G试验联合GM试验对恶性血液病患者伴侵袭性真菌病的诊断价值研究

目的探讨血浆(1,3)-β-D-葡聚糖检测(G试验)联合血浆半乳甘露聚糖检测(GM试验)对诊断恶性血液病患者伴侵袭性真菌病(IFD)的临床应用价值。方法收集安徽医科大学第一附属医院血液内科高危侵袭性真菌感染(IFI)病例193例,根据患者血浆G试验和GM试验的临床结果,分析其单项和联合检测时在IFD诊断中的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值(PPV)、阴性预测值(NPV)。并同时分析GM试验结果在IFD患者治疗过程中的变化趋势。结果在血液肿瘤伴IFD的患者中,单独血浆G试验的检测敏感性、特异性、PPV和NPV分别是71.7%、89.3%、71.7%、89.3%。单独GM试验检测的敏感性、特异性、PPV和NPV分别是54.7%、94.3%、78.4%、84.6%。串联检测(两项同时阳性)的敏感性、特异性、PPV和NPV分别是39.6%、99.3%、95.5%、81.3%。并联检测(两项中任意一项阳性)的敏感性、特异性、PPV和NPV分别是86.6%、84.3%、67.7%、94.4%。17例GM试验阳性患者接受抗真菌治疗后,14例有效,3例无效。治疗有效组血浆GM值均从第2周开始下降,第3周降至正常水平,治疗无效组GM值持续升高,有效组和无效组差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论血浆G试验和血浆GM试验对恶性血液病患者伴IFD有较高的临床诊断价值,两者联合检测的临床诊断价值进一步提高,可作为IFI诊断的指标之一;动态监测GM值有利于评估临床抗真菌治疗的疗效。     

血清和支气管肺泡灌洗液GM试验对非粒细胞缺乏患者不同类型肺曲霉病的诊断价值分析CSCD

目的探讨血清和支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)GM试验在不同类型肺曲霉病中的诊断价值,并确定BALF GM试验对常见肺曲霉病的最优cut-off值。方法收集2017年1月至2021年3月在重庆医科大学附属第一医院诊断为肺曲霉病且同时送检过血清和BALF GM试验的非粒细胞缺乏患者资料146例,其中侵袭性肺曲霉病(invasive pulmonary aspergillosis,IPA)97例,慢性肺曲霉病(chronic pulmonary aspergillosis,CPA)39例,变应性支气管肺曲霉病(allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis,ABPA)10例;并随机选取132例同时期患有其他类型肺部疾病者作为对照组。统计分析血清和BALF GM试验对不同类型肺曲霉病的诊断性能。结果在非粒细胞缺乏患者中,BALF GM试验对IPA和CPA诊断的最优cut-off值分别为1.0和0.91,敏感性分别为74.2%和74.4%,特异性分别为83.3%和81.1%,但对ABPA的诊断作用有限(AUC=0.648);在cut-off值为0.5时,血清GM试验对IPA和CPA的诊断敏感性分别为41.2%和10.3%,对ABPA的诊断价值较差(AUC<0.5)。结论在非粒细胞缺乏患者中,BALF GM试验对IPA和CPA的诊断均有良好辅助诊断作用,但对ABPA的诊断作用有限;血清GM试验对IPA和CPA的诊断敏感性较低,对ABPA的诊断价值更差。     

国产血清半乳甘露聚糖检测试剂对侵袭性肺曲霉菌病的诊断价值评估

目的：评估国产血清半乳甘露聚糖（Galactomannan,GM）检测试剂对侵袭性肺曲霉菌病的诊断价值。方法根据血液病/恶性肿瘤患者侵袭性真菌病的诊断标准与治疗原则（第四次修订版）[1]收集临床确诊侵袭性肺曲霉菌病（inva-sive pulmonary aspergillosis,IPA）、临床诊断IPA、拟诊IPA、排除IPA四组病例。采用天津贻诺琦公司酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）试剂检测纳入的86例患者血清标本的GM浓度,分析其敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值（PPV）、阴性预测值（NPV）。结果86例病例中,临床诊断27例、拟诊12例、排除47例。在3种不同的阳性判断标准下,敏感性：9444%、9630%、6296%;特异性：5625%、4576%、6441%;PPV：4474%、4483%、4474%;NPV：9643%、9643%、7917%。统计学分析证实标准1（即血清GM值〉095μg/L为阳性,〈075μg/L为阴性,075~095μg/L为灰区,未将灰区加入计算）在3种判断标准中最优,故选择其为最终判断标准。结论该血清GM检测试剂盒诊断性能较好,可以用于侵袭性肺曲霉菌病的辅助诊断。     

