washed and incubated with anti-PE microbeads. After a second wash, PDC were isolated in two rounds of separation over MS columns. Alternatively, BDCA-4-labelled PDC were isolated by enrichment over an LS-column, followed by flow cytometric sorting on a FacsAria II cellsorter. The purity of isolated PDC, as determined by staining with anti-BDCA2-FITC and flow cytometry, was > 94%. T cells were purified from PBMC by negative selection upon labelling with PE-conjugated antibodies against BDCA1, CD14, CD19, CD56 and CD123 as well as CD15 and CD235 microbeads followed by incubation with anti-PE microbeads.

This uncommon clinical aspect is mostly seen, although not

exclusively, in immunosuppressed patients. The principal isolated organism is Trichophyton spp. but the entity can also be caused by non-dermatophyte moulds. The mechanism of infection is unclear; it could be acquired through the proximal nail fold, or, as more recently proposed, may be secondary to lymphatic or vascular dissemination. To analyse the clinical, mycological and histopathological features of fungal leuconychia, we included 10 patients with the clinical diagnosis of fungal leuconychia. Direct examination of culture and nail plate biopsy were performed. Nine patients had confirmed fungal leuconychia. Four had a positive Mitomycin C cost culture and all had positive haematoxylin–eosin (H&E) and Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) stains for fungal elements with varying degrees

of nail plate invasion. Seven of our patients were immunosuppressed selleck products and the isolated aetiological agents are the same as previously reported. The direct examination is reliable, fast and inexpensive to establish the diagnosis. The correlation of onychomycosis with histology, stained with H&E and PAS was 100%. We think that the site of nail plate invasion provides more information to support the theory that the infection reaches the ungual apparatus through systemic dissemination. “
“The red algae Asparagopsis taxiformis collected from the Straits of Messina (Italy) were screened for antifungal activity against Aspergillus species. EUCAST methodology was applied and extracts showed antifungal activity against A. fumigatus, A. terreus and A. flavus. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations observed were <0.15 mg ml−1 and the highest were >5 mg ml−1 for Aspergillus spp. tested. Agar diffusion assays confirmed antifungal activity of A. taxiformis extracts in Aspergillus species. “
“Patients with heart transplantation have a high incidence of infectious complications, especially fungal infections. The aim of the systematic review was to determine the best pharmacological strategy to prevent fungal infections among Nintedanib (BIBF 1120) patients with heart transplant. We searched the PubMed and Embase

databases for studies reporting the effectivenesss of pharmacologic strategies to prevent fungal infections in adult patient with a heart transplant. Our search yielded five studies (1176 patients), four of them with historical controls. Two studies used inhaled amphotericin B deoxycholate, three used itraconazole and one used targeted echinocandin. All studies showed significant reduction in the prophylaxis arm. Different products, doses and outcomes were noted. There is a highly probable benefit of prophylaxis use, however, better studies with standardised doses and comparators should be performed. “
“There is an increasing frequency of candidaemia caused by Candida glabrata which has decreased in vitro susceptibility to fluconazole.

They also produce several cytokines in response to stimulation signals AT9283 in vivo from pathogen-associated molecular patterns or whole bacteria. Hence, DCs contribute to immunological homeostasis by promoting inflammatory responses to pathogens, inducing tolerance to self antigen, and suppressing excessive immune responses.1,2 Dendritic cells play a critical role in the maintenance of immunological homeostasis and DC dysregulation can lead to autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammatory disorders. Abnormally excessive immune responses to commensal bacteria, food antigens and self antigens have been reported in the pathogenesis

of these diseases. Therefore, conditioning DCs to display desirable beta-catenin activation properties, such as inducing an immunosuppressive DC phenotype, might represent a novel therapeutic strategy for these diseases. Recent studies have indicated that signalling through nuclear receptors, such as the retinoic acid receptor, the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α, plays an important role in modulating the transcription of cytokine genes in innate immune cells.3 Interleukin-1 (IL-12) produced by DCs has been implicated in promoting a type 1 helper T cell immune response

and contributing to the pathogenesis of several chronic inflammatory disorders.4–6 We previously demonstrated that Am80, a retinoic acid receptor agonist, promotes

