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Soraci L, Beccacece A, Princiotto M, Villalta Savedra E, Gambuzza ME, Aguennouz M, Corsonello A, Luciani F, Muglia L, Filicetti E, Greco GI, Volpentesta M, Biscetti L. The emerging links between immunosenescence in innate immune system and neurocryptococcosis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1410090. [PMID: 39229268 PMCID: PMC11369721 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1410090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunosenescence refers to the age-related progressive decline of immune function contributing to the increased susceptibility to infectious diseases in older people. Neurocryptococcosis, an infectious disease of central nervous system (CNS) caused by Cryptococcus neoformans (C. Neoformans) and C. gattii, has been observed with increased frequency in aged people, as result of the reactivation of a latent infection or community acquisition. These opportunistic microorganisms belonging to kingdom of fungi are capable of surviving and replicating within macrophages. Typically, cryptococcus is expelled by vomocytosis, a non-lytic expulsive mechanism also promoted by interferon (IFN)-I, or by cell lysis. However, whereas in a first phase cryptococcal vomocytosis leads to a latent asymptomatic infection confined to the lung, an enhancement in vomocytosis, promoted by IFN-I overproduction, can be deleterious, leading the fungus to reach the blood stream and invade the CNS. Cryptococcus may not be easy to diagnose in older individuals and, if not timely treated, could be potentially lethal. Therefore, this review aims to elucidate the putative causes of the increased incidence of cryptococcal CNS infection in older people discussing in depth the mechanisms of immunosenscence potentially able to predispose to neurocryptococcosis, laying the foundations for future research. A deepest understanding of this relationship could provide new ways to improve the prevention and recognition of neurocryptococcosis in aged frail people, in order to quickly manage pharmacological interventions and to adopt further preventive measures able to reduce the main risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Soraci
- Unit of Geriatric Medicine, Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
| | - Alessia Beccacece
- Centre for Biostatistics and Applied Geriatric Clinical Epidemiology, Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Ancona, Italy
| | | | | | | | - M’Hammed Aguennouz
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea Corsonello
- Unit of Geriatric Medicine, Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, School of Medicine and Digital Technologies, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Muglia
- Centre for Biostatistics and Applied Geriatric Clinical Epidemiology, Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
| | - Elvira Filicetti
- Unit of Geriatric Medicine, Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
| | - Giada Ida Greco
- Unit of Geriatric Medicine, Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
| | - Mara Volpentesta
- Unit of Geriatric Medicine, Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
| | - Leonardo Biscetti
- Section of Neurology, Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Ancona, Italy
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2
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Pruksaphon K, Amsri A, Jeenkeawpieam J, Thammasit P, Nosanchuk JD, Youngchim S. The microbial damage and host response framework: lesson learned from pathogenic survival trajectories and immunoinflammatory responses of Talaromyces marneffei infection. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1448729. [PMID: 39188728 PMCID: PMC11345217 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1448729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The adverse outcomes of fungal infection in mammalian hosts depend on the complex interactions between the host immune system and pathogen virulence-associated traits. The main clinical problems arise when the host response is either too weak to effectively eliminate the pathogen or overly aggressive, resulting in host tissue damage rather than protection. This article will highlight current knowledge regarding the virulence attributions and mechanisms involved in the dual-sided role of the host immune system in the immunopathogenesis of the thermally dimorphic fungus Talaromyces marneffei through the lens of the damage response framework (DRF) of microbial pathogenesis model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritsada Pruksaphon
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
- Center of Excellence Research for Melioidosis and Microorganisms (CERMM), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Artid Amsri
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Juthatip Jeenkeawpieam
- Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
- One Health Research Center, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Patcharin Thammasit
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Joshua D. Nosanchuk
- Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sirida Youngchim
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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3
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Wang Z, Shao J. Fungal vaccines and adjuvants: a tool to reveal the interaction between host and fungi. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:293. [PMID: 38850421 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04010-7] [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: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Fungal infections are incurring high risks in a range from superficial mucosal discomforts (such as oropharyngeal candidiasis and vulvovaginal candidiasis) to disseminated life-threatening diseases (such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and cryptococcal meningitis) and becoming a global health problem in especially immunodeficient population. The major obstacle to conquer fungal harassment lies in the presence of increasing resistance to conventional antifungal agents used in newly clinically isolated strains. Although recombinant cytokines and mono-/poly-clonal antibodies are added into antifungal armamentarium, more effective antimycotic drugs are exceedingly demanded. It is comforting that the development of fungal vaccines and adjuvants opens up a window to brighten the prospective way in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of fungal assaults. In this review, we focus on the progression of several major fungal vaccines devised for the control of Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., Cryptococcus spp., Coccidioides spp., Paracoccidioides spp., Blastomyces spp., Histoplasma spp., Pneumocystis spp. as well as the adjuvants adopted. We then expound the interaction between fungal vaccines/adjuvants and host innate (macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils), humoral (IgG, IgM and IgA) and cellular (Th1, Th2, Th17 and Tc17) immune responses which generally experience immune recognition of pattern recognition receptors, activation of immune cells, and clearance of invaded fungi. Furthermore, we anticipate an in-depth understanding of immunomodulatory properties of univalent and multivalent vaccines against diverse opportunistic fungi, providing helpful information in the design of novel fungal vaccines and adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixu Wang
- Laboratory of Anti-Infection and Immunity, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Science), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Zhijing Building, 350 Longzihu Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei, 230012, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Shao
- Laboratory of Anti-Infection and Immunity, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Science), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Zhijing Building, 350 Longzihu Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei, 230012, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Zhijing Building, 350 Longzihu Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei, 230012, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
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4
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Sonnberger J, Kasper L, Lange T, Brunke S, Hube B. "We've got to get out"-Strategies of human pathogenic fungi to escape from phagocytes. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:341-358. [PMID: 37800630 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15149] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Human fungal pathogens are a deadly and underappreciated risk to global health that most severely affect immunocompromised individuals. A virulence attribute shared by some of the most clinically relevant fungal species is their ability to survive inside macrophages and escape from these immune cells. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms behind intracellular survival and elaborate how escape is mediated by lytic and non-lytic pathways as well as strategies to induce programmed host cell death. We also discuss persistence as an alternative to rapid host cell exit. In the end, we address the consequences of fungal escape for the host immune response and provide future perspectives for research and development of targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Sonnberger
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Lydia Kasper
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Theresa Lange
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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5
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Barros N, Wheat LJ. Histoplasmosis in Solid Organ Transplantation. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:124. [PMID: 38392796 PMCID: PMC10890191 DOI: 10.3390/jof10020124] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Histoplasma capsulatum, the etiological agent for histoplasmosis, is a dimorphic fungus that grows as a mold in the environment and as a yeast in human tissues. It has a broad global distribution with shifting epidemiology during recent decades. While in immunocompetent individuals infection is usually self-resolving, solid organ transplant recipients are at increased risk of symptomatic disease with dissemination to extrapulmonary tissue. Diagnosis of histoplasmosis relies on direct observation of the pathogen (histopathology, cytopathology, and culture) or detection of antigens, antibodies, or nucleic acids. All transplant recipients with histoplasmosis warrant therapy, though the agent of choice and duration of therapy depends on the severity of disease. In the present article, we describe the pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations and management of histoplasmosis in solid organ transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Barros
