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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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2
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Castro-Lopez N, Wormley FL. Models for Inducing Experimental Cryptococcosis in Mice. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2775:29-46. [PMID: 38758309 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3722-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are the predominant etiological agents of cryptococcosis, a particularly problematic disease in immunocompromised individuals. The increased clinical use of immunosuppressive drugs, the inherent ability of Cryptococcus species to suppress and evade host immune responses, and the emergence of drug-resistant yeast support the need for model systems that facilitate the design of novel immunotherapies and antifungals to combat disease progression. The mouse model of cryptococcosis is a widely used system to study Cryptococcus pathogenesis and the efficacy of antifungal drugs in vivo. In this chapter, we describe three commonly used strategies to establish cryptococcosis in mice: intranasal, intratracheal, and intravenous inoculations. Also, we discuss the methodology for delivering drugs to mice via intraperitoneal injection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Floyd L Wormley
- Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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Sachivkina N, Karamyan A, Petrukhina O, Kuznetsova O, Neborak E, Ibragimova A. A rabbit model of ear otitis established using the Malassezia pachydermatis strain C23 from dogs. Vet World 2023; 16:2192-2199. [PMID: 38152255 PMCID: PMC10750737 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.2192-2199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Fungal infections are a growing problem for both humans and animals due to the emergence of pathogenic strains resistant to modern antifungal treatments. To evaluate the efficacy of new antifungal drugs, it is essential to develop animal models that demonstrate typical responses to both the infection (pathogenesis and clinical course) and to the treatment, including adverse effects. In this study, we established a rabbit otitis model by infection of an aggressive multidrug-resistant strain from dogs, Malassezia pachydermatis C23, with no need for concomitant immunosuppression. Materials and Methods Twenty healthy adult male gray giant rabbits (1 year old, 5.5 kg) were inoculated once with M. pachydermatis C23 at 108 colony-forming units/mL. We observed the clinical signs of the disease and collected ear smears and blood samples every 5 days. Results The infection progressed rapidly and exhibited characteristic clinical signs without spontaneous recovery for at least 1 month. In fact, substantial deterioration was observed as evidenced by blood parameters. Conclusion This rabbit otitis model established using an aggressive drug-resistant fungus strain without immunosuppression could prove valuable for testing novel antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezhda Sachivkina
- Department of Microbiology V.S. Kiktenko, Institute of Medicine, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agrarian Technological Institute, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Arfenya Karamyan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agrarian Technological Institute, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Olesya Petrukhina
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agrarian Technological Institute, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga Kuznetsova
- Department of Biochemistry T.T. Berezov, Institute of Medicine, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Neborak
- Department of Biochemistry T.T. Berezov, Institute of Medicine, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Alfia Ibragimova
- Department of Foreign Languages, Institute of Medicine, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
- Department of General Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Technologies, Institute of Medicine, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
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4
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Mannala GK, Rupp M, Walter N, Scholz KJ, Simon M, Riool M, Alt V. Galleria mellonella as an alternative in vivo model to study implant-associated fungal infections. J Orthop Res 2023; 41:2547-2559. [PMID: 37080929 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Fungal implant-associated bone infections are rare but difficult to treat and often associated with a poor outcome for patients. Candida species account for approximately 90% of all fungal infections. In vivo biofilm models play a major role to study biofilm development and potential new treatment options; however, there are only a very few in vivo models to study fungi-associated biofilms. Furthermore, mammalian infection models are replaced more and more due to ethical restrictions with other alternative models in basic research. Recently, we developed an insect infection model with Galleria mellonella larvae to study biofilm-associated infections with bacteria. Here, we further expanded the G. mellonella model to study in vivo fungal infections using Candida albicans and Candida krusei. We established a planktonic and biofilm-implant model to test different antifungal medication with amphotericin B, fluconazole, and voriconazole against the two species and assessed the fungal biofilm-load on the implant surface. Planktonic infection with C. albicans and C. krusei showed the killing of the G. mellonella larvae at 5 × 105 colony forming units (CFU). Treatment of larvae with antifungal compounds with amphotericin B and fluconazole showed significant survival improvement against planktonic C. albicans infection, but voriconazole had no effect. Titanium and stainless steel K-wires were preincubated with C. albicans and implanted inside the larvae to induce biofilm infection on the implant surface. The survival analysis revealed significantly reduced survival of the larvae with Candida spp. infection compared to noninfected implants. The treatment with antifungal amphotericin B and fluconazole resulted in a slight and nonsignificant improvement survival of the larvae. The treatment with the antifungal compounds in the biofilm-infection model was not as effective as in the planktonic infection model, which highlights the resistance of fungal biofilms to antifungal compounds like in bacterial biofilms. