151
|
Abstract
RATIONALE Cryptococcal infection has been documented in immunocompromised patients. AIDS and renal transplant recipients account for majority of the cases. Most cases present with central nervous system or disseminated disease, with only few presenting soft tissue, bone, and joint manifestations. PATIENT CONCERNS We present a case of soft tissue mass in a 66-year-old female renal transplant recipient and that of arthritis in a 64-year-old immunocompetent man who presented pseudogout arthropathy. Chest radiographies of both cases were negative. Biopsy revealed cryptococcal organisms. Blood culture or cerebrospinal fluid sampling indicated positive results for cryptococcal antigen. DIAGNOSIS Cryptococcus neoformans was recovered in the wound culture. INTERVENTIONS The patients received intravenous fluconazole and flucytosine, followed by oral fluconazole administration. OUTCOMES Symptomatic improvements were achieved and no subsequent relapses were observed. LESSONS The authors experienced 2 cases of cryptococcosis with very unusual clinical presentation. Early clinical suspicion and serum cryptococcal antigen testing can help in rapid appropriate diagnosis in immunocompetent as well as immunocompromised patients even in the absence of pulmonary involvement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sung-Chul Lim
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
152
|
Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Cristina Francisco
- Laboratório Especial de Micologia, Division of Infectious Diseases, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584CT, The Netherlands
| | - Auke W de Jong
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584CT, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Hagen
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584CT, The Netherlands.
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
153
|
Gerlach ES, Altamirano S, Yoder JM, Luggya TS, Akampurira A, Meya DB, Boulware DR, Rhein J, Nielsen K. ATI-2307 Exhibits Equivalent Antifungal Activity in Cryptococcus neoformans Clinical Isolates With High and Low Fluconazole IC 50. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:695240. [PMID: 34249782 PMCID: PMC8262267 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.695240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) to the experimental drug ATI-2307 and complete inhibition (IC90) of the common clinically used antifungal drug amphotericin B were determined by microbroth dilution assay for a collection of 69 clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans from Uganda that had high fluconazole IC50 values. The majority of the clinical isolates tested had fluconazole IC50 at or above 8 µg/mL, but were susceptible to both amphotericin B (IC90 ≤1 μg/mL) and ATI-2307 (IC50 ≤0.0312 µg/mL). No correlation between increased fluconazole minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and ATI-2307 or amphotericin B MIC was observed, suggesting that the cellular changes impacting fluconazole susceptibility did not impact the effectiveness of ATI-2307. Our results suggest that ATI-2307 is a promising new antifungal drug for use in the context of high fluconazole or other antifungal drug MICs and/or in combination drug therapy regimens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elliot S. Gerlach
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Sophie Altamirano
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - J. Marina Yoder
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Tony S. Luggya
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Andrew Akampurira
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David B. Meya
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David R. Boulware
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Joshua Rhein
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Kirsten Nielsen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
154
|
Santos DWCL, Hagen F, Meis JF, Cristelli MP, Viana LA, Bernardi FDC, Tedesco-Silva H, Medina-Pestana JO, Colombo AL. Donor-Derived Transmission of Cryptococcus gattii sensu lato in Kidney Transplant Recipients. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 26:1329-1331. [PMID: 32441623 PMCID: PMC7258454 DOI: 10.3201/eid2606.191765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe cases of donor-derived transmission of Cryptococcus deuterogattii in 2 kidney transplant recipients in Brazil and published information on other cases. Prompt reduction of immunosuppression and initiation of antifungal therapy was required to successfully control the fungal infections and preserve engraftment.
Collapse
|
155
|
Masel R, Herman K, Dapaah-Afriyie K. A Case of Multiple Organ Disseminated Cryptococcosis. R I Med J (2013) 2021; 104:44-46. [PMID: 34044438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast found worldwide.1 Patients with immunosuppression, including individuals with HIV/AIDS, transplant recipients and/or individuals with other T-cell mediated immunosuppression are more susceptible to becoming infected with Cryptococcus neoformans than immunocompetent individuals.2 This is a case report of a 66-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with an unsteady gait and urinary incontinence. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on presentation showed a large C5-C6 central disc protrusion. The patient underwent surgical repair and was treated with five days of IV steroids. Later in the course of her hospitalization, she had an unexplained increasing leukocytosis and tachycardia with witnessed episodes of unresponsiveness. She subsequently had a pulseless electrical activity cardiac arrest and succumbed despite resuscitative efforts. A post-mortem diagnosis revealed Cryptococcus neoformans fungemia and disseminated cryptococcosis involving multiple organs. Disseminated cryptococcosis primarily affects the central nervous system3, and thus this report presents a rare case of disseminated cryptococcosis involving multiple organs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Masel
- Department of Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Karl Herman
- Division of Hospital Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Kwame Dapaah-Afriyie
- Division of Hospital Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
| |
Collapse
|
156
|
Silva Souza CD, Takada MH, Ambiel MV, Nakai VT. Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis: the importance of early diagnosis. An Bras Dermatol 2021; 96:482-484. [PMID: 34030915 PMCID: PMC8245733 DOI: 10.1016/j.abd.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The species of the Cryptococcus neoformans complex show different epidemiological patterns in the infection of immunosuppressed or immunocompetent individuals, and a common tropism peculiarity for the central nervous system. Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis is a rare clinical entity, with manifestations that are initially restricted to the skin through fungal inoculation, and the absence of systemic disease. The authors report in the present study the case of a 61-year-old immunocompetent man, with a rapidly evolving mucoid tumor on abrasions in contact with bird droppings on the forearm. The early identification of the polymorphic skin manifestations and treatment are crucial for the favorable prognosis of the infection, which can be life-threatening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cacilda da Silva Souza
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Maria Hideko Takada
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcela Vendruscolo Ambiel
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Viviane Tiemi Nakai
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
157
|
Konishi K, Nakagawa H, Asaoka T, Shirano M. Skin Lesions Caused by Disseminated Cryptococcosis. Intern Med 2021; 60:1645. [PMID: 33328399 PMCID: PMC8188041 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.5511-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Keiji Konishi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Osaka City General Hospital, Japan
| | - Hidenori Nakagawa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Osaka City General Hospital, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Asaoka
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Osaka City General Hospital, Japan
| | - Michinori Shirano
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Osaka City General Hospital, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
158
|
Abstract
Reversible sensorineural hearing loss is a recognised complication of cryptococcal meningitis. Cryptococcal meningitis typically presents with usual symptoms of fever, headache and neck stiffness. This case highlights acute, profound, bilateral hearing loss as the initial symptom and presentation of cryptococcal meningitis in a young woman, who was later diagnosed with AIDS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleem Azal Ali
- Internal Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Naji Maaliki
- Internal Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Monique Oye
- Internal Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Carmen Liliana Isache
- Internal Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
159
|
Zhao J, Wu X, Huang Z, Zhang J. A case of HIV negative cryptococcal meningitis with antiphospholipid syndrome. Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2021; 46:438-443. [PMID: 33967093 PMCID: PMC10930307 DOI: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2021.200471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningitis has become the largest cause for the death of infectious diseases in the central nervous system infectious disease worldwide. Most patients with cryptococcal meningitis have AIDS, autoimmune diseases, hematologic malignancies, and some other relevant diseases. It is mainly caused by infection with Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii. Although the relationship between cryptococcal meningitis and autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, has been recognized, little has been studied about it. Furthermore, with the use of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, the incidence of cryptococcal meningitis is increasing year by year. Cryptococcal meningitis accounts for 15% of HIV-related deaths globally, compared with little research on HIV-negative cryptococcal diseases. A 54-year-old female patient with gingival bleeding was admitted to the Department of Neurology at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. The patient subsequently developed a series of central nervous system symptoms such as headache, ischemic stroke, and epilepsy. The number of thrombocytes was at 4×109/L, antinuclear antibody was (+), antihuman globulin was (++), globulin IgG anticardiolipin antibody IgG, IgA, and IgM was positive, lupus anticoagulant was strong positive, antibody against β2 glycoprotein 1 IgM >841 AU/mL with elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure. The CSF India ink staining was positive, CSF was cultured cryptococcus neoformans. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and cryptococcal neoformans meningitis were diagnosed. After active antifungal therapy and control of APS, the patient still had a serial of complications including high CSF pressure, persistent positive India ink staining, refractory electrolyte disturbance, hemolytic anemia recurs, heart failure, and finally death. No cases of the combination of the two diseases have been reported, and this case of cryptococcal meningitis with APS may provide a new direction to the diagnosis and treatment for this kind of disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
| | - Xiaomei Wu
- Department of Neurology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Zhonghua Huang