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Miravista Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN 46241, USA
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6
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Tarannum N, Pooja K, Jakhar S, Mavi A. Nanoparticles assisted intra and transdermic delivery of antifungal ointment: an updated review. DISCOVER NANO 2024; 19:11. [PMID: 38195832 PMCID: PMC10776542 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-023-03932-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
This review paper highlights the trans-dermic delivery of nanoparticles (NPs) based antifungal ointments with the help of nanotechnology. It also describes the novel trans-dermal approach utilizing various nanoparticles which enables an efficient delivery to the target site. This current review gives an overview about past research and developments as well as the current nanoparticle-based ointments. This review also presents data regarding types, causes of infection, and different pathogens within their infection site. It also gives information about antifungal ointments with their activity and side effects of antifungal medicines. Additionally, this review also focuses on the future aspects of the topical administration of nanoparticle-based antifungal ointments. These nanoparticles can encapsulate multiple antifungal drugs as a combination therapy targeting different aspects of fungal infection. Nanoparticles can be designed in such a way that they can specifically target fungal cells and do not affect healthy cells. Nanoparticle based antifungal ointments exhibit outstanding potential to treat fungal diseases. As further research and advancements evolve in nanotechnology, we expect more development of nanoparticle-based antifungal formulations shortly. This paper discusses all the past and future applications, recent trends, and developments in the various field and also shows its bright prospective in the upcoming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazia Tarannum
- Department of Chemistry, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, 250004, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Km Pooja
- Department of Chemistry, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, 250004, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shivani Jakhar
- Department of Chemistry, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, 250004, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anshika Mavi
- Department of Chemistry, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, 250004, Uttar Pradesh, India
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7
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Chaudhari V, Vairagade V, Thakkar A, Shende H, Vora A. Nanotechnology-based fungal detection and treatment: current status and future perspective. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:77-97. [PMID: 37597093 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02662-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Fungal infections impose a significant impact on global health and encompass major expenditures in medical treatments. Human mycoses, a fungal co-infection associated with SARS-CoV-2, is caused by opportunistic fungal pathogens and is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Recently, there is increasing threat about spread of antimicrobial resistance in fungus, mostly in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections are associated with several issues, including tedious and non-selective detection methods, the growth of drug-resistant bacteria, severe side effects, and ineffective drug delivery. Thus, a rapid and sensitive diagnostic method and a high-efficacy and low-toxicity therapeutic approach are needed. Nanomedicine has emerged as a viable option for overcoming these limitations. Due to the unique physicochemical and optical properties of nanomaterials and newer biosensing techniques, nanodiagnostics play an important role in the accurate and prompt differentiation and detection of fungal diseases. Additionally, nano-based drug delivery techniques can increase drug permeability, reduce adverse effects, and extend systemic circulation time and drug half-life. This review paper is aimed at highlighting recent, promising, and unique trends in nanotechnology to design and develop diagnostics and treatment methods for fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Chaudhari
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, India
| | - Vaishnavi Vairagade
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, India
| | - Ami Thakkar
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, India
| | - Himani Shende
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, India
| | - Amisha Vora
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, India.
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8
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de Castro RJA, Marina CL, Sturny-Leclère A, Hoffmann C, Bürgel PH, Wong SSW, Aimanianda V, Varet H, Agrawal R, Bocca AL, Alanio A. Kicking sleepers out of bed: Macrophages promote reactivation of dormant Cryptococcus neoformans by extracellular vesicle release and non-lytic exocytosis. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011841. [PMID: 38033163 PMCID: PMC10715671 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages play a key role in disseminated cryptococcosis, a deadly fungal disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. This opportunistic infection can arise following the reactivation of a poorly characterized latent infection attributed to dormant C. neoformans. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying reactivation of dormant C. neoformans using an in vitro co-culture model of viable but non-culturable (VBNC; equivalent of dormant) yeast cells with bone marrow-derived murine macrophages (BMDMs). Comparative transcriptome analysis of BMDMs incubated with log, stationary phase or VBNC cells of C. neoformans showed that VBNC cells elicited a reduced transcriptional modification of the macrophage but retaining the ability to regulate genes important for immune response, such as NLRP3 inflammasome-related genes. We further confirmed the maintenance of the low immunostimulatory capacity of VBNC cells using multiplex cytokine profiling, and analysis of cell wall composition and dectin-1 ligands exposure. In addition, we evaluated the effects of classic (M1) or alternative (M2) macrophage polarization on VBNC cells. We observed that intracellular residence sustained dormancy, regardless of the polarization state of macrophages and despite indirect detection of pantothenic acid (or its derivatives), a known reactivator for VBNC cells, in the C. neoformans-containing phagolysosome. Notably, M0 and M2, but not M1 macrophages, induced extracellular reactivation of VBNC cells by the secretion of extracellular vesicles and non-lytic exocytosis. Our results indicate that VBNC cells retain the low immunostimulatory profile required for persistence of C. neoformans in the host. We also describe a pro-pathogen role of macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles in C. neoformans infection and reinforce the impact of non-lytic exocytosis and the macrophage profile on the pathophysiology of cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffael Júnio Araújo de Castro
- Translational Mycology Research Group, National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals, Mycology Department, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Clara Luna Marina
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Aude Sturny-Leclère
- Translational Mycology Research Group, National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals, Mycology Department, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Christian Hoffmann
- Food Research Center, Department of Food Sciences and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique Bürgel
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Sarah Sze Wah Wong
- Immunobiology of Aspergillus, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Vishukumar Aimanianda
- Immunobiology of Aspergillus, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Hugo Varet
- Plate-forme Technologique Biomics, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Ruchi Agrawal
- Translational Mycology Research Group, National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals, Mycology Department, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Anamélia Lorenzetti Bocca
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Alanio
- Translational Mycology Research Group, National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals, Mycology Department, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Laboratoire de parasitologie-mycologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
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9
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Immunological correlates of protection following vaccination with glucan particles containing Cryptococcus neoformans chitin deacetylases. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:6. [PMID: 36732332 PMCID: PMC9892683 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00606-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination with glucan particles (GP) containing the Cryptococcus neoformans chitin deacetylases Cda1 and Cda2 protect mice against experimental cryptococcosis. Here, immunological correlates of vaccine-mediated protection were explored. Studies comparing knockout and wild-type mice demonstrated CD4+ T cells are crucial, while B cells and CD8+ T cells are dispensable. Protection was abolished following CD4+ T cell depletion during either vaccination or infection but was retained if CD4+ T cells were only partially depleted. Vaccination elicited systemic and durable antigen-specific immune responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), spleens, and lungs. Following vaccination and fungal challenge, robust T-helper (Th) 1 and Th17 responses were observed in the lungs. Protection was abrogated in mice congenitally deficient in interferon (IFN) γ, IFNγ receptor, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, or IL-23. Thus, CD4+ T cells and specific proinflammatory cytokines are required for GP-vaccine-mediated protection. Importantly, retention of protection in the setting of partial CD4+ T depletion suggests a pathway for vaccinating at-risk immunocompromised individuals.