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the formation of a fungal biofilm with hyphae and spores associated with larvae tissue on the implant surface. Thus, our study highlights the use of G. mellonella larvae as alternative in vivo model to study biofilm-associated implant fungal infections and that fungal biofilms exhibit high resistance profiles comparable to bacterial biofilms. The model can be used in the future to test antifungal treatment options for fungal biofilm infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopala K Mannala
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Markus Rupp
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Nike Walter
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Konstantin J Scholz
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Simon
- Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martijn Riool
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Volker Alt
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Moni BM, Wise BL, Loots GG, Weilhammer DR. Coccidioidomycosis Osteoarticular Dissemination. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1002. [PMID: 37888258 PMCID: PMC10607509 DOI: 10.3390/jof9101002] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Valley fever or coccidioidomycosis is a pulmonary infection caused by species of Coccidioides fungi that are endemic to California and Arizona. Skeletal coccidioidomycosis accounts for about half of disseminated infections, with the vertebral spine being the preferred site of dissemination. Most cases of skeletal coccidioidomycosis progress to bone destruction or spread to adjacent structures such as joints, tendons, and other soft tissues, causing significant pain and restricting mobility. Manifestations of such cases are usually nonspecific, making diagnosis very challenging, especially in non-endemic areas. The lack of basic knowledge and research data on the mechanisms defining susceptibility to extrapulmonary infection, especially when it involves bones and joints, prompted us to survey available clinical and animal data to establish specific research questions that remain to be investigated. In this review, we explore published literature reviews, case reports, and case series on the dissemination of coccidioidomycosis to bones and/or joints. We highlight key differential features with other conditions and opportunities for mechanistic and basic research studies that can help develop novel diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedicte M. Moni
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Barton L. Wise
- Lawrence J. Ellison Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California Davis Health, 2700 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (B.L.W.)
| | - Gabriela G. Loots
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
- Lawrence J. Ellison Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California Davis Health, 2700 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (B.L.W.)
| | - Dina R. Weilhammer
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
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6
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Zhu P, Li Y, Guo T, Liu S, Tancer RJ, Hu C, Zhao C, Xue C, Liao G. New antifungal strategies: drug combination and co-delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 198:114874. [PMID: 37211279 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The growing occurrence of invasive fungal infections and the mounting rates of drug resistance constitute a significant menace to human health. Antifungal drug combinations have garnered substantial interest for their potential to improve therapeutic efficacy, reduce drug doses, reverse, or ameliorate drug resistance. A thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying antifungal drug resistance and drug combination is key to developing new drug combinations. Here we discuss the mechanisms of antifungal drug resistance and elucidate how to discover potent drug combinations to surmount resistance. We also examine the challenges encountered in developing such combinations and discuss prospects, including advanced drug delivery strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400700, China
| | - Yan Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Ting Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400700, China
| | - Simei Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing 402760, China; Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Robert J Tancer
- Public Health Research Institute and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Changhua Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400700, China
| | - Chengzhi Zhao
- Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, 400700, PR China.
| | - Chaoyang Xue
- Public Health Research Institute and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Guojian Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400700, China.
