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Miwa T, Okamoto K, Ikeuchi K, Yamamoto S, Okugawa S, Ichida A, Akamatsu N, Hasegawa K, Tsutsumi T. The Role of Frequent Screening or Diagnostic Testing of Serum Cryptococcal Antigen in Liver Transplant Recipients: A Descriptive Epidemiology. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofae255. [PMID: 38774792 PMCID: PMC11108085 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Cryptococcosis is a notable infectious complication of liver transplantation. Currently, there is no recommendation for screening serum cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) levels in solid organ transplant recipients. We aimed to explore the role of serum CrAg in liver transplant recipients at an institution where posttransplant serum CrAg has been widely tested. Methods This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care center in Japan. All liver transplant recipients with serum CrAg measured either for screening or for diagnostic testing at least once after transplantation between April 2005 and March 2022 were included. For participants with either a positive CrAg test result or positive culture for Cryptococcus, we manually reviewed clinical manifestations, management, and prognosis from the medical records. Results During the study period, 12 885 serum CrAg tests (median, 16 tests per patient) were performed in 468 liver transplant recipients. The 1-year posttransplant incidence of positive serum CrAg test results and culture-proven cryptococcosis was 1.9% (9/468) and 0.6% (3/468), respectively. No patient with persistently negative serum CrAg test results showed growth of Cryptococcus in culture. Four patients had clinical manifestations consistent with cryptococcosis, of whom 2 (50.0%) started antifungal therapy promptly based on a positive serum CrAg test result. In contrast, 5 patients had no clinical manifestations. Three of the 5 (60.0%) patients did not receive antifungal therapy and remained free of clinical manifestations. Conclusions Serum CrAg test was more sensitive than culture among liver transplant recipients and prompted early diagnosis and antifungal therapy in symptomatic patients. However, serial screening of serum CrAg in asymptomatic patients may be of little value, with the potential for false-positive results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiki Miwa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koh Okamoto
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Ikeuchi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shu Okugawa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihiko Ichida
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuhisa Akamatsu
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Hasegawa
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeya Tsutsumi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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Magda G. Opportunistic Infections Post-Lung Transplantation: Viral, Fungal, and Mycobacterial. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2024; 38:121-147. [PMID: 38280760 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Opportunistic infections are a leading cause of lung transplant recipient morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for infection include continuous exposure of the lung allograft to the external environment, high levels of immunosuppression, impaired mucociliary clearance and decreased cough reflex, and impact of the native lung microbiome in single lung transplant recipients. Infection risk is mitigated through careful pretransplant screening of recipients and donors, implementation of antimicrobial prophylaxis strategies, and routine surveillance posttransplant. This review describes common viral, fungal, and mycobacterial infectious after lung transplant and provides recommendations on prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Magda
- Columbia University Lung Transplant Program, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 622 West 168th Street PH-14, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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3
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Kilduff S, Steinman B, Xie Y, Kiss-Farengo T, Foca M, Hayde N. Pet safety guidelines for pediatric transplant recipients. Pediatr Transplant 2024; 28:e14527. [PMID: 37550270 DOI: 10.1111/petr.14527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 70% (90.5 million) of United States (US) households own at least one pet. Dogs are the most common, making up about 38% of all household pets, followed by cats, which make up 25%. Other pets such as fish, birds, reptiles, and small animals such as hamsters, gerbils, and rabbits are less common household members. Pets are often considered a part of the family and there are significant medical and psychosocial benefits to pet ownership; however, the possibility of disease transmission exists related to the type of animal and infectious organism, and specific human risk factors. Immunocompromised individuals may be at increased risk of serious illness from zoonotic infections. During the transplant evaluation and routinely posttransplant, the multidisciplinary team should inquire about pet ownership and animal exposures to guide on potential risks. This review discusses the most common diseases seen in various household pets including dogs, cats, birds, fish, and some farm animals. We will also present guidelines for pet safety and include strategies to decrease the risk of infection while supporting the benefits of pet ownership after transplant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Kilduff
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Benjamin Steinman
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Yuping Xie
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Tomas Kiss-Farengo
- Department of Social Work, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Marc Foca
- Divison of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Nicole Hayde
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York, USA
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Guan ST, Huang YS, Huang ST, Hsiao FY, Chen YC. The incidences and clinical outcomes of cryptococcosis in Taiwan: A nationwide, population-based study, 2002-2015. Med Mycol 2024; 62:myad125. [PMID: 38126122 PMCID: PMC10802930 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Large-scale epidemiological data on cryptococcosis other than cryptococcal meningitis (CM), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- or solid organ transplantation (SOT)-associated cryptococcosis are limited. This study investigated the disease burden of cryptococcosis in Taiwan over 14 years. Incident episodes of cryptococcosis, comorbidities, treatment, and outcomes were captured from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database and National Death Registry between 2002 and 2015. Of 6647 episodes analyzed, the crude incidence rate per 100 000 population increased from 1.48 in 2002 to 2.76 in 2015, which was driven by the growing trend in the non-CM group (0.86-2.12) but not in the CM group (0.62-0.64). The leading three comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (23.62%), malignancy (22.81%), and liver disease (17.42%). HIV accounted for 6.14% of all episodes and was associated with the highest disease-specific incidence rate (269/100 000 population), but the value dropped 16.20% biennially. Within 90 days prior to cohort entry, 30.22% of episodes had systemic corticosteroid use. The in-hospital mortality of all episodes was 10.80%, which varied from 32.64% for cirrhosis and 13.22% for HIV to 6.90% for SOT. CM was associated with a higher in-hospital mortality rate than non-CM (19.15% vs. 6.33%). At diagnosis, only 48.53% of CM episodes were prescribed an amphotericin-based regimen. The incidence rate of cryptococcosis was increasing, especially that other than meningitis and in the non-HIV population. A high index of clinical suspicion is paramount to promptly diagnose, treat, and improve cryptococcosis-related mortality in populations other than those with HIV infection or SOT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang-Ting Guan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, 2F.-220, No. 33, Linsen S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City 100025, Taiwan
- Health Data Research Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei City 10051, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Shan Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City 100225, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Tsung Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City 112304, Taiwan
- Center for Healthy Longevity and Aging Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City 112304, Taiwan
| | - Fei-Yuan Hsiao
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, 2F.-220, No. 33, Linsen S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City 100025, Taiwan
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City 100025, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City 100225, Taiwan
| | - Yee-Chun Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City 100225, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei City 10051, Taiwan
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan
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Chastain DB, Zhang Q, Chen X, Young HN, Franco-Paredes C, Tuells J, Thompson GR, Henao-Martínez AF. Epidemiological trends and clinical outcomes of cryptococcosis in a medically insured population in the United States: a claims-based analysis from 2017 to 2019. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2024; 11:20499361241244967. [PMID: 38645299 PMCID: PMC11027593 DOI: 10.1177/20499361241244967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Emerging risk factors highlight the need for an updated understanding of cryptococcosis in the United States. Objective Describe the epidemiological trends and clinical outcomes of cryptococcosis in three patient groups: people with HIV (PWH), non-HIV-infected and non-transplant (NHNT) patients, and patients with a history of solid organ transplantation. Methods We utilized data from the Merative Medicaid Database to identify individuals aged 18 and above with cryptococcosis based on the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision diagnosis codes from January 2017 to December 2019. Patients were stratified into PWH, NHNT patients, and transplant recipients according to Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines. Baseline characteristics, types of cryptococcosis, hospitalization details, and in-hospital mortality rates were compared across groups. Results Among 703 patients, 59.7% were PWH, 35.6% were NHNT, and 4.7% were transplant recipients. PWH were more likely to be younger, male, identify as Black, and have fewer comorbidities than patients in the NHNT and transplant groups. Notably, 24% of NHNT patients lacked comorbidities. Central nervous system, pulmonary, and disseminated cryptococcosis were most common overall (60%, 14%, and 11%, respectively). The incidence of cryptococcosis fluctuated throughout the study period. PWH accounted for over 50% of cases from June 2017 to June 2019, but this proportion decreased to 47% from July to December 2019. Among the 52% of patients requiring hospitalization, 61% were PWH and 35% were NHNT patients. PWH had longer hospital stays. In-hospital mortality at 90 days was significantly higher in NHNT patients (22%) compared to PWH (7%) and transplant recipients (0%). One-year mortality remained lowest among PWH (8%) compared to NHNT patients (22%) and transplant recipients (13%). Conclusion In this study, most cases of cryptococcosis were PWH. Interestingly, while the incidence remained relatively stable in PWH, it slightly increased in those without HIV by the end of the study period. Mortality was highest in NHNT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B. Chastain
- Department of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, 1000 Jefferson Street, Albany, GA 31701, USA
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Statistics, University of Georgia Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Xianyan Chen
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Georgia College of Public Health, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Henry N. Young
- Department of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Carlos Franco-Paredes
- Hospital Infantil de México, Federico Gómez, México City, México
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jose Tuells
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine, Public Health and History of Science, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - George R. Thompson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, and the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Andrés F. Henao-Martínez