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Earp E, Gordon PM, Tan A, Page I, Thum CK, Mackenzie AI, Johnson E, Biswas A. Disseminated Mucocutaneous Histoplasmosis Diagnosed in the United Kingdom, Presumably as a Result of Recrudescence Decades After Primary Infection Following Immunosuppressive Treatment of Its Mimic, Sarcoidosis: A Multidisciplinary Cautionary Tale. Am J Dermatopathol 2022; 44:984-988. [PMID: 36197058 DOI: 10.1097/dad.0000000000002235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Histoplasmosis is a dimorphic fungal infection, which is rare outside endemic pockets in North, Central, and South America, Asia, and Africa. Herein, we describe a woman in her 80s living in the Scottish Borders region of the United Kingdom with a recent diagnosis of granulomatous rosacea, who on receiving escalating immunosuppression for suspected sarcoidosis, and long-standing rheumatoid arthritis developed a striking eruption involving her eyelids along with painful ulceration of the oral and nasal mucosa. Histopathologic examination of the skin and mucosal lesions demonstrated granulomatous inflammation with numerous yeast forms of fungal organisms with morphological characteristics of Histoplasma species. This was confirmed to be H. capsulatum on fungal culture and direct panfungal polymerase chain reaction assay. Although the patient had not left the United Kingdom for more than 20 years, she gave a travel history involving multiple trips to countries where histoplasmosis is known to occur, before that. This case exemplifies the challenges involved in making a diagnosis of histoplasmosis in nonendemic regions for both clinicians and pathologists alike. In this particular patient, the diagnostic difficulties were compounded by the clinicopathological overlap with other cutaneous and systemic granulomatous disorders like granulomatous rosacea and suspected sarcoidosis and also the exceptionally long latency period between the purported historical primary infection and recent recrudescence. We highlight this unusual case to increase an awareness of histoplasmosis, which is very rare in nonendemic regions like the United Kingdom and involves cases acquired during residence in or travel to endemic areas, to ensure its prompt recognition and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Earp
- Department of Dermatology, Lauriston Building, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Adrian Tan
- Rheumatology, Borders General Hospital, Melrose, United Kingdom
| | - Iain Page
- Regional Infectious Disease Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Chee K Thum
- Department of Pathology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Elizabeth Johnson
- UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, UK Health Security Agency-South West, Bristol, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, Exeter University, Exeter, United Kingdom; and
| | - Asok Biswas
- Department of Pathology, Western General Hospital and The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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11
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de Castro RJA, Rêgo MTAM, Brandão FS, Pérez ALA, De Marco JL, Poças-Fonseca MJ, Nichols C, Alspaugh JA, Felipe MSS, Alanio A, Bocca AL, Fernandes L. Engineered Fluorescent Strains of Cryptococcus neoformans: a Versatile Toolbox for Studies of Host-Pathogen Interactions and Fungal Biology, Including the Viable but Nonculturable State. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0150422. [PMID: 36005449 PMCID: PMC9603711 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01504-22] [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: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen known for its remarkable ability to infect and subvert phagocytes. This ability provides survival and persistence within the host and relies on phenotypic plasticity. The viable but nonculturable (VBNC) phenotype was recently described in C. neoformans, whose study is promising in understanding the pathophysiology of cryptococcosis. The use of fluorescent strains is improving host interaction research, but it is still underexploited. Here, we fused histone H3 or the poly(A) binding protein (Pab) to enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) or mCherry, obtaining a set of C. neoformans transformants with different colors, patterns of fluorescence, and selective markers (hygromycin B resistance [Hygr] or neomycin resistance [Neor]). We validated their similarity to the parental strain in the stress response, the expression of virulence-related phenotypes, mating, virulence in Galleria mellonella, and survival within murine macrophages. PAB-GFP, the brightest transformant, was successfully applied for the analysis of phagocytosis by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, we demonstrated that an engineered fluorescent strain of C. neoformans was able to generate VBNC cells. GFP-tagged Pab1, a key regulator of the stress response, evidenced nuclear retention of Pab1 and the assembly of cytoplasmic stress granules, unveiling posttranscriptional mechanisms associated with dormant C. neoformans cells. Our results support that the PAB-GFP strain is a useful tool for research on C. neoformans. IMPORTANCE Cryptococcus neoformans is a human-pathogenic yeast that can undergo a dormant state and is responsible for over 180,000 deaths annually worldwide. We engineered a set of fluorescent transformants to aid in research on C. neoformans. A mutant with GFP-tagged Pab1 improved fluorescence-based techniques used in host interaction studies. Moreover, this mutant induced a viable but nonculturable phenotype and uncovered posttranscriptional mechanisms associated with dormant C. neoformans. The experimental use of fluorescent mutants may shed light on C. neoformans-host interactions and fungal biology, including dormant phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffael Júnio Araújo de Castro
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
- CNRS, Unité de Mycologie Moléculaire, Centre National de Référence Mycoses et Antifongiques, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Marco Túlio Aidar Mariano Rêgo
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Fabiana S. Brandão
- Faculty of Health Science, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Ana Laura Alfonso Pérez
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Janice Lisboa De Marco
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Marcio José Poças-Fonseca
- Department of Genetics and Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Connie Nichols
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - J. Andrew Alspaugh
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Maria Sueli S. Felipe
- Catholic University of Brasilia, Campus Asa Norte, Asa Norte, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Alanio
- CNRS, Unité de Mycologie Moléculaire, Centre National de Référence Mycoses et Antifongiques, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Laboratoire de Mycologie et Parasitologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint Louis, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Anamélia Lorenzetti Bocca
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Larissa Fernandes
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
- Faculty of Ceilândia, Campus UnB Ceilândia, University of Brasília, Ceilândia Sul, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
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12
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Antifungal Encapsulated into Ligand-Functionalized Nanoparticles with High Specificity for Macrophages. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14091932. [PMID: 36145686 PMCID: PMC9501281 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases caused by intracellular microorganisms such as Histoplasma capsulatum represent a significant challenge worldwide. Drug encapsulation into functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) is a valuable alternative to improving drug solubility and bioavailability, preventing undesirable interactions and drug degradation, and reaching the specific therapeutic target with lower doses. This work reports on Itraconazole (ITZ) encapsulated into core-shell-like polymeric NPs and functionalized with anti-F4/80 antibodies for their targeted and controlled release into macrophages. Uptake assay on co-culture showed significant differences between the uptake of functionalized and bare NPs, higher with functionalized NPs. In vitro assays showed that F4/80-NPs with 0.007 µg/mL of encapsulated ITZ eliminated the H. capsulatum fungus in co-culture with macrophages effectively compared to the bare NPs, without any cytotoxic effect on macrophages after 24 h interaction. Furthermore, encapsulated ITZ modulated the gene expression of anti and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, INF-Y, IL-6 and IL-10) on macrophages. Additionally, the anti-F4/80 antibody-coating enhanced natural and adequate antifungal response in the cells, exerting a synergistic effect that prevented the growth of the fungus at the intracellular level. Functionalized NPs can potentially improve macrophage-targeted therapy, increasing NPs endocytosis and intracellular drug concentration.