(1,3)-β-D-葡聚糖检测和半乳甘露聚糖抗原检测在侵袭性真菌病诊断中的价值探讨

目的 探讨(1,3)-β-D-葡聚糖检测和半乳甘露聚糖抗原检测在侵袭性真菌病诊断中的价值.方法 回顾性研究北京大学第一医院2008年1月～2010年7月临床疑诊侵袭性真菌病的住院患者.根据诊断标准确定是否诊断侵袭性真菌病.分析非培养诊断方法血清半乳甘露聚糖(GM试验)和血浆(1,3)-β-D-葡聚糖(G试验)的敏感度和特异度,以及二者联合应用后诊断的敏感度和特异度.结果 GM试验灵敏度为70％,特异度为84％;G试验灵敏度为50％,特异度为92％.GM试验和G试验二者联合试验时,其灵敏度和特异度分别为93％和78％.结论 GM试验和G试验均对侵袭性真菌病具有诊断价值,二者联合应用使其应用价值进一步提高.     

侵袭性肺曲霉菌患者血清半乳甘露聚糖动态变化及与CT影像学关系

目的观察侵袭性肺曲霉菌感染患者抗真菌治疗前后肺泡灌洗液及血清中半乳甘露聚糖(GM)的水平变化、CT影像学特征及血清中性粒细胞数与GM试验阳性率之间的关系,患者血清中性粒细胞值与GM试验阳性率之间的关系。方法连续性纳入60例确诊侵袭性肺曲霉菌感染患者,观察抗真菌治疗前后肺泡灌洗液和血清GM试验动态水平变化。单因素Logistic回归分析CT侵犯肺叶数、空气新月征、晕轮征、血清中性粒细胞值与GM的关系。结果抗真菌治疗前患者肺泡灌洗液GM平均值均高于血清GM平均值(0.62±0.08mg/L,60.0%;0.51±0.07mg/L,31.6%)。同抗真菌治疗前比,患者抗真菌治疗后1个月、2个月、3个月、6个月肺泡灌洗液GM值快速降低(P0.05),而血清GM数值缓慢降低,仅在第3个月、第6个月降低(P0.05)。患者CT侵犯肺叶数、晕轮征与肺泡灌洗液、血清中性粒细胞值GM试验阳性率显著相关。结论肺泡灌洗液及血清GM试验可作为IFD疾病诊断及治疗的重要辅助指标。CT影像学特征、血清中性粒细胞值与GM试验阳性率显著相关。     

内参标化的肺泡灌洗液GM试验对侵袭性肺曲霉菌病诊断效能的探讨

目的探讨肺泡灌洗液(BALF)半乳甘露聚糖检测(GM试验)内标物质的选择及内标化的方法,以及内标化后的BALF GM试验是否能够提高对侵袭性肺曲霉病(IPA)的临床诊断效能。方法收集2018年5月至2019年1月重庆医科大学附属第一医院临床拟诊为IPA住院患者的BALF标本156例,同时对曲霉菌抗原、钾离子(K~+)、尿素(UREA)、白蛋白(ALB)进行检测,依据组织病理、微生物结果、临床症状及特征、宿主因素等资料将研究对象分为IPA组39例和非IPA组117例,统计分析标化校正和未标化校正的BALF GM试验结果对IPA临床诊断效能的影响。结果标化校正和未标化校正的BALF GM试验I值在两组间均存在显著性差异(P0.001),经ROC曲线分析显示非标化BALF GM试验I值的cut-off值为0.69时,曲线下面积为0.731(P0.001),灵敏度71.8%,特异度70.1%;用K~+、UREA、ALB标化BALF GM试验I值后的ROC曲线分析,各cut-off值分别为0.605、1.905、0.69,曲线下面积分别为0.71、0.653、0.701 (P值分别为0.001、0.004、0.002),灵敏度分别为74.4%、66.7%、69.2%,特异度分别为70.9%、63.2%、69.8%。结论非标化BALF GM试验I值cut-off值为0.69时对IPA的诊断效能最高;用K~+标化后的BALF GM试验I值诊断IPA的效能优于非标化的BALF GM试验结果(P0.001)。     