DC differentiation towards an IL-12 hypo-producing phenotype and that this molecule potentially represents a novel therapeutic molecule for inflammatory bowel disease.7 The identification of similar molecules that induce an IL-12 hypo-producing DC phenotype might allow the development of novel therapeutic molecules for chronic inflammatory disorders. We hypothesized that bile acids (BAs), which are ligands for FXR and TGR5, might regulate DC differentiation and so we examined whether a BA can induce an IL-12 hypo-producing DC phenotype. Bile acids are a family Org 27569 of steroid molecules generated in the liver by cholesterol oxidation. They accumulate in the blood, intestine and liver via enterohepatic circulation. In addition to their role in nutrient absorption, BAs are signalling molecules that can regulate immune cell responses via FXR and TGR5.8 FXR is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors8–12 and is primarily expressed in enterohepatic tissues. FXR is known to regulate genes involved in BA synthesis, detoxification and excretion, and an increase in intracellular BA concentrations promotes transcriptional activation of FXR.13–15 In addition, it has been reported that the FXR signalling pathway influences immunological responses such as cytokine production by immune cells.

[5] There have been rare reports of necrotizing tubulointerstitial nephritis.[6-8] Treatment in these cases varied from IVIG[6] to reduction of immunosuppression[7] to cidofovir.[8] Despite severe changes on biopsy, near complete recovery of allograft function was seen in all. Both of our patients had lymphocytic

infiltration which could have represented cellular rejection or viral nephropathy. However patient 2 had definite evidence of vascular rejection. Only three cases of life-threatening adenovirus infection in kidney transplant recipients have been previously reported. In 1975, Myerowitz et al.[9] reported a fatal case; while an autopsy study showed viral infection and cytopathic changes of allograft tubular epithelial cells, the predominant disease manifestation was diffuse interstitial pneumonia. Death occurred despite immunosuppression reduction. AT9283 solubility dmso Rosario et al.[10] described colitis in a kidney transplant recipient, with Wnt beta-catenin pathway adenovirus isolated from both blood and faeces. Intravenous ganciclovir was administered, but again disease was fatal. The third patient died of adenovirus pneumonitis despite supportive therapy, with post-mortem isolation of virus from the

lung, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, heart and liver.[11] Adenovirus was detected in our patients in the urine, blood and renal allograft. Although the detection of viral DNA in the urine could represent asymptomatic urinary shedding, the clinical presentation and the detection of adenovirus DNA in the blood were consistent with disseminated adenoviral infection. It also portended severity of disease consistent with experience in HSCT recipients with viraemia predicting the development of disseminated or

fatal infection.[12] Given the rarity of severe disease within this patient group, there was little literature to guide therapy. Thus, decisions regarding treatment were based largely on experience with severe viral infections in other immunosuppressed groups. The three treatment strategies used were reduction of immunosuppression, administration of IVIG and anti-viral therapy. For kidney transplant recipients with adenovirus infection, immunosuppression Org 27569 reduction has been associated with viral clearance. Asim et al.[7] reported rapid normalization of allograft function and ultimately viral clearance in a patient with severe necrotizing allograft disease. However, reports in HSCT recipients with more severe disease have shown progression of viral load despite immunosuppression reduction.[13] We saw progressive allograft dysfunction and clinical deterioration despite a >50% reduction in immunosuppression, suggesting that this strategy alone was insufficient to control disease. IVIG has been shown to be effective in prevention and treatment of CMV disease[14] and may have a role in treatment of BK nephropathy[15] and also rejection.