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Okurut S, Boulware DR, Okafor E, Rhein J, Kajumbula H, Bagaya BS, Bwanga F, Olobo JO, Manabe YC, Meya DB, Janoff EN. Divergent neuroimmune signatures in the cerebrospinal fluid predict differential gender-specific survival among patients with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1275443. [PMID: 38152404 PMCID: PMC10752005 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1275443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Survival among people with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis (CM) remains low, particularly among women, despite the currently optimal use of antifungal drugs. Cryptococcus dissemination into the central nervous system [brain, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)] elicits the local production of cytokines, chemokines, and other biomarkers. However, no consistent diagnostic or prognostic neuroimmune signature is reported to underpin the risk of death or to identify mechanisms to improve treatment and survival. We hypothesized that distinct neuroimmune signatures in the CSF would distinguish survivors from people who died on antifungal treatment and who may benefit from tailored therapy. Methods We considered baseline clinical features, CSF cryptococcal fungal burden, and CSF neuroimmune signatures with survival at 18 weeks among 419 consenting adults by "gender" (168 women and 251 men by biological sex defined at birth). Results Survival at 18 weeks was significantly lower among women than among men {47% vs. 59%, respectively; hazard ratio (HR) = 1.4 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.0 to 1.9; p = 0.023]}. Unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated divergent neuroimmune signatures by gender, survival, and intragender-specific survival. Overall, women had lower levels of programmed death ligand 1, Interleukin (IL) (IL-11RA/IL-1F30, and IL-15 (IL-15) than men (all p < 0.028). Female survivors compared with those who died expressed significant elevations in levels of CCL11 and CXCL10 chemokines (both p = 0.001), as well as increased T helper 1, regulatory, and T helper 17 cytokines (all p < 0.041). In contrast, male survivors expressed lower levels of IL-15 and IL-8 compared with men who died (p < 0.044). Conclusions Survivors of both genders demonstrated a significant increase in the levels of immune regulatory IL-10. In conclusion, the lower survival among women with CM was accompanied by distinct differential gender-specific neuroimmune signatures. These female and male intragender-specific survival-associated neuroimmune signatures provide potential targets for interventions to advance therapy to improve the low survival among people with HIV-associated CM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Okurut
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, 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
| | - Elizabeth Okafor
- 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
| | - Henry Kajumbula
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bernard S. Bagaya
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Freddie Bwanga
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph O. Olobo
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Yukari C. Manabe
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David B. Meya
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Edward N. Janoff
- Mucosal and Vaccine Research Program Colorado, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Medicine and Infectious Disease, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO, United States
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Tugume L, Ssebambulidde K, Kasibante J, Ellis J, Wake RM, Gakuru J, Lawrence DS, Abassi M, Rajasingham R, Meya DB, Boulware DR. Cryptococcal meningitis. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2023; 9:62. [PMID: 37945681 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-023-00472-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complexes cause meningoencephalitis with high fatality rates and considerable morbidity, particularly in persons with deficient T cell-mediated immunity, most commonly affecting people living with HIV. Whereas the global incidence of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis (HIV-CM) has decreased over the past decade, cryptococcosis still accounts for one in five AIDS-related deaths globally due to the persistent burden of advanced HIV disease. Moreover, mortality remains high (~50%) in low-resource settings. The armamentarium to decrease cryptococcosis-associated mortality is expanding: cryptococcal antigen screening in the serum and pre-emptive azole therapy for cryptococcal antigenaemia are well established, whereas enhanced pre-emptive combination treatment regimens to improve survival of persons with cryptococcal antigenaemia are in clinical trials. Short courses (≤7 days) of amphotericin-based therapy combined with flucytosine are currently the preferred options for induction therapy of cryptococcal meningitis. Whether short-course induction regimens improve long-term morbidity such as depression, reduced neurocognitive performance and physical disability among survivors is the subject of further study. Here, we discuss underlying immunology, changing epidemiology, and updates on the management of cryptococcal meningitis with emphasis on HIV-associated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lillian Tugume
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Kenneth Ssebambulidde
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John Kasibante
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jayne Ellis
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rachel M Wake
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Jane Gakuru
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David S Lawrence
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Mahsa Abassi
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Radha Rajasingham
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David B Meya
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David R Boulware
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Kajeekul R, Mekawichai P, Chayakulkeeree M. Clinical Features of Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis in HIV-Positive and -Negative Patients in a Resource-Limited Setting. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:869. [PMID: 37754977 PMCID: PMC10532421 DOI: 10.3390/jof9090869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is a systemic fungal infection in immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. This study investigated the clinical characteristics and factors associated with mortality in HIV-associated and non-HIV-associated cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in a resource-limited setting. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis between January 2009 and December 2019 at a tertiary teaching hospital in Thailand. Overall, 1019 patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis were enrolled, and 923 (90.6%) were HIV-positive. The patients with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningoencephalitis were younger than the HIV-negative patients (37 versus 56 years, p < 0.01). The HIV-negative patients were more likely to have underlying conditions (52.1% versus 7.5%; p < 0.01), had a longer median duration of headaches prior to admission (14 days versus 6 days, p < 0.01), and were more likely to have an altered mental status at presentation (36.5% versus 18.6%, p < 0.01) and pulmonary involvement (15.6% versus 0.8%, p < 0.01). The HIV-positive patients had lower cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell counts (4 versus 94 cells/mm3; p < 0.01), lower CSF protein (69 versus 157 mg/dL; p < 0.01), higher CSF glucose (38.8 versus 21 mg/dL; p < 0.01), and more frequent cryptococcemia (44.1% versus 20.5%; p < 0.01). The mortality rate was high but not significantly different between the two groups (30.2% versus 33.2%; p = 0.53). The HIV-positive patients with comorbidities, fever, an altered mental status at presentation, a CSF white blood cell count below 20 cell/mm3, fungemia, and positive CSF India ink were independently associated with 30-day mortality. In comparison, an altered mental status at presentation and fungemia were associated with 30-day mortality in HIV-negative patients. In conclusion, HIV-negative patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis had more extensive central nervous system inflammation, although the two groups' mortality rates were similar. Unfavorable prognostic factors included comorbidities, fever, an altered mental status at presentation, a low CSF white blood cell count, fungemia, and positive CSF India ink.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rattagan Kajeekul
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand;
| | - Pawut Mekawichai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand;
| | - Methee Chayakulkeeree
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
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Okurut S, Boulware DR, Okafor E, Rhein J, Kajumbula H, Bagaya B, Bwanga F, Olobo JO, Manabe YC, Meya DB, Janoff EN. Divergent Neuroimmune Signatures in the Cerebrospinal Fluid Predict Differential Gender-Specific Survival Among Patients With HIV-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.08.09.23293903. [PMID: 37645984 PMCID: PMC10462187 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.09.23293903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Survival among people with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis (CM) remains low, exceptionally among women with the increased threat of death on current optimal use of antifungal drugs. Cryptococcus dissemination into the central nervous system (CNS) prompts a neuroimmune reaction to activate pathogen concomitant factors. However, no consistent diagnostic or prognostic immune-mediated signature is reported to underpin the risk of death or mechanism to improve treatment or survival. We theorized that the distinct neuroimmune cytokine or chemokine signatures in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), distinguish survivors from people who died on antifungal treatment, who may benefit from tailored therapy. We considered the baseline clinical disease features, cryptococcal microbiologic factors, and CSF neuroimmune modulated signatures among 419 consenting adults by gender (biological sex assigned at birth) (168 females and 251 males) by 18 weeks of survival on antifungal management. Survival at 18 weeks was inferior among females than males (47% vs. 59%; hazard ratio HR=1.4, 95% CI: 1.0 to 1.9, and p=0.023). Unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated the divergent neuroimmune signatures by gender, survival, and intragender-specific survival. Overall, females displayed lower levels of PD-L1, IL-1RA, and IL-15 than males (all p≤0.028). Female survivors compared with those who died, expressed significant fold elevations in levels of CSF (CCL11 - myeloid and CXCL10 - lymphoid chemokine (in both p=0.001), and CSF Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines. In contrast, male survivors expressed distinctly lower levels of CSF IL-15 and IL-8 compared with those who died. Survivors of either gender demonstrated a significant increase in the levels of immune regulatory element, IL-10. In the finale, we classified divergent neuroimmune key signatures in CSF by gender, survival, and intragender-specific survival among people with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis. These intragender-specific survival associated-neuroimmune signatures, suggests the discrete role of gender immune regulating mechanisms as the possible targets for interventions to advance therapy to improve survival among people with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Okurut
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David R Boulware
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Elizabeth Okafor
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Joshua Rhein
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Henry Kajumbula
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bernard Bagaya
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Freddie Bwanga
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph O Olobo
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Yukari C Manabe
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, MD, 21205, USA
| | - David B Meya
- Translation Sciences Laboratory, Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Edward N Janoff
- Mucosal and Vaccine Research Program Colorado, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, 80045, USA
- Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver CO, 80045, USA
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10
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Opportunistic Infections Post-Lung Transplantation: Viral, Fungal, and Mycobacterial. Clin Chest Med 2023; 44:159-177. [PMID: 36774162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccm.2022.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Opportunistic infections are a leading cause of lung transplant recipient morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for infection include continuous exposure of the lung allograft to the external environment, high levels of immunosuppression, impaired mucociliary clearance and decreased cough reflex, and impact of the native lung microbiome in single lung transplant recipients. Infection risk is mitigated through careful pretransplant screening of recipients and donors, implementation of antimicrobial prophylaxis strategies, and routine surveillance posttransplant. This review describes common viral, fungal, and mycobacterial infectious after lung transplant and provides recommendations on prevention and treatment.