128例侵袭性肺曲霉病临床疗效分析

目的 通过回顾性病例分析,加强对侵袭性肺曲霉病的认识,重视对侵袭性肺曲霉病的分级诊断,从而制定合理治疗方案.方法 对四川大学华西医院201 1年1 ～12月128例诊断为侵袭性肺曲霉病患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,重点分析基础疾病、临床表现、影像学表现、诊断及治疗方法.结果 确诊17例;依据宿主危险因素、临床表现及反复痰培养阳性拟诊111例.128例患者均伴有基础疾病.治疗方案包括伏立康唑（86例）,两性霉素B脂质体（1例）,伊曲康唑（12例）,米卡芬净（3例）,卡泊芬净（3例）,两性霉素B去氧胆酸盐（10例）,伏立康唑联合米卡芬净（1例）.治愈或好转81例（63.28％）,自动出院24例（18.75％）,死亡23例（17.97％）.结论 侵袭性肺曲霉病患者多数伴有多种感染危险因素,应当重视侵袭性肺曲霉病的分级诊断,据不同情况给予适当抗真菌治疗,以降低患者病死率.     

血浆(1,3)-β-D葡聚糖检测对器官移植患者侵袭性真菌感染诊断价值

目的 探讨血浆(1,3)-β-D葡聚糖(BG)检测(G试验)在诊断器官移植术后合并侵袭性真菌感染(IFI)的诊断价值.方法 回顾性分析2011年1月～2012年12月130例在本院肝、肾移植中心住院疑似IFI的患者的血浆标本,进行G实验检测.其中64例最终确诊或临床诊断为IFI患者,设为IFI组,余66例为非IFI组.应用MB-80微生物动态快速检测系统和GKT-5M Set动态真菌检测试剂盒,血浆BG浓度≥10 pg/mL判定G试验阳性.采用四格表计算G试验诊断IFI的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值.对G试验结果进行受试者特征工作曲线(ROC曲线)分析,并计算曲线下面积.结果 130例患者中,IFI组中G试验阳性57/64,阳性率89.1％;阴性7例,假阴性率10.9％.非IFI组G试验阳性15/66,假阳性率22.7％.G试验阳性诊断IFI的敏感度、特异度、阳性预值和阴性预测值分别为89.1％,77.3％,79.2％和87.9％.根据G试验结果绘制ROC曲线,曲线下面积为0.875(95％ CI:0.813～0.937).结论 G试验对器官移植患者IFI具有中等诊断价值.适当提高诊断界值及重复检测可较大程度地消除假阳性.     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并侵袭性肺曲霉病的病理生理特点及其诊断策略

近年来,慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者侵袭性肺曲霉病的发病率不断上升,早期诊断对改善临床预后极为重要。慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者支气管-肺功能和结构损害,并经常接受激素治疗等特点导致患者合并侵袭性肺曲霉病时临床和CT表现不典型,有关侵袭性肺曲霉病的实验室诊断敏感性和(或)特异性降低,给诊断带来了困难。本文试从慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并侵袭性肺曲霉病的病理生理特点入手探讨其诊断上的一些问题。     

评估国产（1,3）-β-D-葡聚糖检测试剂的诊断价值

目的比较国产与进口（1,3）-β-D-葡聚糖（BG）检测试验并对国产试剂在侵袭性真菌感染中的诊断价值进行评估。方法回顾性调查2008年4月～2009年5月我院203例（342份样本）怀疑侵袭性真菌感染的住院患者,根据诊断标准分为感染组和非感染组,对其中同时进行国产与日本试剂检测的100份样本进行配对t检验比较;在不同的判断标准下计算国产试剂的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值等,采用McNemar配对χ2检验对不同方法进行比较。结果国产和日本试剂在感染组和非感染组配对t检验结果分别为P=0.235,P=0.076;国产试剂以单次≥20pg/mL和≥50pg/mL为界值的灵敏度、特异度分别为78.3%,67.2%和56.5%,85.0%,双次≥20pg/mL和≥50pg/mL为界值的灵敏度、特异度分别为25.0%,64.9%和25.0%,87.7%。结论国产与日本试剂检测值无统计学差异;国产试剂单次≥50pg/mL为界值较20pg/mL可以明显提高特异度,降低假阳性率,而不影响灵敏度。连续双份血清阴性（BG〈50pg/mL）具有较高的特异度和阴性预测值。     