The following consensus Y-27632 order guidelines regarding hypertensive donors were adopted: Patients with a BP of 140/90 by ABPM are generally not acceptable as donors. European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association: Exclusion criteria include: ‘Reduced

GFR (in comparison to normal range for age), proteinuria of >300 mg/day, microhematuria (except when an urologic evaluation and a possible kidney biopsy are normal), . . . or hypertension without good control’.33 The Canadian Council for Donation and Transplantation:34 It would appear that BP increases by ∼5 mmHg after donating a kidney above the natural increase which occurs with normal aging. Most studies have not suggested an increased rate of hypertension following donation. To date no study using appropriate controls has examined whether donating a kidney increases the risk of premature death or cardiovascular disease over the long-term. This concern has been raised due to the observation that renal insufficiency is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the general population. Not unexpectedly, there is considerable variability

in practice particularly when it comes to accepting a potential living donor with hypertension or mildly abnormal renal function. In the case scenario involving a 50-year-old male with well-controlled hypertension on a single antihypertensive agent, 5 of 14 centres responded that they would never accept such an individual as a kidney donor. However, other centres would rarely (n = 2), sometimes (n = 5) and usually (n = 2) accept this individual as a living kidney donor.

Reference MI-503 ic50 is also made to recommendations from the Amsterdam Forum, the British Renal Association and the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association. 1 Further prospective studies with appropriate control groups are required in order to determine whether uninephrectomy in normotensive Baricitinib individuals increases the long-term risk of developing hypertension. Frank Ierino has received Educational Grants and fees for attendance at Conferences/Transplant Symposia from Wyeth, Roche, Janssen-Cilag and Novartis. He has also received an Unrestricted Research Grant from Roche and Novartis, has been a member of the medical advisory boards for Roche and Novartis and a member of the Drug Trial Safety Monitoring Board for Novartis. John Kanellis and Neil Boudville has no relevant financial affiliations that would cause a conflict of interest according to the conflict of interest statement set down by CARI. “
“Date written: April 2008 Final submission: August 2009 No recommendations possible based on Level I or II evidence (Suggestions are based on Level III and IV evidence) A discussion of the effect of dialysis on quality of life (QOL) should be included in the decision-making process for undertaking dialysis treatment.

Whole blood samples (100 μl) of three healthy volunteers were activated with IL-2 (2000 U/ml) (PeproTech, Rocky Hill, NJ, USA) with and without sotrastaurin 100 ng/ml for 30 min at 37°C. Red blood cells were lysed and fixed for 10 min at 37°C with Lyse/Fix Buffer (BD Biosciences). Next, cells were washed in FACSflow buffer (BD Biosciences) and permeabilized with cold 70% methanol for 30 min at −20°C. Cells were washed twice in FACSflow buffer (BD Biosciences) supplemented with 0·5% bovine serum albumin. IL-2-induced phosphorylation of STAT-5 was studied in CD3+CD4+CD25highCD127low learn more T cells. Cells were incubated simultaneously

for 30 min at room temperature with the following antibodies: pSTAT-5 (Y694)-PE, CD3-PerCP, CD4-PB, CD25 epitope B-PE-Cy7 and CD127 FITC, washed in FACSflow buffer and analysed on the FACSCanto https://www.selleckchem.com/products/CP-673451.html II flow cytometer (BD Biosciences). Twenty thousand gated lymphocyte events/cells were acquired from each tube. Cells were analysed using BD FACS Diva version 6·0 software. The effect of IL-2 activation on pSTAT-5 was calculated as the pSTAT-5-PE percentage of the cytokine-stimulated sample minus the unstimulated sample (background). Trough levels were obtained in EDTA collection

tubes before the morning sotrastaurin dose on day 4; weeks 1, 2, 3; and months 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Blood sample tubes were inverted several times to mix the contents and frozen at −70C°. Trough levels were quantified in whole blood by validated liquid chromatography methods with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The absolute number of FoxP3+CD127lowCD4+CD25high Tregs was measured at months 3 and 6, as described above. For each sotrastaurin-treated patient the area under the curve of trough levels was determined until Etomidate months 3 and 6 (AUC0–3 m and AUC0–6 m). The Treg numbers at month 3 were tested for

correlation with the AUC0–3 m and the Treg numbers at month 6 were tested for correlation with AUC0–6 m. The suppressive capacity of Tregs was expressed as the percentage inhibition of T effector proliferation expressed in counts per minute (cpm), calculated by applying the following formula: (cpm Teff) − (cpm Teff + Treg)]/(cpm Teff) × 100. Statistical analysis of the flow cytometry and MLR data was performed using Graphpad Prism (version 5). Paired t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test or Wilcoxon’s matched-pairs signed-rank test were performed to identify differences between groups. In the dose–response curve experiments, half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were calculated with the median of 38 IC50 values, using Fit Spline point-to-point analysis. The relationship between AUC of sotrastaurin trough levels and Treg numbers was tested with Pearson’s r correlation test. The statistical significance level was determined as P ≤ 0·05. The inhibitory capacity of sotrastaurin was tested in MLR (n = 38).

