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Santi L, Berger M, Guimarães JA, Calegari-Alves YP, Vainstein MH, Yates JR, Beys-da-Silva WO. Proteomic profile of Cryptococcus gattii biofilm: Metabolic shift and the potential activation of electron chain transport. J Proteomics 2024; 290:105022. [PMID: 37838096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2023.105022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii is a primary pathogenic fungus that causes pneumonia. This species is also responsible for an outbreak in Vancouver, Canada, and spreading to the mainland and United States. The use of medical devices is often complicated by infections with biofilm-forming microbes with increased resistance to antimicrobial agents and host defense mechanisms. This study investigated the comparative proteome of C. gattii R265 (VGIIa) grown under planktonic and biofilm conditions. A brief comparison with C. neoformans H99 biofilm and the use of different culture medium and surface were also evaluated. Using Multidimensional Protein Identification Technology (MudPIT), 1819 proteins were identified for both conditions, where 150 (8.2%) were considered differentially regulated (up- or down-regulated and unique in biofilm cells). Overall, the proteomic approach suggests that C. gattii R265 biofilm cells are maintained by the induction of electron transport chain for reoxidation, and by alternative energy metabolites, such as succinate and acetate. SIGNIFICANCE: Since C. gattii is considered a primary pathogen and is one of the most virulent and less susceptible to antifungals, understanding how biofilms are maintained is fundamental to search for new targets to control this important mode of growth that is difficult to eradicate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucélia Santi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Center of Experimental Research, Clinical Hospital of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Markus Berger
- Center of Experimental Research, Clinical Hospital of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, United States
| | - Jorge A Guimarães
- Center of Experimental Research, Clinical Hospital of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Yohana Porto Calegari-Alves
- Post-Graduation Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Marilene H Vainstein
- Post-Graduation Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - John R Yates
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Walter O Beys-da-Silva
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Center of Experimental Research, Clinical Hospital of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Zhang L, Wang S, Hong N, Li M, Liu Y, Zhou T, Peng Y, Hu C, Li X, Zhang Z, Guo M, Cogliati M, Hitchcock M, Xu J, Chen M, Liao G. Genotypic diversity and antifungal susceptibility of Cryptococcus neoformans species complex from China, including the diploid VNIII isolates from HIV-infected patients in Chongqing region. Med Mycol 2023; 61:myad119. [PMID: 37985734 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad119] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Although previous studies on the genotypic diversity and antifungal susceptibility of the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex (CNSC) isolates from China revealed ST5 genotype isolates being dominant, the information about the CNSC isolates from Chinese HIV-infected patients is limited. In this study, 171 CNSC isolates from HIV-infected patients in the Chongqing region of Southwest China were genotyped using the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology-multilocus sequence typing consensus scheme, and their antifungal drug susceptibilities were determined following CLSI M27-A3 guidelines. Among 171 isolates, six sequence types (STs) were identified, including the dominant ST5 isolates, the newly reported ST15, and four diploid VNIII isolates (ST632/ST636). Moreover, a total of 1019 CNSC isolates with STs and HIV-status information were collected and analyzed from Mainland China in the present study. A minimum spanning analysis grouped these 1019 isolates into three main subgroups, which were dominated by the ST5 clonal complex (CC5), followed by the ST31 clonal complex (CC31) and ST93 clonal complex (CC93). The trend of resistance or decreasing susceptibility of clinical CNSC isolates to azole agents within HIV-infected patients from the Chongqing region is increasing, especially resistance to fluconazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanyu Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Saisai Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Nan Hong
- Department of Dermatology, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Muyuan Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yiting Liu
- Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Peng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Changhua Hu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoxu Li
- The Medical Research Institute (MRI), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Mengzhu Guo
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command, Guangzhou, China
| | - Massimo Cogliati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Megan Hitchcock
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Jianping Xu
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Guojian Liao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- The Medical Research Institute (MRI), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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3
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Hong N, Chen M, Xu J. Molecular Markers Reveal Epidemiological Patterns and Evolutionary Histories of the Human Pathogenic Cryptococcus. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:683670. [PMID: 34026667 PMCID: PMC8134695 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.683670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The human pathogenic Cryptococcus species are the main agents of fungal meningitis in humans and the causes of other diseases collectively called cryptococcosis. There are at least eight evolutionary divergent lineages among these agents, with different lineages showing different geographic and/or ecological distributions. In this review, we describe the main strain typing methods that have been used to analyze the human pathogenic Cryptococcus and discuss how molecular markers derived from the various strain typing methods have impacted our understanding of not only cryptococcal epidemiology but also its evolutionary histories. These methods include serotyping, multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, electrophoretic karyotyping, random amplified polymorphic DNA, restriction fragment length polymorphism, PCR-fingerprinting, amplified fragment length polymorphism, multilocus microsatellite typing, single locus and multilocus sequence typing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry, and whole genome sequencing. The major findings and the advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed. Together, while controversies remain, these strain typing methods have helped reveal (i) the broad phylogenetic pattern among these agents, (ii) the centers of origins for several lineages and their dispersal patterns, (iii) the distributions of genetic variation among geographic regions and ecological niches, (iv) recent hybridization among several lineages, and (v) specific mutations during infections within individual patients. However, significant challenges remain. Multilocus sequence typing and whole genome sequencing are emerging as the gold standards for continued strain typing and epidemiological investigations of cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Hong
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Mycology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Mycology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianping Xu
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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4
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Florek M, Nawrot U, Korzeniowska-Kowal A, Włodarczyk K, Wzorek A, Woźniak-Biel A, Brzozowska M, Galli J, Bogucka A, Król J. An analysis of the population of Cryptococcus neoformans strains isolated from animals in Poland, in the years 2015-2019. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6639. [PMID: 33758319 PMCID: PMC7987961 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86169-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungi belonging to the Cryptococcus neoformans/C. gattii species complex (CNGSC) are pathogens causing severe infections in humans and animals, that for humans may result in a mortality rate ranging up to 70%. The CNGSC is divided into eight major molecular types, that may differ in their virulence and susceptibility. In order to fully understand the epidemiology of cryptococcosis, it is important to study the world distribution and population structure of these pathogens. The present study is the first presenting a population of strains isolated in Poland and one of the few using a multi-species animal group as a source of the specimen. The pathogen was present in 2.375% of the tested animals. The URA5-RFLP and MALDI-TOF MS analyses have revealed that the population consisted exclusively of C. neoformans strains, with a predominance of major molecular type VNIV (C. neoformans var. neoformans). The MALDI-TOF MS was used to perform the CNGSC strains identification on both the species and sub-species level. Despite the fact that the animals providing the specimens were not treated with 5-fluorocytosine, around 10% of the tested population presented MIC values exceeding 64 mg/L, indicating the existence of the 5-fluorocytosine-resistant strains in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Florek
- Department of Pathology, The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida 31, 50-375, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Urszula Nawrot
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Parasitology, Wrocław Medical University, Borowska 211a, 50-556, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Korzeniowska-Kowal
- Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Włodarczyk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Parasitology, Wrocław Medical University, Borowska 211a, 50-556, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Anna Wzorek
- Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Anna Woźniak-Biel
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Birds and Exotic Animals, The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 45, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Magdalena Brzozowska
- Referral Animal Hospital Strömsholm, Djursjukhusvägen 11, 73494, Strömsholm, Sweden
| | - Józef Galli
- Veterinary Laboratory Vetlab, Wodzisławska 6, 52-017, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Anna Bogucka
- Veterinary Laboratory Vetlab, Wodzisławska 6, 52-017, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Jarosław Król
- Department of Pathology, The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida 31, 50-375, Wrocław, Poland
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5
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Paccoud O, Bougnoux ME, Desnos-Ollivier M, Varet B, Lortholary O, Lanternier F. Cryptococcus gattii in Patients with Lymphoid Neoplasms: An Illustration of Evolutive Host-Fungus Interactions. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:212. [PMID: 33809570 PMCID: PMC8001097 DOI: 10.3390/jof7030212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent outbreaks of Cryptococcus gattii (CG) infections in North America have sparked renewed interest in the pathogenic potential of CG, and have underscored notable differences with Cryptococcus neoformans in terms of geographic distribution, pathogen virulence, and host susceptibility. While cases of CG are increasingly reported in patients with a wide variety of underlying conditions, only very few have been reported in patients with lymphoid neoplasms. Herein, we report a case of autochthonous CG meningitis in a patient receiving ibrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukemia in France, and review available data on the clinical epidemiology of CG infections in patients with lymphoid neoplasms. We also summarise recent data on the host responses to CG infection, as well as the potential management pitfalls associated with its treatment in the haematological setting. The clinical epidemiology, clinical presentation, and course of disease during infections caused by CG involve complex interactions between environmental exposure to CG, infecting genotype, pathogen virulence factors, host susceptibility, and host immune responses. Future treatment guidelines should address the challenges associated with the management of antifungal treatments in the onco-haematological setting and the potential drug-drug interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Paccoud
- University of Paris, Necker-Pasteur Center for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 75015 Paris, France; (O.P.); (O.L.)
| | - Marie-Elisabeth Bougnoux
- University of Paris, Department of Mycology, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Marie Desnos-Ollivier
- Molecular Mycology Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses & Antifungals (NRCMA), Pasteur Institute, UMR2000, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Bruno Varet
- University of Paris, Department of Hematology, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Olivier Lortholary
- University of Paris, Necker-Pasteur Center for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 75015 Paris, France; (O.P.); (O.L.)