- Department of Neurology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
| |
Collapse
|
160
|
de Sousa HR, de Frazão S, de Oliveira Júnior GP, Albuquerque P, Nicola AM. Cryptococcal Virulence in Humans: Learning From Translational Studies With Clinical Isolates. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:657502. [PMID: 33968804 PMCID: PMC8097041 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.657502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis, an invasive mycosis caused by Cryptococcus spp, kills between 20% and 70% of the patients who develop it. There are no vaccines for prevention, and treatment is based on a limited number of antifungals. Studying fungal virulence and how the host responds to infection could lead to new therapies, improving outcomes for patients. The biggest challenge, however, is that experimental cryptococcosis models do not completely recapitulate human disease, while human experiments are limited due to ethical reasons. To overcome this challenge, one of the approaches used by researchers and clinicians is to: 1) collect cryptococcal clinical isolates and associated patient data; 2) study the set of isolates in the laboratory (virulence and host-pathogen interaction variables, molecular markers); 3) correlate the laboratory and patient data to understand the roles fungal attributes play in the human disease. Here we review studies that have shed light on the cryptococcosis pathophysiology using these approaches, with a special focus on human disease. Isolates that more effectively evade macrophage responses, that secrete more laccase, melanize faster and have larger capsules in the cerebrospinal fluid are associated with poorer patient outcomes. Additionally, molecular studies have also shown that cryptococcal clades vary in virulence, with clinical impact. Limitations of those studies include the use of a small number of isolates or retrospectively collected clinical data. The fact that they resulted in very important information is a reflection of the impact this strategy has in understanding cryptococcosis and calls for international collaboration that could boost our knowledge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Herdson Renney de Sousa
- Microbiology, Immunology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Stefânia de Frazão
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Pathogenic Fungi, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Getúlio Pereira de Oliveira Júnior
- Division of Allergy and Inflammation, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Patrícia Albuquerque
- Microbiology, Immunology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Pathogenic Fungi, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - André Moraes Nicola
- Microbiology, Immunology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
161
|
Song Y, Liu X, de Hoog GS, Li R. Disseminated Cryptococcosis Presenting as Cellulitis Diagnosed by Laser Capture Microdissection: A Case Report and Literature Review. Mycopathologia 2021; 186:423-433. [PMID: 33813690 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00543-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Disseminated cryptococcosis primarily affects immunosuppressed patients and has a poor outcome if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Skin lesions are rarely manifest causing misdiagnosis. We present a case of cryptococcal cellulitis with severe pain in a kidney transplant recipient on long-term immunosuppressive therapy. Multiple organs were involved, and there was cutaneous dissemination of the lesions. Histopathology revealed abundant yeast-like cells with wide capsular halos in subcutaneous tissue, suggesting Cryptococcus spp. infection. Laser capture microdissection (LCM)-PCR on skin biopsies confirmed Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii. A literature review of 17 cases of disseminated cryptococcosis with cutaneous cellulitis or panniculitis in HIV-negative individuals found that over half the patients (52.9%, 9/17) had a history of glucocorticoid therapy, and that the most common site was the legs (76.5%, 13/17). C. neoformans was the main pathogenic species, accounting for 88.2% (15/17) of cases. Fungal cellulitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of cellulitis that fails to respond to antimicrobial therapy in HIV-negative immunosuppressed individuals. Non-culture-based molecular techniques aid in rapid pathogen identification in histologically positive, unculturable specimens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yinggai Song
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100034, China
- Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis of Dermatoses, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100034, China
- Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis of Dermatoses, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - G Sybren de Hoog
- Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Center of Expertise in Mycology of Radboud University Medical Center / Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruoyu Li
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100034, China.
- Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis of Dermatoses, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
162
|
Rojo-Martin MD, de Toro Peinado I, Ruiz Mesa JD, Palop Borrás B. Cryptococcal infection in renal transplant: two case reports and a literature review. Rev Esp Quimioter 2021; 34:158-161. [PMID: 33639642 PMCID: PMC8019466 DOI: 10.37201/req/123.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M D Rojo-Martin
- Maria Dolores Rojo Martin, Microbiology Department, Universitary Regional Hospital of Malaga. 29010, Malaga. Spain.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
163
|
da Silva TA, Hauser PJ, Bandey I, Laskowski T, Wang Q, Najjar AM, Kumaresan PR. Glucuronoxylomannan in the Cryptococcus species capsule as a target for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy. Cytotherapy 2021; 23:119-130. [PMID: 33303326 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS The genus Cryptococcus comprises two major fungal species that cause clinical infections in humans: Cryptococcus gattii and Cryptococcus neoformans. To establish invasive human disease, inhaled cryptococci must penetrate the lung tissue and reproduce. Each year, about 1 million cases of Cryptococcus infection are reported worldwide, and the infection's mortality rate ranges from 20% to 70%. Many HIV+/AIDS patients are affected by Cryptococcus infections, with 220,000 cases of cryptococcal meningitis reported worldwide in this population every year (C. neoformans infection statistics, via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/cryptococcosis-neoformans/statistics.html). To escape from host immune cell attack, Cryptococcus covers itself in a sugar-based capsule composed primarily of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM). To evade phagocytosis, yeast cells increase to a >45-µm perimeter and become titan, or giant, cells. Cryptococci virulence is directly proportional to the percentage of titan/giant cells present during Cryptococcus infection. To combat cryptococcosis, the authors propose the redirection of CD8+ T cells to target the GXM in the capsule via expression of a GXM-specific chimeric antigen receptor (GXMR-CAR). RESULTS GXMR-CAR has an anti-GXM single-chain variable fragment followed by an IgG4 stalk in the extracellular domain, a CD28 transmembrane domain and CD28 and CD3-ς signaling domains. After lentiviral transduction of human T cells with the GXMR-CAR construct, flow cytometry demonstrated that 82.4% of the cells expressed GXMR-CAR on their surface. To determine whether the GXMR-CAR+ T cells exhibited GXM-specific recognition, these cells were incubated with GXM for 24 h and examined with the use of brightfield microscopy. Large clusters of proliferating GXMR-CAR+ T cells were observed in GXM-treated cells, whereas no clusters were observed in control cells. Moreover, the interaction of GXM with GXMR-CAR+ T cells was detected via flow cytometry by using a GXM-specific antibody, and the recognition of GXM by GXMR-CAR T cells triggered the secretion of granzyme and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). The ability of GXMR-CAR T cells to bind to the yeast form of C. neoformans was detected by fluorescent microscopy, but no binding was detected in mock-transduced control T cells (NoDNA T cells). Moreover, lung tissue sections were stained with Gomori Methenamine Silver and evaluated by NanoZoomer (Hamamatsu), revealing a significantly lower number of titan cells, with perimeters ranging from 50 to 130 µm and giant cells >130 µm in the CAR T-cell treated group when compared with other groups. Therefore, the authors validated the study's hypothesis by the redirection of GXMR-CAR+ T cells to target GXM, which induces the secretion of cytotoxic granules and IFN-γ that will aid in the control of cryptococcosis CONCLUSIONS: Thus, these findings reveal that GXMR-CAR+ T cells can target C. neoformans. Future studies will be focused on determining the therapeutic efficacy of GXMR-CAR+ T cells in an animal model of cryptococcosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Aparecido da Silva
- Deparment of Pediatric Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paul J Hauser
- Deparment of Pediatric Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Irfan Bandey
- Deparment of Pediatric Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tamara Laskowski
- Deparment of Pediatric Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Amer M Najjar
- Deparment of Pediatric Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Pappanaicken R Kumaresan
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
164
|
Gonçalves DDS, Rodriguez de La Noval C, Ferreira MDS, Honorato L, Araújo GRDS, Frases S, Pizzini CV, Nosanchuk JD, Cordero RJB, Rodrigues ML, Peralta JM, Nimrichter L, Guimarães AJ. Histoplasma capsulatum Glycans From Distinct Genotypes Share Structural and Serological Similarities to Cryptococcus neoformans Glucuronoxylomannan. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:565571. [PMID: 33585262 PMCID: PMC7874066 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.565571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell wall is a ubiquitous structure in the fungal kingdom, with some features varying depending on the species. Additional external structures can be present, such as the capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn), its major virulence factor, mainly composed of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), with anti-phagocytic and anti-inflammatory properties. The literature shows that other cryptococcal species and even more evolutionarily distant species, such as the Trichosporon asahii, T. mucoides, and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis can produce GXM-like polysaccharides displaying serological reactivity to GXM-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and these complex polysaccharides have similar composition and anti-phagocytic properties to cryptococcal GXM. Previously, we demonstrated that the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc) incorporates, surface/secreted GXM of Cn and the surface accumulation of the polysaccharide enhances Hc virulence in vitro and in vivo. In this work, we characterized the ability of Hc to produce cellular-attached (C-gly-Hc) and secreted (E-gly) glycans with reactivity to GXM mAbs. These C-gly-Hc are readily incorporated on the surface of acapsular Cn cap59; however, in contrast to Cn GXM, C-gly-Hc had no xylose and glucuronic acid in its composition. Mapping of recognized Cn GXM synthesis/export proteins confirmed the presence of orthologs in the Hc database. Evaluation of C-gly and E-gly of Hc from strains of distinct monophyletic clades showed serological reactivity to GXM mAbs, despite slight differences in their molecular dimensions. These C-gly-Hc and E-gly-Hc also reacted with sera of cryptococcosis patients. In turn, sera from histoplasmosis patients recognized Cn glycans, suggesting immunogenicity and the presence of cross-reacting antibodies. Additionally, C-gly-Hc and E-gly-Hc coated Cn cap59 were more resistant to phagocytosis and macrophage killing. C-gly-Hc and E-gly-Hc coated Cn cap59 were also able to kill larvae of Galleria mellonella. These GXM-like Hc glycans, as well as those produced by other pathogenic fungi, may also be important during host-pathogen interactions, and factors associated with their regulation are potentially important targets for the management of histoplasmosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego de Souza Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Imunologia das Micoses, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
- Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudia Rodriguez de La Noval
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Imunologia das Micoses, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marina da Silva Ferreira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Imunologia das Micoses, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leandro Honorato
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Glauber Ribeiro de Sousa Araújo
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Susana Frases
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudia Vera Pizzini
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Joshua D. Nosanchuk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Division of infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Radames J. B. Cordero
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Marcio L. Rodrigues
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - José Mauro Peralta
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Nimrichter
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Allan J. Guimarães
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Imunologia das Micoses, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
165
|
Velasco-de Andrés M, Català C, Casadó-Llombart S, Martínez-Florensa M, Simões I, García-Luna J, Mourglia-Ettlin G, Zaragoza Ó, Carreras E, Lozano F. The Lymphocytic Scavenger Receptor CD5 Shows Therapeutic Potential in Mouse Models of Fungal Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 65:e01103-20. [PMID: 33046489 PMCID: PMC7927855 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01103-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal diseases represent an unmet clinical need that could benefit from novel immunotherapeutic approaches. Host pattern recognition receptors (e.g., Toll-like receptors, C-type lectins, or scavenger receptors) that sense conserved fungal cell wall constituents may provide suitable immunotherapeutic antifungal agents. Thus, we explored the therapeutic potential of the lymphocyte class I scavenger receptor CD5, a nonredundant component of the antifungal host immune response that binds to fungal β-glucans. Antifungal properties of the soluble ectodomain of human CD5 (shCD5) were assessed in vivo in experimental models of systemic fungal infection induced by pathogenic species (Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans). In vitro mechanistic studies were performed by means of fungus-spleen cell cocultures. shCD5-induced survival of lethally infected mice was dose and time dependent and concomitant with reduced fungal load and increased leukocyte infiltration in the primary target organ. Additive effects were observed in vivo after shCD5 was combined with suboptimal doses of fluconazole. Ex vivo addition of shCD5 to fungus-spleen cell cocultures increased the release of proinflammatory cytokines involved in antifungal defense (tumor necrosis factor alpha and gamma interferon) and reduced the number of viable C. albicans organisms. The results prompt further exploration of the adjunctive therapeutic potential of shCD5 in severe invasive fungal diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Velasco-de Andrés
- Immunoreceptors of the Innate and Adaptive System, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Català
- Immunoreceptors of the Innate and Adaptive System, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Casadó-Llombart
- Immunoreceptors of the Innate and Adaptive System, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mario Martínez-Florensa
- Immunoreceptors of the Innate and Adaptive System, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Inês Simões
- Immunoreceptors of the Innate and Adaptive System, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquín García-Luna
- Área Inmunología, Facultad de Química/Facultad de Ciencias, DEPBIO/IQB, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gustavo Mourglia-Ettlin
- Área Inmunología, Facultad de Química/Facultad de Ciencias, DEPBIO/IQB, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Óscar Zaragoza
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Esther Carreras
- Immunoreceptors of the Innate and Adaptive System, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Lozano
- Immunoreceptors of the Innate and Adaptive System, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Servei d'Immunologia, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Biomedicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
166
|
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) infections continue to be associated with significant neurological morbidity and mortality despite various existing therapies. Adjunctive steroid therapy has been employed clinically to reduce inflammation in the treatment of CNS infections across various causative pathogens. Steroid therapy can potentially improve clinical outcomes including reducing mortality rates, provide no significant benefit, or cause worsened outcomes, based on the causative agent of infection. The data on benefits or harms of adjunctive steroid therapy is not consistent in outcome or density through CNS infections, and varies based on the disease diagnosis and pathogen. We summarize the existing literature on the effects of adjunctive steroid therapy on outcome for a number of CNS infections, including bacterial meningitis, herpes simplex virus, West Nile virus, tuberculosis meningitis, cryptococcal meningitis, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, neurocysticercosis, autoimmune encephalitis, toxoplasmosis, and bacterial brain abscess. We describe that while steroid therapy is beneficial and supported in pathogens such as pneumococcal meningitis and tuberculosis, for other diseases, like Listeria monocytogenes and Cryptococcus neoformans they are associated with worse outcomes. We highlight areas of consistent and proven findings and those which need more evidence for supported beneficial clinical use of adjunctive steroid therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rodrigo Hasbun
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Health McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
167
|
Vélez N, Escandón P. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of clinical and environmental isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii in six departments of Colombia reveals high genetic diversity. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2020; 53:e20190422. [PMID: 32935773 PMCID: PMC7491559 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0422-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The average annual incidence of cryptococcosis in Colombia is 0.23 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the general population, and 1.1 cases per 1000 in inhabitants with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). In addition, the causal fungus has been isolated from the environment, with serotypes A-B and C in different regions. This study aims to determine the genetic association between clinical and environmental isolates of C. neoformans/C. gattii in Colombia. METHODS Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used to identify possible clones, providing information about the epidemiology, ecology, and etiology of this pathogen in Colombia. RESULTS A total of 110 strains, both clinical (n=61) and environmental (n=49), with 21 MLST sequence types (ST) of C. neoformans (n=14STs) and C. gattii (n=7STs) were identified. The STs which shared clinical and environmental isolate sources were grouped in different geographical categories; for C. neoformans, ST93 was identified in six departments, ST77 in five departments; and for C. gattii, ST25 was identified in three departments and ST79 in two. CONCLUSIONS High genetic diversity was found in isolates of C. neoformans/gattii by MLST, suggesting the presence of environmental sources harboring strains which may be sources of infection for humans, especially in immunocompromised patients; these data contribute to the information available in the country on the distribution and molecular variability of C. neoformans and C. gattii isolates recovered in Colombia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Norida Vélez
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Patricia Escandón
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
168
|
Al-Najjar H, Al-Rousan N. Are Italy and Iran really suffering from COVID-19 epidemic? A controversial study. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24:4519-4522. [PMID: 32373989 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202004_21034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The number of global COVID-19 infected cases is increased rapidly to exceed 370 thousand. COVID-19 is transmitted between humans through direct contact and touching dirty surfaces. This paper aims to find the similarity between DNA sequences of COVID-19 in different countries, and to compare these sequences with three different diseases [HIV, Hand-Foot-Mouth disease (HFMD), and Cryptococcus]. The study used pairwise distance, maximum likelihood tree, and similarity between amino acid to find the results. The results showed that different three main types of viruses namely, COVID-19 are found. The virus in both Italy and Iran is not similar to COVID-19 in China and USA. While, two viruses were spread in Wuhan (before and after December 26, 2019). Besides Cryptococcus and HFMD are found as dominant diseases with Group 1 and Group 3, respectively. Authors claim that the current virus in Italy and Iran that killed thousands of people is not COVID-19 based on the available data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Al-Najjar
- Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Istanbul Gelisim University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | | |
Collapse
|
169
|
Sah R, Jaiswal A, Singla S, Prakash AK, Mittal SK, Aggarwal A, Singh S, Neupane S, Sah S, Sah R, Neumayr A. Pulmonary cryptococcosis: Report of the first confirmed autochthonous case in Nepal. Acta Trop 2020; 202:105205. [PMID: 31580849 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We report a case of cryptococcal pneumonia in a 53 years old female Nepali patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus type 2 who empirically received multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics and standard anti-tubercular treatment as well as glucocorticosteroids for suspected sarcoidosis before the diagnosis was finally established. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed autochthonous case of cryptococcosis reported from Nepal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ranjit Sah
- Department of Internal Medicine (Division of Infectious Disease), Medanta The Medicity, Gurgaon, India; Infectious Disease Fellowship, Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University and Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal.