Comparative microarray analysis revealed an additional set of genes that were significantly upregulated in E10.5 TLR2+ CD11b+ macrophages. This analysis, together with our genetic, microscopic, and

biochemical evidence, showed that embryonic phagocytes express protein machinery that is essential for the recycling of cellular iron and that this expression can be regulated by TLR engagement in a MyD88-dependent manner, leading to typical inflammatory M1 responses. These results characterize NVP-BEZ235 the utility of TLRs as suitable markers for early embryonic phagocytes as well as molecular triggers of cellular responses, the latter being demonstrated by the involvement of TLRs in an inflammation-mediated regulation of embryonic homeostasis via iron metabolism. “
“Synthetic oligonucleotides

(ODN) expressing CpG motifs mimic the ability of bacterial DNA to trigger the innate immune system via TLR9. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) make a critical contribution to the ensuing immune response. This work examines the induction XL765 of antiviral (IFN-β) and pro-inflammatory (IL-6) cytokines by CpG-stimulated human pDCs and the human CAL-1 pDC cell line. Results show that interferon regulatory factor-5 (IRF-5) and NF-κB p50 are key co-regulators of IFN-β and IL-6 expression following TLR9-mediated activation of human pDCs. The nuclear accumulation of IRF-1 was also observed, but this was a late event that was dependant on type 1 IFN and unrelated to the initiation of gene expression. IRF-8 was identified as a novel negative regulator of gene activation in CpG-stimulated pDCs. As variants of IRF-5 and IRF-8 were recently found to correlate with susceptibility to certain autoimmune diseases, these findings are relevant to our understanding of the pharmacologic effects of “K” ODN and the role of TLR9 ligation under physiologic,

pathologic, and therapeutic conditions. Cells of the immune system utilize TLR to sense ligands uniquely expressed by pathogenic microorganisms. Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) use TLR9 to detect Resminostat the unmethylated CpG motifs present at high frequency in bacterial DNA [1-3]. Synthetic oligonucleotides (ODN) encoding unmethylated CpG motifs mimic the effect of bacterial DNA and trigger pDC activation. Several structurally distinct classes of CpG ODN have been described. Those of the “K” class (also referred to as “B” class) are characterized by their ability to stimulate human pDCs to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α. Clinical trials of “K” ODN show promise for the treatment of cancer, allergy, and infectious disease [4, 5]. Identifying the signaling pathways triggered when human pDCs are stimulated by “K” ODN is, thus, of clinical relevance. pDCs are a major source of type I IFNs and various pro-inflammatory cytokines [6, 7].

Recently, we obtained experimental evidence of a high cross-reactivity between the allergenic extracts of these invertebrates, involving well-known allergens such as tropomyosin and glutathione transferases. There is indirect

evidence suggesting that the clinical impact of these findings may be important. In this review, we discuss the potential role of this cross-reactivity on several aspects of allergy in the tropics that have been a focus FDA-approved Drug Library datasheet of a number of investigations, some of them with controversial results. Because of their close dependence on environmental factors, including allergens, allergies are expected to vary between geographical zones. Probably for that reasons, the influence of helminth infections on the pathogenesis of allergic diseases has been under investigation for several years. Progressively, the research in this field has focused on specific issues and evaluated using different methodological approaches, https://www.selleckchem.com/products/MG132.html the most relevant aspects being (i) the particularities of the Th2 mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of parasite infections and allergy; (ii) the influence of allergy in the defence against parasitic diseases and the influence of parasitic diseases on allergy inception and clinical evolution; (iii) the genetic influences on IgE responses in both diseases; and (iv) the effect of parasitic infections on total IgE levels, skin tests with