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7
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Wurster S, Watowich SS, Kontoyiannis DP. Checkpoint inhibitors as immunotherapy for fungal infections: Promises, challenges, and unanswered questions. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1018202. [PMID: 36389687 PMCID: PMC9640966 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1018202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Opportunistic fungal infections have high mortality in patients with severe immune dysfunction. Growing evidence suggests that the immune environment of invasive fungal infections and cancers share common features of immune cell exhaustion through activation of immune checkpoint pathways. This observation gave rise to several preclinical studies and clinical case reports describing blockade of the Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 and Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen 4 immune checkpoint pathways as an adjunct immune enhancement strategy to treat opportunistic fungal infections. The first part of this review summarizes the emerging evidence for contributions of checkpoint pathways to the immunopathology of fungal sepsis, opportunistic mold infections, and dimorphic fungal infections. We then review the potential merits of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as an antifungal immunotherapy, including the incomplete knowledge of the mechanisms involved in both immuno-protective effects and toxicities. In the second part of this review, we discuss the limitations of the current evidence and the many unknowns about ICIs as an antifungal immune enhancement strategy. Based on these gaps of knowledge and lessons learned from cancer immunology studies, we outline a research agenda to determine a "sweet spot" for ICIs in medical mycology. We specifically discuss the importance of more nuanced animal models, the need to study ICI-based combination therapy, potential ICI resistance, the role of the immune microenvironment, and the impact of ICIs given as part of oncological therapies on the natural immunity to various pathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Wurster
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Stephanie S. Watowich
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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8
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Nabeela S, Date A, Ibrahim AS, Uppuluri P. Antifungal activity of alexidine dihydrochloride in a novel diabetic mouse model of dermatophytosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:958497. [PMID: 36118019 PMCID: PMC9478942 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.958497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Dermatophytosis is one of the most prevalent fungal infections and a major public health problem worldwide. Recent years have seen a change in the epidemiological patterns of infecting fungi, corresponding to an alarming rise in the prevalence of drug-recalcitrant dermatophyte infections. In patients with diabetes mellitus, dermatophytosis is more severe and recurrent. The potency of promising new antifungal drugs in the pipeline must be expanded to include dermatophytosis. To facilitate this effort, we established a clinically pertinent mouse model of dermatophyte infections, in which diabetic mice were infected with Trichophyton mentagrophytes on abraded skin. The diabetic mouse model was optimized as a simple and robust system for simulating dermatophytoses in diabetic patients. The outcome of infection was measured using clinical and mycological parameters. Infected mice with fungal lesions were treated with oral and topical formulations of terbinafine or topical administration of the FDA-approved and repurposed pan-antifungal drug alexidine dihydrochloride (AXD). In this model, AXD was found to be highly effective, with outcomes comparable to those of the standard of care drug terbinafine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunna Nabeela
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
| | - Abhijit Date
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken (R. K.) Coit College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Ashraf S. Ibrahim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Priya Uppuluri
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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9
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Peter Ebokaiwe A, Olachi Obasi D, Kalu WO. Abatement of cyclophosphamide-induced splenic immunosuppressive indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase and altered hematological indices in Wister rats by dietary quercetin. Immunobiology 2022; 227:152218. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2022.152218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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10
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Assessment of the properties of terbinafine hydrochloride and the search route for antifungal agents. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.132225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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11
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Moraes GS, Albach T, Sugio CY, de Oliveira FB, Neppelenbroek KH, Urban VM. Experimental animal models for denture stomatitis: A methodological review. Lab Anim 2022; 56:331-343. [PMID: 35072576 DOI: 10.1177/00236772211069249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Denture stomatitis is the most prevalent form of oral candidiasis and the most frequent oral lesion in removable prosthesis wearers. It is characterized by an inflammatory response of the denture-bearing mucosa, especially the palatal mucosa, and its clinical signs include chronic edema and erythema, and papillary hyperplasia. Despite having a multifactorial etiology, its main etiological agent is the infection by Candida albicans. Given its high treatment failure rates, an in vivo model of denture stomatitis should be established to test alternative treatments. The aim of this study is to review the existing denture stomatitis models and to provide an overview of the main methodological differences between them. Over the last 40 years, different animal models were developed in order to study denture stomatitis etiopathogenesis and to assess novel therapies. Many approaches, including the use of antibiotics and immunosuppressors, have to be further investigated in order to establish which protocol is more appropriate and effective for the development of an animal model of denture stomatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo S Moraes
- Department of Dentistry, 67883State University of Ponta Grossa, State University of Ponta Grossa, Brazil
| | - Thaís Albach
- Department of Dentistry, 67883State University of Ponta Grossa, State University of Ponta Grossa, Brazil
| | - Carolina Yc Sugio
- Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontics, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabio B de Oliveira
- Department of Dentistry, 67883State University of Ponta Grossa, State University of Ponta Grossa, Brazil
| | - Karin H Neppelenbroek
- Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontics, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa M Urban
- Department of Dentistry, 67883State University of Ponta Grossa, State University of Ponta Grossa, Brazil
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Al-Janabi AAHS, Al-Khikani FHO. Prophylaxis and Therapeutic Ability of Inactivated Dermatophytic Vaccine Against Dermatophytosis in the Rabbits as an Animal Model. Turk J Pharm Sci 2021; 18:326-331. [PMID: 34157822 DOI: 10.4274/tjps.galenos.2020.81226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Dermatophytosis is a group of cutaneous diseases widely distributed in human and animals. It causes serious infection in some human cases and economic losses in farm animals. The primary aim of this study is to conduct an investigation of prophylaxis and a potential therapeutic vaccine against dermatophytosis. Materials and Methods The rabbit was chosen as an animal model of dermatophytosis for a case control study conducted in two parts. Inactivated cells of Trichophyton mentagrophytes were prepared for use as a vaccine. The prophylaxis part included vaccination of rabbits with the prepared vaccine either alone or with Freund's adjuvant, followed by infection with the same fungus. The second part included treatment of infected rabbits with an inactivated vaccine. Results The prepared vaccine showed prophylactic ability against infection with T. mentagrophytes for more than 6 months without requiringan adjuvant and also revealed at herapeutic ability in infected animals after a short time (16 days), compared with the control group. Conclusion Inactivated vaccine gives animals durable protection and shortens the treatmenttime for infection with dermatophytosis.