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11
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Chastain DB, Kung VM, Vargas Barahona L, Jackson BT, Golpayegany S, Franco-Paredes C, Thompson GR, Henao-Martínez AF. Characteristics and Outcomes of Cryptococcosis among Patients with and without COVID-19. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8111234. [PMID: 36422055 PMCID: PMC9695249 DOI: 10.3390/jof8111234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of COVID-19 on the risk and prognosis of cryptococcosis is unclear. We compared the characteristics and outcomes of cryptococcosis in patients with and without COVID-19. Patients 18 years and older with cryptococcosis were identified from TriNetX and separated into two cohorts based on a diagnosis of COVID-19 within 3 months of the index diagnosis of cryptococcosis. Differences examined between groups included comorbidities, immunosuppressive medications, ED visits, hospitalizations, ICU admissions, mechanical ventilation, and deaths. The propensity score matching was performed based on demographics and comorbidities. Of the 6998 patients with cryptococcosis included, 4.4% (n = 306) had COVID-19 prior to cryptococcosis. Mortality was higher in patients with COVID-19 compared to those without COVID-19 (14% vs. 11%, p = 0.032). Additionally, those with COVID-19 were older (55.2 ± 14.4 vs. 51.9 ± 15.2 years, p < 0.001) with higher rates of transplant (29% vs. 13%, p < 0.001), neoplastic disease (37% vs. 21%, p < 0.001), chronic kidney disease (42% vs. 18%, p < 0.001), or diabetes (35% vs. 19%, p < 0.001) but not HIV (30% vs. 31%, p = 0.618). Glucocorticoid use was more common in those with COVID-19 (52% vs. 27%, p < 0.001). More patients with COVID-19 required ED visits (29% vs. 23%, p = 0.025) and ICU admission (18% vs. 11%, p < 0.001). After propensity score matching, patients with COVID-19 had higher rates of neoplastic disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and glucocorticoid use but did not experience worse outcomes compared to those without COVID-19. Patients with COVID-19 who developed cryptococcosis had independently higher rates of comorbidities and glucocorticoid use but similar outcomes, including death, versus those without COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B. Chastain
- Department of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, Albany, GA 31701, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-229-312-2156; Fax: +1-229-312-2155
| | - Vanessa M. Kung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Lilian Vargas Barahona
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | | | - Sahand Golpayegany
- Department of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, Albany, GA 31701, USA
| | - Carlos Franco-Paredes
- Hospital Infantil de México, Federico Gómez, México City 06720, Mexico
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - George R. Thompson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA
| | - Andrés F. Henao-Martínez
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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12
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Howard-Jones AR, Sparks R, Pham D, Halliday C, Beardsley J, Chen SCA. Pulmonary Cryptococcosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:1156. [PMID: 36354923 PMCID: PMC9696922 DOI: 10.3390/jof8111156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary cryptococcosis describes an invasive lung mycosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii complex. It is often a high-consequence disease in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent populations, and may be misdiagnosed as pulmonary malignancy, leading to a delay in therapy. Epidemiology follows that of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, with C. gattii infection more common in certain geographic regions. Diagnostic tools include histopathology, microscopy and culture, and the detection of cryptococcal polysaccharide antigen or Cryptococcus-derived nucleic acids. All patients with lung cryptococcosis should have a lumbar puncture and cerebral imaging to exclude central nervous system disease. Radiology is key, both as an adjunct to laboratory testing and as the initial means of detection in asymptomatic patients or those with non-specific symptoms. Pulmonary cryptococcomas (single or multiple) may also be associated with disseminated disease and/or cryptococcal meningitis, requiring prolonged treatment regimens. Optimal management for severe disease requires extended induction (amphotericin B and flucytosine) and consolidation therapy (fluconazole) with close clinical monitoring. Susceptibility testing is of value for epidemiology and in regions where relatively high minimum inhibitory concentrations to azoles (particularly fluconazole) have been noted. Novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents promise to improve the detection and treatment of cryptococcosis, particularly in low-income settings where the disease burden is high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annaleise R. Howard-Jones
- Centre for Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Laboratory Services, New South Wales Health Pathology—Institute of Clinical Pathology & Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2145, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Rebecca Sparks
- Centre for Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Laboratory Services, New South Wales Health Pathology—Institute of Clinical Pathology & Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - David Pham
- Centre for Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Laboratory Services, New South Wales Health Pathology—Institute of Clinical Pathology & Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Catriona Halliday
- Centre for Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Laboratory Services, New South Wales Health Pathology—Institute of Clinical Pathology & Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Justin Beardsley
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2145, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Sharon C.-A. Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Laboratory Services, New South Wales Health Pathology—Institute of Clinical Pathology & Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2145, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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13
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Runyo F, Rotstein CMF. Epidemiology of Invasive Fungal Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: a North American Perspective. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12281-022-00442-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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14
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van der Torre MH, Andrews RA, Hooker EL, Rankin A, Dodd S. Systematic review on Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complex infections with recommendations for practice in health and care settings. CLINICAL INFECTION IN PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinpr.2022.100154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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15
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Peláez N, Dunlop D, Negro E. Multiple cerebral infarctions as a complication of cryptococcal meningitis in a patient undergoing single lung transplantation. Neurologia 2022; 37:411-412. [PMID: 34521543 DOI: 10.1016/j.nrl.2021.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- N Peláez
- Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, España.
| | - D Dunlop
- Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, España
| | - E Negro
- Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, España
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16
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Multiple cerebral infarctions as a complication of cryptococcal meningitis in a patient undergoing single lung transplantation. NEUROLOGÍA (ENGLISH EDITION) 2022; 37:411-412. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2021.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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17
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Wang L, Wang Y, Wang F, Zhao M, Gao X, Chen H, Li N, Zhu Q, Liu L, Zhu W, Liu X, Chen Y, Zhou P, Lu Y, Wang K, Zhao W, Liang W. Development and Application of Rapid Clinical Visualization Molecular Diagnostic Technology for Cryptococcus neoformans/ C. gattii Based on Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Combined With a Lateral Flow Strip. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:803798. [PMID: 35096653 PMCID: PMC8790172 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.803798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans)/C. gattii can easily invade the human central nervous system and cause cryptococcal meningitis (CM). The clinical fatality rate of these fungi is extremely high and causes more than 180,000 deaths worldwide every year. At present, the common clinical identification methods of these fungi are traditional culture methods and Indian ink staining. In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISAs), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time quantitative PCR detecting system (qPCR), mass spectrometry, and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) have also been applied to detect these fungus. Due to the rapid progress of meningitis caused by C. neoformans/C. gattii infection, there is a desperate need for fast, sensitive, and on-site detection methods to meet the clinical diagnosis. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is a promising isothermal amplification technique that can compensate for the shortcomings of the above techniques, featuring short reaction time, high specificity, and high sensitivity, thus meeting the demand for in-field detection of C.neoformans/C. gattii. In our study, RPA- lateral flow strip (LFS) was used to amplify the capsule-associated gene, CAP64, of C. neoformans/C. gattii, and the primer-probe design was optimized by introducing base mismatches to obtain a specific and sensitive primer-probe combination for clinical testing, and specificity of the detection system was determined for 26 common clinical pathogens. This system was developed to obtain results in 20 min at an isothermal temperature of 37°C with a lower limit of detection as low as 10 CFU/μL or 1 fg/μL. A total of 487 clinical samples collected from multicenter multiplexes were tested to evaluate the detection performance of the RPA-LFS system, which revealed that the system could specifically detect C. neoformans/C. gattii, meeting the need for rapid, specific, and sensitive detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China.,School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Mengdi Zhao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China
| | - Xuzhu Gao
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Huimin Chen
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Na Li
- Lianyungang Second People's Hospital Affiliated to Bengbu Medical College, Lianyungang, China
| | - Qing Zhu
- Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Lipin Liu
- Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Wenjun Zhu
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Yujiao Chen
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Yingzhi Lu
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Weiguo Zhao
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Wei Liang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China
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18
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Samanta P, Clancy CJ, Nguyen MH. Fungal infections in lung transplantation. J Thorac Dis 2022; 13:6695-6707. [PMID: 34992845 PMCID: PMC8662481 DOI: 10.21037/jtd-2021-26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Lung transplant is a potential life-saving procedure for chronic lung diseases. Lung transplant recipients (LTRs) are at the greatest risk for invasive fungal infections (IFIs) among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients because the allograft is directly exposed to fungi in the environment, airway and lung host defenses are impaired, and immunosuppressive regimens are particularly intense. IFIs occur within a year of transplant in 3-19% of LTRs, and they are associated with high mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and excess healthcare costs. The most common causes of post-LT IFIs are Aspergillus and Candida spp.; less common pathogens are Mucorales, other non-Aspergillus moulds, Cryptococcus neoformans, Pneumocystis jirovecii, and endemic mycoses. The majority of IFIs occur in the first year following transplant, although later onset is observed with prolonged antifungal prophylaxis. The most common manifestations of invasive mould infections (IMIs) include tracheobronchial (particularly at anastomotic sites), pulmonary and disseminated infections. The mortality rate of tracheobronchitis is typically low, but local complications such as bronchomalacia, stenosis and dehiscence may occur. Mortality rates associated with lung and disseminated infections can exceed 40% and 80%, respectively. IMI risk factors include mould colonization, single lung transplant and augmented immunosuppression. Candidiasis is less common than mould infections, and manifests as bloodstream or other non-pulmonary invasive candidiasis; tracheobronchial infections are encountered uncommonly. Risk factors for and outcomes of candidiasis are similar to those of non lung transplant recipients. There is evidence that IFIs and fungal colonization are risk factors for allograft failure due to chronic rejection. Mould-active azoles are frontline agents for treatment of IMIs, with local debridement as needed for tracheobronchial disease. Echinocandins and azoles are treatments for invasive candidiasis, in keeping with guidelines in other patient populations. Antifungal prophylaxis is commonly administered, but benefits and optimal regimens are not defined. Universal mould-active azole prophylaxis is used most often. Other approaches include targeted prophylaxis of high-risk LTRs or pre-emptive therapy based on culture or galactomannan (GM) (or other biomarker) results. Prophylaxis trials are needed, but difficult to perform due to heterogeneity in local epidemiology of IFIs and standard LT practices. The key to devising rational strategies for preventing IFIs is to understand local epidemiology in context of institutional clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palash Samanta