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13
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Normile TG, Del Poeta M. Three Models of Vaccination Strategies Against Cryptococcosis in Immunocompromised Hosts Using Heat-Killed Cryptococcus neoformans Δ sgl1. Front Immunol 2022; 13:868523. [PMID: 35615354 PMCID: PMC9124966 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.868523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are one of the greatest medical accomplishments to date, yet no fungal vaccines are currently available in humans mainly because opportunistic mycoses generally occur during immunodeficiencies necessary for vaccine protection. In previous studies, a live, attenuated Cryptococcus neoformans Δsgl1 mutant accumulating sterylglucosides was found to be avirulent and protected mice from a subsequent lethal infection even in absence of CD4+ T cells, a condition most associated with cryptococcosis (e.g., HIV). Here, we tested three strategies of vaccination against cryptococcosis. First, in our preventative model, protection was achieved even after a 3-fold increase of the vaccination window. Second, because live C. neoformans Δsgl1-vaccinated mice challenged more than once with WT strain had a significant decrease in lung fungal burden, we tested C. neoformans Δsgl1 as an immunotherapeutic. We found that therapeutic administrations of HK C. neoformans Δsgl1 post WT challenge significantly improves the lung fungal burden. Similarly, therapeutic administration of HK C. neoformans Δsgl1 post WT challenge resulted in 100% or 70% survival depending on the time of vaccine administration, suggesting that HK Δsgl1 is a robust immunotherapeutic option. Third, we investigated a novel model of vaccination in preventing reactivation from lung granuloma using C. neoformans Δgcs1. Remarkably, we show that administration of HK Δsgl1 prevents mice from reactivating Δgcs1 upon inducing immunosuppression with corticosteroids or by depleting CD4+ T cells. Our results suggest that HK Δsgl1 represents a clinically relevant, efficacious vaccine that confers robust host protection in three models of vaccination against cryptococcosis even during CD4-deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler G. Normile
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States,Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States,Veterans Administration Medical Center, Northport, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Maurizio Del Poeta,
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14
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Fungal Infections of Implantation: More Than Five Years of Cases of Subcutaneous Fungal Infections Seen at the UK Mycology Reference Laboratory. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8040343. [PMID: 35448574 PMCID: PMC9028115 DOI: 10.3390/jof8040343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Subcutaneous fungal infections, which typically result from traumatic introduction (implantation) of fungal elements into the skin or underlying tissues, can present as a range of different clinical entities including phaeohyphomycosis, chromoblastomycosis, subcutaneous nodules or masses, and genuine eumycetoma. Here, we mined our laboratory information management system for such infections in humans and domestic animals for the period 2016–2022, including (i) fungal isolates referred for identification and/or susceptibility testing; (ii) infections diagnosed at our laboratory using panfungal PCR approaches on infected tissue; and (iii) organisms cultured in our laboratory from biopsies. In total, 106 cases were retrieved, involving 39 fungal species comprising 26 distinct genera. Subcutaneous infections with Alternaria species were the most frequent (36 cases), which possibly reflects the ubiquitous nature of this common plant pathogen. A substantial proportion of Alternaria spp. isolates exhibited reduced in vitro susceptibility to voriconazole. Notably, a significant number of subcutaneous infections were diagnosed in renal and other solid organ transplant recipients post transplantation, suggesting that humans may harbour “inert” subcutaneous fungal elements from historical minor injuries that present as clinical infections upon later immunosuppression. The current study underscores the diversity of fungi that can cause subcutaneous infections. While most organisms catalogued here were responsible for occasional infections, several genera (Alternaria, Exophiala, Phaeoacremonuim, Scedosporium) were more frequently recovered in our searches, suggesting that they possess virulence factors that facilitate subcutaneous infections and/or inhabit natural niches that make them more likely to be traumatically inoculated.
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15
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Forrester JV, Mölzer C, Kuffova L. Immune Privilege Furnishes a Niche for Latent Infection. FRONTIERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY 2022; 2:869046. [PMID: 38983514 PMCID: PMC11182092 DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2022.869046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
The microenvironment of the CNS (eye and brain) is fertile ground for infection if the barriers are breached. The result of pathogen invasion is often devastating destruction of tissues. In the eye, inflammation is broadly classified either as "infectious" (i.e. caused by infection) or "non-infectious". However, increasingly, forms of intraocular inflammation (IOI), which clinically appear to be "non-infectious" turn out to be initiated by infectious agents, suggesting that pathogens have been retained in latent or persistent form within ocular tissues and have reactivated to cause overt disease. A similar pathogenesis applies to latent infections in the brain. Not all CNS tissues provide an equally protective niche while different pathogens escape detection using different strategies. This review summarises how immune privilege (IP) in the CNS may be permissive for latent infection and allow the eye and the brain to act as a reservoir of pathogens which often remain undetected for the lifetime of the host but in states of immune deficiency may be activated to cause sight- and life-threatening inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- John V Forrester
- Ocular Immunology Group, Section of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Christine Mölzer
- Ocular Immunology Group, Section of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Lucia Kuffova
- Ocular Immunology Group, Section of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- Eye Clinic, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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16
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Ding M, Smith KD, Wiesner DL, Nielsen JN, Jackson KM, Nielsen K. Use of Clinical Isolates to Establish Criteria for a Mouse Model of Latent Cryptococcus neoformans Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:804059. [PMID: 35186781 PMCID: PMC8847453 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.804059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms of latency in the context of C. neoformans infection remain poorly understood. Two reasons for this gap in knowledge are: 1) the lack of standardized criteria for defining latent cryptococcosis in animal models and 2) limited genetic and immunological tools available for studying host parameters against C. neoformans in non-murine models of persistent infection. In this study, we defined criteria required for latency in C. neoformans infection models and used these criteria to develop a murine model of persistent C. neoformans infection using clinical isolates. We analyzed infections with two clinical C. neoformans strains, UgCl223 and UgCl552, isolated from advanced HIV patients with cryptococcal meningitis. Our data show that the majority of C57BL/6 mice infected with the clinical C. neoformans isolates had persistent, stable infections with low fungal burden, survived beyond 90 days-post infection, exhibited weight gain, had no clinical signs of disease, and had yeast cells contained within pulmonary granulomas with no generalized alveolar inflammation. Infected mice exhibited stable relative frequencies of pulmonary immune cells during the course of the infection. Upon CD4+ T-cell depletion, the CD4DTR mice had significantly increased lung and brain fungal burden that resulted in lethal infection, indicating that CD4+ T-cells are important for control of the pulmonary infection and to prevent dissemination. Cells expressing the Tbet transcription factor were the predominant activated CD4 T-cell subset in the lungs during the latent infection. These Tbet-expressing T-cells had decreased IFNγ production, which may have implications in the capacity of the cells to orchestrate the pulmonary immune response. Altogether, these results indicate that clinical C. neoformans isolates can establish a persistent controlled infection that meets most criteria for latency; highlighting the utility of this new mouse model system for studies of host immune responses that control C. neoformans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Kyle D. Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Darin L. Wiesner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Medicine, Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Judith N. Nielsen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Katrina M. Jackson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Kirsten Nielsen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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17
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Vaccine protection by Cryptococcus neoformans Δsgl1 is mediated by γδ T cells via TLR2 signaling. Mucosal Immunol 2022; 15:1416-1430. [PMID: 36229573 PMCID: PMC9705245 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-022-00570-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
We previously reported that administration of Cryptococcus neoformans Δsgl1 mutant vaccine, accumulating sterylglucosides (SGs) and having normal capsule (GXM), protects mice from a subsequent infection even during CD4+ T cells deficiency, a condition commonly associated with cryptococcosis. Here, we studied the immune mechanism that confers host protection during CD4+T deficiency. Mice receiving Δsgl1 vaccine produce IFNγ and IL-17A during CD4+ T (or CD8+ T) deficiency, and protection was lost when either cytokine was neutralized. IFNγ and/or IL-17A are produced by γδ T cells, and mice lacking these cells are no longer protected. Interestingly, ex vivo γδ T cells are highly stimulated in producing IFNγ and/or IL-17A by Δsgl1 vaccine, but this production was significantly decreased when cells were incubated with C. neoformans Δcap59/Δsgl1 mutant, accumulating SGs but lacking GXM. GXM modulates toll-like receptors (TLRs), including TLR2. Importantly, neither Δsgl1 nor Δcap59/Δsgl1 stimulate IFNγ or IL-17A production by ex vivo γδ T cells from TLR2-/- mice. Finally, TLR2-/- animals do not produce IL-17A in response to Δsgl1 vaccine and were no longer protected from WT challenge. Our results suggest that SGs may act as adjuvants for GXM to stimulate γδ T cells in producing IFNγ and IL-17A via TLR2, a mechanism that is still preserved upon CD4+ T deficiency.
