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Zhu F, Zhou Z, Ma S, Xu Y, Tan C, Yang H, Zhang P, Qin R, Luo Y, Pan P, Chen J. Design of a cryptococcus neoformans vaccine by subtractive proteomics combined with immunoinformatics. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 135:112242. [PMID: 38772296 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of Cryptococcus neoformans has posed an undeniable burden to many regions worldwide, with its strains mainly entering the lungs through the respiratory tract and spreading throughout the body. Limitations of drug regimens, such as high costs and limited options, have directed our attention toward the promising field of vaccine development. In this study, the subtractive proteomics approach was employed to select target proteins from databases that can accurately cover serotypes A and D of the Cryptococcus neoformans. Further, two multi-epitope vaccines consisting of T and B cell epitopes were demonstrated that they have good structural stability and could bind with immune receptor to induce desired immune responses in silico. After further evaluation, these vaccines show the potential for large-scale production and applicability to the majority of the population of the world. In summary, these two vaccines have been theoretically proven to combat Cryptococcus neoformans infections, awaiting further experimental validation of their actual protective effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zhu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Ziyou Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Shiyang Ma
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Yizhong Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Caixia Tan
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; Department of Infection Control Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hang Yang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Peipei Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Rongliu Qin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Yuying Luo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Pinhua Pan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China.
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; FuRong Laboratory, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China.
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Diniz-Lima I, da Fonseca LM, dos Reis JS, Rodrigues da Costa Santos MA, da Costa KM, do Nascimento Santos CA, Barcelos PM, Guimarães-Pinto K, Filardy AA, Freire-de-Lima ME, Decote-Ricardo D, Morrot A, Freire-de-Lima CG, Freire-de-Lima L. The Sweet Side of Fungal Infections: Structural Glycan Diversity and Its Importance for Pathogenic Adaptation. MEDICINES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:medicines9060037. [PMID: 35736250 PMCID: PMC9230512 DOI: 10.3390/medicines9060037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections are the most common secondary infections in debilitated individuals in a state of chronic disease or immunosuppression. Despite this, most fungal infections are neglected, mainly due to the lower frequency of their more severe clinical forms in immunocompetent individuals with a healthy background. However, over the past few years, several cases of severe fungal infections in healthy individuals have provoked a change in the epidemiological dynamics of fungal infections around the world, both due to recurrent outbreaks in previously infrequent regions and the greater emergence of more pathogenic fungal variants affecting healthy individuals, such as in the Cryptococcus genus. Therefore, before the arrival of a scenario of prevalent severe fungal infections, it is necessary to assess more carefully what are the real reasons for the increased incidence of fungal infection globally. What are the factors that are currently contributing to this new possible epidemiological dynamic? Could these be of a structural nature? Herein, we propose a discussion based on the importance of the virulence factors of glycoconjugate composition in the adaptation of pathogenic fungal species into the current scenario of increasing severity of these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Diniz-Lima
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Leonardo Marques da Fonseca
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Jhenifer Santos dos Reis
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Marcos André Rodrigues da Costa Santos
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Kelli Monteiro da Costa
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Carlos Antonio do Nascimento Santos
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Pedro Marçal Barcelos
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
| | - Kamila Guimarães-Pinto
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (K.G.-P.); (A.A.F.)
| | - Alessandra Almeida Filardy
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (K.G.-P.); (A.A.F.)
| | - Marco Edilson Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 23890-000, Brazil;
| | - Debora Decote-Ricardo
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia Veterinária, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 23890-000, Brazil;
| | - Alexandre Morrot
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil;
| | - Celio Geraldo Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +55-21-3938-6646
| | - Leonardo Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (I.D.-L.); (L.M.d.F.); (J.S.d.R.); (M.A.R.d.C.S.); (K.M.d.C.); (C.A.d.N.S.); (P.M.B.); (L.F.-d.-L.)
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5
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de Oliveira L, Melhem MDSC, Buccheri R, Chagas OJ, Vidal JE, Diaz-Quijano FA. Early clinical and microbiological predictors of outcome in hospitalized patients with cryptococcal meningitis. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:138. [PMID: 35139801 PMCID: PMC8830130 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07118-7] [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: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cryptococcal meningitis causes high mortality in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. The objective of this study was to identify early predictors of clinical outcome, available at the first days of hospitalization, in patients with cryptococcal meningitis in a tertiary center in Brazil. Methods Ninety-six cases of cryptococcal meningitis with clinical, epidemiological and laboratory data, and identification and antifungal susceptibility of the strains were analyzed. Quantitative CSF yeast counts were performed by direct microscopic exam with a Fuchs-Rosenthal cell counting chamber using an institutional protocol. Univariable and multiple analyses using logistic regression were performed to identify predictors, available at the beginning of hospitalization, of in-hospital mortality. Moreover, we performed a secondary analysis for a composite outcome defined by hospital mortality and intensive care unit transfer. Results The species and the antifungal susceptibility were not associated with the outcomes evaluated. The variables significantly associated with the mortality were age (OR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.02–1.15), the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) yeasts count (OR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.20–2.27), systemic arterial hypertension (OR = 22.63, 95% CI 1.64–312.91) and neurological impairment identified by computed tomography (OR = 41.73, 95% CI 3.10–561.65). At the secondary analysis, CSF yeast count was also associated with the composite outcome, in addition to the culture of Cryptococcus spp. from bloodstream and cerebral toxoplasmosis. The associations were consistent with survival models evaluated. Conclusions Age and CSF yeast count were independently associated with in-hospital mortality of patients with cryptococcal meningitis but Cryptococcus species identification and antifungal susceptibility were not associated with the outcomes. Quantitative CSF yeast counts used in this study can be evaluated and implemented in other low and middle-income settings. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07118-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidiane de Oliveira
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246-904, Brazil.