| | - Anand Jaiswal
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Medanta The Medicity, Gurgaon, India
| | - Sonam Singla
- Department of Microbiology, Medanta The Medicity, Gurgaon, India
| | - Ashish Kumar Prakash
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Medanta The Medicity, Gurgaon, India
| | - Sandeep Kumar Mittal
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Medanta The Medicity, Gurgaon, India
| | - Ankit Aggarwal
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Medanta The Medicity, Gurgaon, India
| | - Shubhank Singh
- Department of Internal Medicine (Division of Infectious Disease), Medanta The Medicity, Gurgaon, India
| | - Samikshya Neupane
- Infectious Disease Fellowship, Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University and Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Sanjit Sah
- Infectious Disease Fellowship, Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University and Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Ranjana Sah
- Infectious Disease Fellowship, Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University and Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Andreas Neumayr
- Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
170
|
Silva THS, Araújo CV, Santos KMDC, Alves NDS, Gomes THS, Silva AKFE, Silva NCLDS, Damasceno ECB, de Carvalho AMA, Mendes MGA, Caminha HB, Daboit TC, Ferreira TB, Andrade-Silva LE, Silva-Vergara ML, Ferreira-Paim K, Fonseca FM. Synergic effect of simvastatin in combination with amphotericin B against environmental strains of Cryptococcus neoformans from northeastern Brazil: a prospective experimental study. SAO PAULO MED J 2020; 138:40-46. [PMID: 32321104 PMCID: PMC9673851 DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2019.0107.r2.16092019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Statins are used as cholesterol-lowering drugs and may also have direct antimicrobial effects. OBJECTIVE To evaluate synergic interactions between simvastatin and both amphotericin B and fluconazole, against environmental strains of Cryptococcus neoformans isolated from captive birds' droppings. DESIGNAND SETTING Experimental study conducted at Federal University of Piauí, Parnaíba, in collaboration with Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil. METHODS Statin susceptibility tests of Cryptococcus neoformans samples were performed as prescribed in standards. Interactions of simvastatin with amphotericin and fluconazole were evaluated using the checkerboard microdilution method. Presence of these interactions was quantitatively detected through determining the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI). RESULTS Isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans were obtained from 30 of the 206 samples of dry bird excreta (14.5%) that were collected from pet shops and houses. Ten isolates were selected for susceptibility tests. All of them were susceptible to amphotericin and fluconazole. All presented minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) > 128 µg/ml and, thus, were resistant in vitro to simvastatin. An in vitro synergic effect was shown through combined testing of amphotericin B and simvastatin, such that six isolates (60%) presented FICI < 0.500. Two isolates showed considerable reductions in MIC, from 1 µg/ml to 0.250 µg/ml. No synergic effect was observed through combining fluconazole and simvastatin. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that simvastatin should be considered to be a therapeutic alternative, capable of potentiating the action of amphotericin B. However, further studies are necessary to clarify the real effect of simvastatin as an antifungal agent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Henrique Barros Caminha
- MSc. Doctoral Student, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Parnaíba (PI), Brazil.
| | - Tatiane Caroline Daboit
- PhD. Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Parnaíba (PI), Brazil.
| | - Thatiana Bragine Ferreira
- MSc. Doctoral Student, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba (MG), Brazil.
| | | | - Mario León Silva-Vergara
- PhD. Associate Professor, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba (MG), Brazil.
| | - Kennio Ferreira-Paim
- PhD. Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba (MG), Brazil.
| | - Fernanda Machado Fonseca
- PhD. Associate Professor, Department of Biomedicine, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba (MG), Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
171
|
Zhao Y, Liang W, Cai F, Wu Q, Wang Y. Fluconazole for Hypercortisolism in Cushing's Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:608886. [PMID: 33391186 PMCID: PMC7774647 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.608886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cushing's disease is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary fungal infection, which could be a relative contraindication for pituitary adenoma excision surgery. CASE We report a case of a patient with Cushing's disease and pulmonary Cryptococcus neoformans. A 48-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of moon face and edema. Laboratory and radiological findings suggested a diagnosis of Cushing's disease and pulmonary cryptococcus infection. Fluconazole 400 mg per day was administered intravenously and continued orally for 3 months. Both cryptococcus infection and hypercortisolism relieved and transsphenoidal resection was performed. CONCLUSION Cushing's disease can be effectively treated with fluconazole to normalize cortisol concentration prior to pituitary surgery. Fluconazole is an alternative treatment especially in Cushing's disease patients with cryptococcal pneumonia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Zhao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weiwei Liang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feng Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qun Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongjian Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yongjian Wang,
| |
Collapse
|
172
|
Tóthóvá M, Nováková D, Rogozánová K, Piesecká Ľ. [Cryptococcal meningitis in an immunocompetent patient - a case report]. Klin Mikrobiol Infekc Lek 2019; 25:89-91. [PMID: 31904103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningitis is a severe neurological infection caused by the yeast Cryptococcus neoformans. It often occurs as an opportunistic infection; rarely, it may be seen in healthy people as well. The most common source of the infection is inhalation of infected bird droppings. The cryptococci may persist in the lungs and nearby lymph nodes for a long time. There are no or mild clinical manifestations of the pulmonary infection. The disease often manifests only after the cryptococci penetrate into the CNS. The case report documents the development of cryptococcal meningitis in an immunocompetent patient. It was diagnosed by microscopic detection of the yeast in the cerebrospinal fluid. The finding was confirmed by detecting cryptococcal DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid and culture. Despite immediate initiation of antifungal therapy and intensive care, the patient died.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melinda Tóthóvá
- Institute of Microbiology, Faculty Hospital with Policlinic, Nove Zamky, Slovak Republic, e-mail:
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
173
|
Bastos RW, Freitas GJC, Carneiro HCS, Oliveira LVN, Gouveia-Eufrasio L, Santos APN, Moyrand F, Maufrais C, Janbon G, Santos DA. From the environment to the host: How non-azole agrochemical exposure affects the antifungal susceptibility and virulence of Cryptococcus gattii. Sci Total Environ 2019; 681:516-523. [PMID: 31121401 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Agrochemicals such as the non-azoles, used to improve crop productivity, poses severe undesirable effects on the environment and human health. In addition, they induce cross-resistance (CR) with clinical drugs in pathogenic fungi. However, till date emphasis has been given to the role of azoles on the induction of CR. Herein, we analyzed the effect of a non-azole agrochemical, pyraclostrobin (PCT), on the antifungal susceptibility and virulence of the human and animal pathogens Cryptococcus gattii and C. neoformans. We determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fluconazole (FLC), itraconazole, ravuconazole, amphotericin B, and PCT on colonies: (i) that were not exposed to PCT (non-adapted-NA-cultures), (ii) were exposed at the maximum concentration of PCT (adapted-A-cultures) and (iii) the adapted colonies after cultivation 10 times in PCT-free media (10 passages-10p-cultures). Our results showed that exposure to PCT induced both temporary and permanent CR to clinical azoles in a temperature-dependent manner. With the objective to understand the mechanism of induction of CR through non-azoles, the transcriptomes of NA and 10p cells from C. gattii R265 were analyzed. The transcriptomic analysis showed that expression of the efflux-pump genes (AFR1 and MDR1) and PCT target was higher in resistant 10p cells than that in NA. Moreover, the virulence of 10p cells was reduced as compared to NA cells in mice, as observed by the differential gene expression analysis of genes related to ion-metabolism. Additionally, we observed that FLC could not increase the survival rate of mice infected with 10p cells, confirming the occurrence of permanent CR in vivo. The findings of the present study demonstrate that the non-azole agrochemical PCT can induce permanent CR to clinical antifungals through increased expression of efflux pump genes in resistant cells and that such phenomenon also manifests in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Wesley Bastos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gustavo José Cota Freitas
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Hellem Cristina Silva Carneiro
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lorena Vívien Neves Oliveira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ludmila Gouveia-Eufrasio
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Anderson Philip Nonato Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | - Guilhem Janbon
- Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Daniel Assis Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
174
|
Abstract