A review of the phylogeny,ecology and toxin production of bloom-forming Aphanizomenon spp. and related species within the Nostocales (cyanobacteria)

The traditional genus Aphanizomenon comprises a group of filamentous nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria of which several memebers are able to develop blooms and to produce toxic metabolites (cyanotoxins), including hepatotoxins (microcystins), neurotoxins (anatoxins and saxitoxins) and cytotoxins (cylindrospermopsin). This genus, representing geographically widespread and extensively studied cyanobacteria, is in fact heterogeneous and composed of at least five phylogenetically distant groups (Aphanizomenon, Anabaena/Aphanizomenon like cluster A, Cuspidothrix, Sphaerospermopsis and Chrysosporum) whose taxonomy is still under revision. This review provides a thorough insight into the phylogeny, ecology, biogeography and toxicogenomics (cyr, sxt, and ana genes) of the five best documented “Aphanizomenon” species with special relevance for water risk assessment: Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Aphanizomenon gracile, Cuspidothrix issatschenkoi, Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides and Chrysosporum ovalisporum. Aph. flos-aquae, Aph. gracile and C. issatschenkoi have been reported from temperate areas only whereas S. aphanizomenoides shows the widest distribution from the tropics to temperate areas. Ch. ovalisporum is found in tropical, subtropical and Mediterranean areas. While all five species show moderate growth rates (0.1–0.4 day⁻¹) within a wide range of temperatures (15–30 °C), Aph. gracile and A. flos-aquae can grow from around (or below) 10 °C, whereas Ch. ovalisporum and S. aphanizomenoides are much better competitors at high temperatures over 30 °C or even close to 35 °C. A. gracile has been confirmed as the producer of saxitoxins and cylindrospermopsin, C. issatschenkoi of anatoxins and saxitoxins and Ch. ovalisporum of cylindrospermopsin. The suspected cylindrospermopsin or anatoxin-a production of A. flos-aquae or microcystin production of S. aphanizomenoides is still uncertain. This review includes a critical discussion on the the reliability of toxicity reports and on the invasive potential of “Aphanizomenon” species in a climate change scenario, together with derived knowledge gaps and research needs. As a whole, this work is intended to represent a key reference for scientists and water managers involved in the major challenges of identifying, preventing and mitigating toxic Aphanizomenon blooms.     

Big troubles are already here: risk assessment protocol shows high risk of many alien plants present in Portugal

Invasion by alien plants results in serious adverse impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem services, economy and social welfare, and is an ever-increasing challenge for nature conservation. Control of established invasive species is frequently very difficult and costly. Therefore, predicting which species have risk of becoming invasive is crucial both to prevent introduction of new invaders and to target high risk species already present in order to avoid their spread, particularly to areas with high conservation value. In Portugal more than 600 alien plant species are present as casuals or naturalized, and decision support tools are needed to discriminate which of these have higher probability of becoming invasive. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Australian Weed Risk Assessment, adapted to the Portuguese conditions (P-WRA), by evaluating 172 plant species: 49 considered as invasive; and, 123 as non-invasive species. The results showed that the P-WRA correctly identified all invasive species. As for non-invasive species, 17% were accepted, 78% rejected and 5% required further evaluation. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve reflected high accuracy of predictions despite lower than that found in other regions. The best cutoff level for P-WRA score, maximizing the ability for classification of the protocol, was 13 resulting in more non-invasive species accepted (46%). In the end, this assessment informed that in addition to the 49 species already invasive, a high number (66) of alien plant species have invasive risk. Amongst these, a list of 20 species is proposed for targeted priority management aiming to prevent their spread. Comparison of the scores obtained with A-WRA for other regions with Mediterranean climate revealed that 17% of the species compared (78) reached different outcomes, signaling the need to be careful when extrapolating the use of previous scores. The P-WRA can be a promising screening system post-border for predicting invasive species already present in Portugal and contribute to the targeting of species for priority intervention, particularly in natural areas with high conservation value.     