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18
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Mba IE, Nweze EI. Application of Nanotechnology in the Treatment of Infectious Diseases: An Overview. NANOTECHNOLOGY FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022:25-51. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-9190-4_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
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19
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Normile TG, Rella A, Del Poeta M. Cryptococcus neoformans Δ sgl1 Vaccination Requires Either CD4 + or CD8 + T Cells for Complete Host Protection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:739027. [PMID: 34568097 PMCID: PMC8455912 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.739027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen causing life-threatening meningoencephalitis in susceptible individuals. Fungal vaccine development has been hampered by the fact that cryptococcosis occurs during immunodeficiency. We previously reported that a C. neoformans mutant (Δsgl1) accumulating sterylglucosides (SGs) is avirulent and provides complete protection to WT challenge, even under CD4+ T cell depletion, an immunodeficient condition commonly associated with cryptococcosis. We found high levels of SGs in the lungs post-immunization with Δsgl1 that decreased upon fungal clearance. Th1 cytokines increased whereas Th2 cytokines concurrently decreased, coinciding with a large recruitment of leukocytes to the lungs. Depletion of B or CD8+ T cells did not affect either Δsgl1 clearance or protection from WT challenge. Although CD4+ T cell depletion affected clearance, mice were still protected indicating that clearance of the mutant was not necessary for host protection. Protection was lost only when both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were depleted, highlighting a previously unexplored role of fungal-derived SGs as an immunoadjuvant for host protection against cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler G. Normile
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Antonella Rella
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, Northport, NY, United States
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20
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Black B, Lee C, Horianopoulos LC, Jung WH, Kronstad JW. Respiring to infect: Emerging links between mitochondria, the electron transport chain, and fungal pathogenesis. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009661. [PMID: 34237096 PMCID: PMC8266039 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Braydon Black
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Christopher Lee
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Linda C. Horianopoulos
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Won Hee Jung
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Republic of Korea
| | - James W. Kronstad
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- * E-mail:
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21
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Alghuthaymi MA, Hassan AA, Kalia A, Sayed El Ahl RMH, El Hamaky AAM, Oleksak P, Kuca K, Abd-Elsalam KA. Antifungal Nano-Therapy in Veterinary Medicine: Current Status and Future Prospects. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:494. [PMID: 34206304 PMCID: PMC8303737 DOI: 10.3390/jof7070494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The global recognition for the potential of nanoproducts and processes in human biomedicine has given impetus for the development of novel strategies for rapid, reliable, and proficient diagnosis, prevention, and control of animal diseases. Nanomaterials exhibit significant antifungal and antimycotoxin activities against mycosis and mycotoxicosis disorders in animals, as evidenced through reports published over the recent decade and more. These nanoantifungals can be potentially utilized for the development of a variety of products of pharmaceutical and biomedical significance including the nano-scale vaccines, adjuvants, anticancer and gene therapy systems, farm disinfectants, animal husbandry, and nutritional products. This review will provide details on the therapeutic and preventative aspects of nanoantifungals against diverse fungal and mycotoxin-related diseases in animals. The predominant mechanisms of action of these nanoantifungals and their potential as antifungal and cytotoxicity-causing agents will also be illustrated. Also, the other theragnostic applications of nanoantifungals in veterinary medicine will be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mousa A. Alghuthaymi
- Biology Department, Science and Humanities College, Shaqra University, Alquwayiyah 19245, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Atef A. Hassan
- Department of Mycology, Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), 12611 Giza, Egypt; (A.A.H.); (R.M.H.S.E.A.); (A.A.M.E.H.)
| | - Anu Kalia
- Electron Microscopy and Nanoscience Laboratory, Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004, India
| | - Rasha M. H. Sayed El Ahl
- Department of Mycology, Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), 12611 Giza, Egypt; (A.A.H.); (R.M.H.S.E.A.); (A.A.M.E.H.)
| | - Ahmed A. M. El Hamaky
- Department of Mycology, Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), 12611 Giza, Egypt; (A.A.H.); (R.M.H.S.E.A.); (A.A.M.E.H.)