- Molecular Mycology Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses & Antifungals (NRCMA), Pasteur Institute, UMR2000, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Fanny Lanternier
- University of Paris, Necker-Pasteur Center for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 75015 Paris, France; (O.P.); (O.L.)
- Molecular Mycology Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses & Antifungals (NRCMA), Pasteur Institute, UMR2000, 75015 Paris, France;
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6
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Multilocus Sequence Typing of Clinical Isolates of Cryptococcus from India. Mycopathologia 2021; 186:199-211. [PMID: 33469844 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-020-00500-6] [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: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a life-threatening infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complex. In the present study, to understand the molecular epidemiology of 208 clinical isolates of Cryptococcus from different parts of India, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) using ISHAM MLST consensus scheme for C. neoformans/C. gattii species complex was used. MLST analysis yielded a total of 10 Sequence Types (STs)-7 STs for C. neoformans and 3 for C. gattii species complex. The majority of isolates identified as C. neoformans belonged to molecular type VNI with predominant STs 31 and 93. Only 3 isolates of C. gattii species complex were obtained, belonging to ST58 and ST215 of VGI and ST69 of VGIV. Phylogenetic analysis revealed less diversity among the clinical Indian isolates compared to the global MLST database. No association between prevalent STs and HIV status, geographical origin or minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) could be established.
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7
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Carmo PMSD, Uzal FA, Pedroso PMO, Riet-Correa F. Conidiobolomycosis, cryptococcosis, and aspergillosis in sheep and goats: a review. J Vet Diagn Invest 2020; 32:826-834. [PMID: 32921278 DOI: 10.1177/1040638720958338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We review herein infections by Conidiobolus spp., Cryptococcus spp., and Aspergillus spp. in sheep and goats. Conidiobolus spp. are common causes of rhinitis in sheep and are less frequent in goats, in which Conidiobolus spp. also cause skin lesions. Cryptococcus spp. cause rhinitis, meningitis, encephalitis, and pneumonia in goats, and are rarely observed in sheep. Aspergillus spp. may cause rhinitis in goats, and pneumonia and mastitis in sheep and goats. Gross and microscopic lesions caused by these 3 fungal infections may be similar to each other. The diagnosis of these diseases must be based on gross and microscopic lesions, coupled with detection of the agent by immunohistochemical, molecular, and/or culture-based methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Maria Silva do Carmo
- Hospital Veterinário, Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural (CSTR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Bairro Santa Cecília, Patos, Brazil
| | - Francisco A Uzal
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino, CA
| | - Pedro M O Pedroso
- Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Nacional de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Franklin Riet-Correa
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, Estación Experimental INIA La Estanzuela, Colonia, Uruguay
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8
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Khayhan K, Juntaboon S, Fang W, Chaowasku T, Amornthipayawong D, Boekhout T. Banana blossom agar (BABA), a new medium to isolate members of the Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complex useful for resource limited countries. Mycoses 2018; 61:959-962. [PMID: 30047168 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Isolation of representatives of the Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complex can be made using dopamine containing media, such as Niger seed agar and l-DOPA agar. Here, we describe an alternative medium that uses banana flowers. Banana is a dopamine containing fruit and is widely available in tropical and subtropical countries that have high numbers of cryptococcosis patients. This banana blossom-based agar is useful for the enrichment of isolates of the C. neoformans/C. gattii species complex from environmental and clinical materials. The banana blossom agar (BABA) with and without creatinine can differentiate between the melanin forming isolates of the C. neoformans/C. gattii species complex from other yeasts that do not form melanin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kantarawee Khayhan
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand.,Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Siriprapa Juntaboon
- Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Energy and Environment, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
| | - Wenjie Fang
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Dermatology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tanawat Chaowasku
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.,Center of Excellence in Bioresources for Agriculture, Industry, and Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | | | - Teun Boekhout
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Dermatology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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9
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Genetic Factors and Genotype-Environment Interactions Contribute to Variation in Melanin Production in the Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9824. [PMID: 29959391 PMCID: PMC6026209 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27813-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a common opportunistic fungal infection that often disseminates into the central nervous system, leading to meningitis. Production of melanin pigments during infections is one of the most important virulence factors of its causal agent, the human pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans species complex. However, almost nothing is known about the patterns of variation in melanin production among clinical and environmental strains and the potential effects of such variations on virulence. In this study, we assembled a global collection of C. neoformans var. neoformans strains and investigated their patterns of melanin variation and potential contributors to such variations. Our analyses revealed that genetic differences and genotype-environment interactions explained up to 59% and 43% of the population’s melanin variance respectively, depending on the tested environments. In comparison, environmental factors alone contributed relatively little to melanin variance. We also identified specific changes within the LAC1 gene, whose protein product catalyzes melanin synthesis, to be associated with variable melanin levels. This study provides fresh insights into the origin and evolution of virulence traits in fungal pathogens while highlighting the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors that lead to phenotypic variance.
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10
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Andrade-Silva LE, Ferreira-Paim K, Ferreira TB, Vilas-Boas A, Mora DJ, Manzato VM, Fonseca FM, Buosi K, Andrade-Silva J, Prudente BDS, Araujo NE, Sales-Campos H, da Silva MV, Júnior VR, Meyer W, Silva-Vergara ML. Genotypic analysis of clinical and environmental Cryptococcus neoformans isolates from Brazil reveals the presence of VNB isolates and a correlation with biological factors. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193237. [PMID: 29505557 PMCID: PMC5837091 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcal infections are mainly caused by members of the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex (molecular types VNI, VNII, VNB, VNIV and the AD hybrid VNIII). PCR of the mating type loci and MLST typing using the ISHAM-MLST consensus scheme were used to evaluate the genetic relationship of 102 (63 clinical and 39 environmental) C. neoformans isolates from Uberaba, Brazil and to correlate the obtained genotypes with clinical, antifungal susceptibility and virulence factor data. All isolates were mating type alpha. MLST identified 12 known and five new sequence types (ST). Fourteen STs were identified within the VNI isolates, with ST93 (57/102, 56%) and ST77 (19/102, 19%) being the most prevalent. From the nine VNII isolates previously identify by URA5-RFLP only four (ST40) were confirmed by MLST. The remaining five grouped within the VNB clade in the phylogenetic analysis corresponding to the sequence type ST504. Other two environmental isolates also grouped within VNB clade with the new sequence type ST527. The four VNII/ST40 isolates were isolated from CSF. The two VNIV sequence types (ST11 and ST160) were isolated from blood cultures. Two of six patients evaluated with more than one isolates had mixed infections. Amongst the VNI isolates 4 populations were identified, which showed differences in their susceptibility profiles, clinical outcome and virulence factors. These results reinforce that ST93 is the most prevalent ST in HIV-infected patients in the Southeastern region of Brazil. The finding of the VNB molecular type amongst environmental Brazilian isolates highlights that this genotype is not restricted to the African continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Euripedes Andrade-Silva
- Infectious Disease Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
- Clinical Pathology Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Kennio Ferreira-Paim
- Infectious Disease Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
- Clinical Pathology Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Marie Bashir Institute for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Sydney Medical School-Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Anderson Vilas-Boas
- Infectious Disease Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Delio José Mora
- Infectious Disease Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
| | | | | | - Kelli Buosi
- Infectious Disease Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Juliana Andrade-Silva
- Infectious Disease Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
| | | | - Natalia Evelyn Araujo
- Infectious Disease Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Marie Bashir Institute for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Sydney Medical School-Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
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11
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[Molecular characterization of Cryptococcus neoformans isolates from HIV patients, Guayaquil, Ecuador]. BIOMEDICA 2017; 37:425-430. [PMID: 28968020 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.v37i3.3322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neurocryptococcosis is an opportunistic fungal infection that represents a high cost in human lives and for the economy of countries. Its causative agent, the Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complex, has a sexual and an asexual phase, four major serotypes and seven molecular varieties with phenotypic, clinical-epidemiological and antifungal susceptibility differences. OBJECTIVE To characterize by molecular methods clinical isolates of C. neoformans from Guayaquil, Ecuador. MATERIALS AND METHODS We determined mating types, serotypes and molecular varieties by PCR and RFLP in 27 yeast isolates previously identified as C. neoformans by conventional methods. The isolates were recovered from cerebrospinal fluid of HIV seropositive patients with neurological syndrome admitted at "Dr. José Daniel Rodríguez Maridueña" Hospital from December, 2013, to January, 2015. RESULTS We established a wide prevalence of C. neoformans serotype A, MATα and genotype VNI among the studied isolates. CONCLUSIONS These data are similar to those obtained in other countries and the first identified by molecular characterization in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Therefore, they constitute an important contribution to the knowledge on cryptococcosis in this country.