Detection of invasive freshwater fish species using environmental DNA survey

Invasive species are one of the most significant problem in freshwater ecosystems. Most common non-native freshwater species in Turkish freshwater fish fauna are Prussian Carp (Carassius gibelio), North African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus), Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Topmouth Gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva).Recent studies showed that environmental DNA could be used to detect target species inhabiting the ecosystem with higher precision and less effort compared to traditional field surveys. In this study, eDNA approach was used to investigate non-native freshwater fish species from fifteen different locations of Upper Sakarya Basin. eDNA was successfully extracted from the water samples of locations where the species were visually observed. Mean amplification rate of eDNA was calculated as 77.03%.This study is the first environmental DNA study used in detection of four of the most common invasive freshwater fish species. Results clearly indicating that eDNA surveys could be used as an important molecular tool to monitor invasive fish species in freshwater ecosystems.     

Enfermedades invasoras por hongos levaduriformes en pacientes neutropénicos

Invasive fungal diseases caused by yeasts still play an important role in the morbidity and mortality in neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies. Although the overall incidence of invasive candidiasis has decreased due to widespread use of antifungal prophylaxis, the incidence of non-Candida albicans Candida species is increasing compared with that of C. albicans, and mortality of invasive candidiasis continues to be high. In addition, there has been an increase in invasive infections caused by an array of uncommon yeasts, including species of the genus Malassezia, Rhodotorula, Trichosporon and Saprochaete, characterised by their resistance to echinocandins and poor prognosis.     

艾滋病合并侵袭性真菌感染35例临床分析

目的 分析艾滋病(AIDS)合并侵袭性真菌感染的发生情况及临床特点,为其诊治提供参考。方法 回顾性分析85例AIDS患者的临床资料,总结侵袭性真菌感染的发病情况及临床特点。结果 85例AIDS患者继发侵袭性真菌感染35例,感染率为41．2％,感染部位以消化道为主,占44．4％,致病菌以白念珠菌(白假丝酵母)为主,占57．4％,侵袭性真菌感染病例主要发生于CD4~+T淋巴细胞计数＜100个/μl的患者,占71．8％。35例患者中27例治愈,8例死亡。结论 侵袭性真菌感染是AIDS患者主要的机会性感染之一,其发生与CD4~+T淋巴细胞计数密切相关,临床上以消化道真菌感染多见,侵袭性真菌感染的病死率高。     

米卡芬净治疗重症侵袭性真菌感染40例的临床分析

目的评价米卡芬净治疗重症侵袭性真菌感染患者的疗效和安全性。方法采用回顾性分析2007年12月~2009年6月大连医科大学附属二院ICU病房40例侵袭性真菌感染患者应用米卡芬净治疗的临床资料。结果40例患者中,痊愈10例(25%),显效18例(45%),总有效率为70%,真菌清除率为60.8%,不良反应少,所有患者均耐受治疗。结论米卡芬净治疗重症侵袭性真菌感染安全、有效。     

Fungal endophyte effects on invasive Phragmites australis performance in field and growth chamber environments

Manipulating plant microbiomes may provide control of invasive species. Invasive Phragmites australis has spread rapidly in North American wetlands, causing significant declines in native biodiversity. To test microbiome effects on host growth, we inoculated four common fungal endophytes into replicated Phragmites genotypes and monitored their growth in field and growth chamber environments. Inoculations were highly successful in the growth chamber but inoculated plants in the field were rapidly colonized by diverse endophytes from the local environment. There were significant genotype effects and minimal inoculation effects in both experiments with a significant inoculation × genotype interaction on tiller height in the field. Our results demonstrate that endophyte inoculation treatments are feasible, but repeated inoculations may be required to maintain high titer in plants subject to endophyte colonization from the local environment. Future studies should investigate a wider range of fungal endophytes to identify taxa that inhibit Phragmites and other invaders.     