| | - Patrik Oleksak
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic;
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic;
| | - Kamel A. Abd-Elsalam
- Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), 9-Gamaa St., 12619 Giza, Egypt
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22
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Fernández-Cruz A, Lewis RE, Kontoyiannis DP. How Long Do We Need to Treat an Invasive Mold Disease in Hematology Patients? Factors Influencing Duration of Therapy and Future Questions. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 71:685-692. [PMID: 32170948 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz1195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment duration for invasive mold disease (IMD) in patients with hematological malignancy is not standardized and is a challenging subject in antifungal stewardship. Concerns for IMD relapse during subsequent reinduction or consolidation chemotherapy or graft versus host disease treatment in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients often results in prolonged or indefinite antifungal treatment. There are no validated criteria that predict when it is safe to stop antifungals. Decisions are individualized and depend on the offending fungus, site and extent of IMD, comorbidities, hematologic disease prognosis, and future plans for chemotherapy or transplantation. Recent studies suggest that FDG-PET/CT could help discriminate between active and residual fungal lesions to support decisions for safely stopping antifungals. Validation of noninvasive biomarkers for monitoring treatment response, tests for quantifying the "net state of immunosuppression," and genetic polymorphisms associated with poor fungal immunity could lead to a personalized assessment for the continued need for antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Fernández-Cruz
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana, Madrid, Spain
| | - Russell E Lewis
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Dimitrios P Kontoyiannis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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23
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Scedosporium and Lomentospora infections in lung transplant recipients. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12281-021-00416-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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24
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Bryan AM, You JK, McQuiston T, Lazzarini C, Qiu Z, Sheridan B, Nuesslein-Hildesheim B, Del Poeta M. FTY720 reactivates cryptococcal granulomas in mice through S1P receptor 3 on macrophages. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:4546-4560. [PMID: 32484801 DOI: 10.1172/jci136068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
FTY720 is a treatment for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). It is an analog of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and targets S1P receptors 1, 3, 4, and 5. Recent reports indicate an association between long-term exposure to FTY720 and cases of cryptococcal infection. Here, we studied the effect of FTY720 and its derivative, BAF312, which only target S1P receptors 1 and 5, in a mouse model of cryptococcal infection. We found that treatment with FTY720, but not with BAF312, led to decreased survival and increased organ burden in mouse cryptococcal granulomas. Both FTY720 and BAF312 caused a profound CD4+ and CD8+ T cell depletion in blood and lungs but only treatment with FTY720 led to cryptococcal reactivation. Treatment with FTY720, but not with BAF312, was associated with disorganization of macrophages and with M2 polarization at the granuloma site. In a cell system, FTY720 decreased phagocytosis and production of reactive oxygen species by macrophages, a phenotype recapitulated in the S1pr3-/- knockout macrophages. Our results suggest that FTY720 reactivates cryptococcosis from the granuloma through a S1P receptor 3-mediated mechanism and support the rationale for development of more-specific receptor modulators for therapeutic use of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arielle M Bryan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Jeehyun Karen You
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | | | - Cristina Lazzarini
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Zhijuan Qiu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Brian Sheridan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | | | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.,Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York, USA
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25
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Pirofski LA, Casadevall A. The state of latency in microbial pathogenesis. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:4525-4531. [PMID: 32804154 DOI: 10.1172/jci136221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The state of latency occurs when a microbe's persistence in a host produces host damage without perturbing homeostasis sufficiently to cause clinical symptoms or disease. The mechanisms contributing to latency are diverse and depend on the nature of both the microbe and the host. Latency has advantages for both host and microbe. The host avoids progressive damage caused by interaction with the microbe that may translate into disease, and the microbe secures a stable niche in which to survive. Latency is clinically important because some latent microbes can be transmitted to other hosts, and it is associated with a risk for recrudescent microbial growth and development of disease. In addition, it can predispose the host to other diseases, such as malignancies. Hence, latency is a temporally unstable state with an eventual outcome that mainly depends on host immunity. Latency is an integral part of the pathogenic strategies of microbes that require human (and/or mammalian) hosts, including herpesviruses, retroviruses, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Toxoplasma gondii. However, latency is also an outcome of infection with environmental organisms such as Cryptococcus neoformans, which require no host in their replicative cycles. For most microbes that achieve latency, there is a need for a better understanding and more investigation of host and microbial mechanisms that result in this state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liise-Anne Pirofski
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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26
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Normile TG, Bryan AM, Del Poeta M. Animal Models of Cryptococcus neoformans in Identifying Immune Parameters Associated With Primary Infection and Reactivation of Latent Infection. Front Immunol 2020; 11:581750. [PMID: 33042164 PMCID: PMC7522366 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.581750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus species are environmental fungal pathogens and the causative agents of cryptococcosis. Infection occurs upon inhalation of infectious particles, which proliferate in the lung causing a primary infection. From this primary lung infection, fungal cells can eventually disseminate to other organs, particularly the brain, causing lethal meningoencephalitis. However, in most cases, the primary infection resolves with the formation of a lung granuloma. Upon severe immunodeficiency, dormant cryptococcal cells will start proliferating in the lung granuloma and eventually will disseminate to the brain. Many investigators have sought to study the protective host immune response to this pathogen in search of host parameters that keep the proliferation of cryptococcal cells under control. The majority of the work assimilates research carried out using the primary infection animal model, mainly because a reactivation model has been available only very recently. This review will focus on anti-cryptococcal immunity in both the primary and reactivation models. An understanding of the differences in host immunity between the primary and reactivation models will help to define the key host parameters that control the infections and are important for the research and development of new therapeutic and vaccine strategies against cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler G Normile
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Arielle M Bryan
- Ingenious Targeting Laboratory Incorporated, Ronkonkoma, NY, United States
| | - Maurizio Del Poeta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States.,Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States.,Veterans Administration Medical Center, Northport, NY, United States
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27
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Kischkel B, Rossi SA, Santos SR, Nosanchuk JD, Travassos LR, Taborda CP. Therapies and Vaccines Based on Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Systemic Fungal Infections. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:463. [PMID: 33014889 PMCID: PMC7502903 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment modalities for systemic mycoses are still limited. Currently, the main antifungal therapeutics include polyenes, azoles, and echinocandins. However, even in the setting of appropriate administration of antifungals, mortality rates remain unacceptably high. Moreover, antifungal therapy is expensive, treatment periods can range from weeks to years, and toxicity is also a serious concern. In recent years, the increased number of immunocompromised individuals has contributed to the high global incidence of systemic fungal infections. Given the high morbidity and mortality rates, the complexity of treatment strategies, drug toxicity, and the worldwide burden of disease, there is a need for new and efficient therapeutic means to combat invasive mycoses. One promising avenue that is actively being pursued is nanotechnology, to develop new antifungal therapies and efficient vaccines, since it allows for a targeted delivery of drugs and antigens, which can reduce toxicity and treatment costs. The goal of this review is to discuss studies using nanoparticles to develop new therapeutic options, including vaccination methods, to combat systemic mycoses caused by Candida sp., Cryptococcus sp., Paracoccidioides sp., Histoplasma sp., Coccidioides sp., and Aspergillus sp., in addition to providing important information on the use of different types of nanoparticles, nanocarriers and their corresponding mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Kischkel
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Medical Mycology-Institute of Tropical Medicine of São Paulo/LIM53/Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Suélen A Rossi
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Medical Mycology-Institute of Tropical Medicine of São Paulo/LIM53/Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Samuel R Santos
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Medical Mycology-Institute of Tropical Medicine of São Paulo/LIM53/Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joshua D Nosanchuk
- Departments of Medicine [Division of Infectious Diseases], Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Luiz R Travassos
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos P Taborda
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Medical Mycology-Institute of Tropical Medicine of São Paulo/LIM53/Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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28
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Nematollahi S, Dioverti-Prono V. Cryptococcal infection in haematologic malignancies and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Mycoses 2020; 63:1033-1046. [PMID: 32740974 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13153] [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: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This review summarises both the recent and relevant studies about cryptococcal infections in haematologic malignancies and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Although uncommon in this patient population, this infection carries a high mortality, especially if left untreated. Given the limited data, we draw some conclusions with respect to management from the solid organ transplantation and HIV-infected literature. Herein, we discuss cryptococcosis with a particular attention to its background, epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and prevention in this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saman Nematollahi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Veronica Dioverti-Prono
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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29
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Garcia-Hermoso D, Hamane S, Fekkar A, Jabet A, Denis B, Siguier M, Galeazzi G, Haddad E, Brun S, Vidal V, Nevez G, Le Berre R, Gits-Muselli M, Lanternier F, Bretagne S. Invasive Infections with Nannizziopsis obscura Species Complex in 9 Patients from West Africa, France, 2004-2020 1. Emerg Infect Dis 2020; 26. [PMID: 32819454 PMCID: PMC7454062 DOI: 10.3201/eid2609.200276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nine new human invasive infections caused by the keratinophilic fungi Nannizziopsis obscura have been reported in France since 2004. The patients had variable clinical manifestations, had frequent dissemination, were mainly T-cell immunocompromised, and all originated from sub-Saharan West Africa. Before collection of the isolates, the etiologies of these infections were often misidentified, underscoring the extent of microscopic and cultural polymorphisms. All isolates but 1 had low MICs for the 8 antifungal drugs tested. When treated, patients received mainly azole therapy. Two of 7 patients with a known outcome died. We performed multilocus sequence analysis of N. obscura clinical strains and several strains of Nannizziopsis spp. isolated from reptiles. The human strains were clearly differentiated from the animal strains. N. obscura might be endemic to West Africa and responsible for undetected infections, which might become reactivated when immunosuppression occurs. N. obscura infection is probably underestimated because only sequencing enables proper identification.