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Koga H, Munechika Y, Matsumoto H, Nanjoh Y, Harada K, Makimura K, Tsuboi R. Guinea pig seborrheic dermatitis model of Malassezia restricta and the utility of luliconazole. Med Mycol 2021; 58:820-826. [PMID: 31873751 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myz128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a multifactorial disease in which Malassezia restricta has been proposed as the predominant pathogenic factor. However, experimental evidence supporting this hypothesis is limited. A guinea pig SD model using a clinical isolate of M. restricta was used to elucidate the pathogenicity of M. restricta. Also, the efficacy of 1% luliconazole (LLCZ) cream, a topical imidazole derivative, against M. restricta was compared with that of a 2% ketoconazole (KCZ) cream in the same guinea pig model. Dorsal skin hairs of guinea pig were clipped and treated with M. restricta by single or repeated inoculations without occlusion. Skin manifestations were examined macroscopically and histologically. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was also performed for mycological evaluation. An inflammatory response mimicking SD occurred after repeated as well as single inoculation but not in abraded skin. The inflammation score attained its maximum on day 11 and persisted until day 52. The yeast form of the fungal elements was distributed on the surface of stratum corneum and around the follicular orifices, and an epidermal and dermal histological reaction was observed. Application of 1% LLCZ or 2% KCZ cream significantly improved the skin manifestations and decreased the quantity of M. restricta rDNA in the skin lesions. The efficacy of topical antifungal drugs suggested that M. restricta is a pathogenic factor contributing to SD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyasu Koga
- Research Center, Nihon Nohyaku Co., Ltd., 345 Oyamada-cho, Kawachi-Nagano, Osaka 586-0094, Japan
| | - Yukimi Munechika
- Research Center, Nihon Nohyaku Co., Ltd., 345 Oyamada-cho, Kawachi-Nagano, Osaka 586-0094, Japan
| | - Hiroko Matsumoto
- Research Center, Nihon Nohyaku Co., Ltd., 345 Oyamada-cho, Kawachi-Nagano, Osaka 586-0094, Japan
| | - Yasuko Nanjoh
- Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Kazutoshi Harada
- Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Koichi Makimura
- Medical Mycology, Graduate School of Medicine, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan
| | - Ryoji Tsuboi
- Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
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14
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Cabral EM, Oliveira M, Mondala JRM, Curtin J, Tiwari BK, Garcia-Vaquero M. Antimicrobials from Seaweeds for Food Applications. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19040211. [PMID: 33920329 PMCID: PMC8070350 DOI: 10.3390/md19040211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The exponential growth of emerging multidrug-resistant microorganisms, including foodborne pathogens affecting the shelf-life and quality of foods, has recently increased the needs of the food industry to search for novel, natural and eco-friendly antimicrobial agents. Macroalgae are a bio-diverse group distributed worldwide, known to produce multiple compounds of diverse chemical nature, different to those produced by terrestrial plants. These novel compounds have shown promising health benefits when incorporated into foods, including antimicrobial properties. This review aims to provide an overview of the general methods and novel compounds with antimicrobial properties recently isolated and characterized from macroalgae, emphasizing the molecular pathways of their antimicrobial mechanisms of action. The current scientific evidence on the use of macroalgae or macroalgal extracts to increase the shelf-life of foods and prevent the development of foodborne pathogens in real food products and their influence on the sensory attributes of multiple foods (i.e., meat, dairy, beverages, fish and bakery products) will also be discussed, together with the main challenges and future trends of the use of marine natural products as antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduarda M. Cabral
- Teagasc, Food Research Centre, Ashtown, 15 Dublin, Ireland; (E.M.C.); (B.K.T.)