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Cornelius J Clancy
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - M Hong Nguyen
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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19
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Soman R, Rege S, Jeloka T, Jhaveri T, Bansal S. Expert group opinion for diagnosis and management of fungal infections in solid organ transplant recipients in South Asia. INDIAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/ijot.ijot_78_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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20
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Chastain DB, Golpayegany S, Henao-Martínez AF, Jackson BT, Stoudenmire LL, Bell K, Stover KR, Franco-Paredes C. Cryptococcosis in a patient with multiple myeloma receiving pomalidomide: a case report and literature review. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2022; 9:20499361221112639. [PMID: 35898694 PMCID: PMC9310278 DOI: 10.1177/20499361221112639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
While overall survival with multiple myeloma (MM) has improved, patients suffer from overwhelming tumor burden, MM-associated comorbidities, and frequent relapses requiring administration of salvage therapies. As a result, this vicious cycle is often characterized by cumulative immunodeficiency stemming from a combination of disease- and treatment-related factors leading to neutropenia, T-cell deficiency, and hypogammaglobulinemia. Infectious etiologies differ based on the duration of MM and treatment-related factors, such as number of previous treatments and cumulative dose of corticosteroids. Herein, we present the case of a patient who was receiving pomalidomide without concomitant corticosteroids for MM and was later found to have cryptococcosis, as well as findings from a literature review. Most cases of cryptococcosis are reported in patients with late-stage MM, as well as those receiving novel anti-myeloma agents, such as pomalidomide, in combination with corticosteroids or following transplantation. However, it is likely cryptococcosis may be underdiagnosed in this population. Due to the cumulative immunodeficiency present in patients with MM, clinicians must be suspicious of cryptococcosis at any stage of MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Chastain
- Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Clinical & Administrative Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, 1000 Jefferson Street, Albany, GA 31701, USA
| | - Sahand Golpayegany
- Department of Clinical & Administrative Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Albany, GA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kaye Bell
- Department of Microbiology, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Albany, GA, USA
| | - Kayla R Stover
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Jackson, MS, USA
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21
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Abstract
The number of lung transplantations is progressively increasing worldwide, providing new challenges to interprofessional teams and the intensive care units. The outcome of lung transplantation recipients is critically affected by a complex interplay of particular pathophysiologic conditions and risk factors, knowledge of which is fundamental to appropriately manage these patients during the early postoperative course. As high-grade evidence-based guidelines are not available, the authors aimed to provide an updated review of the postoperative management of lung transplantation recipients in the intensive care unit, which addresses six main areas: (1) management of mechanical ventilation, (2) fluid and hemodynamic management, (3) immunosuppressive therapies, (4) prevention and management of neurologic complications, (5) antimicrobial therapy, and (6) management of nutritional support and abdominal complications. The integrated care provided by a dedicated multidisciplinary team is key to optimize the complex postoperative management of lung transplantation recipients in the intensive care unit.
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22
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Rapper SLD, Tankeu SY, Kamatou G, Viljoen A, van Vuuren S. The use of chemometric modelling to determine chemical composition-antimicrobial activity relationships of essential oils used in respiratory tract infections. Fitoterapia 2021; 154:105024. [PMID: 34455037 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2021.105024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The antimicrobial effects of essential oils are commonly cited within aromatherapeutic texts for use in respiratory tract infections. These essential oils are inhaled or applied to the skin to treat infections and manage symptoms associated with these conditions. A limited number of these essential oils have been scientifically studied to support these claims, specifically, against respiratory pathogens. This study reports on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 49 commercial essential oils recommended for respiratory tract infections, and identifies putative biomarkers responsible for the determined antimicrobial effect following a biochemometric workflow. Essential oils were investigated against nine pathogens. Three essential oils, Amyris balsamifera (amyris), Coriandrum sativum (coriander) and Santalum austrocaledonicum (sandalwood) were identified as having greater activity (MIC value = 0.03-0.13 mg/ml) compared to the other essential oils investigated. The essential oil composition of all 49 oils were determined using Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis and the GC-MS data analysed together with the antimicrobial data using chemometric tools. Eugenol was identified as the main biomarker responsible for antimicrobial activity in the majority of the essential oils. The ability of a chemometric model to accurately predict the active and inactive biomarkers of the investigated essential oils against pathogens of the respiratory tract was 80.33%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Leigh-de Rapper
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown 2193, South Africa
| | - Sidonie Yankam Tankeu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Guy Kamatou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, SAMRC Herbal Drugs Research Unit, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Alvaro Viljoen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, SAMRC Herbal Drugs Research Unit, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Sandy van Vuuren
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown 2193, South Africa.
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23
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Central nervous system infections after solid organ transplantation. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2021; 34:207-216. [PMID: 33741794 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Significant advances to our understanding of several neuroinfectious complications after a solid organ transplant (SOT) have occurred in the last few years. Here, we review the central nervous system (CNS) infections that are relevant to SOT via a syndromic approach with a particular emphasis on recent updates in the field. RECENT FINDINGS A few key studies have advanced our understanding of the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of several CNS infections in SOT recipients. Risk factors for poor prognosis and protective effects of standard posttransplant prophylactic strategies have been better elucidated. Newer diagnostic modalities which have broad clinical applications like metagenomic next-generation sequencing, as well as those that help us better understand esoteric concepts of disease pathogenesis have been studied. Finally, several studies have provided newer insights into the treatment of these diseases. SUMMARY Recent findings reflect the steady progress in our understanding of CNS infections post SOT. They provide several avenues for improvement in the prevention, early recognition, and therapeutic outcomes of these diseases.
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24
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Abstract
The breadth of fungi causing human disease and the spectrum of clinical presentations associated with these infections has widened. Epidemiologic trends display dramatic shifts with expanding geographic ranges, identification of new at-risk groups, increasing prevalence of resistant infections, and emergence of novel multidrug-resistant pathogenic fungi. Certain fungi have been transmitted between patients in clinical settings. Major health events not typically associated with mycoses resulted in larger proportions of the population susceptible to secondary fungal infections. Many health care-related, environmental, and socioeconomic factors have influenced these epidemiologic shifts. This review summarizes updates to clinically significant fungal pathogens in North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma E Seagle
- ASRT, Inc, 4158 Onslow Pl, Smyrna, GA 30080, USA; Mycotic Diseases Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30329-4018, USA
| | - Samantha L Williams
- ASRT, Inc, 4158 Onslow Pl, Smyrna, GA 30080, USA; Mycotic Diseases Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30329-4018, USA
| | - Tom M Chiller
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30329-4018, USA.
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25
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Donlin MJ, Lane TR, Riabova O, Lepioshkin A, Xu E, Lin J, Makarov V, Ekins S. Discovery of 5-Nitro-6-thiocyanatopyrimidines as Inhibitors of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:774-781. [PMID: 34055225 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Opportunistic infections from pathogenic fungi present a major challenge to healthcare because of a very limited arsenal of antifungal drugs, an increasing population of immunosuppressed patients, and increased prevalence of resistant clinical strains due to overuse of the few available antifungals. Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic fungal infection caused by one of two species in the Cryptococcus genus, Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. Eighty percent of cryptococcosis diseases are caused by C. neoformans that is endemic in the environment. The standard of care is limited to old antifungals, and under a high standard of care, mortality remains between 10 and 30%. We have identified a series of 5-nitro-6-thiocyanatopyrimidine antifungal drug candidates using in vitro and computational machine learning approaches. These compounds can inhibit C. neoformans growth at submicromolar levels, are effective against fluconazole-resistant C. neoformans and a clinical strain of C. gattii, and are not antagonistic with currently approved antifungals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen J. Donlin
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
- Institute for Drug and Biotherapeutic Development, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Thomas R. Lane
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Olga Riabova
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Alexander Lepioshkin
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Evan Xu
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Jeffrey Lin
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Vadim Makarov
- Research Center of Biotechnology RAS, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sean Ekins
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
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Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis in kidney transplant recipients: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Med Mycol Case Rep 2021; 32:84-87. [PMID: 34026474 PMCID: PMC8120857 DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2021.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is the third most common invasive fungal infection in solid organ transplant recipients. We describe three cases of neuro-meningeal cryptococcosis occurring among kidney transplant (KT) patients, and discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in this context. Median time from KT to infection was 6 months [range: 3-9]. The most common clinical manifestations at diagnosis were fever (2/3), headache (2/3), and confusion (2/3); none had extra-neurological involvement. CrAg was positive in all cases at diagnosis both in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). For two patients, analysis of previous samples showed that CrAg was detected in plasma up to 4 weeks before diagnosis. All patients received induction treatment with liposomal amphotericin-B (L-AmB) and flucytosine for a median duration of 10 days [range: 7-14], followed by fluconazole maintenance therapy. Acute kidney injury secondary to L-AmB therapy was observed in only one case, but all patients had a tacrolimus overdose following initiation of maintenance therapy due to drug-drug interactions between fluconazole and tacrolimus. Among KTR, early detection of Cryptococcus meningitis using serum CrAg is possible. Close monitoring of renal function during treatment is essential due to the nephrotoxicity of L-AmB, but also drug-drug interactions between fluconazole and calcineurin inhibitors.