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12
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Enzymatic characterization of clinical and environmental Cryptococcus neoformans strains isolated in Italy. Rev Iberoam Micol 2017; 34:77-82. [PMID: 28215482 DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2016.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast causing mainly opportunistic infections. The virulence factors involved in cryptococcosis pathogenesis include the presence and the size of the polysaccharide capsule, the production of melanin by phenoloxidase, the growth at 37°C and the enzyme secretion like proteinase, phospholipase and urease. Many other enzymes are secreted by C. neoformans but their role in the fungus virulence is not yet known. AIMS In order to investigate this topic, we compared the phospholipase production between strains from patients and from bird droppings, and we examined its relationship to phenoloxidase production. We further characterized the strains by determining the activity of 19 different extracellular enzymes. METHODS Two hundred and five Italian C. neoformans clinical isolates and 32 environmental isolates were tested. Phenoloxidase production was determined by the development of brown colonies on Staib's agar. Extracellular phospholipase activity was performed using the semiquantitative egg-yolk plate method. API ZYM commercial kit was used to observe the production and the activity of 19 different extracellular enzymes. RESULTS Statistical analysis of the results showed a significantly higher phospholipase activity in the clinical isolates than in the environmental isolates. No significant difference about the phenoloxidase production between both groups was found. Regarding the 19 extracellular enzymes tested using the API ZYM commercial kit, acid phosphatase showed the highest enzymatic activity in both groups. Concerning the enzyme α-glucosidase, the clinical isolates presented a significantly higher positivity percentage than the environmental isolates. A hundred percent positivity in the enzyme leucine arylamidase production was observed in both groups, but the clinical isolates metabolized a significantly greater amount of substrate. CONCLUSIONS The higher phospholipase production in the clinical isolates group confirms the possible role of this enzyme in the cryptococcosis pathogenesis. The extracellular activities of the enzymes acid phosphatase, α-glucosidase and leucine arylamidase, tested by means of the API ZYM commercial kit, appear to be very interesting. Many studies indicate that these enzymes are involved in the virulence of bacteria and parasites; our results suggest their possible role as virulence factors in Cryptococcus infections too.
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Disseminated Cryptococcal Disease in Non-HIV, Nontransplant Patient. Case Rep Infect Dis 2016; 2016:1725287. [PMID: 27957359 PMCID: PMC5120191 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1725287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Disseminated cryptococcal infection carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Typical patients include HIV individuals with advanced immunosuppression or solid organ or hematopoietic transplant recipients. We report a case of disseminated cryptococcal disease in a 72-year-old male who was immunocompromised with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and ongoing chemotherapy. The patient presented with a subacute history of constitutional symptoms and headache after he received five cycles of FCR chemotherapy (fludarabine/cyclophosphamide/rituximab). Diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcal disease was made based on fungemia in peripheral blood cultures with subsequent involvement of the brain, lungs, and eyes. Treatment was started with liposomal amphotericin, flucytosine, and fluconazole as induction. He was discharged after 4 weeks of hospitalization on high dose fluconazole for consolidation for 2 months, followed by maintenance therapy.
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de Azevedo MI, Ferreiro L, Da Silva AS, Tonin AA, Monteiro DU, Casali EA, Moritz CE, Schirmbeck GH, Cardoso VV, Flores MM, Fighera R, Stefani LM, Santurio JM. Participation of purines in the modulation of inflammatory response in rats experimentally infected by Cryptococcus neoformans. Microb Pathog 2016; 99:36-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2016.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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15
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Gago S, Serrano C, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Cuesta I, Martín-Mazuelos E, Aller AI, Gómez-López A, Mellado E. Molecular identification, antifungal resistance and virulence ofCryptococcus neoformansandCryptococcus deneoformansisolated in Seville, Spain. Mycoses 2016; 60:40-50. [DOI: 10.1111/myc.12543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 07/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Gago
- Mycology Reference Laboratory; Centro Nacional de Microbiología; Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Madrid Spain
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group; Institute of Inflammation and Repair; University of Manchester; Manchester UK
| | - Carmen Serrano
- Sección Micología; Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe; Sevilla Spain
| | - Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo
- Mycology Reference Laboratory; Centro Nacional de Microbiología; Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Madrid Spain
- Spanish Network for the Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD12/0015); Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Madrid Spain
| | - Isabel Cuesta
- Mycology Reference Laboratory; Centro Nacional de Microbiología; Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Madrid Spain
- Spanish Network for the Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD12/0015); Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Madrid Spain
| | | | - Ana Isabel Aller
- Unidad de Gestión de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología; Hospital de Valme; Sevilla Spain
| | - Alicia Gómez-López
- Mycology Reference Laboratory; Centro Nacional de Microbiología; Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Madrid Spain
- Spanish Network for the Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD12/0015); Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Madrid Spain
| | - Emilia Mellado
- Mycology Reference Laboratory; Centro Nacional de Microbiología; Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Madrid Spain
- Spanish Network for the Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD12/0015); Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Madrid Spain
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Sanguinetti M, Posteraro B. Mass spectrometry applications in microbiology beyond microbe identification: progress and potential. Expert Rev Proteomics 2016; 13:965-977. [DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2016.1231578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Brunella Posteraro
- Institute of Public Health (Section of Hygiene), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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17
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Bosco-Borgeat ME, Mazza M, Taverna CG, Córdoba S, Murisengo OA, Vivot W, Davel G. Amino acid substitution in Cryptococcus neoformans lanosterol 14-α-demethylase involved in fluconazole resistance in clinical isolates. Rev Argent Microbiol 2016; 48:137-42. [PMID: 27311753 DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2016.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Revised: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular basis of fluconazole resistance in Cryptococcus neoformans has been poorly studied. A common azole resistance mechanism in Candida species is the acquisition of point mutations in the ERG11 gene encoding the enzyme lanosterol 14-α-demethylase, target of the azole class of drugs. In C. neoformans only two mutations were described in this gene. In order to evaluate other mutations that could be implicated in fluconazole resistance in C. neoformans we studied the genomic sequence of the ERG11 gene in 11 clinical isolates with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values to fluconazole of ≥16μg/ml. The sequencing revealed the G1855A mutation in 3 isolates, resulting in the enzyme amino acid substitution G484S. These strains were isolated from two fluconazole-treated patients. This mutation would not intervene in the susceptibility to itraconazole and voriconazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- María E Bosco-Borgeat
- Departamento Micología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Mariana Mazza
- Departamento Micología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Constanza G Taverna
- Departamento Micología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Susana Córdoba
- Departamento Micología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Omar A Murisengo
- Departamento Micología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Walter Vivot
- Departamento Micología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Graciela Davel
- Departamento Micología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Rossi SA, Trevijano-Contador N, Scorzoni L, Mesa-Arango AC, de Oliveira HC, Werther K, de Freitas Raso T, Mendes-Giannini MJS, Zaragoza O, Fusco-Almeida AM. Impact of Resistance to Fluconazole on Virulence and Morphological Aspects of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii Isolates. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:153. [PMID: 26909069 PMCID: PMC4754443 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus sp. are responsible for around 1 million cases of meningitis every year. Fluconazole (FLU) is commonly used in the treatment of cryptococcosis, mainly in immunocompromised patients and the resistance is usually reported after long periods of treatment. In this study, the morphological characterization and virulence profile of FLU-susceptible and FLU-resistant clinical and environmental isolates of C. neoformans and C. gattii were performed both in vitro and in vivo using the Galleria mellonella model. FLU-susceptible isolates from C. neoformans were significantly more virulent than the FLU-resistant isolates. FLU-susceptible C. gattii isolates showed a different virulence profile from C. neoformans isolates where only the environmental isolate, CL, was more virulent compared with the resistant isolates. Cell morphology and capsule size were analyzed and the FLU-resistant isolates did not change significantly compared with the most sensitive isolates. Growth at 37°C was also evaluated and in both species, the resistant isolates showed a reduced growth at this temperature, indicating that FLU resistance can affect their growth. Based on the results obtained is possible suggest that FLU resistance can influence the morphology of the isolates and consequently changed the virulence profiles. The most evident results were observed for C. neoformans showing that the adaptation of isolates to antifungal selective pressure influenced the loss of virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suélen A Rossi