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30
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Brunet K, Rammaert B. Mucormycosis treatment: Recommendations, latest advances, and perspectives. J Mycol Med 2020; 30:101007. [PMID: 32718789 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2020.101007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mucormycosis are life-threatening fungal infections especially affecting immunocompromised or diabetic patients. Despite treatment, mortality remains high (from 32 to 70% according to organ involvement). This review provides an update on mucormycosis management. The latest recommendations strongly recommend as first-line therapy the use of liposomal amphotericin B (≥5mg/kg) combined with surgery whenever possible. Isavuconazole and intravenous or delayed-release tablet forms of posaconazole have remained second-line. Many molecules are currently in development to fight against invasive fungal diseases but few have demonstrated efficacy against Mucorales. Despite in vitro efficacy, combinations of treatment have failed to demonstrate superiority versus monotherapy. Adjuvant therapies are particularly complex to evaluate without prospective randomized controlled studies, which are complex to perform due to low incidence rate and high mortality of mucormycosis. Perspectives are nonetheless encouraging. New approaches assessing relationships between host, fungi, and antifungal drugs, and new routes of administration such as aerosols could improve mucormycosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Brunet
- INSERM U1070, Poitiers, France; Faculté de médecine et pharmacie, université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France; Service de mycologie-parasitologie, département des agents infectieux, CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers, France.
| | - B Rammaert
- INSERM U1070, Poitiers, France; Faculté de médecine et pharmacie, université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France; Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
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31
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Leishmania infection in psoriasis. J Infect 2020; 80:578-606. [PMID: 32032621 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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32
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Altamura F, Rajesh R, Catta-Preta CMC, Moretti NS, Cestari I. The current drug discovery landscape for trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis: Challenges and strategies to identify drug targets. Drug Dev Res 2020; 83:225-252. [PMID: 32249457 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Human trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis are vector-borne neglected tropical diseases caused by infection with the protozoan parasites Trypanosoma spp. and Leishmania spp., respectively. Once restricted to endemic areas, these diseases are now distributed worldwide due to human migration, climate change, and anthropogenic disturbance, causing significant health and economic burden globally. The current chemotherapy used to treat these diseases has limited efficacy, and drug resistance is spreading. Hence, new drugs are urgently needed. Phenotypic compound screenings have prevailed as the leading method to discover new drug candidates against these diseases. However, the publication of the complete genome sequences of multiple strains, advances in the application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and in vivo bioluminescence-based imaging have set the stage for advancing target-based drug discovery. This review analyses the limitations of the narrow pool of available drugs presently used for treating these diseases. It describes the current drug-based clinical trials highlighting the most promising leads. Furthermore, the review presents a focused discussion on the most important biological and pharmacological challenges that target-based drug discovery programs must overcome to advance drug candidates. Finally, it examines the advantages and limitations of modern research tools designed to identify and validate essential genes as drug targets, including genomic editing applications and in vivo imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Altamura
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rishi Rajesh
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Nilmar S Moretti
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Igor Cestari
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
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33
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Fritze M, Costantini D, Fickel J, Wehner D, Czirják GÁ, Voigt CC. Immune response of hibernating European bats to a fungal challenge. Biol Open 2019; 8:bio.046078. [PMID: 31649120 PMCID: PMC6826279 DOI: 10.1242/bio.046078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunological responses of hibernating mammals are suppressed at low body temperatures, a possible explanation for the devastating effect of the white-nose syndrome on hibernating North American bats. However, European bats seem to cope well with the fungal causative agent of the disease. To better understand the immune response of hibernating bats, especially against fungal pathogens, we challenged European greater mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis) by inoculating the fungal antigen zymosan. We monitored torpor patterns, immune gene expressions, different aspects of the acute phase response and plasma oxidative status markers, and compared them with sham-injected control animals at 30 min, 48 h and 96 h after inoculation. Torpor patterns, body temperatures, body masses, white blood cell counts, expression of immune genes, reactive oxygen metabolites and non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity did not differ between groups during the experiment. However, zymosan injected bats had significantly higher levels of haptoglobin than the control animals. Our results indicate that hibernating greater mouse-eared bats mount an inflammatory response to a fungal challenge, with only mild to negligible consequences for the energy budget of hibernation. Our study gives a first hint that hibernating European bats may have evolved a hibernation-adjusted immune response in order to balance the trade-off between competent pathogen elimination and a prudent energy-saving regime. Summary: Our experimental immunological study on European bats provides new information on the functionality of the immune system in hibernation. For this we challenged bats with a fungal antigen and measured different immunological parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Fritze
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany .,Institute of Biology, Free University of Berlin, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - David Costantini
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany.,Unité Physiologie moléculaire et adaptation (PhyMA), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS; CP32, 57 rue Cuvier 75005 Paris, France
| | - Jörns Fickel
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany.,University of Potsdam, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Dana Wehner
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Biology, Free University of Berlin, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gábor Á Czirják
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian C Voigt
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Biology, Free University of Berlin, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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34
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Leipheimer J, Bloom ALM, Panepinto JC. Protein Kinases at the Intersection of Translation and Virulence. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:318. [PMID: 31572689 PMCID: PMC6749009 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As free living organisms, fungi are challenged with a variety of environmental insults that threaten their cellular processes. In some cases, these challenges mimic conditions present within mammals, resulting in the accidental selection of virulence factors over evolutionary time. Be it within a host or the soil, fungi must contend with environmental challenges through the production of stress effector proteins while maintaining factors required for viability in any condition. Initiation and upkeep of this balancing act is mainly under the control of kinases that affect the propensity and selectivity of protein translation. This review will focus on kinases in pathogenic fungi that facilitate a virulence phenotype through translational control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Leipheimer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Amanda L M Bloom
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - John C Panepinto
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
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35