Concomitant influenza and cryptococcal infections are rare. Herein, we describe an unusual case of an avian influenza A (H7N9) infection with several severe mixed bacterial infections and systemic super-infection with Cryptococcus neoformans presenting as ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and bloodstream infection in a previously immunocompetent man during hospitalization.A 58-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of hyperpyrexia, dyspnoea, cough, and phlegm with blood. A chest computed tomography scan revealed multiple ground-glass opacities and consolidation in both lungs with right pleural effusion. An initial sputum test was positive for influenza A (H7N9) virus. After antiviral treatment and other supportive measures, the patient's condition improved. However, the patient's condition deteriorated again approximately 2 weeks after admission, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood cultures were positive for C. neoformans. Therapy with intravenous liposomal amphotericin B and fluconazole was started. After a 2-week antifungal treatment, BALF and blood cultures were negative for C. neoformans. However, the patient had persistent lung infiltrates with severe pulmonary fibrosis with a prolonged course of disease. On hospital day 40, BALF and blood cultures were both positive for multidrug-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Finally, the patient developed septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multi-organ failure and succumbed to treatment failure.Cryptococcal infection can occur in patients with severe influenza during hospitalization with a more severe condition, and the clinician should be aware of this infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinbao Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
| | - Hongyan Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
| | | | - Shenghua Zou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fuzhou Pulmonary Hospital of Fujian, Educational Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | | | - Xinhang Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
| | - Heng Weng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
| |
Collapse
|
175
|
Abstract
RATIONALE Aspergillus and Cryptococcus exposure can cause serious secondary infections in human lungs, especially in immunocompromised patients or in conjunction with a chronic disease caused by low disease resistance. Primary invasive fungal infections are clinically rare; therefore, coexistence of 2 fungi at an infection site is uncommon. This paper reports a case of healthy male who was diagnosed with both Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus infections. PATIENT CONCERNS A healthy 33-year-old male office worker was admitted to the Second Hospital of Jilin University for hemoptysis. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed a cavity, which was formed by the thick dorsal wall of the lower left lobe with an irregular inner wall and burr changes around the lesion. INTERVENTION After 1.0 week of antibiotic and antituberculosis treatment, the hemoptysis symptoms remained. A resection of the left lower lobe was performed. DIAGNOSES The postoperative pathological reports indicated the presence of both Aspergillus and Cryptococcus. The 2 fungal lesions were separate but within the same location. OUTCOMES After treatment, the patient no longer had hemoptysis. LESSONS The current study indicated that fungi can infect not only immunocompromised patients but also healthy people, and that there can be 2 separate fungal infections at the same infection site.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
| | - Zhaoyong Wang
- Department of Pathology, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yuqiu Hao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
| | - Tong Xin
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
| | - Mo Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
| | - Peng Gao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
| |
Collapse
|
176
|
Morse JC, Gelbard A. Laryngeal Cryptococcoma Resulting in Airway Compromise in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report. Laryngoscope 2018; 129:926-929. [PMID: 30152047 DOI: 10.1002/lary.27456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a yeast than can result in isolated or disseminated infections. This case report describes an immunocompetent patient presenting with airway obstruction secondary to laryngeal crypotococcoma, mimicking a laryngeal malignancy, and describes associated management. A 68-year-old immunocompetent female with a new positron emission tomography-avid laryngeal lesion was intubated after acute respiratory decompensation. Airway evaluation revealed diffuse mucosal changes throughout the endolarynx with significant loss of normal native tissue architecture. Operative biopsy confirmed infection of C neoformans. The patient was treated with extended-course fluconazole. This case reinforces characteristic physical and histologic findings described for laryngeal cryptococcal infection. Laryngoscope, 129:926-929, 2019.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin C Morse
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A
| | - Alexander Gelbard
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
177
|
Fang QQ, Jiang W, Feng P, Chen LY. [Clinical Comparative Analysis of Cryptococcus neoformans Meningitis Between Patients with and without AIDS]. Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2018; 49:459-462. [PMID: 30014651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes between HIV and non-HIV patients with Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis (CNM). METHODS A total of 73 patients with CNM (30 patients without HIV and 43 with HIV) were admitted from January 2012 to January 2017. The clinical manifestations,biochemical and microbiological characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were collected and analyzed. RESULTS The patients in the two group displayed non-specific symptoms such as headache,fever,nausea and vomiting. Non-HIV CNM patients had more serious inflammatory reaction with higher karyocytes and protein level (P=0.000,P=0.041,respectively),while had lowere positive rate of primary ink staining in cerebrospinal fluid (70.0% vs. 93.0%,P=0.009),higher misdiagnosis rate (43.3% vs. 14.0%,P=0.005),longer hospitalization duration [(112.27±105.42) d vs. (52.64±39.17) d,P=0.021],higher adverse reactions rate of antifungal treatment was (80.0% vs. 30.2%,P=0.000). However,in HIV CNM patients,40 (93.0%) patients did not receive antiviral therapy before and were diagnosed as AIDS for the first time; the therapeutic effect in this group was very poor with higher mortality (30.2% vs. 13.4%,P=0.000). CONCLUSION Immunity status should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of CNM,since it is difficult to diagnose with long treatment period and poor prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Qing Fang
- Center of Infectious Disease,West China Hospital,Sichuan University,Chengdu 610041,China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Center of Infectious Disease,West China Hospital,Sichuan University,Chengdu 610041,China
| | - Ping Feng
- Center of Infectious Disease,West China Hospital,Sichuan University,Chengdu 610041,China
| | - Li-Yu Chen
- Center of Infectious Disease,West China Hospital,Sichuan University,Chengdu 610041,China
| |
Collapse
|
178
|
Abstract
Inositol pyrophosphates (PP-IPs) are energy-rich small molecules that are omnipresent in eukaryotic cells, from yeast to mammals, playing central roles in overall cellular homeostasis as a diverse and multifaceted class of intracellular messengers. Recent studies of the metabolic pathways and physiological roles of PP-IPs in the human pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans have revealed that the PP-IP5 (IP7) is a key metabolite essential for fungal metabolic adaptation to the host environment, immune recognition, and pathogenicity. This suggests the PP-IP biosynthesis pathway, comprising phospholipase C1 (Plc1) and a series of sequentially acting inositol polyphosphate kinases (IPKs), as a new virulence-related signaling pathway in C. neoformans. Given that fungal species have a reduced array of the kinases required for the synthesis of PP-IPs and that the homology between human and fungal IPKs is restricted to a few catalytically important residues, identification of IPK inhibitors specifically targeting the kinases of pathogenic fungi has emerged as a desirable and achievable strategy for antifungal drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Ah Kang
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
179
|
Liu Y, Feng M, Yao Y, Deng K, Bao X, Liu X, Wang R. Cryptococcal meningitis after transnasal transsphenoidal pituitary microsurgery of ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e7124. [PMID: 28700464 PMCID: PMC5515736 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000007124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Microbial infection should be regarded in the differential diagnosis of neurosurgical complications after transnasal transsphenoidal pituitary microsurgery, albeit cryptococcal meningitis is rare. This article will discuss the risk factors of cryptococcal meningitis in patients underwent transnasal transsphenoidal pituitary microsurgery, and summary the potential origins of infection. PATIENT CONCERNS AND DIAGNOSIS Here, we report a case of 37-year-old male who had cryptococcal meningitis after transnasal transsphenoidal pituitary microsurgery of a relapsing ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma. INTERVENTION Standard therapy for Cryptococcus neoformans (fluconazole [400 mg per day] and flucytosine) was administered and followed by maintenance dose. OUTCOMES The patient had been on treatment for one and a half years during follow-up and reported neurologically well with repeated negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture until sudden death of heart arrest. MAIN LESSONS TO LEARN C neoformans can be a possible cause of meningitis in immunocompetent patients after transnasal transsphenoidal pituitary microsurgery. Risk factors, such as pre-existed pulmonary infection and Cushing-associated hypercortisolemia, should be stressed. Promising preventive measures may include preoperative routine sputum smear and India-ink stain for screening, preoperative treatment of cryptococcal pneumonia, postoperative antibiotic management, and a more secure skull base reconstruction. Radiation and pharmaceutical treatment may be alternative for recurrent Cushing disease.