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araraquara, Departamento de Análises Clíncas São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nuria Trevijano-Contador
- Centro Nacional de Microbiologia, Unidad de Micologia, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda Madrid, Spain
| | - Liliana Scorzoni
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araraquara, Departamento de Análises Clíncas São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Haroldo C de Oliveira
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araraquara, Departamento de Análises Clíncas São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karin Werther
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, USP - Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Patologia São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tânia de Freitas Raso
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, USP - Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Patologia São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria J S Mendes-Giannini
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araraquara, Departamento de Análises Clíncas São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Oscar Zaragoza
- Centro Nacional de Microbiologia, Unidad de Micologia, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana M Fusco-Almeida
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araraquara, Departamento de Análises Clíncas São Paulo, Brazil
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Nyazika TK, Robertson VJ, Nherera B, Mapondera PT, Meis JF, Hagen F. Comparison of biotyping methods as alternative identification tools to molecular typing of pathogenic Cryptococcus species in sub-Saharan Africa. Mycoses 2015; 59:151-6. [PMID: 26661484 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningitis is the leading fungal infection and AIDS defining opportunistic illness in patients with late stage HIV infection, particularly in South-East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Given the high mortality, clinical differences and the extensive ecological niche of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complexes, there is need for laboratories in sub-Sahara African countries to adopt new and alternative reliable diagnostic algorithms that rapidly identify and distinguish these species. We biotyped 74 and then amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) genotyped 66 Cryptococcus isolates from a cohort of patients with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis. C. gattii sensu lato was isolated at a prevalence of 16.7% (n = 11/66) and C. neoformans sensu stricto was responsible for 83.3% (n = 55/66) of the infections. l-Canavanine glycine bromothymol blue, yeast-carbon-base-d-proline-d-tryptophan and creatinine dextrose bromothymol blue thymine were able to distinguish pathogenic C. gattii sensu lato from C. neoformans sensu stricto species when compared with AFLP genotyping. This study demonstrates high C. gattii sensu lato prevalence in Zimbabwe. In addition, biotyping methods can be used as alternative diagnostic tools to molecular typing in resource-limited areas for differentiating pathogenic Cryptococcus species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinashe K Nyazika
- Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.,Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Valerie J Robertson
- Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Brenda Nherera
- Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Prichard T Mapondera
- Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Hagen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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20
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Cicora F, Petroni J, Roberti J. Cryptococcosis Presenting as a Colonic Ulcer in a Kidney Transplant Recipient: A Case Report. Transplant Proc 2015; 47:2786-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2015.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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21
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Rivera V, Gaviria M, Muñoz-Cadavid C, Cano L, Naranjo T. Validation and clinical application of a molecular method for the identification of Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii complex DNA in human clinical specimens. Braz J Infect Dis 2015; 19:563-70. [PMID: 26365230 PMCID: PMC9425379 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2015.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Revised: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of cryptococcosis is usually performed based on cultures of tissue or body fluids and isolation of the fungus, but this method may require several days. Direct microscopic examination, although rapid, is relatively insensitive. Biochemical and immunodiagnostic rapid tests are also used. However, all of these methods have limitations that may hinder final diagnosis. The increasing incidence of fungal infections has focused attention on tools for rapid and accurate diagnosis using molecular biological techniques. Currently, PCR-based methods, particularly nested, multiplex and real-time PCR, provide both high sensitivity and specificity. In the present study, we evaluated a nested PCR targeting the gene encoding the ITS-1 and ITS-2 regions of rDNA in samples from a cohort of patients diagnosed with cryptococcosis. The results showed that in our hands, this Cryptococcus nested PCR assay has 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity and was able to detect until 2 femtograms of Cryptococcus DNA.
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22
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de Azevedo MI, Ferreiro L, Da Silva AS, Tonin AA, Thorstenberg ML, Catilhos LG, França RT, Leal DBR, Duarte MMMF, Lopes STA, Sangoi MB, Moresco RN, Fighera R, Santurio JM. Cholinesterase of rats experimentally infected by Cryptococcus neoformans: Relationship between inflammatory response and pathological findings. Pathol Res Pract 2015; 211:851-7. [PMID: 26376950 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2015.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Revised: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the role of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) as biomarkers of inflammation and tissue injury on rats experimentally infected by Cryptococcus neoformans. For this purpose, 20 male rats were divided into two groups: 10 animals representing the uninfected control group (Group A) and 10 C. neoformans var. grubii infected animals (Group B). Blood and brain samples were collected on days 10 (A10 and B10), and 30 (A30 and B30) post-infection (PI) for hematological analyses; AChE (in lymphocytes and brain) and seric BChE activity; interleukins (IL-1, IL-6, and IL-10); nitrite/nitrate (NOx) levels; and markers of protein oxidation (AOPP) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS). As a result, when animals of Group A were compared to animals of Group B, it was observed leukocytosis (P<0.05) on day 10 PI; AChE activity increase (P<0.05) in lymphocytes (day 30 PI) and in brain (days 10 and 30 PI); BChE activity decrease (P<0.05) on day 10 PI; IL-1 and IL-6 increase (P<0.01) in both periods, while IL-10 had reduced levels (P<0.01) in the same periods; NOx levels increased (P<0.05) significantly on days 10 and 30 PI, while AOPP and TBARS levels increased significantly on day 30 PI; as well as pneumonia on infected rats. Therefore, based on the results obtained, it was possible to conclude that AChE and BChE behavior lead to a proinflammatory reaction evidenced by the enhancement of IL-1, IL-6, and NOx throughout the experiment associated with reduction on IL-10 levels, and cellular damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Isabel de Azevedo
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Patologia e Clinica Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Laerte Ferreiro
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Patologia e Clinica Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Alexandre A Tonin
- Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina (UNOESC), Xanxerê, SC, Brazil
| | - Maria Luiza Thorstenberg
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Livia Gelain Catilhos
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Raqueli T França
- Departamento de Pequenos Animais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Daniela B R Leal
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Sonia T A Lopes
- Departamento de Pequenos Animais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Manuela B Sangoi
- Departamento de Analises Clínicas Toxicológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Rafael N Moresco
- Departamento de Analises Clínicas Toxicológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Rafael Fighera
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Janio M Santurio
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
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González GM, Casillas-Vega N, Garza-González E, Hernández-Bello R, Rivera G, Rodríguez JA, Bocanegra-Garcia V. Molecular typing of clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complex from Northeast Mexico. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2015; 61:51-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s12223-015-0409-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Abstract
Understanding of the taxonomy and phylogeny of Cryptococcus gattii has been advanced by modern molecular techniques. C. gattii probably diverged from Cryptococcus neoformans between 16 million and 160 million years ago, depending on the dating methods applied, and maintains diversity by recombining in nature. South America is the likely source of the virulent C. gattii VGII molecular types that have emerged in North America. C. gattii shares major virulence determinants with C. neoformans, although genomic and transcriptomic studies revealed that despite similar genomes, the VGIIa and VGIIb subtypes employ very different transcriptional circuits and manifest differences in virulence phenotypes. Preliminary evidence suggests that C. gattii VGII causes severe lung disease and death without dissemination, whereas C. neoformans disseminates readily to the central nervous system (CNS) and causes death from meningoencephalitis. Overall, currently available data indicate that the C. gattii VGI, VGII, and VGIII molecular types more commonly affect nonimmunocompromised hosts, in contrast to VGIV. New, rapid, cheap diagnostic tests and imaging modalities are assisting early diagnosis and enabling better outcomes of cerebral cryptococcosis. Complications of CNS infection include increased intracranial pressure, severe neurological sequelae, and development of immune reconstitution syndrome, although the mortality rate is low. C. gattii VGII isolates may exhibit higher fluconazole MICs than other genotypes. Optimal therapeutic regimens are yet to be determined; in most cases, initial therapy with amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine is recommended.