allergens and serological diagnosis of allergy (‘Figure 1). Nematode infections are an

important health problem in most underdeveloped countries, where, depending of the degree of social deprivation and exposure to parasites, the endemicity ranges from hypo-endemic to hyper-endemic. Although several helminths (such as Trichura trichiuris, Ancylostoma duodenale and Schistosoma mansoni) are common in these environments, Ascaris lumbricoides is one of the most prevalent, affecting about 1·5 billion people worldwide (1). Typically, poverty and bad sanitary conditions promote parasitic exposure early in life, and humans become Interleukin-2 receptor infected by oral contamination with embryonated eggs. Immunity to A. lumbricoides is characterized by high levels of IgE synthesis, a strong Th2 response, eosinophilia and mucus hyper secretion; it is induced by somatic and excretory/secretory antigens of larvae and confers protection by expelling intestinal parasites and resisting reinfections (1,2). Many features of anti-Ascaris immunity are shared by the allergic response to environmental allergens and, for still unknown mechanisms, domestic mites, like Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Blomia tropicalis, induce specific IgE synthesis and elicit a strong Th2 response including eosinophilia that contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma and other allergic diseases. Because most underdeveloped countries are located in the tropics, populations are naturally co-exposed to both A.

Strains used for this study have been verified by rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial β-tubulin (BT2) sequencing and compared with ex-type isolates in the reference collection of the CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht, the Netherlands. We analysed 32 strains of Pseudallescheria, Petriellopsis and Scedosporium (Table 1). Methods of DNA extraction, alignment and phylogenetic analysis were those of Badali et al. [18] Species attribution was verified by sequencing ITS rDNA and partial β-tubulin (BT2) according to Gilgado et al. [10] and by comparing them with ex-type isolates from the reference collection of CBS (Utrecht, the

Netherlands). Pseudallescheria angusta and P. ellipsoidea selleck chemical are listed as part of P. boydii. Three different microtitre plates were used with the Taxa Profile Micronaut system (Merlin Diagnostika GmbH): Taxa Profiles A, C and E. On each microtitre plate, two strains were analysed synchronously for 191 reactions in the case of Taxa Profiles A and C (one growth control) and 188 reactions for Taxa Profile E (three negative controls and one growth control). Taxa Profile A contains amines, amides, amino acids, other organic acids, and includes heterocyclic aromatic compounds. Taxa Profile C contains mono-, di-, tri- and polysaccharides, and sugar derivatives.

On panels A and C, each well contains 1.6 g L−1 of the respective chemical compound. Results were read DMXAA visually and photometrically at 620 nm (single scan). Taxa Profile E contains 95 aminopeptidase and protease reactions, 76 glycosidases, phosphatidases and esterases (each for testing at the different pH values of 8.2, 7.5, 5.5 and 4.0), desaminases and decarboxylases (arginine-dihydrolase, glutamate-, lysine-, ornithine-decarboxylases and relevant control reactions), and 17 classical reactions (such as urease, indol, nitrate and nitride). A full

list of the reactions is provided in Supporting Information. Strains were cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA; Oxoid, Wesel, Germany), Sabouraud’s 4% glucose agar, water agar, Müller Hinton’s agar and Columbia sheep blood agar. The incubation period was up to 7 days at 35 ± 1 °C to Resminostat obtain optimal conidiation. The plates were covered with 5–6 ml sterilised 0.9% NaCl solution. Conidia were scraped off carefully and transferred into a sterile glass tube using a sterile pipette. The suspensions were vortexed and centrifuged for 5 min at 21 °C at 3000 rpm; sediments were washed three times in 5 ml sterile 0.9% NaCl solution. Suspensions were adjusted with a UV 160 spectrophotometer for Taxa Profiles A and C panels to 0.150–0.170 at 530 nm (1–5 × 104 colony forming units ml−1),19 and to 0.20–0.28 at 560 nm for Taxa Profile E.