Collapse
|
180
|
Madueño A, Hernandez-Porto M, Alonso Socas MM, Lecuona M. [Clinical significance of Cryptococcus neoformans in faeces of an AIDS patient]. Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30:140-141. [PMID: 28198172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Madueño
- Ana Madueño, Servicio de Microbiología y Control de la Infección del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Canarias. Ofra s/n, La Laguna, CP 38320, S/C de Tenerife, Spain.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
181
|
Zhu TH, Rodriguez PG, Behan JW, Declerck B, Kim GH. Cryptococcal cellulitis on the shin of an immunosuppressed patient. Dermatol Online J 2016; 22:13030/qt2hs2s4nb. [PMID: 27617599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a common fungus found throughout the environment that causes opportunistic disease in immunocompromised individuals. Infection of humans with C neoformans usually manifests as lung disease through inhalation of spores or meningoencephalitis by involvement of the central nervous system. Rarely, dissemination in the form of cutaneous lesions can occur in individuals with long term immunosuppression. We present a patient with C. neoformans manifesting as cellulitis with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis treated with corticosteroids. Because of the mortality associated with disseminated cryptococcosis, early identification, especially of atypical cutaneous presentations is critical from a dermatological perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Gene H Kim
- Departments of Dermatology University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California.
| |
Collapse
|
182
|
Khan AA, Jabeen M, Alanazi AM, Khan AA. Antifungal efficacy of amphotericin B encapsulated fibrin microsphere for treating Cryptococcus neoformans infection in Swiss albino mice. Braz J Infect Dis 2016; 20:342-8. [PMID: 27294976 PMCID: PMC9427606 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2016.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 03/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A natural and biocompatible fibrin microsphere is one of the most promising dual delivery vehicle as compared to other traditionally designed delivery modalities. It represents sustained delivery of encapsulated drug and is easily biodegradable in the blood circulation. In the present study, we evaluated the systemic augmentation of the antifungal activity of amphotericin B loaded in fibrin microsphere (AMB-fibrin microsphere) against cryptococcosis in Swiss albino mice. Mice infected with Cryptococcus neoformans were treated with 0.5mg/kg AMB-fibrin microsphere that was given alternately for 7 days. The antifungal potential of AMB-fibrin microsphere was assessed on the basis of reduction of cfu count in the systemic circulation and various vital organs of infected mice. The formulation was found to be highly effective in reducing intracellular pathogen from the experimental animals where fibrin microsphere significantly controlled the release of amphotericin B for longer time duration. The AMB-fibrin microsphere chemotherapy was significantly more effective than free amphotericin B in reducing the fungal burden and showed better survival efficacy (p<0.05). The current study demonstrating the use of novel amphotericin B loaded fibrin microsphere not only imparts protection to the encapsulated amphotericin B but also offers an effective strategy to decrease the drug associated toxicities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Azmat Ali Khan
- King Saud University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Laboratory, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mumtaz Jabeen
- Aligarh Muslim University, Department of Zoology, Section of Genetics, Aligarh, India
| | - Amer M Alanazi
- King Saud University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Laboratory, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul Arif Khan
- King Saud University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
183
|
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients, with vertebral osteomyelitis being a very rare involvement.This study is to present a case of thoracolumbar scoliosis occurring in the setting of cryptococcal osteomyelitis.Pharmacological intervention with anticryptococcal medicine and medical management of immune hemolytic anemia were administered. After initial acute stabilization, she underwent spinal debridement and fusion on October 29, 2008. She eventually recovered fully from this episode with no subsequent mechanical instability or neurological deficits on subsequent clinic follow-ups.To the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports describing the onset of spinal cryptococcal osteomyelitis along with immune hemolytic anemia. We suggest a comprehensive algorithm for the diagnosis of vertebral cryptococcal osteomyelitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Li
- From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
184
|
Béogo R, Andonaba JB, Bamba S, Konségré V, Diallo B, Traoré A. [Cryptococcosis: a potential aetiology of facial ulceration]. J Mycol Med 2016; 24:e185-8. [PMID: 25442912 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2014.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Revised: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Cutaneous cryptococcosis is an uncommon aetiology of chronic facial ulceration but which may be associated to a potentially lethal focus of cryptococcosis. OBSERVATION A 35-year-old AIDS patient under antiretroviral therapy, presented with a chronic facial ulceration. Histopathological examination of a biopsy of the facial ulceration showed an inflammatory granuloma and masses of yeasts. Mycological culture of the cerebrospinal fluid revealed Cryptococcus neoformans. The diagnosis of AIDS-related cutaneous cryptococcosis of the face and cryptococcal meningitis was concluded. DISCUSSION Cryptococcosis should be thought as a potential aetiology of a chronic facial ulceration in an AIDS patient. Screening of other foci of the cryptococcosis such as that of the central nervous system is mandatory. Mycological examinations are of great interest for the diagnosis in rare resources setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Béogo
- Service de stomatologie et de chirurgie maxillo-faciale, CHU Sanou Souro, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
| | - J-B Andonaba
- Service de dermatologie et de vénérologie, CHU Sanou Souro, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - S Bamba
- Laboratoire de parasitologie et de mycologie, CHU Sanou Souro, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - V Konségré
- Laboratoire de cytologie et d'anatomie pathologique, CHU Sanou Souro, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - B Diallo
- Service de dermatologie et de vénérologie, CHU Sanou Souro, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - A Traoré
- Service de dermatologie et de vénérologie, CHU Yalgado, Ouédraogo, Burkina Faso
| |
Collapse
|
185
|
Orsini J, Blaak C, Tam E, Rajayer S, Morante J. Disseminated Cryptococcal Infection Resulting in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) as the Initial Clinical Presentation of AIDS. Intern Med 2016; 55:995-8. [PMID: 27086819 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.5768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a cosmopolitan but rare opportunistic mycosis which is usually caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. Although the most common and worrisome disease manifestation is meningoencephalitis, pulmonary cryptococcosis has the potential to be lethal. The diagnosis of cryptococcal pneumonia is challenging, given its non-specific clinical and radiographic features. Respiratory failure leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome as a consequence of cryptococcal disease has been infrequently addressed in the literature. We herein present a case of disseminated cryptococcal infection leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome, refractory shock, and multiorgan dysfunction as the initial clinical manifestation in a patient who was newly diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose Orsini
- Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
186
|
Abstract
We herein report the case of a 63-year-old man who presented with a 3-month history of a cutaneous nodular lesion of his jaw, low grade fever, lethargy and progressive cognitive impairment. He had a 30-year history of multiple sclerosis and had been treated with fingolimod for the previous 2 years. Laboratory data revealed CD4 lymphocytopenia and a tissue culture of the skin nodule was positive for Cryptococcus neoformans. Cerebrospinal fluid and serum cryptococcal antigen tests were also positive and we diagnosed him to have disseminated cryptococcosis. This dissemination might be associated with fingolimod-induced CD4 lymphocytopenia. The risk of an opportunistic infection should therefore be considered when encountering fingolimod-treated patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Seto
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kobe University Hospital, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
187
|
