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Roosen L, Maes D, Musetta L, Himmelreich U. Preclinical Models for Cryptococcosis of the CNS and Their Characterization Using In Vivo Imaging Techniques. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:146. [PMID: 38392818 PMCID: PMC10890286 DOI: 10.3390/jof10020146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii remain a challenge to our healthcare systems as they are still difficult to treat. In order to improve treatment success, in particular for infections that have disseminated to the central nervous system, a better understanding of the disease is needed, addressing questions like how it evolves from a pulmonary to a brain disease and how novel treatment approaches can be developed and validated. This requires not only clinical research and research on the microorganisms in a laboratory environment but also preclinical models in order to study cryptococci in the host. We provide an overview of available preclinical models, with particular emphasis on models of cryptococcosis in rodents. In order to further improve the characterization of rodent models, in particular the dynamic aspects of disease manifestation, development, and ultimate treatment, preclinical in vivo imaging methods are increasingly used, mainly in research for oncological, neurological, and cardiac diseases. In vivo imaging applications for fungal infections are rather sparse. A second aspect of this review is how research on models of cryptococcosis can benefit from in vivo imaging methods that not only provide information on morphology and tissue structure but also on function, metabolism, and cellular properties in a non-invasive way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Roosen
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dries Maes
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luigi Musetta
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Jia H, Liu H, Tu M, Wang Y, He X, Zhang G. Pleural cryptococcosis diagnosed by pleural biopsy in an immunocompromised patient: a case report. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1258021. [PMID: 37953802 PMCID: PMC10634414 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1258021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study is to report an isolated pleural cryptococcosis with pleural effusion as the only manifestation, confirmed by pleural biopsy in a patient with thymoma combined with myasthenia gravis, who developed pleural effusion of unknown origin after long-term glucocorticoids and tacrolimus therapy. Methods Pathological examination of the right pleural biopsy tissue from a patient with unexplained recurrent pleural effusion was implemented. Morphological analysis of the fungal component and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) on the pleural tissue were performed. Results A biopsy specimen of the right pleura revealed numerous yeast-like organisms surrounded by mucous capsules and Cryptococcus neoformans was detected by mNGS with a species-specific read number (SSRN) of 4, confirming the diagnosis of pleural cryptococcosis. Pleural effusion was eliminated with amphotericin B and fluconazole, and healthy status was maintained at the time of review 1 year later. Conclusion Cryptococcosis, manifested by simple pleural effusion, is extremely rare, but when repeated pleural effusion occurs in immunocompromised patients or in patients with malignant tumors, the possibility of cryptococcosis should be treated with high vigilance and pleural biopsy is recommended if necessary in order to confirm the diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Guojun Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Munzen ME, Reguera Gomez M, Hamed MF, Enriquez V, Charles-Niño CL, Dores MR, Alviña K, Martinez LR. Palmitoylethanolamide shows limited efficacy in controlling cerebral cryptococcosis in vivo. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0045923. [PMID: 37750714 PMCID: PMC10583666 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00459-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) is an encapsulated neurotropic fungal pathogen and the causative agent of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CME) in humans. Recommended treatment for CME is Amphotericin B (AmpB) and 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC). Though effective, AmpB has displayed numerous adverse side effects due to its potency and nephrotoxicity, prompting investigation into alternative treatments. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an immunomodulatory compound capable of promoting neuroprotection and reducing inflammation. To investigate the efficacy of PEA as a therapeutic alternative for CME, we intracerebrally infected mice with Cn and treated them with PEA or AmpB alone or in combination. Our results demonstrate that PEA alone does not significantly prolong survival nor reduce fungal burden, but when combined with AmpB, PEA exerts an additive effect and promotes both survivability and fungal clearance. However, we compared this combination to traditional AmpB and 5-FC treatment in a survivability study and observed lower efficacy. Overall, our study revealed that PEA alone is not effective as an antifungal agent in the treatment of CME. Importantly, we describe the therapeutic capability of PEA in the context of Cn infection and show that its immunomodulatory properties may confer limited protection when combined with an effective fungicidal agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa E. Munzen
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Marta Reguera Gomez
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Mohamed F. Hamed
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Vanessa Enriquez
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Claudia L. Charles-Niño
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Michael R. Dores
- Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, USA
| | - Karina Alviña
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Luis R. Martinez
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Immunology and Transplantation, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Munzen ME, Reguera-Gomez M, Hamed MF, Enriquez V, Charles-Nino CL, Dores MR, Alviña K, Martinez LR. Palmitoylethanolamide shows limited efficacy in controlling cerebral cryptococcosis in vivo. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.10.536237. [PMID: 37090670 PMCID: PMC10120726 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.10.536237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans ( Cn ) is an encapsulated neurotropic fungal pathogen and the causative agent of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CME) in humans. Recommended treatment for CME is Amphotericin B (AmpB) and 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC). Though effective, AmpB has displayed numerous adverse side effects due to its potency and nephrotoxicity, prompting investigation into alternative treatments. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an immunomodulatory compound capable of promoting neuroprotection and reducing inflammation. To investigate the efficacy of PEA as a therapeutic alternative for CME, we intracerebrally infected mice with Cn and treated them with PEA or AmpB alone or in combination. Our results demonstrate that PEA alone does not significantly prolong survival nor reduce fungal burden, but when combined with AmpB, PEA exerts an additive effect and promotes both survivability and fungal clearance. However, we compared this combination to traditional AmpB and 5-FC treatment in a survivability study and observed lower efficacy. Overall, our study revealed that PEA alone is not effective as an antifungal agent in the treatment of CME. Importantly, we describe the therapeutic capability of PEA in the context of Cn infection and show that its immunomodulatory properties may confer limited protection when combined with an effective fungicidal agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa E. Munzen
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Marta Reguera-Gomez
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Mohamed F. Hamed
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Vanessa Enriquez
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Claudia L. Charles-Nino
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Karina Alviña
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Luis R. Martinez
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Center for Immunology and Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Novel approaches to preventing phagosomal infections: timing is key. Trends Immunol 2023; 44:22-31. [PMID: 36494273 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2022.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Prophylactic vaccination strategies designed to prevent diseases caused by pathogens using the phagolysosome of innate immune cells as a site of intracellular replication and survival have been largely ineffective. These include Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), Leishmania spp., and Cryptococcus spp. These failed strategies have traditionally targeted CD4+ T helper (Th) 1 cell-mediated immune memory, deeming it crucial for vaccine efficacy. This failure warrants an investigation of alternative mediators of protection. Here, we suggest three novel approaches to activate phagocytic cells prior to or at the time of infection. We hypothesize that preventing the formation of the pathogen niche within the phagolysosome is essential for preventing disease, and a greater emphasis on the timing of phagocyte activation should generate more effective prophylactic treatment options.
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