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Penumarthi LR, La Hoz RM, Wolfe CR, Jackson BR, Mehta AK, Malinis M, Danziger-Isakov L, Strasfeld L, Florescu DF, Vece G, Basavaraju SV, Michaels MG. Cryptococcus transmission through solid organ transplantation in the United States: A report from the Ad Hoc Disease Transmission Advisory Committee. Am J Transplant 2021; 21:1911-1923. [PMID: 33290629 PMCID: PMC8096655 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus species can cause serious life-threatening infection in solid organ transplant recipients by reactivation of prior infection, posttransplant de novo infection, or donor transmission from the transplanted organ. Although previously reported in the literature, the extent of donor-derived cryptococcosis in the United States has not been documented. We analyzed potential donor-derived Cryptococcus transmission events reported to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) for investigation by the Ad Hoc Disease Transmission Advisory Committee (DTAC). All reports between 2009 and 2019 in which transmission to recipients was designated proven or probable, or determined to be averted due to implementation of prophylaxis (intervention without disease transmission-"IWDT") were included. During 2009-2019, 58 reports of potential donor-derived cryptococcosis were submitted to DTAC. Among these reports, 12 donors were determined to have resulted in proven or probable transmission to 23/34 (67.6%) recipients. Most of these donors (10/12 [83%]) exhibited central nervous system-related symptoms prior to death and 5/23 (22%) infected recipients died. For 11 different donors, prophylaxis, most often with fluconazole, was administered to 23/35 (65.7%) recipients. Clinicians should maintain awareness of donor-derived cryptococcosis and consider prompt prophylaxis or treatment followed by reporting to OPTN for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lasya R. Penumarthi
- Office of Blood, Organ, and Other Tissue Safety, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Ricardo M. La Hoz
- Division of Infectious Disease and Geographic Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Cameron R. Wolfe
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Brendan R. Jackson
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Aneesh K. Mehta
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Maricar Malinis
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Lara Danziger-Isakov
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center & University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Lynne Strasfeld
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Division of Infectious Diseases, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
| | - Diana F. Florescu
- Infectious Diseases Division, Transplant Infectious Diseases Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | | | - Sridhar V. Basavaraju
- Office of Blood, Organ, and Other Tissue Safety, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Marian G. Michaels
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
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28
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Lin J, Zangi M, Kumar TVH, Shakar Reddy M, Reddy LVR, Sadhukhan SK, Bradley DP, Moreira-Walsh B, Edwards TC, O’Dea AT, Tavis JE, Meyers MJ, Donlin MJ. Synthetic Derivatives of Ciclopirox are Effective Inhibitors of Cryptococcus neoformans. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:8477-8487. [PMID: 33817509 PMCID: PMC8015083 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c00273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Opportunistic fungal infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans are a significant source of mortality in immunocompromised patients. They are challenging to treat because of a limited number of antifungal drugs, and novel and more effective anticryptococcal therapies are needed. Ciclopirox olamine, a N-hydroxypyridone, has been in use as an approved therapeutic agent for the treatment of topical fungal infections for more than two decades. It is a fungicide, with broad activity across multiple fungal species. We synthesized 10 N-hydroxypyridone derivatives to develop an initial structure-activity understanding relative to efficacy as a starting point for the development of systemic antifungals. We screened the derivatives for antifungal activity against C. neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii and counter-screened for specificity in Candida albicans and two Malassezia species. Eight of the ten show inhibition at 1-3 μM concentration (0.17-0.42 μg per mL) in both Cryptococcus species and in C. albicans, but poor activity in the Malassezia species. In C. neoformans, the N-hydroxypyridones are fungicides, are not antagonistic with either fluconazole or amphotericin B, and are synergistic with multiple inhibitors of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. They appear to function primarily by chelating iron within the active site of iron-dependent enzymes. This preliminary structure-activity relationship points to the need for a lipophilic functional group at position six of the N-hydroxypyridone ring and identifies positions four and six as sites where further substitution may be tolerated. These molecules provide a clear starting point for future optimization for efficacy and target identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Lin
- Department
of Biology, Saint Louis University, 3507 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Maryam Zangi
- Department
of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, 3501 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | | | - Makala Shakar Reddy
- Medicinal
Chemistry Division, Albany Molecular Research
Inc., MN Park, Turkpally
Shamirpet Mandal, Genome Valley, Hyderabad 500078, India
| | - Lingala Vijaya Raghava Reddy
- Medicinal
Chemistry Division, Albany Molecular Research
Inc., MN Park, Turkpally
Shamirpet Mandal, Genome Valley, Hyderabad 500078, India
| | - Subir Kumar Sadhukhan
- Medicinal
Chemistry Division, Albany Molecular Research
Inc., MN Park, Turkpally
Shamirpet Mandal, Genome Valley, Hyderabad 500078, India
| | - Daniel P. Bradley
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100 South Grand Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
- Institute
for Drug and Biotherapeutic Innovation, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Brenda Moreira-Walsh
- Edward
A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry, Saint
Louis University School of Medicine, 1100 South Grand Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63104, United
States
| | - Tiffany C. Edwards
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100 South Grand Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Austin T. O’Dea
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100 South Grand Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - John E. Tavis
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100 South Grand Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
- Institute
for Drug and Biotherapeutic Innovation, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Marvin J. Meyers
- Department
of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, 3501 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
- Institute
for Drug and Biotherapeutic Innovation, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Maureen J. Donlin
- Edward
A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry, Saint
Louis University School of Medicine, 1100 South Grand Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63104, United
States
- Institute
for Drug and Biotherapeutic Innovation, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
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29
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van den Bogaart L, Cipriano A, Koutsokera A, Manuel O. Understanding rare infections post-lung transplantation. Expert Rev Respir Med 2020; 15:325-338. [PMID: 33106068 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2021.1843428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Lung transplant recipients are at the highest risk of infectious complications among all solid-organ transplant (SOT) recipients. In the current era, many standardized protocols in terms of diagnostic algorithms, prophylaxis, and therapeutic strategies have improved the management of the most common infectious complications. Conversely, diagnosis of rare infections can be particularly challenging and this can delay appropriate treatment.Areas covered: This article will review the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic and therapeutic management of certain rarely reported viral, fungal, bacterial and parasitic infections in lung transplant recipients.Expert opinion: Once the most frequent infections are excluded, clinical suspicion combined with molecular diagnostic methods such as targeted and broad-spectrum PCRs can allow diagnosis of a rare infection. A multidisciplinary team, including transplant pulmonologists, transplant infectious diseases specialists, microbiologists and pathologists is essential for prompt diagnosis and optimal therapeutic management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena van den Bogaart
- Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Transplantation Center, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ana Cipriano
- Infectious Disease Department, Centro Hospitalar Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Angela Koutsokera
- Division of Pulmonology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Oriol Manuel
- Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Transplantation Center, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
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30
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Okurut S, Boulware DR, Olobo J, Meya DB. Landmark clinical observations and immunopathogenesis pathways linked to HIV and Cryptococcus fatal central nervous system co-infection. Mycoses 2020; 63:840-853. [PMID: 32472727 PMCID: PMC7416908 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningitis remains one of the leading causes of death among HIV-infected adults in the fourth decade of HIV era in sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to 10%-20% of global HIV-related deaths. Despite widespread use and early induction of ART among HIV-infected adults, incidence of cryptococcosis remains significant in those with advanced HIV disease. Cryptococcus species that causes fatal infection follows systemic spread from initial environmental acquired infection in lungs to antigenaemia and fungaemia in circulation prior to establishment of often fatal disease, cryptococcal meningitis in the CNS. Cryptococcus person-to-person transmission is uncommon, and deaths related to blood infection without CNS involvement are rare. Keen to the persistent high mortality associated with HIV-cryptococcal meningitis, seizures are common among a third of the patients, altered mental status is frequent, anaemia is prevalent with ensuing brain hypoxia and at autopsy, brain fibrosis and infarction are evident. In addition, fungal burden is 3-to-4-fold higher in those with seizures. And high immune activation together with exacerbated inflammation and elevated PD-1/PD-L immune checkpoint expression is immunomodulated phenotypes elevated in CSF relative to blood. Lastly, though multiple Cryptococcus species cause disease in this setting, observations are mostly generalised to cryptococcal infection/meningitis or regional dominant species (C neoformans or gattii complex) that may limit our understanding of interspecies differences in infection, progression, treatment or recovery outcome. Together, these factors and underlying mechanisms are hypotheses generating for research to find targets to prevent infection or adequate therapy to prevent persistent high mortality with current optimal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Okurut
- Research DepartmentInfectious Diseases InstituteMakerere UniversityKampalaUganda
- Department of MicrobiologySchool of Biomedical SciencesCollege of Health SciencesMakerere UniversityKampalaUganda
| | - David R. Boulware
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International MedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesota
| | - Joseph Olobo
- Department of Immunology and Molecular BiologySchool of Biomedical SciencesCollege of Health SciencesMakerere UniversityKampalaUganda
| | - David B. Meya
- Research DepartmentInfectious Diseases InstituteMakerere UniversityKampalaUganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International MedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesota
- Department of MedicineSchool of MedicineCollege of Health SciencesMakerere UniversityKampalaUganda
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31
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Saucedo-Crespo H, Sakpal SV, Auvenshine C, Santella RN, Nazir J, Prouse B, Mehta T, Steers J. Early Cardiopulmonary Cryptococcus neoformans Infection After Liver Transplant: A Case Report. Transplant Proc 2020; 52:2790-2794. [PMID: 32641222 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2020.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcal infection (CI) is an uncommon fungal disease that poses a particular fatal risk to liver transplant (LT) recipients because of the potential rapid development and dissemination of the disease. Depending on the pathophysiology, CI may manifest with a wide range of clinical presentations that may delay early diagnosis and timely treatment. Additionally, most anticryptococcal therapies may threaten LT recipients owing to the associated hepatotoxicity of these medications. We report a case of a 25-year-old woman who received an LT for cryptogenic cirrhosis and developed rapidly progressive CI with pulmonary, myocardial, and cerebral involvement within a month of transplantation. She presented with severe pulmonary hypertension refractory to medical management and subsequently died despite our efforts. Herein, we review the etiology of cryptococcosis, the natural history of cryptococcal disease, and standard treatments for CI, and we highlight peculiarities of Cryptococcus neoformans infection in solid organ transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector Saucedo-Crespo
- Avera Medical Group Transplant & Liver Surgery, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Department of Surgery, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
| | - Sujit Vijay Sakpal