Dotta L, Scomodon O, Padoan R, Timpano S, Plebani A, Soresina A, Lougaris V, Concolino D, Nicoletti A, Giardino G, Licari A, Marseglia G, Pignata C, Tamassia N, Facchetti F, Vairo D, Badolato R. Clinical heterogeneity of dominant chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis disease: presenting as treatment-resistant candidiasis and chronic lung disease. Clin Immunol 2015; 164:1-9. [PMID: 26732859 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2015.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Revised: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In gain-of-function STAT1 mutations, chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis disease (CMCD) represents the phenotypic manifestation of a complex immunodeficiency characterized by clinical and immunological heterogeneity. We aimed to study clinical manifestations, long-term complications, molecular basis, and immune profile of patients with dominant CMCD. We identified nine patients with heterozygous mutations in STAT1, including novel amino acid substitutions (L283M, L351F, L400V). High risk of azole-resistance was observed, particularly when intermittent regimens of antifungal treatment or use of suboptimal dosage occurs. We report a case of Cryptococcosis and various bacterial and viral infections. Risk of developing bronchiectasis in early childhood or gradually evolving to chronic lung disease in adolescent or adult ages emerges. Lymphopenia is variable, likely progressing by adulthood. We conclude that continuous antifungal prophylaxis associated to drug monitoring might prevent resistance to treatment; prompt diagnosis and therapy of lung disease might control long-term progression; careful monitoring of lymphopenia-related infections might improve prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Dotta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine "Angelo Nocivelli", University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Omar Scomodon
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine "Angelo Nocivelli", University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Rita Padoan
- Unit of Paediatric Pneumonology, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silviana Timpano
- Unit of Paediatric Pneumonology, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Plebani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine "Angelo Nocivelli", University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Annarosa Soresina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine "Angelo Nocivelli", University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Vassilios Lougaris
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine "Angelo Nocivelli", University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Concolino
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Angela Nicoletti
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giuliana Giardino
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Amelia Licari
- Department of Paediatrics, Foundation IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Marseglia
- Department of Paediatrics, Foundation IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudio Pignata
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Tamassia
- Department of Medicine, General Pathology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Fabio Facchetti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Pathology Unit, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Donatella Vairo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Raffaele Badolato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine "Angelo Nocivelli", University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
188
|
Saleem F, Fasih N, Zafar A. Cryptococcus neoformans and Streptococcus pneumoniae co-infection in post-traumatic meningitis in a patient with unknown HIV status. J PAK MED ASSOC 2015; 65:1122-1124. [PMID: 26440847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Meningitis is a serious disease associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Mixed meningeal infections due to bacteria and fungi are exceptionally rare. Here we report a case of meningeal co-infection with cryptococcus neoformans and streptococcus pneumoniae in a patient with unknown human immunodeficiency virus status. Because of the rarity of such cases, stringent screening of every cerebrospinal fluid specimen to exclude the presence of multiple pathogens is imperative. Assessment of patients for immunodeficiencies in case of isolation of an opportunistic organism like cryptococcus is also needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Faryal Saleem
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Naima Fasih
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Afia Zafar
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
189
|
Zhang LK, Qiu JW, Liang XL, Huang BY, Li Y, DU L, Long M, Luo J, Huang SH, Cao H. [Role of CD44 in monocyte transmigration across Cryptococcus neoformans-infected blood-brain barrier in vitro]. Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao 2015; 35:468-473. [PMID: 25907927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the role of CD44 in monocyte adhesion to human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) and monocyte migration across an in vitro model of blood-brain barrier (BBB) infected by Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn). METHODS An in vitro blood-brain barrier model was constructed using a transwell chamber covered with a HBMEC monolayer. The wild-type strain of Cn B4500FO2, TYCC645#32 strain with CPS1 gene deletion and PCIP strain with CPS1 complementation were chosen to infect the monolayer HBMECs. THP-1 cells were added to the upper chamber of transwell, and the relative migration rate was determined by counting the number of the cells entering the lower chambers. The inhibitory effects of anti-CD44 monoclonal antibody and the CD44 inhibitor bikunin were examined on THP-1 binding to and migration across HBMECs. RESULTS Cn infection of the HBMECs caused markedly enhanced THP-1 cell adhesion and migration across the monolyers (P<0.01) dependent on Cn concentration and exposure time. Addition of anti-CD44 monoclonal antibody and bikunin significantly lowered THP-1 adhesion and migration rates in the BBB model with Cn-infected HBMECs (P<0.01) with a dose dependence of the antibody (within 0-1 µg) and inhibitor (within 0-20 nmol/L). Both THP-1 adhesion rate and migration rate were lowered in the BBB model infected with CPS1 gene-deleted Cn but increased in the model infected with the complemented strain compared with those in the wild-type strain-infected model. CONCLUSION In the in vitro BBB model, CD44 expressed on HBMECs may play an essential role in monocyte adhesion to and migration across the BBB. The capsular hyaluronic acid may mediate Cn-induced monocyte adhesion and migration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ke Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. E-mail:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
190
|
Abstract
Background Cryptococcus neoformans is a ubiquitous environmental fungus that can cause life-threatening meningitis and fungemia, often in the presence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), liver cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, or other medical conditions. To distinguish risk factors from comorbidities, we performed a hospital-based, density-sampled, matched case-control study. Methods All new-onset cryptococcal meningitis cases and cryptococcemia cases at a university hospital in Taiwan from 2002–2010 were retrospectively identified from the computerized inpatient registry and were included in this study. Controls were selected from those hospitalized patients not experiencing cryptococcal meningitis or cryptococcemia. Controls and cases were matched by admission date, age, and gender. Conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors. Results A total of 101 patients with cryptococcal meningitis (266 controls) and 47 patients with cryptococcemia (188 controls), of whom 32 patients had both cryptococcal meningitis and cryptococcemia, were included in this study. Multivariate regression analysis showed that AIDS (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 181.4; p < 0.001), decompensated liver cirrhosis (aOR = 8.5; p = 0.008), and cell-mediated immunity (CMI)-suppressive regimens without calcineurin inhibitors (CAs) (aOR = 15.9; p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for cryptococcal meningitis. Moreover, AIDS (aOR = 216.3, p < 0.001), decompensated liver cirrhosis (aOR = 23.8; p < 0.001), CMI-suppressive regimens without CAs (aOR = 7.3; p = 0.034), and autoimmune diseases (aOR = 9.3; p = 0.038) were independent risk factors for developing cryptococcemia. On the other hand, diabetes mellitus and other medical conditions were not found to be risk factors for cryptococcal meningitis or cryptococcemia. Conclusions The findings confirm AIDS, decompensated liver cirrhosis, CMI-suppressive regimens without CAs, and autoimmune diseases are risk factors for invasive C. neoformans diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Ying Lin
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Stephanie Shiau
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Chi-Tai Fang
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
191
|