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Cryptococcus gattii genotype AFLP6/VGII meningoencephalitis in an immunocompetent Filipino male in Kuwait: activation of a dormant infection. JMM Case Rep 2015. [DOI: 10.1099/jmmcr.0.000058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
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Cicora F, Petroni J, Formosa P, Roberti J. A rare case of Cryptococcus gattii pneumonia in a renal transplant patient. Transpl Infect Dis 2015; 17:463-6. [PMID: 25689604 DOI: 10.1111/tid.12371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are environmental fungi that can cause fever, cough, pneumonia, meningoencephalitis, dissemination, and death. C. gattii causes cryptococcomas more frequently than does C. neoformans and may require prolonged antifungal treatment. We present a rare case of C. gattii pneumonia in a renal transplant patient. A 44-year-old man, living in a rural area endemic for C. gattii and who had received a kidney transplant, was admitted to the hospital with fever, vomiting, weight loss, and diarrhea. A chest computed tomography revealed 2 alveolar, nodular, subpleural infiltrates in the periphery of the lungs. Differential diagnoses included infectious infiltrates, granulomatosis, embolization, and hemorrhage. C. gattii, molecular type VGI, was confirmed on day 28. Treatment consisted of amphotericin B at 1 mg/kg/day or fluconazole at 800 mg/day for first 6 weeks, followed by fluconazole at 400 mg/day for the subsequent 12 months. Response to the therapy has been slow. Because of the occurrence of outbreaks and its high morbidity and mortality rates, physicians must be aware of this complication in transplant recipients to avoid delays in diagnosis and to provide prompt management.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Cicora
- Renal Transplantation, Hospital de Alta Complejidad Pte JD Perón, Formosa, Argentina.,Foundation for Research and Assistance in Kidney Disease - FINAER, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - J Petroni
- Renal Transplantation, Hospital de Alta Complejidad Pte JD Perón, Formosa, Argentina
| | - P Formosa
- Renal Transplantation, Hospital de Alta Complejidad Pte JD Perón, Formosa, Argentina
| | - J Roberti
- Foundation for Research and Assistance in Kidney Disease - FINAER, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Environmental sampling of Ceratonia siliqua (carob) trees in Spain reveals the presence of the rare Cryptococcus gattii genotype AFLP7/VGIV. Rev Iberoam Micol 2015; 32:269-72. [PMID: 25900707 DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2014] [Revised: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptococcus gattii is a pathogenic basidiomycetous yeast that is emerging in temperate climate zones worldwide. C. gattii has repetitively been isolated from numerous tree species. Ongoing environmental sampling and molecular characterization is essential to understand the presence of this primary pathogenic microorganism in the Mediterranean environment. AIMS To report the first isolation of the rare C. gattii genotype AFLP7/VGIV from the environment in Europe. METHODS Samples were collected from woody debris of carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua) and olive trees (Olea europaea) in El Perelló, Tarragona, Spain. Cryptococcus species were further characterized by using URA5-RFLP, MALDI-TOF, AFLP and MLST. The antifungal susceptibility profile to amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, fluconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole was determined using Sensititre Yeast One and E-test. RESULTS Cultures from one carob tree revealed the presence of ten Cryptococcus-like colonies. One colony was identified as C. gattii, and subsequent molecular characterization showed that it was an α mating-type that belonged to the rare genotype AFLP7/VGIV. Antifungal susceptibility testing showed values within the range of sensitivity described for other isolates of the same genotype and within the epidemiological cutoff values for this species. CONCLUSIONS The isolation of the rare C. gattii genotype AFLP7/VGIV in Spain is the first report in the European environment, implying the possible presence in other regions of the Mediterranean area, and underlines that clinicians must be aware for C. gattii infections in healthy individuals.
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Cutaneous, Subcutaneous and Systemic Mycology. VETERINARY MYCOLOGY 2015. [PMCID: PMC7122059 DOI: 10.1007/978-81-322-2280-4_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The first description of dermatophytosis was recorded by Celsus, a Roman encyclopaedist who described a suppurative infection of scalp (‘porrigo’ or ‘kerion of Celsus’) in De Re Medicina (30 A.D.). Throughout the middle ages, several descriptions of dermatophytosis were produced where it is described as ‘tinea’. The keratin-destroying moths which made circular holes in the woollen garments are known as Tinea. Due to similarity in the structure of circular lesion of dermatophytosis on the smooth skin with the circular hole made by moth, Cassius Felix introduced the term ‘tinea’ to describe the lesions. In 1806, Alibert used the term ‘favus’ to describe the honey-like exudate in some scalp infections. However, the fungal aetiology of tinea was first detected by Robert Remak, a Polish physician who first observed the presence of hyphae in the crusts of favus. This detection is also a landmark in medical history because this is the first description of a microbe causing a human disease. He himself did not publish his work, but he permitted the reference of his observations in a dissertation by Xavier Hube in 1837. Remak gave all the credits of his discovery to his mentor Schoenlein who first published the fungal etiological report of favus in 1839. He observed the infectious nature of the favus by autoinoculation into his own hands and also successfully isolated the fungus later (1945) and named Achorion schoenleinii (Trichophyton schoenleinii) in honour of his mentor. In 1844, Gruby described the etiologic agent of tinea endothrix, later became known as Trichophyton tonsurans. The genus Trichophyton was created and described by Malmsten (1845) with its representative species T. tonsurans. Charles Robin identified T. mentagrophytes in 1847 and T. equinum was identified by Matruchot and Dassonville in 1898. Raymond Jacques Adrien Sabouraud (France) first compiled the description of Trichophyton in his book (Les Teignes) in 1910 which was based on his observation in artificial culture. The sexual state of dermatophyte was described by Nannizzi (1927). Emmons (1934) first reported the classification of dermatophytes based on vegetative structures and conidia. Gentles (1958) established the successful treatment of tinea capitis with griseofulvin.
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Gibson JF, Johnston SA. Immunity to Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii during cryptococcosis. Fungal Genet Biol 2014; 78:76-86. [PMID: 25498576 PMCID: PMC4503824 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2014.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2014] [Revised: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The vast majority of infection with cryptococcal species occurs with Cryptococcus neoformans in the severely immunocompromised. A significant exception to this is the infections of those with apparently normal immune systems by Cryptococcus gattii. Susceptibility to cryptococcosis can be broadly categorised as a defect in adaptive immune responses, especially in T cell immunity. However, innate immune cells such as macrophages play a key role and are likely the primary effector cell in the killing and ultimate clearance of cryptococcal infection. In this review we discuss the current state of our understanding of how the immune system responds to cryptococcal infection in health and disease, with reference to the work communicated at the 9th International Conference on Cryptococcus and Cryptococcosis (ICCC9). We have focussed on cell mediated responses, particularly early in infection, but with the aim of presenting a broad overview of our understanding of immunity to cryptococcal infection, highlighting some recent advances and offering some perspectives on future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josie F Gibson
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Medical School, University of Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK; Bateson Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Simon A Johnston
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Medical School, University of Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK; Bateson Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK.
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Illnait-Zaragozi MT, Martínez-Machín GF, Fernández-Andreu CM, Perurena-Lancha MR, Hagen F, Meis JF. Cryptococcus and Cryptococcosis in Cuba. A minireview. Mycoses 2014; 57:707-17. [DOI: 10.1111/myc.12275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ferry Hagen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases; Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital; Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Jacques F. Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases; Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital; Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen The Netherlands
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Multicenter study of isavuconazole MIC distributions and epidemiological cutoff values for the Cryptococcus neoformans-Cryptococcus gattii species complex using the CLSI M27-A3 broth microdilution method. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 59:666-8. [PMID: 25313209 DOI: 10.1128/aac.04055-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological cutoff values (ECVs) of isavuconazole are not available for Cryptococcus spp. The isavuconazole ECVs based on wild-type (WT) MIC distributions for 438 Cryptococcus neoformans nongenotyped isolates, 870 isolates of genotype VNI, and 406 Cryptococcus gattii isolates from six laboratories and different geographical areas were 0.06, 0.12, and 0.25 μg/ml, respectively. These ECVs may aid in detecting non-WT isolates with reduced susceptibilities to isavuconazole.