- Avera Medical Group Transplant & Liver Surgery, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Department of Surgery, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Department of Internal Medicine, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
| | - Christopher Auvenshine
- Avera Medical Group Transplant & Liver Surgery, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Department of Surgery, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
| | - Robert N Santella
- Avera Medical Group Transplant & Liver Surgery, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Department of Internal Medicine, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
| | - Jawad Nazir
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
| | - Bruce Prouse
- Department of Pathology, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
| | - Tej Mehta
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jeffery Steers
- Avera Medical Group Transplant & Liver Surgery, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Department of Surgery, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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Basic-Jukic N, Juric I, Furic-Cunko V, Kastelan Z. Central nervous system infections in renal transplant recipients. Transpl Infect Dis 2020; 22:e13341. [PMID: 32453874 DOI: 10.1111/tid.13341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to determine the incidence, etiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of renal transplant recipients diagnosed and treated for central nervous system (CNS) infection at our institution. METHODS We analyzed data from all renal transplant recipients between January 2007 and December 2019 that were diagnosed and treated for CNS infections at our institution. RESULTS Of 1374 patients who received renal allografts, 13 were diagnosed with CNS infections (9 males), with a mean age of 53.5 years. Patients were diagnosed with CNS infections between 2 months and 11 years after the transplantation. Causative agents included JC virus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Cryptococcus neoformans, Herpes zoster virus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Listeria monocytogenes, and West Nile virus. One patient had concomitant Nocardia and Neisseria infection. Immunosuppression was reduced in all patients. The patient with JC encephalitis and the patient with concomitant Neisseria and Nocardia meningitis died. One patient was returned to dialysis. Other patients recovered with differing levels of neurologic sequelae. CONCLUSION Central nervous system infections in renal transplant recipients are rare. However, they are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A high level of awareness is needed: neurological symptoms may be nonspecific and caused by non-infectious conditions related to the underlying disease, or side-effects of immunosuppressive drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolina Basic-Jukic
- Department of Nephrology, Arterial Hypertension, Dialysis and Transplantation, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Urology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivana Juric
- Department of Nephrology, Arterial Hypertension, Dialysis and Transplantation, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Urology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vesna Furic-Cunko
- Department of Nephrology, Arterial Hypertension, Dialysis and Transplantation, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Urology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zeljko Kastelan
- Department of Nephrology, Arterial Hypertension, Dialysis and Transplantation, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Urology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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33
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Antinori S, Giacomelli A, Corbellino M, Ridolfo AL. Cryptococcal Disease Presenting With Cellulitis in Kidney Transplant Recipients. Am J Med 2020; 133:e326-e327. [PMID: 32532380 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2019.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Spinello Antinori
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Italy; III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy.
| | - Andrea Giacomelli
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Italy; III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Corbellino
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Lisa Ridolfo
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Ferreira GDSA, Watanabe ALC, Trevizoli NDC, Jorge FMF, Couto CDF, de Campos PB, Caja GON. Transmission of cryptococcosis by liver transplantation: A case report and review of literature. World J Hepatol 2020; 12:253-261. [PMID: 32547692 PMCID: PMC7280860 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v12.i5.253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection caused by the yeast-like encapsulated basidiomycetous fungus of the Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) species complex. These fungi are ubiquitous in soil and bird droppings, and infection by them is an important global health concern, particularly in immunosuppressed patients, such as organ transplant recipients and those infected by the human immunodeficiency virus. The fungus usually enters the body through the respiratory tract, but extremely rare cases of infection acquired by transplantation of solid organs have been reported.
CASE SUMMARY We report a case of disseminated cryptococcosis in a liver transplant recipient, diagnosed 2 wk after the procedure. The patient initially presented with fever, hyponatremia and elevated transaminase levels, manifesting intense headache after a few days. Blood cultures were positive for C. neoformans. Liver biopsy showed numerous fungal elements surrounded by gelatinous matrix and sparse granulomatous formations. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed multiple small lesions with low signal in T2, peripheric enhancement and edematous halo, diffuse through the parenchyma but more concentrated in the subcortical regions. Treatment with amphotericin B for 3 wk, followed by maintenance therapy with fluconazole, led to complete resolution of the symptoms. The recipients of both kidneys from the same donor also developed disseminated cryptococcosis, confirming the transplant as the source of infection. The organ donor lived in a rural area, surrounded by tropical rainforest, and had negative blood cultures prior to organ procurement.
CONCLUSION This case highlights the risk of transmission of fungal diseases, specifically of C. neoformans, through liver graft during liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andre Luis Conde Watanabe
- Department of Liver Transplantation, Instituto de Cardiologia do Distrito Federal, Brasilia 70673900, Brazil
| | | | | | - Carolina de Fatima Couto
- Department of Liver Transplantation, Instituto de Cardiologia do Distrito Federal, Brasilia 70673900, Brazil
| | - Priscila Brizolla de Campos
- Department of Liver Transplantation, Instituto de Cardiologia do Distrito Federal, Brasilia 70673900, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Oliveira Nunes Caja
- Department of Liver Transplantation, Instituto de Cardiologia do Distrito Federal, Brasilia 70673900, Brazil
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35
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Transmission of cryptococcosis by liver transplantation: A case report and review of literature. World J Hepatol 2020. [DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v12.i5.243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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36
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Okurut S, Meya DB, Bwanga F, Olobo J, Eller MA, Cham-Jallow F, Bohjanen PR, Pratap H, Palmer BE, Hullsiek KH, Manabe YC, Boulware DR, Janoff EN. B Cell Compartmentalization in Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid of HIV-Infected Ugandans with Cryptococcal Meningitis. Infect Immun 2020; 88:e00779-19. [PMID: 31871098 PMCID: PMC7035924 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00779-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Activated B cells modulate infection by differentiating into pathogen-specific antibody-producing effector plasmablasts/plasma cells, memory cells, and immune regulatory B cells. In this context, the B cell phenotypes that infiltrate the central nervous system during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cryptococcal meningitis coinfection are ill defined. We characterized clinical parameters, mortality, and B cell phenotypes in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by flow cytometry in HIV-infected adults with cryptococcal (n = 31) and noncryptococcal (n = 12) meningitis and in heathy control subjects with neither infection (n = 10). Activation of circulating B cells (CD21low) was significantly higher in the blood of subjects with HIV infection than in that of healthy controls and greater yet in matched CSF B cells (P < 0.001). Among B cell subsets, elevated frequencies of memory and plasmablasts/plasma cells most clearly distinguished the CSF from blood compartments. With cryptococcal meningitis, lower frequencies of expression of the regulatory protein programmed death-1 (PD-1) on plasmablasts/plasma cells in blood (median, 7%) at presentation were associated with significantly decreased 28-day survival (29% [4/14 subjects]), whereas higher PD-1 expression (median, 46%) characterized subjects with higher survival (88% [14/16 subjects]). With HIV infection, B cell differentiation and regulatory markers are discrete elements of the circulating and CSF compartments with clinical implications for cryptococcal disease outcome, potentially due to their effects on the fungus and other local immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Okurut
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Laboratory Department, Makerere University Walter Reed Project, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David B Meya
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Freddie Bwanga
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph Olobo
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Michael A Eller
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Fatim Cham-Jallow
- Laboratory Department, Makerere University Walter Reed Project, Kampala, Uganda
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Paul R Bohjanen
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Harsh Pratap
- Mucosal and Vaccine Research Program Colorado, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Brent E Palmer
- Mucosal and Vaccine Research Program Colorado, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Katharine H Hullsiek
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Yukari C Manabe
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David R Boulware
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Edward N Janoff
- Mucosal and Vaccine Research Program Colorado, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
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Marinelli T, Anagnostou N, Daniel S, Wigg AJ, Teh J. Very early-onset of Cryptococcus neoformans disease following liver transplantation: Report of two cases and a review of the literature. Transpl Infect Dis 2019; 22:e13227. [PMID: 31785187 DOI: 10.1111/tid.13227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is the third most common invasive fungal infection following solid organ transplantation, and mortality is high. Most cases occur late and are due to reactivation of latent infection; however, very early reactivation and donor-derived transmission can occur. Routine screening pre-transplant and antifungal prophylaxis for cryptococcosis post-transplant in solid organ transplantation are not standard practice. We present two cases of very early-onset Cryptococcus neoformans disease following liver transplantation to highlight the need to consider individualized pre-transplant screening and be aware that reactivation of Cryptococcosis neoformans can occur in the immediate post-transplant period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Marinelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Nicholas Anagnostou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Santhosh Daniel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia.,College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Alan J Wigg
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia.,Hepatology and Transplantation Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Joanne Teh
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
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Cryptococcosis in Patients following Kidney Transplantation: A 9-Year Retrospective Clinical Analysis at a Chinese Tertiary Hospital. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:7165160. [PMID: 31828122 PMCID: PMC6885150 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7165160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background Cryptococcosis following kidney transplantation (KT) is rare but is associated with considerably increased risk of mortality. At present, data on the association between cryptococcosis and KT in mainland China remain relatively limited. Objectives This study aims to review our experience related to the management of cryptococcosis following KT at a Chinese tertiary hospital. Methods All patients with cryptococcosis following KT admitted to our hospital from January 2010 to December 2018 were reviewed. Results A total of 37 patients with cryptococcosis were enrolled (males: 62.2%). The mean age of the patients was 49.5 ± 9.38 (20-64) years. The average time to infection following KT was 7.0 ± 5.50 years (5 months to 21 years), and 30 patients (81.1%) had cryptococcosis onset >2 years following transplantation. The most common site of infection was the central nervous system, followed by the pulmonary system and skin. Most patients received fluconazole or voriconazole with or without flucytosine as their initial treatment regimen at our hospital. The 2-week mortality rate was 8.1% (3/37), and five patients (13.5%) died within 6 months of being diagnosed with cryptococcosis. Remarkably, all patients who received high-dose fluconazole (800 mg daily) or voriconazole ± flucytosine survived. Conclusions Cryptococcosis in kidney transplant recipients is typically a late-occurring infection, with most patients having cryptococcosis onset >2 years following KT at our hospital. The central nervous system, pulmonary system, and skin are the main sites of infection. Voriconazole or high-dose fluconazole can be used as an alternative therapy for post-KT cryptococcosis.