| | - Márcia Oliveira
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology and Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of León, 24071 León, Spain;
| | - Julie R. M. Mondala
- School of Food Science & Environmental Health, College of Sciences & Health, Technological University Dublin-City Campus, 7 Dublin, Ireland; (J.R.M.M.); (J.C.)
| | - James Curtin
- School of Food Science & Environmental Health, College of Sciences & Health, Technological University Dublin-City Campus, 7 Dublin, Ireland; (J.R.M.M.); (J.C.)
| | - Brijesh K. Tiwari
- Teagasc, Food Research Centre, Ashtown, 15 Dublin, Ireland; (E.M.C.); (B.K.T.)
| | - Marco Garcia-Vaquero
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, 4 Dublin, Ireland
- Correspondence:
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15
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Jensen HE. Animal models of invasive mycoses. APMIS 2021; 130:427-435. [PMID: 33644890 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13110] [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: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Animal models of invasive fungal infections have been developed and are applied in a huge number of different animal species for a number of research purposes, for example, the study of pathogenesis, defense mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies. From the different models, which in most cases are based on the same fungal species and often the same strain, as in spontaneous human infections, fundamental results and knowledge of the diagnosis, progression, prophylaxis, and therapy have been achieved. However, in all models, one should be critical with respect to mimicking the disease entity of humans, which is often the focus of the research. In many of the models for instance, the time course is different to the one of humans, and in others, the propensity for localization and containment in specific organs does not parallel the situation in humans. Nevertheless, many animal models of invasive mycoses have proven valuable in a number of research areas. With regard to new generations of anti-mycotic drugs, the models play an essential role in demonstrating antifungal activity, as well as in demonstrating the absence of toxic side effects, a critical step which cannot be accomplished by in vitro studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Elvang Jensen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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16
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Bhattacharyya A, Sinha M, Singh H, Patel RS, Ghosh S, Sardana K, Ghosh S, Sengupta S. Mechanistic Insight Into the Antifungal Effects of a Fatty Acid Derivative Against Drug-Resistant Fungal Infections. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:2116. [PMID: 33013771 PMCID: PMC7505954 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.02116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of drug-resistant pathogenic fungi is a major global health challenge. There is an urgent need for novel drugs that can exert a potent antifungal activity and overcome resistance. Newly discovered anti-fungal properties of existing compounds can potentially offer a rapid solution to address this persistent threat. We rationalized that structures which disrupt the fungal cell membrane could address the above unmet need. As fatty acids underpin the formation and stability of cell membranes, we used computational simulations to evaluate the interactions between selected short chain fatty acids and a model cell membrane. Here, we report that caprylic acid could penetrate and perturb the membrane in silico. Based on the in silico findings, we identified a derivative of this fatty acid that disrupts fungal membranes as detected using steady-state fluorescence anisotropy. We show that this fatty acid derivative is potent against a variety of fungal pathogens like Candida and Trichophyton. We further demonstrated the ability of this fatty acid derivative to potentiate some azoles in vitro and enhance the efficacy of antifungal formulations in vivo. Our data suggests the emergence of a novel therapy for effective disease management and overcoming anti-fungal drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mau Sinha
- Vyome Therapeutics Ltd., New Delhi, India
| | | | | | | | - Kabir Sardana
- Department of Dermatology, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Shamik Ghosh
- Vyome Therapeutics Ltd., New Delhi, India.,India Innovation Research Center, New Delhi, India
| | - Shiladitya Sengupta
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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17