Skewed adult sex ratios observed early in the North American invasion of Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae)

The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, (Hemiptera Fulgoridae) is an invasive pest in Korea and the United States, but originating from mainland Asia. Both tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima, and grapevine (Vitis) are known to be preferred hosts of adults. However, much is unknown about its adult behavior with respect to mating or dispersal patterns. In 2015, just after it was discovered in the United States, we performed an observational study to elucidate movement by adults in relation to host plants. We noted weekly changes in their presence and sex ratio on host plants at four sites in a quarantine zone in Berks County, PA. Just after adult emergence, the trunks of large (>15 cm diameter at breast height) A. altissima hosted nearly exclusively females, while smaller A. altissima, Vitis, Salix nigra, and other less commonly inhabited tree species, had high proportions of males. By October 1st, greater proportions of males were observed on the trunks of the larger A. altissima trees. Pairings of males and females were observed most frequently on the smaller A. altissima and Vitis. At the very end of the season, a large mixed-sex population was found on Salix nigra, which was the only deciduous tree species in the area still bearing green leaves.     

Entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents for the vector of the laurel wilt disease,the redbay ambrosia beetle,Xyleborus glabratus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The redbay ambrosia beetle (RAB), Xyleborus glabratus, is a wood-boring insect that vectors the fungal pathogen, Raffaelea lauricola, which causes laurel wilt, a lethal disease of avocado. The objective of this study was to determine the susceptibility of RAB to infection and subsequent death by exposure to three commercial strains of entomopathogenic fungi [two strains of Isaria fumosorosea (Ifr 3581 and PFR), and strain GHA of Beauveria bassiana]. RAB females were dipped in fungal spore solutions and their median survivorship times (MST) determined. Contact with any of the biopesticides resulted in death of all RAB females. MSTs of RAB females ranged from 3 days (B. bassiana) to 5 days (I. fumosorosea PFR). B. bassiana killed RAB females faster, followed by Ifr 3581 and PFR. RAB females dipped in B. bassiana suspensions had the highest number of viable spores attached to their bodies, followed by Ifr 3581. Beetles dipped in PFR suspension had significantly less viable spores attached to their bodies. No significant differences were observed in the mortality of beetles exposed to entomopathogenic fungi by dipping in a fungal suspension or walking on treated avocado bolts. Beetles bored into the logs and constructed galleries, but they were found dead inside the galleries a few days after exposure to the entomopathogens. Entomopathogenic fungal infection in dead beetles was confirmed through molecular techniques. This is the first study to demonstrate that entomopathogenic fungi are potential biological control agents against RAB.     

The effects of the aggressive species Pteridium caudatum on the vegetation of Socorro Island: Restoration challenges and opportunities

Humans’ impacts on natural environments have become pervasive, and natural regeneration is often hampered by extreme soil degradation. This situation is exacerbated in insular habitats where introductions of non-native grazing mammals have left behind completely barren areas. Once mammals are removed, aggressive native or non-native plant species can grow vigorously. This leads to the question of whether biodiversity can return through native succession, or if other actions are needed to prevent invading pioneer species from causing successional arrest. This occurs on the remote Socorro Island, in the UNESCO World-Heritage Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico. To understand whether native plants are establishing at sites invaded by Pteridium caudatum, we evaluated natural regeneration in sites with different Pteridium cover in two contrasting zones of the island (dry and mesic). We also calculated plant stress indicators (midday leaf water potential, chlorophyl content and maximum quantum yield) for two native species—Dodonea viscosa and Psidium socorrense—growing in open areas and under Pteridium. Our results showed that Pteridium is a significant barrier to seedling establishment. Thus, restoration actions such as seeding and/or plantings should focus on areas without Pteridium cover. Certain local species can be used to restore degraded areas: P. socorrese and Waltheria americana could be used in dry zones, while D. viscosa could be sown in either dry or mesic zones. For adult plants of the two dominant shrubs, Pteridium cover neither imposes or ameliorates stress. Our results suggest that the restoration of plant diversity in the vast Pteridium-invaded areas of Socorro Island will require management actions, including progressive physical removal of Pteridium cover to activate natural regeneration. Pteridium removal can be accelerated by nucleation, planting adults of native shrubs to generate shading. This strategy could be viable if restoration programs involve conservation institutions and government agencies, who currently have critical human and technological resources on the Island.