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Sathirapanya P, Ekpitakdamrong N, Chusri S, Pruphetkaew N, Chongphattararot P, Nanphan P. Predictors of hospital discharge outcome from the presenting clinical characteristics and the first cerebrospinal fluid analysis among the patients with cryptococcal meningitis. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2019; 186:105539. [PMID: 31590063 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2019.105539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Prognosticators of the outcome of patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM) at variable follow-up time has been reported. We aimed to identify prognosticators of an outcome on hospital discharge of treated CM. PATIENTS AND METHODS The presenting characteristics of CM patients admitted in Songklanagarind Hospital from 2002 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The unfavorable outcome was defined as no improvement or death after starting treatment. The significant differences in clinical presentations between the patients with favorable and unfavorable outcomes were descriptively analyzed. The significant independent predictors from the clinical presentations and the first results of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis with cut-off values were further defined by multiple logistic regression analysis and shown in adjusted odds ratios (p < 0.05). RESULTS Sixty-two CM patients were enrolled and 33 (53.2%) of them were females. Their median (IQR) age was 37 (30, 46) years old. HIV serology was positive in 71.0%. Concurrent immunosuppressant use and systemic malignancies were 6.5 and 4.8%, respectively. The median (IQR) days of hospital stay was 18.0 days (12.8, 23.0). Eleven patients had unfavorable outcomes at hospital discharge (8 died, 3 no neurological improvement). Cranial nerve palsy and high CSF protein were dependent predictors for the unfavorable outcome, while high CSF glucose was a protective factor. In addition, CSF protein >270 mg/dL was an independent predictor for the unfavorable outcome when adjusted for other CSF analysis results (adjusted odds ratio 27.1, 95% confidence interval 1.1-678.5, p = 0.034). CONCLUSION Elevated CSF protein was a significant independent predictor for an unfavorable outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pornchai Sathirapanya
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
| | - Nichanan Ekpitakdamrong
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
| | - Sarunyou Chusri
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
| | - Nannapat Pruphetkaew
- Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
| | - Pensri Chongphattararot
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
| | - Paveena Nanphan
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
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Setianingrum F, Rautemaa-Richardson R, Denning DW. Pulmonary cryptococcosis: A review of pathobiology and clinical aspects. Med Mycol 2019; 57:133-150. [PMID: 30329097 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myy086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary cryptococcosis is an important opportunistic invasive mycosis in immunocompromised patients, but it is also increasingly seen in immunocompetent patients. The main human pathogens are Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii, which have a worldwide distribution. In contrast to cryptococcal meningitis, pulmonary cryptococcosis is still underdiagnosed because of limitations in diagnostic tools. It can mimic lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, bacterial pneumonia, and other pulmonary mycoses both clinically and radiologically. Pulmonary nodules are the most common radiological feature, but these are not specific to pulmonary cryptococcosis. The sensitivity of culture of respiratory samples for Cryptococcus is poor and a positive result may also reflect colonisation. Cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) with lateral flow device is a fast and sensitive test and widely used on serum and cerebrospinal fluid, but sera from patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis are rarely positive in the absence of disseminated disease. Detection of CrAg from respiratory specimens might assist the diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis but there are very few data. Molecular detection techniques such as multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) could also provide better sensitivity but these still require validation for respiratory specimens. The first line of treatment for pulmonary cryptococcosis is fluconazole, or amphotericin B and flucytosine for those with central nervous system involvement. Pulmonary cryptococcosis worsens the prognosis of cryptococcal meningitis. In this review, we summarize the biological aspects of Cryptococcus and provide an update on the diagnosis and management of pulmonary cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Findra Setianingrum
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, UK
- Parasitology Department, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Riina Rautemaa-Richardson
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, UK
- Mycology Reference Centre Manchester, ECMM Centre of Excellence in Clinical and Laboratory Mycology and Clinical Studies, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Wythenshawe Hospital Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - David W Denning
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, UK
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Wythenshawe Hospital Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
- National Aspergillosis Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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Beardsley J, Sorrell TC, Chen SCA. Central Nervous System Cryptococcal Infections in Non-HIV Infected Patients. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:jof5030071. [PMID: 31382367 PMCID: PMC6787755 DOI: 10.3390/jof5030071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) cryptococcosis in non-HIV infected patients affects solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, patients with malignancy, rheumatic disorders, other immunosuppressive conditions and immunocompetent hosts. More recently described risks include the use of newer biologicals and recreational intravenous drug use. Disease is caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complex; C. gattii is endemic in several geographic regions and has caused outbreaks in North America. Major virulence determinants are the polysaccharide capsule, melanin and several ‘invasins’. Cryptococcal plb1, laccase and urease are essential for dissemination from lung to CNS and crossing the blood–brain barrier. Meningo-encephalitis is common but intracerebral infection or hydrocephalus also occur, and are relatively frequent in C. gattii infection. Complications include neurologic deficits, raised intracranial pressure (ICP) and disseminated disease. Diagnosis relies on culture, phenotypic identification methods, and cryptococcal antigen detection. Molecular methods can assist. Preferred induction antifungal therapy is a lipid amphotericin B formulation (amphotericin B deoxycholate may be used in non-transplant patients) plus 5-flucytosine for 2–6 weeks depending on host type followed by consolidation/maintenance therapy with fluconazole for 12 months or longer. Control of raised ICP is essential. Clinicians should be vigilant for immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Beardsley
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2145, Australia
| | - Tania C Sorrell
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2145, Australia
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, Sydney 2145, Australia
| | - Sharon C-A Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital and the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2145, Australia.
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42
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Dulek DE, Mueller NJ. Pneumonia in solid organ transplantation: Guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice. Clin Transplant 2019; 33:e13545. [PMID: 30900275 PMCID: PMC7162188 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.13545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
These guidelines from the AST Infectious Diseases Community of Practice review the diagnosis and management of pneumonia in the post-transplant period. Clinical presentations and differential diagnosis for pneumonia in the solid organ transplant recipient are reviewed. A two-tier approach is proposed based on the net state of immunosuppression and the severity of presentation. With a lower risk of opportunistic, hospital-acquired, or exposure-specific pathogens and a non-severe presentation, empirical therapy may be initiated under close clinical observation. In all other patients, or those not responding to the initial therapy, a more aggressive diagnostic approach including sampling of tissue for microbiological and pathological testing is warranted. Given the broad range of potential pathogens, a microbiological diagnosis is often key for optimal care. Given the limited literature comparatively evaluating diagnostic approaches to pneumonia in the solid organ transplant recipient, much of the proposed diagnostic algorithm reflects clinical experience rather than evidence-based data. It should serve as a template which may be modified according to local needs. The same holds true for the suggested empiric therapies, which need to be adapted to the local resistance patterns. Further study is needed to comparatively evaluate diagnostic and empiric treatment strategies in SOT recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Dulek
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Nicolas J Mueller
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Baddley JW, Forrest GN. Cryptococcosis in solid organ transplantation-Guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice. Clin Transplant 2019; 33:e13543. [PMID: 30900315 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.13543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
These updated guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Community of Practice of the American Society of Transplantation review the diagnosis, prevention, and management of cryptococcosis in the pre- and post-transplant period. The current update now includes a discussion of cryptococcosis, which is the third most common invasive fungal infection in SOT recipients. Infection often occurs a year after transplantation; however, early infections occur and donor-derived infections have been described within 3 months after transplant. There are two main species that cause infection, Cryptococcus neoformans and C gattii. Clinical onset may be insidious, but headaches, fevers, and mental status changes should warrant diagnostic testing. The lateral flow cryptococcal antigen assay is now the preferred test from serum and cerebrospinal fluid due to its rapidity, accuracy, and cost. A lumbar puncture with measurement of opening pressure is recommended for patients with suspected or proven cryptococcosis. Lipid amphotericin B plus 5-flucytosine is used as initial treatment of meningitis, disseminated infection, and moderate-to-severe pulmonary infection, followed by fluconazole as consolidation therapy. Fluconazole is effective for mild-to-moderate pulmonary infection. Immunosuppression reduction as part of management may lead to immune reconstitution syndrome that may resemble active disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Baddley
- University of Alabama at Birmingham and Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama
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Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to infectious diseases in solid organ transplant recipients. Intensive Care Med 2019; 45:573-591. [PMID: 30911807 PMCID: PMC7079836 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-019-05597-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Prognosis of solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients has improved, mainly because of better prevention of rejection by immunosuppressive therapies. However, SOT recipients are highly susceptible to conventional and opportunistic infections, which represent a major cause of morbidity, graft dysfunction and mortality. Methods Narrative review. Results We cover the current epidemiology and main aspects of infections in SOT recipients including risk factors such as postoperative risks and specific risks for different transplant recipients, key points on anti-infective prophylaxis as well as diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. We provide an up-to-date guide for management of the main syndromes that can be encountered in SOT recipients including acute respiratory failure, sepsis or septic shock, and central nervous system infections as well as bacterial infections with multidrug-resistant strains, invasive fungal diseases, viral infections and less common pathogens that may impact this patient population. Conclusion We provide state-of the art review of available knowledge of critically ill SOT patients with infections.