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Hommel B, Sturny-Leclère A, Volant S, Veluppillai N, Duchateau M, Yu CH, Hourdel V, Varet H, Matondo M, Perfect JR, Casadevall A, Dromer F, Alanio A. Cryptococcus neoformans resists to drastic conditions by switching to viable but non-culturable cell phenotype. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007945. [PMID: 31356623 PMCID: PMC6687208 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolically quiescent pathogens can persist in a viable non-replicating state for months or even years. For certain infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, latent infection is a corollary of this dormant state, which has the risk for reactivation and clinical disease. During murine cryptococcosis and macrophage uptake, stress and host immunity induce Cryptococcus neoformans heterogeneity with the generation of a sub-population of yeasts that manifests a phenotype compatible with dormancy (low stress response, latency of growth). In this subpopulation, mitochondrial transcriptional activity is regulated and this phenotype has been considered as a hallmark of quiescence in stem cells. Based on these findings, we worked to reproduce this phenotype in vitro and then standardize the experimental conditions to consistently generate this dormancy in C. neoformans. We found that incubation of stationary phase yeasts (STAT) in nutriment limited conditions and hypoxia for 8 days (8D-HYPOx) was able to produced cells that mimic the phenotype obtained in vivo. In these conditions, mortality and/or apoptosis occurred in less than 5% of the yeasts compared to 30-40% of apoptotic or dead yeasts upon incubation in normoxia (8D-NORMOx). Yeasts in 8D-HYPOx harbored a lower stress response, delayed growth and less that 1% of culturability on agar plates, suggesting that these yeasts are viable but non culturable cells (VBNC). These VBNC were able to reactivate in the presence of pantothenic acid, a vitamin that is known to be involved in quorum sensing and a precursor of acetyl-CoA. Global metabolism of 8D-HYPOx cells showed some specific requirements and was globally shut down compared to 8D-NORMOx and STAT conditions. Mitochondrial analyses showed that the mitochondrial mass increased with mitochondria mostly depolarized in 8D-HYPOx compared to 8D-NORMox, with increased expression of mitochondrial genes. Proteomic and transcriptomic analyses of 8D-HYPOx revealed that the number of secreted proteins and transcripts detected also decreased compared to 8D-NORMOx and STAT, and the proteome, secretome and transcriptome harbored specific profiles that are engaged as soon as four days of incubation. Importantly, acetyl-CoA and the fatty acid pathway involving mitochondria are required for the generation and viability maintenance of VBNC. Altogether, these data show that we were able to generate for the first time VBNC phenotype in C. neoformans. This VBNC state is associated with a specific metabolism that should be further studied to understand dormancy/quiescence in this yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Hommel
- Institut Pasteur, CNRS, Molecular Mycology Unit, UMR2000, Paris, France
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Groupe Hospitalier Lariboisière, Saint-Louis, Fernand Widal, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | | | - Stevenn Volant
- Institut Pasteur - Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub - C3BI, USR 3756 IP CNRS, Paris, France
| | | | - Magalie Duchateau
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de spectrométrie de masse et Protéomique, Paris, France
| | - Chen-Hsin Yu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Véronique Hourdel
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de spectrométrie de masse et Protéomique, Paris, France
| | - Hugo Varet
- Institut Pasteur - Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub - C3BI, USR 3756 IP CNRS, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur - Transcriptome and Epigenome Platform - Biomics Pole - C2RT, Paris, France
| | - Mariette Matondo
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de spectrométrie de masse et Protéomique, Paris, France
| | - John R. Perfect
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Françoise Dromer
- Institut Pasteur, CNRS, Molecular Mycology Unit, UMR2000, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Alanio
- Institut Pasteur, CNRS, Molecular Mycology Unit, UMR2000, Paris, France
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Groupe Hospitalier Lariboisière, Saint-Louis, Fernand Widal, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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36
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Denham ST, Wambaugh MA, Brown JCS. How Environmental Fungi Cause a Range of Clinical Outcomes in Susceptible Hosts. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:2982-3009. [PMID: 31078554 PMCID: PMC6646061 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Environmental fungi are globally ubiquitous and human exposure is near universal. However, relatively few fungal species are capable of infecting humans, and among fungi, few exposure events lead to severe systemic infections. Systemic infections have mortality rates of up to 90%, cost the US healthcare system $7.2 billion annually, and are typically associated with immunocompromised patients. Despite this reputation, exposure to environmental fungi results in a range of outcomes, from asymptomatic latent infections to severe systemic infection. Here we discuss different exposure outcomes for five major fungal pathogens: Aspergillus, Blastomyces, Coccidioides, Cryptococcus, and Histoplasma species. These fungi include a mold, a budding yeast, and thermal dimorphic fungi. All of these species must adapt to dramatically changing environments over the course of disease. These dynamic environments include the human lung, which is the first exposure site for these organisms. Fungi must defend themselves against host immune cells while germinating and growing, which risks further exposing microbe-associated molecular patterns to the host. We discuss immune evasion strategies during early infection, from disruption of host immune cells to major changes in fungal cell morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven T Denham
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology Department, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Morgan A Wambaugh
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology Department, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Jessica C S Brown
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology Department, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
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37
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Lichtheimia corymbifera Colonization Leading to Pulmonary Infection Can Be Prevented with Liposomal Amphotericin B in a New Murine Model. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.02544-18. [PMID: 31138564 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02544-18] [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: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of pulmonary mucormycosis is constantly increasing, especially in hematological patients staying in high-efficiency particulate air-filtered rooms. Pulmonary inhalation of spores may occur outside the hospital, leading to invasive disease once patients received chemotherapies. We developed a new pulmonary mucormycosis mouse model mimicking the expected pathophysiology in human to study antifungal drugs. Naive mice were inoculated intratracheally with Lichtheimia corymbifera spores. After 3 days, mice received corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide and secondarily developed the disease, while only 5% of the initial inoculum was present in the lungs at day 3. Lung colonization with L. corymbifera spores in immunocompetent mice can last at least 44 days. Antifungal drug was administered the day of immunosuppression. Injection of a single 15 mg/kg of body weight dose of liposomal amphotericin B significantly improved survival and pulmonary fungal burden compared with controls, whereas 80 mg/kg oral posaconazole did not. These results show that a unique dose of liposomal amphotericin B offers a real potential decolonization treatment to prevent infection in our mouse model of L. corymbifera lung colonization followed by lung infection.
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38
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Animal Models to Study Mucormycosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:jof5020027. [PMID: 30934788 PMCID: PMC6617025 DOI: 10.3390/jof5020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucormycosis is a rare but often fatal or debilitating infection caused by a diverse group of fungi. Animal models have been crucial in advancing our knowledge of mechanisms influencing the pathogenesis of mucormycoses, and to evaluate therapeutic strategies. This review describes the animal models established for mucormycosis, summarizes how they have been applied to study mucormycoses, and discusses the advantages and limitations of the different model systems.
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