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Bejar V, Tello M, García R, Guevara JM, Gonzales S, Vergaray G, Valencia E, Abanto E, Ortega-Loayza AG, Hagen F, Gutierrez EL. Molecular characterization and antifungal susceptibility of Cryptococcus neoformans strains collected from a single institution in Lima, Peru. Rev Iberoam Micol 2014; 32:88-92. [PMID: 25556051 DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2014.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2013] [Revised: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection with a worldwide distribution, mainly caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. AIMS To molecularly characterize the mating-types, serotypes, genotypes and antifungal susceptibility profiles of a set of retrospectively isolated C. neoformans strains from Lima, Peru. METHODS A set of 32 Cryptococcus spp. strains from the Institute of Tropical Medicine of the National University of San Marcos, Lima, Peru, were included in this retrospective study. Twenty-four strains were isolated from patients, while the remaining 8 were isolated from the environment. RESULTS Using conventional PCR, 27 (84.4%) of the isolates were identified as C. neoformans var. grubii mating-type alpha and serotype A. Using the AFLP fingerprinting, it was shown that 16 (50%) of the C. neoformans strains were genotype AFLP1, 13 (40.6%) were genotype AFLP1B, 2 (6.3%) were genotype AFLP2, and 1 (3.1%) was found to be a hybrid between both C. neoformans varieties (genotype AFLP3). The antifungal susceptibility profiles for amphotericin B, fluconazole and voriconazole showed that all the 32 C. neoformans are sensitive to these antifungal compounds. CONCLUSIONS In this study we observed that C. neoformans var. grubii (AFLP1 and AFLP1B) and C. neoformans var. neoformans (AFLP2) were the only cryptococcal varieties involved. All strains were found to be sensitive to the antifungals tested, results that are consistent with those found in the international literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vilma Bejar
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Daniel Alcides Carrión", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima, Peru
| | | | - Ruth García
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, UNMSM, Lima, Peru
| | - José M Guevara
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Daniel Alcides Carrión", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima, Peru
| | - Sofia Gonzales
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Daniel Alcides Carrión", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima, Peru
| | - German Vergaray
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Daniel Alcides Carrión", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima, Peru
| | - Esther Valencia
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Daniel Alcides Carrión", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima, Peru
| | - Enma Abanto
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Daniel Alcides Carrión", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima, Peru
| | | | - Ferry Hagen
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ericson L Gutierrez
- Unidad de Análisis y Generación de Evidencia en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Lima, Peru; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de San Martín de Porres, Lima, Peru
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Firacative C, Duan S, Meyer W. Galleria mellonella model identifies highly virulent strains among all major molecular types of Cryptococcus gattii. PLoS One 2014; 9:e105076. [PMID: 25133687 PMCID: PMC4136835 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is mainly caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. However, the number of cases due to C. gattii is increasing, affecting mainly immunocompetent hosts. C. gattii is divided into four major molecular types, VGI to VGIV, which differ in their host range, epidemiology, antifungal susceptibility and geographic distribution. Besides studies on the Vancouver Island outbreak strains, which showed that the subtype VGIIa is highly virulent compared to the subtype VGIIb, little is known about the virulence of the other major molecular types. To elucidate the virulence potential of the major molecular types of C. gattii, Galleria mellonella larvae were inoculated with ten globally selected strains per molecular type. Survival rates were recorded and known virulence factors were studied. One VGII, one VGIII and one VGIV strain were more virulent (p <0.05) than the highly virulent Vancouver Island outbreak strain VGIIa (CDCR265), 11 (four VGI, two VGII, four VGIII and one VGIV) had similar virulence (p >0.05), 21 (five VGI, five VGII, four VGIII and seven VGIV) were less virulent (p <0.05) while one strain of each molecular type were avirulent. Cell and capsule size of all strains increased markedly during larvae infection (p <0.001). No differences in growth rate at 37°C were observed. Melanin synthesis was directly related with the level of virulence: more virulent strains produced more melanin than less virulent strains (p <0.05). The results indicate that all C. gattii major molecular types exhibit a range of virulence, with some strains having the potential to be more virulent. The study highlights the necessity to further investigate the genetic background of more and less virulent strains in order to recognize critical features, other than the known virulence factors (capsule, melanin and growth at mammalian body temperature), that maybe crucial for the development and progression of cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Firacative
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Sydney Medical School – Westmead Hospital, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney, Australia
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Shuyao Duan
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Sydney Medical School – Westmead Hospital, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Sydney Medical School – Westmead Hospital, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Danesi P, Firacative C, Cogliati M, Otranto D, Capelli G, Meyer W. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and M13 PCR fingerprinting revealed heterogeneity amongstCryptococcusspecies obtained from Italian veterinary isolates. FEMS Yeast Res 2014; 14:897-909. [DOI: 10.1111/1567-1364.12178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Danesi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie; Legnaro Italy
- Department of Veterinary Medicine; University of Bari; Bari Italy
| | - Carolina Firacative
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology; Sydney Medical School - Westmead Hospital; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity; The University of Sydney; Westmead Millennium Institute; Sydney NSW Australia
- Grupo de Microbiología; Instituto Nacional de Salud; Bogotá Colombia
| | - Massimo Cogliati
- Laboratorio di Micologia Medica; Istituto di Igiene e Medicina Preventiva; University of Milan; Milan Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine; University of Bari; Bari Italy
| | - Gioia Capelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie; Legnaro Italy
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology; Sydney Medical School - Westmead Hospital; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity; The University of Sydney; Westmead Millennium Institute; Sydney NSW Australia
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Clinical and microbiological characteristics of cryptococcosis in Singapore: predominance of Cryptococcus neoformans compared with Cryptococcus gattii. Int J Infect Dis 2014; 26:110-5. [PMID: 25018090 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2014.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Revised: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the clinical features, treatments, outcomes, and subtype prevalence of cryptococcosis in Singapore. METHODS All patients with laboratory confirmed cryptococcal infections admitted from 1999 to 2007 to a teaching hospital in Singapore were reviewed retrospectively. Identification and molecular types of Cryptococcus neoformans variants and Cryptococcus gattii were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Serotypes were inferred with a multiplex PCR method. RESULTS Of 62 patients with cryptococcosis, C. neoformans var. grubii was the predominant subtype (in 95%), affecting mainly immunocompromised hosts (91%) with HIV infection (80%). Patients with HIV were younger (median age 36.5 vs. 49.5 years, p=0.006) and less likely to present with an altered mental status (14% vs. 50%, p=0.013). In contrast, delayed treatment (median 7 days vs. 2 days, p=0.03), pulmonary involvement (58% vs. 14%, p=0.03), and initial treatment with fluconazole (25% vs. 2%, p=0.02) were more common in HIV-negative patients. C. gattii was uncommon, affecting only three patients, all of whom were immunocompetent and had disseminated disease with pulmonary and neurological involvement. All C. gattii were RFLP type VG II, serotype B and all C. neoformans var. grubii were RFLP type VN I, serotype A, except for one that was RFLP type VN II. CONCLUSION C. neoformans var. grubii, subtype VN I, was the predominant subtype in Singapore, infecting younger, mainly immunocompromised hosts with HIV. C. gattii was uncommon, causing pulmonary manifestations in older, immunocompetent patients and were RFLP type VG II.
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Molecular characterization of Cryptococcus gattii genotype AFLP6/VGII isolated from woody debris of divi-divi (Caesalpinia coriaria), Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean. Rev Iberoam Micol 2014; 31:193-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2013.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2013] [Revised: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
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Native trees of the Northeast Argentine: Natural hosts of the Cryptococcus neoformans–Cryptococcus gattii species complex. Rev Iberoam Micol 2014; 31:188-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2013.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2012] [Revised: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Mischnik A, Stockklausner J, Hohneder N, Jensen HE, Zimmermann S, Reuss DE, Rickerts V, Tintelnot K, Stockklausner C. First case of disseminated cryptococcosis in aGorilla gorilla. Mycoses 2014; 57:664-71. [DOI: 10.1111/myc.12215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/01/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Mischnik
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical Microbiology and Hygiene; Heidelberg University Hospital; Heidelberg Germany
| | | | | | - Henrik E. Jensen
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology; Faculty of Life Sciences; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Stefan Zimmermann
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical Microbiology and Hygiene; Heidelberg University Hospital; Heidelberg Germany
| | - David E. Reuss
- Department of Neuropathology; Institute of Pathology; Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK); Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ); Heidelberg Germany
| | | | | | - Clemens Stockklausner
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology; Heidelberg University Hospital; Heidelberg Germany
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Ferrets as sentinels of the presence of pathogenic Cryptococcus species in the Mediterranean environment. Mycopathologia 2014; 178:145-51. [PMID: 24962111 PMCID: PMC7089463 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-014-9773-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii is a pathogenic environmental yeast that is considered to be emerging in different areas of the world including the Mediterranean Basin. Exposure to infection might be more likely in animals than in human beings, given their closer relationship with the natural habitat of the yeast, vegetation and soil. Thus, animals, and especially pets, can act as indicators of the presence of this yeast in a determined area. Domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) have become common pets in the past 10-20 years. Their natural behavior of sniffing around and going inside narrow spaces makes them prone to contact with decaying organic matter and soil, the substrate for Cryptococcus species. This study describes two cases of cryptococcosis in ferrets in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands and documents a relationship of ferret cryptococcosis with environmental isolates in the same locations. Here, we emphasize the importance of how an adequate identification and environmental search of the yeast leads to a better understanding of the epidemiology of cryptococcosis and suggests ferrets may act as sentinels for this fungal disease.