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Torres M, de Cock H, Celis Ramírez AM. In Vitro or In Vivo Models, the Next Frontier for Unraveling Interactions between Malassezia spp. and Hosts. How Much Do We Know? J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6030155. [PMID: 32872112 PMCID: PMC7558575 DOI: 10.3390/jof6030155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Malassezia is a lipid-dependent genus of yeasts known for being an important part of the skin mycobiota. These yeasts have been associated with the development of skin disorders and cataloged as a causal agent of systemic infections under specific conditions, making them opportunistic pathogens. Little is known about the host-microbe interactions of Malassezia spp., and unraveling this implies the implementation of infection models. In this mini review, we present different models that have been implemented in fungal infections studies with greater attention to Malassezia spp. infections. These models range from in vitro (cell cultures and ex vivo tissue), to in vivo (murine models, rabbits, guinea pigs, insects, nematodes, and amoebas). We additionally highlight the alternative models that reduce the use of mammals as model organisms, which have been gaining importance in the study of fungal host-microbe interactions. This is due to the fact that these systems have been shown to have reliable results, which correlate with those obtained from mammalian models. Examples of alternative models are Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Tenebrio molitor, and Galleria mellonella. These are invertebrates that have been implemented in the study of Malassezia spp. infections in order to identify differences in virulence between Malassezia species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritza Torres
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Carrera 1 N° 18A—12, Bogotá, Bogotá D.C. 11711, Colombia;
| | - Hans de Cock
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Adriana Marcela Celis Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Carrera 1 N° 18A—12, Bogotá, Bogotá D.C. 11711, Colombia;
- Correspondence:
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18
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The Added Value of Longitudinal Imaging for Preclinical In Vivo Efficacy Testing of Therapeutic Compounds against Cerebral Cryptococcosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.00070-20. [PMID: 32284382 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00070-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain infections with Cryptococcus neoformans are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Cryptococcosis typically presents as meningoencephalitis or fungal mass lesions called cryptococcomas. Despite frequent in vitro discoveries of promising novel antifungals, the clinical need for drugs that can more efficiently treat these brain infections remains. A crucial step in drug development is the evaluation of in vivo drug efficacy in animal models. This mainly relies on survival studies or postmortem analyses in large groups of animals, but these techniques only provide information on specific organs of interest at predefined time points. In this proof-of-concept study, we validated the use of noninvasive preclinical imaging to obtain longitudinal information on the therapeutic efficacy of amphotericin B or fluconazole monotherapy in meningoencephalitis and cryptococcoma mouse models. Bioluminescence imaging enabled the rapid in vitro and in vivo evaluation of drug efficacy, while complementary high-resolution anatomical information obtained by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain allowed a precise assessment of the extent of infection and lesion growth rates. We demonstrated a good correlation between both imaging readouts and the fungal burden in various organs. Moreover, we identified potential pitfalls associated with the interpretation of therapeutic efficacy based solely on postmortem studies, demonstrating the added value of this noninvasive dual imaging approach compared to standard mortality curves or fungal load endpoints. This novel preclinical imaging platform provides insights in the dynamic aspects of the therapeutic response and facilitates a more efficient and accurate translation of promising antifungal compounds from bench to bedside.
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19
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Malavia D, Gow NAR, Usher J. Advances in Molecular Tools and In Vivo Models for the Study of Human Fungal Pathogenesis. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E803. [PMID: 32466582 PMCID: PMC7356103 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic fungi represent an increasing infectious disease threat to humans, especially with an increasing challenge of antifungal drug resistance. Over the decades, numerous tools have been developed to expedite the study of pathogenicity, initiation of disease, drug resistance and host-pathogen interactions. In this review, we highlight advances that have been made in the use of molecular tools using CRISPR technologies, RNA interference and transposon targeted mutagenesis. We also discuss the use of animal models in modelling disease of human fungal pathogens, focusing on zebrafish, the silkworm, Galleria mellonella and the murine model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jane Usher
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK; (D.M.); (N.A.R.G.)