Katchanov J, von Kleist M, Arastéh K, Stocker H. 'Time-to-amphotericin B' in cryptococcal meningitis in a European low-prevalence setting: analysis of diagnostic delays. QJM 2014; 107:799-803. [PMID: 24722846 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcu077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptococcal meningitis is a rare disease in Europe, resulting in delayed recognition and slower initiation of specific treatment. AIM To analyse the time-to-treatment and the factors that delay the diagnosis and treatment in the low-prevalence setting of a European centre. DESIGN Retrospective review METHODS We reviewed full medical records of all adult patients with cryptococcal meningitis referred to an HIV centre in Berlin, Germany in 10-year period between 1st of October 2003 and 31st of September 2013. Multivariant statistics with bootstrap-resampling were performed. RESULTS We identified 19 patients with a diagnosis of HIV-related cryptococcal meningitis (0.55% of all consecutive HIV-infected patients). In almost half of our patients the diagnosis was not considered initially on admission to the secondary care centre and the first diagnostic clue being an accidental positive blood, cerebrospinal fluid or bronchoalveolar lavage culture growing Cryptococcus neoformans. The median time-to-treatment was 5 days (range: 1-16). Known positive HIV status accelerated the time-to-diagnosis (p < 0.05) by a median of 1.89 days, whereas the CSF cell count ≤ 10/µl delayed diagnosis by a median time of 1.93 days (p < 0.1). CONCLUSIONS Diagnostic delays could be avoided by encouraging practising physicians (i) to consider cryptococcal meningitis in immunosuppressed HIV-infected patients irrespective of neurological symptoms; (ii) to test for India ink, cryptococcal antigen and fungal cultures in immunosuppressed HIV-infected patients with normal CSF; (iii) to consider a possibility of underlying HIV infection in patients with unknown HIV status presenting with meningitis; and (iv) to consider early targeted HIV testing in persons at risk according to locally validated criteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Katchanov
- From the Department of Infectious Diseases, Vivantes Auguste-Viktoria Klinikum, Berlin and Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| | - M von Kleist
- From the Department of Infectious Diseases, Vivantes Auguste-Viktoria Klinikum, Berlin and Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| | - K Arastéh
- From the Department of Infectious Diseases, Vivantes Auguste-Viktoria Klinikum, Berlin and Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| | - H Stocker
- From the Department of Infectious Diseases, Vivantes Auguste-Viktoria Klinikum, Berlin and Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
192
|
Ebara N, Kobayashi N, Asaka H, Toyohara M, Yoshikawa M, Miyagawa S. Localized Cutaneous Cryptococcosis in a Patient with Chronic Myeloproliferative Disease. J Dermatol 2014; 32:674-6. [PMID: 16334871 DOI: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2005.tb00821.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
193
|
Samad I, Wang MCL, Chong VH. Intracerebral coinfection with Burkholderia pseudomallei and Cryptococcus neoformans in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 2014; 45:352-356. [PMID: 24968675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Infections are a serious complication in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. SLE patients are particularly susceptible to infection due to immune suppression from underlying disease or treatment. Most infections are due to common bacterial organisms. Clinicians also need to be aware of the possibility of polymicrobial infections as these may cause diagnostic delay and affect outcomes. We report the case of an intra-cerebral coinfection with Burkholderia pseudomallei and Cryptococcus neoformans in a 34-year-old woman with SLE. The diagnosis in this case was delayed since coinfection was not suspected.
Collapse
|
194
|
Affiliation(s)
- C-L Huang
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, No. 325, Section 2, Cheng-Kung Road, Neihu 114, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
195
|
Nair JP, Athavale AU, Gawande S, Shah U, Baldi M, Gupt V, Gavali V. Disseminated cryptococcosis with caverno-oesophageal fistula in a case of idiopathic CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia. J Assoc Physicians India 2014; 62:66-69. [PMID: 25327100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Idiopathic CD4+ T-Lymphocytopenia is a rare immunodeficiency disorder characterised by significantly low absolute CD4 lymphocytes in absence of any viral infections. We present a case of Disseminated Cryptococcosis with Caverno- Oesophageal Fistula in a case of Idiopathic CD4+ T-Lymphocytopenia. 29 year old lady was referred to Institute in view of lung mass not responding to anti-TB treatment. Subsequently patient had developed headache. Radiological evaluation showed presence of ring enhancing lesion in the occipital region. On evaluation with Fibre-optic bronchoscopy, there was no evidence of malignancy or tuberculosis. Sputum showed presence and growth of Cryptococcus neoformans. Patient's investigations were negative for virus infection, with normal immunoglobulin levels. Her CD4 counts were 129 cells/mm3. Patient was treated with injectable antifungals. Patient developed a Caverno-oesophageal fistula which was confirmed on endoscopy and radiology. Patient was managed with percutaneous jejunal feeding (PEJ). Patient improved symptomatically with CD4 count of 475 cells/mm3.
Collapse
|
196
|
Xu H, Lu HY, Ren HW. [A case of pulmonary cryptococcus neoformans infection]. Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi 2012; 30:873. [PMID: 23257048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
|
197
|
Shah VB, Patil PA, Agrawa V, Kaswan HK. Primary cryptococcal prostatitis--rare occurrence. J Assoc Physicians India 2012; 60:57-59. [PMID: 23029729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a well recognized infection in immunocompromised patients. Cryptococcal infection primarily involves the lung and is hematogeneously spread to other organs. Sometimes it might affect the genitourinary tract. The prostate gland is a rare site of primary infection due to cryptococcus neoformans. We report a case of granulomatous inflammation in the prostate as a result of crypyococcus neoformans infection in a 70 year old immunocompetent patient, a non diabetic, which was diagnosed by transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vinaya B Shah
- Pathology Department, TN Medical College & BYLNair Hospital, Mumbai--400034
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
198
|
Subils GC, Maldonado FS. [Cryptococcal meningitis as initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus]. Rev Fac Cien Med Univ Nac Cordoba 2012; 69:47-50. [PMID: 22917073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Infection is one of the most frequent etiology of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Cryptococcal meningitis is a recognized complication of SLE with high mortality rates in those treated with immunosuppressive agents. We describe a patient with cryptoccoccal meningitis and SLE. This case suggests that intrinsic immunological abnormality related to SLE predisposed to opportunistic infections. CLINICAL CASE A 25 years old woman was admitted because of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. She had ascitis and abdominal pain and neurological examination was normal.. Laboratory findings showed mild anemia, leukocytes: 6350/mm(3). Total lymphocytes: 508/mm(3) (CD4 +: 75 cel/mm(3)). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): 40mm/h, Coombs test (+). Abdominal CT scan showed ascites and pleural bilateral effusion. Two days after her admission, VDRL test was positive ( 1/64). Lumbar puncture was done and the r cerebrospinal fluid showed: normal glucose and protein level with normal cells. Fungi elements were found and Cryptococcus neoformans were identified. She received Anfotericin B treatment. HIV and TPHA test were negative. Antinuclear and anti-ds-DNA were positive in high levels and low levels of complement were found. Methylprednisolone pulses were s administered intravenously for three days. Cerebrospinal fluid was normal after 10 weeks of antifungical treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gisela C Subils
- Servicio de clínica medica - Hospital Rawson Bajada Pucara 2025, ciudad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | | |
Collapse
|
199
|
Thomas R, Christopher DJ, Balamugesh T, James P, Thomas M. Endobronchial pulmonary cryptococcosis and tuberculosis in an immunocompetent host. Singapore Med J 2012; 53:e32-e34. [PMID: 22337198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary cryptococcosis presenting as an endobronchial tumour-like growth has rarely been described. We report the case of a male patient with normal immune function who presented with a right upper lobe mass lesion. Bronchoscopy revealed a tumour-like growth that completely occluded the anterior segment of the right upper lobe bronchus. Bronchial biopsy and computed tomography-guided lung biopsy revealed Cryptococcus, and culture of lung biopsy specimen grew Cryptococcus neoformans and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The patient responded clinically to amphotericin B, fluconazole and anti-tuberculous therapy. However, chest radiographic response was unremarkable. A presentation of pulmonary cryptococcosis and tuberculosis, along with endobronchial tumour-like growth in the same patient, is unusual and has not been previously described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Thomas
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore 632002, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
200
|
Baglioni A. [Structural and environmental hygiene of buildings for pre-school and mandatory education, in Italy]. Ig Sanita Pubbl 2012; 68:122-125. [PMID: 22508000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Baglioni
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia dell'Ambiente costruito BEST, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|