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Kelley EJ, Driebe EM, Etienne K, Brandt ME, Schupp JM, Gillece JD, Trujillo JS, Lockhart SR, Deak E, Keim PS, Engelthaler DM. Real-time PCR assays for genotyping of Cryptococcus gattii in North America. BMC Microbiol 2014; 14:125. [PMID: 24886039 PMCID: PMC4032356 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-14-125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cryptococcus gattii has been the cause of an ongoing outbreak starting in 1999 on Vancouver Island, British Columbia and spreading to mainland Canada and the US Pacific Northwest. In the course of the outbreak, C. gattii has been identified outside of its previously documented climate, habitat, and host disease. Genotyping of C. gattii is essential to understand the ecological and geographical expansion of this emerging pathogen. Methods We developed and validated a mismatch amplification mutation assay (MAMA) real-time PCR panel for genotyping C. gattii molecular types VGI-VGIV and VGII subtypes a,b,c. Subtype assays were designed based on whole-genome sequence of 20 C. gattii strains. Publically available multilocus sequence typing (MLST) data from a study of 202 strains was used for the molecular type (VGI-VGIV) assay design. All assays were validated across DNA from 112 strains of diverse international origin and sample types, including animal, environmental and human. Results Validation revealed each assay on the panel is 100% sensitive, specific and concordant with MLST. The assay panel can detect down to 0.5 picograms of template DNA. Conclusions The (MAMA) real-time PCR panel for C. gattii accurately typed a collection of 112 diverse strains and demonstrated high sensitivity. This is a time and cost efficient method of genotyping C. gattii best suited for application in large-scale epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin J Kelley
- The Translational Genomics Research Institute, 3051 W, Shamrell Blvd, Ste, 106, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA.
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Galiza GJ, Silva TM, Caprioli RA, Tochetto C, Rosa FB, Fighera RA, Kommers GD. Características histomorfológicas e histoquímicas determinantes no diagnóstico da criptococose em animais de companhia. PESQUISA VETERINÁRIA BRASILEIRA 2014. [DOI: 10.1590/s0100-736x2014000300011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Sete casos de criptococose (seis gatos e um cão) foram estudados para estabelecer as características histomorfológicas e histoquímicas determinantes no diagnóstico histopatológico dessa condição. Os dados complementares relacionados à epidemiologia, aos aspectos clínicos, à localização das lesões e às alterações macroscópicas foram obtidos dos protocolos de necropsias e biópsias. Na histologia, as leveduras foram observadas no interior de macrófagos ou livres no parênquima, associadas à reação inflamatória linfo-histioplasmocítica que variou de escassa a acentuada. Pela técnica de hematoxilina-eosina (HE) as leveduras eram arredondadas, com célula central contendo um núcleo, circundada por um halo claro (cápsula geralmente não corada). As técnicas histoquímicas do ácido periódico de Schiff (PAS), Grocott e Fontana-Masson (FM) foram utilizadas e evidenciaram a parede das células das leveduras. Pelo FM observou-se a melanina presente nessas células. As técnicas do azul Alciano e da mucicarmina de Mayer evidenciaram principalmente a cápsula polissacarídica das leveduras. O diâmetro das células das leveduras variou de 1,67 a 10,00µm e o diâmetro total das leveduras encapsuladas variou entre 4,17 e 34,16µm. Os brotamentos foram melhor visualizados através do PAS e ocorreram em base estreita, de forma única ou múltipla, principalmente em polos opostos das células das leveduras ou formando uma cadeia. O diagnóstico definitivo de criptococose foi estabelecido através do exame histopatológico, baseando-se na morfologia característica do agente (levedura encapsulada) e em suas propriedades tintoriais (histoquímicas), principalmente nos casos em que a cultura micológica não foi realizada.
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Treatment and outcomes among patients with Cryptococcus gattii infections in the United States Pacific Northwest. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88875. [PMID: 24586423 PMCID: PMC3929541 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cryptococcus gattii is a fungal pathogen causing an emerging outbreak in the United States Pacific Northwest (PNW). Treatment guidelines for cryptococcosis are primarily based on data from C. neoformans infections; applicability to PNW C. gattii infection is unknown. We evaluated the relationship between initial antifungal treatment and outcomes for PNW C.gattii patients. Methods Cases were defined as culture-confirmed invasive C. gattii infections among residents of Oregon and Washington States during 2004–2011. Clinical data were abstracted from medical records through one year of follow-up. Recommended initial treatment for central nervous system (CNS), bloodstream, and severe pulmonary infections is amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine; for non-severe pulmonary infections, recommended initial treatment is fluconazole. Alternative initial treatment was defined as any other initial antifungal treatment. Results Seventy patients survived to diagnosis; 50 (71%) received the recommended initial treatment and 20 (29%) received an alternative. Fewer patients with pulmonary infections [21 (64%)] than CNS infections [25 (83%)] received the recommended initial treatment (p = 0.07). Among patients with pulmonary infections, those with severe infections received the recommended initial treatment less often than those with non-severe infections (11% vs. 83%, p<0.0001). Eight patients with severe pulmonary infections received alternative initial treatments; three died. Four patients with non-severe pulmonary infections received alternative initial treatments; two died. There was a trend towards increased three-month mortality among patients receiving alternative vs. recommended initial treatment (30% vs. 14%, p = 0.12), driven primarily by increased mortality among patients with pulmonary disease receiving alternative vs. recommended initial treatment (42% vs. 10%, p = 0.07). Conclusions C.gattii patients with pulmonary infections – especially severe infections – may be less likely to receive recommended treatment than those with CNS infections; alternative treatment may be associated with increased mortality. Reasons for receipt of alternative treatment among C.gattii patients in this area should be investigated, and clinician awareness of recommended treatment reinforced.
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Arsic Arsenijevic V, Pekmezovic MG, Meis JF, Hagen F. Molecular epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility of Serbian Cryptococcus neoformans isolates. Mycoses 2014; 57:380-7. [PMID: 24438323 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2013] [Revised: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Molecular typing and antifungal susceptibility testing of 34 clinical Serbian Cryptococcus neoformans isolates from 25 patients was retrospectively performed. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting was used for genotyping, whereas a novel real-time PCR was used to determine the mating- and serotype. The antifungals amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, fluconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole and posaconazole were used to determine the antifungal susceptibility profiles. The majority of isolates belonged to genotype AFLP1/VNI (n = 20; 58.8%), followed by AFLP2/VNIV (n = 10; 29.4%), AFLP3/VNIII (n = 3; 8.8%) and AFLP1B/VNII (n = 1; 2.9%). All AFLP1/VNI isolates were mating-serotype αA, the sole AFLP1B/VNII isolate was found to be aA, whereas AFLP2/VNIV harboured serotype D isolates with either the a (n = 2; 5.9%) or α (n = 8; 23.5%) mating-type allele. The isolates (n = 3; 8.8%) that were found to be genotype AFLP3/VNIII had the hybrid mating- and serotype combination aA-αD. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing showed that all isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B, voriconazole and posaconazole. Low resistance level was observed for fluconazole (n = 1; 2.9%) and 5-fluorocytosine. (n = 2; 5.8%). A large percentage of isolates was found to be susceptible dose dependent to itraconazole (n = 16; 47.1%). AFLP1/VNI was the most common genotype among clinical C. neoformans isolates from immunocompromised patients in Serbia. C. neoformans from HIV-negative patients were significantly less susceptible to 5-fluorocytosine (P < 0.01). Correlation between genotypes and antifungal susceptibility was not observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Arsic Arsenijevic
- National Reference Medical Mycology Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Posteraro B, De Carolis E, Vella A, Sanguinetti M. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in the clinical mycology laboratory: identification of fungi and beyond. Expert Rev Proteomics 2013; 10:151-64. [PMID: 23573782 DOI: 10.1586/epr.13.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) is becoming essential in most clinical microbiology laboratories throughout the world. Its successful use is mainly attributable to the low operational costs, the universality and flexibility of detection, as well as the specificity and speed of analysis. Based on characteristic protein spectra obtained from intact cells - by means of simple, rapid and reproducible preanalytical and analytical protocols - MALDI-TOF MS allows a highly discriminatory identification of yeasts and filamentous fungi starting from colonies. Whenever used early, direct identification of yeasts from positive blood cultures has the potential to greatly shorten turnaround times and to improve laboratory diagnosis of fungemia. More recently, but still at an infancy stage, MALDI-TOF MS is used to perform strain typing and to determine antifungal drug susceptibility. In this article, the authors discuss how the MALDI-TOF MS technology is destined to become a powerful tool for routine mycological diagnostics.