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45
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Manuel O, Ison MG. Prevention and Treatment of Yeast and Endemic Fungal Infections. INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN SOLID-ORGAN TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS 2019. [PMCID: PMC7138456 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-15394-6_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) remain an important complication of solid organ transplantation owing to their significant morbidity and mortality and include infections due to Candida, Cryptococcus, endemic mycosis, and other rare yeasts and molds. IFIs occur in different intervals posttransplantation and depend on a number of extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors, some of which are specific to the type of organs transplanted, surgical techniques, and type of immunosuppressive medications. Donor-derived IFIs and emergence of new multidrug-resistant yeasts have been reported in various healthcare settings. Clinical manifestations of yeast and endemic fungal infections vary in different types of organ transplants. Diagnosis of IFIs in SOT recipients is challenging due to their nonspecific signs and symptoms owing to the impaired inflammatory responses as a result of immunosuppression and the lack of highly sensitive and specific diagnostic modalities. Early diagnosis is key to successful therapy, and physicians should have a high index of suspicion based on risk factors and epidemiology of these pathogens. Antifungal treatment strategies for yeast infections have been outlined in various society guidelines. Management of complications that arise before or during antifungal therapy is critical for optimizing clinical response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriol Manuel
- Infectious Diseases Service and Transplantation Center, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michael G Ison
- School of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg, Chicago, IL USA
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Abstract
Invasive candidiasis (IC) remains the most common invasive fungal infection following solid-organ transplant (SOT), but risk factors are evolving. Current challenges include infection due to drug resistant non-albicans and emerging novel species such as Candida auris. Preventive antifungal use in SOT needs to be re-examined in light of these current challenges. Cryptococcosis is the second most common IFI following SOT. Cryptococcus gattii is an emerging pathogen that can have reduced in-vitro susceptibility to antifungal agents. Cryptococcus associated IRIS in SOT is a clinical entity that warrants heightened awareness for timely recognition and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Taimur
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One-Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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Sohail A, Smibert OC, Snell G, Paraskeva M, Jenney A. Cryptococcal infection in lung transplant recipients: A 5-year retrospective review at an Australian transplant center. Transpl Infect Dis 2018; 20:e12976. [PMID: 30120885 DOI: 10.1111/tid.12976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a common invasive fungal infection (IFI) in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Little is known about cryptococcosis in lung transplant (LTx) recipients despite having one of the highest risks of infection. The aim of this study was to describe demographic and clinical features of cryptococcal infection in LTx recipients. We performed a retrospective, observational study of cryptococcal infection in LTx recipients at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, from 2012 to 2017. A total of 11 cases were identified. Seven patients (64%) were male and the median age was 54.7 years (range 34-69 years). Diagnosis occurred at a median of 233 days (range 1-3650 days) post-transplant. Nine patients (82%) had isolated pulmonary infection of whom 7 (78%) were asymptomatic. All were treated with oral antifungal therapy and 1 required surgical resection of infected lung. Two patients (18%) had disseminated infection; 1 with pulmonary and central nervous system (CNS) infection and 1 with isolated CNS infection. Both patients presented with headache and brain imaging demonstrated cerebral edema, myelinosis, and leptomeningeal enhancement. One of these patients died. This study highlights the fact that cryptococcal infection should remain a consideration in asymptomatic LTx recipients, especially in the presence of non-specific nodules on chest imaging, and that the presence of headache in these patients requires urgent investigation for CNS infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Sohail
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Olivia C Smibert
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Greg Snell
- Lung Transplant Service, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Miranda Paraskeva
- Lung Transplant Service, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adam Jenney
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Microbiology Unit, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Posteraro P, Vacca K, Celi M, De Angelis G, Vella A, Sanguinetti M, Posteraro B. Fatal fulminant cryptococcemia complicating sarcoidosis: Is it to be expected? Med Mycol Case Rep 2018; 22:42-44. [PMID: 30148060 PMCID: PMC6106708 DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2018.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis may be a life-threatening complication of sarcoidosis. We describe a case of cryptococcemia that rapidly progressed toward fatality without apparent other sites of infection. We discuss on the importance of serum cryptococcal polysaccharide antigen testing for identifying at-risk patients who might benefit from timely diagnosis and treatment of cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Posteraro
- GVM Ospedale San Carlo di Nancy, Laboratorio di Analisi Cliniche e Microbiologiche, Via Aurelia 275, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Katia Vacca
- GVM Ospedale San Carlo di Nancy, Unità di Medicina, Via Aurelia 275, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Celi
- GVM Ospedale San Carlo di Nancy, Unità di Medicina, Via Aurelia 275, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia De Angelis
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Microbiologia, Largo Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonietta Vella
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Microbiologia, Largo Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Sanguinetti
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Microbiologia, Largo Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Brunella Posteraro
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Patologia Medica e Semeiotica Medica, Largo Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Cryptococcal Meningitis: A Retrospective Cohort of a Brazilian Reference Hospital in the Post-HAART Era of Universal Access. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY 2018; 2018:6512468. [PMID: 30154942 PMCID: PMC6093042 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6512468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 07/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective Cryptococcus neoformans is a common opportunistic infection in adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome worldwide. However, limited data exist for HIV-infected patients in the post-HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy) era in Brazil. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of cryptococcosis in a cohort of patients attending a teaching tertiary care hospital in southern Brazil after the introduction of HAART in Brazil. Patients and Methods A retrospective study was conducted in tertiary care hospital in southern Brazil. Detailed data on risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis methods, treatment, and prognosis of patients with meningeal cryptococcosis were evaluated from January 2009 to December 2016. Results Seventy-nine cases of cryptococcal meningitis were identified. Most of the patients presented positive CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) cultures for Cryptococcus neoformans (96%). The prevalence of males and females with meningeal cryptococcosis was similar. The age of the patients ranged from 5 to 67 years. The median time of hospitalization was 28 days. The most common underlying disease was HIV (82%), followed by solid transplant (10%). Fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, and altered mental status were the most common clinical manifestations. Initial opening intracranial pressures varied from 30 to 130 cm H2O. CNS imaging abnormalities include hydrocephalus and hypodensities. Widened Virchow–Robin spaces were described in only 2 patients (2.5%). Induction treatment of the majority of the patients consisted of amphotericin B and flucytosine (67%) followed by amphotericin B and fluconazole (19%). Multivariate analysis of Cox regression identified headache at presentation, mechanical ventilation, CSF glucose <20 mg/dL, and CSF cryptococcal antigen ≥1 : 1000 for independent risk factors for death. All-cause 30-day and 60-day mortalities were 19% and 24%, respectively. Conclusions Meningeal cryptococcosis mostly caused by C. neoformans continues to occur predominantly in HIV-infected adults despite HAART being widely distributed in Brazil. Cryptococcosis remains a significant opportunistic infection in solid organ transplant recipients. Despite adequate antifungal treatment and management of intracranial hypertension in a reference tertiary care hospital, mortality was high. Identification of risk factors and additional treatment modalities, especially for intracranial hypertension, are necessary to improve care for patients with cryptococcal meningitis.
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Ponzio V, Camargo LF, Medina-Pestana J, Perfect JR, Colombo AL. Outcomes of cryptococcosis in renal transplant recipients in a less-resourced health care system. Transpl Infect Dis 2018; 20:e12910. [PMID: 29677399 DOI: 10.1111/tid.12910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptococcosis is the second most common cause of invasive fungal infections in renal transplant recipients in many countries, and data on graft outcome after treatment for this infection is lacking in less-resourced health care settings. METHODS Data from 47 renal transplant recipients were retrospectively collected at a single institution during a period of 13 years. Graft dysfunction, graft loss, and mortality rates were evaluated. Predictors of mortality and graft loss were estimated. RESULTS A total of 38 (97.4%) patients treated with amphotericin B deoxycholate (AMBd) showed graft dysfunction after antifungal initiation and 8 (18.2%) had kidney graft loss. Graft loss within 30 days after cryptococcosis onset was significantly associated with disseminated infection, greater baseline creatinine levels, and graft dysfunction concomitant to AMBd therapy and an additional nephrotoxic condition. The 30-day mortality rate was 19.2% and it was significantly associated with disseminated and pulmonary infections, somnolence at admission, high CSF opening pressure, positive CSF India ink, creatinine levels greater than 2.0 mg/dL at admission, graft dysfunction in patients treated with AMBd and an additional nephrotoxic condition and graft loss within 30 days. CONCLUSION Graft dysfunction was common in renal transplant recipients with cryptococcosis treated with AMBd. The rate of graft loss rate was high, most frequently in patients with concomitant nephrotoxic conditions. Therefore, the clinical focus should be on the use of less nephrotoxic lipid formulations of amphotericin B in this specific population requiring a polyene induction regimen for treatment of severe cryptococcosis in all health care systems caring for transplantation recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius Ponzio
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luis Fernando Camargo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Medina-Pestana
- Discipline of Nephrology, Hospital do Rim Oswaldo Ramos Foundation, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - John Robert Perfect
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Arnaldo Lopes Colombo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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