| | - Marcia de Souza Carvalho Melhem
- Mycology Unit of Adolfo Lutz Institute, Public Health Reference Laboratory, Secretary of Health, Av. Dr.Arnaldo, 351, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05411-000, Brazil.,School of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Bairro Universitário, Av. Costa e Silva, s/no, Campo Grande, MS, CEP 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Renata Buccheri
- Department of Neurology, Emílio Ribas Institute of Infectious Diseases, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 165, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05411-000, Brazil
| | - Oscar José Chagas
- Department of Neurology, Emílio Ribas Institute of Infectious Diseases, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 165, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05411-000, Brazil
| | - José Ernesto Vidal
- Department of Neurology, Emílio Ribas Institute of Infectious Diseases, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 165, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05411-000, Brazil.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital das Clinicas, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246-904, Brazil
| | - Fredi Alexander Diaz-Quijano
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246-904, Brazil
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Nascimento E, Barião PHG, Kress MRVZ, Vilar FC, Santana RDC, Gaspar GG, Martinez R. Cryptococcosis by Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii Species Complexes in non-HIV-Infected Patients in Southeastern Brazil. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2021; 54:e01692021. [PMID: 34495255 PMCID: PMC8437442 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0169-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The clinical manifestations of cryptococcosis are usually associated with the infecting agents Cryptococcus neoformans (CN) and C. gattii (CG) species complexes and the host. In this study, non-HIV-infected patients, at a university hospital in southeastern Brazil, had epidemiological and clinical data associated with cryptococcal disease and isolated Cryptococcus species: CN - 24 patients and CG - 12 patients. METHODS: The comparison was comprised of demographic data, predisposing factors, clinical and laboratory manifestations, and outcomes of cryptococcosis patients treated between 2000 and 2016. Immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients were also compared, irrespective of the infecting species. Cryptococcus spp. were genotyped by PCR-RFLP analysis of the URA5 gene. RESULTS: Infections by the CN species complex (100% VNI genotype) were associated with drug immunosuppression and fungemia, and patients infected with the CG species complex (83% VG II and 17% VGI genotypes) had more evident environmental exposure and higher humoral response. CN and CG affected patients with or without comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes mellitus, other chronic non-infectious diseases, and alcoholism were likely predisposing factors for infection by both CN and CG species. Immunocompetent patients, independent of the infecting Cryptococcus species complexes, showed a higher occurrence of meningitis and a trend toward less fungal dissemination and longer survival than immunosuppressed hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Nascimento
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - Patrícia Helena Grizante Barião
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcia Regina von Zeska Kress
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - Fernando Crivelenti Vilar
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - Rodrigo de Carvalho Santana
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - Gilberto Gambero Gaspar
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - Roberto Martinez
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
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Firacative C, Meyer W, Castañeda E. Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii Species Complexes in Latin America: A Map of Molecular Types, Genotypic Diversity, and Antifungal Susceptibility as Reported by the Latin American Cryptococcal Study Group. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7040282. [PMID: 33918572 PMCID: PMC8069395 DOI: 10.3390/jof7040282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis, a potentially fatal mycosis, is caused by members of the Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complexes. In Latin America, cryptococcal meningitis is still an important health threat with a significant clinical burden. Analysis of publicly available molecular data from 5686 clinical, environmental, and veterinary cryptococcal isolates from member countries of the Latin American Cryptococcal Study Group showed that, as worldwide, C. neoformans molecular type VNI is the most common cause of cryptococcosis (76.01%) in HIV-infected people, followed by C. gattii molecular type VGII (12.37%), affecting mostly otherwise healthy hosts. These two molecular types also predominate in the environment (68.60% for VNI and 20.70% for VGII). Among the scarce number of veterinary cases, VGII is the predominant molecular type (73.68%). Multilocus sequence typing analysis showed that, in Latin America, the C. neoformans population is less diverse than the C. gattii population (D of 0.7104 vs. 0.9755). Analysis of antifungal susceptibility data showed the presence of non-wild-type VNI, VGI, VGII, and VGIII isolates in the region. Overall, the data presented herein summarize the progress that has been made towards the molecular epidemiology of cryptococcal isolates in Latin America, contributing to the characterization of the genetic diversity and antifungal susceptibility of these globally spreading pathogenic yeasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Firacative
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota 111221, Colombia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +57-1-297-0200 (ext. 3404)
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Research and Education Network Westmead Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School-Westmead Clinical School, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2145, Australia;
| | - Elizabeth Castañeda
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogota 111321, Colombia;
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