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Cazzini P, Camus MS, Garner BC. Pathology in practice. Cryptococcal osteomyelitis in a dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013; 242:1079-81. [PMID: 23547670 DOI: 10.2460/javma.242.8.1079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Cazzini
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA. )
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Martins LMS, de Andrade HM, Vainstein MH, Wanke B, Schrank A, Balaguez CB, dos Santos PR, Santi L, Pires SDF, da Silva AS, de Castro JAF, Brandão RMSDS, do Monte SJH. Immunoproteomics and immunoinformatics analysis of Cryptococcus gattii: novel candidate antigens for diagnosis. Future Microbiol 2013; 8:549-63. [PMID: 23534365 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.13.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To identify immunoreactive proteins of Cryptococcus gattii genotype VGII and their B-cell epitopes. MATERIALS & METHODS We combined 2D gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting and mass spectrometry to identify immunoreactive proteins from four strains of C. gattii genotype VGII (CG01, CG02, CG03 and R265). Next, we screened the identified proteins to map B-cell epitopes. RESULTS Sixty-eight immunoreactive proteins were identified. The strains and the number of proteins we found were: CG01 (12), CG02 (12), CG03 (18) and R265 (26). In addition, we mapped 374 peptides potentially targeted by B cells. CONCLUSION Both immunoreactive proteins and B-cell epitopes of C. gattii genotype VGII that were potentially targeted by a host humoral response were identified. Considering the evolutionary relevance of the identified proteins, we may speculate that they could be used as the initial targets for recombinant protein and peptide synthesis aimed at the development of immunodiagnostic tools for cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liline Maria Soares Martins
- Laboratório de Imunogenética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Campus Ministro Petrônio Portella Bloco SG-16, 64049-550, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil.
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Khayhan K, Hagen F, Pan W, Simwami S, Fisher MC, Wahyuningsih R, Chakrabarti A, Chowdhary A, Ikeda R, Taj-Aldeen SJ, Khan Z, Ip M, Imran D, Sjam R, Sriburee P, Liao W, Chaicumpar K, Vuddhakul V, Meyer W, Trilles L, van Iersel LJJ, Meis JF, Klaassen CHW, Boekhout T. Geographically structured populations of Cryptococcus neoformans Variety grubii in Asia correlate with HIV status and show a clonal population structure. PLoS One 2013; 8:e72222. [PMID: 24019866 PMCID: PMC3760895 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is an important fungal disease in Asia with an estimated 140,000 new infections annually the majority of which occurs in patients suffering from HIV/AIDS. Cryptococcus neoformans variety grubii (serotype A) is the major causative agent of this disease. In the present study, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) using the ISHAM MLST consensus scheme for the C. neoformans/C. gattii species complex was used to analyse nucleotide polymorphisms among 476 isolates of this pathogen obtained from 8 Asian countries. Population genetic analysis showed that the Asian C. neoformans var. grubii population shows limited genetic diversity and demonstrates a largely clonal mode of reproduction when compared with the global MLST dataset. HIV-status, sequence types and geography were found to be confounded. However, a correlation between sequence types and isolates from HIV-negative patients was observed among the Asian isolates. Observations of high gene flow between the Middle Eastern and the Southeastern Asian populations suggest that immigrant workers in the Middle East were originally infected in Southeastern Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kantarawee Khayhan
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Department of Yeast and Basidiomycete Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Hagen
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Department of Yeast and Basidiomycete Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Weihua Pan
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Institute of Dermatology and Medical Mycology, Changzheng Hospital, Secondary Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Sitali Simwami
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew C. Fisher
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Retno Wahyuningsih
- Division of Mycology, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Christian University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Arunaloke Chakrabarti
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Anuradha Chowdhary
- Department of Medical Mycology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Reiko Ikeda
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Saad J. Taj-Aldeen
- Mycology Unit, Microbiology Division, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ziauddin Khan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait
| | - Margaret Ip
- Department of Microbiology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Darma Imran
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Department of Neurology, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Ridhawati Sjam
- Division of Mycology, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Pojana Sriburee
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Wanqing Liao
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Institute of Dermatology and Medical Mycology, Changzheng Hospital, Secondary Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Kunyaluk Chaicumpar
- Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Disease, and Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Varaporn Vuddhakul
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai , Thailand
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney Medical School–Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Luciana Trilles
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney Medical School–Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Jacques F. Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Corné H. W. Klaassen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Teun Boekhout
- CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Department of Yeast and Basidiomycete Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Institute of Dermatology and Medical Mycology, Changzheng Hospital, Secondary Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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Azole resistance in Cryptococcus gattii from the Pacific Northwest: Investigation of the role of ERG11. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013; 57:5478-85. [PMID: 23979758 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02287-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii is responsible for an expanding epidemic of serious infections in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States (Pacific Northwest). Some patients with these infections respond poorly to azole antifungals, and high azole MICs have been reported in Pacific Northwest C. gattii. In this study, multiple azoles (but not amphotericin B) had higher MICs for 25 Pacific Northwest C. gattii than for 34 non-Pacific Northwest C. gattii or 20 Cryptococcus neoformans strains. We therefore examined the roles in azole resistance of overexpression of or mutations in the gene (ERG11) encoding the azole target enzyme. ERG11/ACT1 mRNA ratios were higher in C. gattii than in C. neoformans, but these ratios did not differ in Pacific Northwest and non-Pacific Northwest C. gattii strains, nor did they correlate with fluconazole MICs within any group. Three Pacific Northwest C. gattii strains with low azole MICs and 2 with high azole MICs had deduced Erg11p sequences that differed at one or more positions from that of the fully sequenced Pacific Northwest C. gattii strain R265. However, the azole MICs for conditional Saccharomyces cerevisiae erg11 mutants expressing the 5 variant ERG11s were within 2-fold of the azole MICs for S. cerevisiae expressing the ERG11 gene from C. gattii R265, non-Pacific Northwest C. gattii strain WM276, or C. neoformans strains H99 or JEC21. We conclude that neither ERG11 overexpression nor variations in ERG11 coding sequences was responsible for the high azole MICs observed for the Pacific Northwest C. gattii strains we studied.
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Vorathavorn VI, Sykes JE, Feldman DG. Cryptococcosis as an emerging systemic mycosis in dogs. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) 2013; 23:489-97. [PMID: 23981166 DOI: 10.1111/vec.12087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2011] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical presentations of canine cryptococcosis that are of relevance to veterinary emergency and critical care veterinarians. Diagnosis, treatment, and public health considerations of the disease will also be discussed. ETIOLOGY Cryptococcosis is a multisystemic disease of dogs, with a predilection for the CNS, caused by encapsulated yeast species of the genus Cryptococcus. The 2 main pathogenic species are Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii (previously known as C. neoformans var. gattii). Cryptococcosis is an emerging disease in North America, with C. gattii gaining prominence as a cause of serious veterinary and human disease. DIAGNOSIS Definitive diagnosis is made by serologic (antigen) testing, culture, and identification of the organism using light microscopy. False negatives and false positives, while uncommon, can occur in dogs using commercially available antigen tests. Cytological examination demonstrates the organism in a majority of cases, although culture is more sensitive. Specific media are required to differentiate between C. neoformans and C. gattii. THERAPY The most commonly used antifungal drugs to treat canine cryptococcosis are azole antifungals and amphotericin B. Some strains of Cryptococcus are resistant to antifungal drugs, especially fluconazole. Cautious use of glucocorticoids in critically affected dogs with CNS presentations can improve outcome. PROGNOSIS Prognosis is variable and depends on the severity of disease, underlying host immunocompetence, and financial constraints of the owner. Altered mental status in dogs with CNS cryptococcosis is a negative prognostic indicator.
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Zhou HX, Ning GZ, Feng SQ, Jia HW, Liu Y, Feng HY, Ruan WD. Cryptococcosis of lumbar vertebra in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma: case report and literature review. BMC Infect Dis 2013; 13:128. [PMID: 23496879 PMCID: PMC3602200 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-13-128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2012] [Accepted: 02/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although cryptococcosis mainly occurs in the central nervous system and lungs in immunocompromised hosts, it can involve any body site or structure. Here we report the first case of primary cryptococcosis of a lumbar vertebra without involvement of the central nervous system or lungs in a relatively immunocompromised individual with rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma. CASE PRESENTATION A 40-year-old Chinese woman with rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed 1 year beforehand and with a subsequent diagnosis of scleroderma was found to have an isolated cryptococcal infection of the fourth lumbar vertebra. Her main complaints were severe low back and left leg pain. Cryptococcosis was diagnosed by CT-guided needle biopsy and microbiological confirmation; however, serum cryptococcal antigen titer was negative. After 3 months of antifungal therapy with fluconazole the patient developed symptoms and signs of scleroderma, which was confirmed on laboratory tests. After taking fluconazole for 6 months, the progressive destruction of the lumbar vertebral body had halted and the size of an adjacent paravertebral mass had decreased substantially. On discharge symptoms had resolved and at an annual follow-up there was no evidence of recurrence on the basis of symptoms, signs or imaging investigations. CONCLUSION Although cryptococcosis of the lumbar vertebra is extremely rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients with lumbar vertebral masses to avoid missed diagnosis, misdiagnosis and diagnostic delay. Early treatment with antifungals proved to be a satisfactory alternative to surgery in this relatively immunocompromised patient. Any residual spinal instability can be treated later, once the infection has resolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng-Xing Zhou
- Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Anshan Road 154, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, PR China
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