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20
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Torres M, Pinzón EN, Rey FM, Martinez H, Parra Giraldo CM, Celis Ramírez AM. Galleria mellonella as a Novelty in vivo Model of Host-Pathogen Interaction for Malassezia furfur CBS 1878 and Malassezia pachydermatis CBS 1879. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:199. [PMID: 32432057 PMCID: PMC7214729 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Malassezia furfur and Malassezia pachydermatis are lipophilic and lipid dependent yeasts, associated with the skin microbiota in humans and domestic animals, respectively. Although they are commensals, under specific conditions they become pathogens, causing skin conditions, such as pityriasis versicolor, dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis, folliculitis in humans, and dermatitis and otitis in dogs. Additionally, these species are associated with fungemia in immunocompromised patients and low-weight neonates in intensive care units with intravenous catheters or with parenteral nutrition and that are under-treatment of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The host-pathogen interaction mechanism in these yeasts is still unclear; for this reason, it is necessary to implement suitable new host systems, such as Galleria mellonella. This infection model has been widely used to assess virulence, host-pathogen interaction, and antimicrobial activity in bacteria and fungi. Some advantages of the G. mellonella model are: (1) the immune response has phagocytic cells and antimicrobial peptides that are similar to those in the innate immune response of human beings; (2) no ethical implications; (3) low cost; and (4) easy to handle and inoculate. This study aims to establish G. mellonella as an in vivo infection model for M. furfur and M. pachydermatis. To achieve this objective, first, G. mellonella larvae were first inoculated with different inoculum concentrations of these two Malassezia species, 1.5 × 106 CFU/mL, 1.5 × 107 CFU/mL, 1.5 × 108 CFU/mL, and 11.5 × 109 CFU/mL, and incubated at 33 and 37°C. Then, for 15 days, the mortality and melanization were evaluated daily. Finally, the characterization of hemocytes and fungal burden assessment were as carried out. It was found that at 33 and 37°C both M. furfur and M. pachydermatis successfully established a systemic infection in G. mellonella. M. pachydermatis proved to be slightly more virulent than M. furfur at a temperature of 37°C. The results suggest that larvae mortality and melanization is dependent on the specie of Malassezia, the inoculum concentration and the temperature. According to the findings, G. mellonella can be used as an in vivo model of infection to conduct easy and reliable approaches to boost our knowledge of the Malassezia genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritza Torres
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Elkin Nicolás Pinzón
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Flor Maria Rey
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Heydys Martinez
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Marcela Parra Giraldo
- Unidad de Investigación en Proteómica y Micosis Humanas, Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Marcela Celis Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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21
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Oshiro KGN, Rodrigues G, Monges BED, Cardoso MH, Franco OL. Bioactive Peptides Against Fungal Biofilms. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2169. [PMID: 31681179 PMCID: PMC6797862 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by invasive fungal biofilms have been widely associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, mainly due to the advent of antibiotic resistance. Moreover, fungal biofilms impose an additional challenge, leading to multidrug resistance. This fact, along with the contamination of medical devices and the limited number of effective antifungal agents available on the market, demonstrates the importance of finding novel drug candidates targeting pathogenic fungal cells and biofilms. In this context, an alternative strategy is the use of antifungal peptides (AFPs) against fungal biofilms. AFPs are considered a group of bioactive molecules with broad-spectrum activities and multiple mechanisms of action that have been widely used as template molecules for drug design strategies aiming at greater specificity and biological efficacy. Among the AFP classes most studied in the context of fungal biofilms, defensins, cathelicidins and histatins have been described. AFPs can also act by preventing the formation of fungal biofilms and eradicating preformed biofilms through mechanisms associated with cell wall perturbation, inhibition of planktonic fungal cells’ adhesion onto surfaces, gene regulation and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, considering the critical scenario imposed by fungal biofilms and associated infections and the application of AFPs as a possible treatment, this review will focus on the most effective AFPs described to date, with a core focus on antibiofilm peptides, as well as their efficacy in vivo, application on surfaces and proposed mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen G N Oshiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Gisele Rodrigues
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Bruna Estéfani D Monges
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Marlon Henrique Cardoso
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
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22
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Lu G, Wang C, Wu C, Yan L, Tang J. Identification of early biomarkers in a rabbit model of primary Candida pneumonia. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:698. [PMID: 31387541 PMCID: PMC6685168 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4320-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen, but since it also belongs to the normal fungal flora, positive sputum culture as the solely basis for the diagnosis of invasive Candida albicans pneumonia can easily lead to excessive antifungal therapy. Therefore, identification of a pneumonia biomarker might improve diagnostic accuracy. Methods A rabbit model was established by inoculating 5 × 107 cfu/mL C. albicans into the trachea of 20 rabbits with 20 rabbits as control group. Infection was monitored by chest thin-layer computed tomography (CT). 2 mL blood samples were collected daily during each infection and serum levels of potential biomarkers were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seven-day post-inoculation the rabbits were sacrificed by CO2 asphyxiation and lung tissue was histopathologically examined and blood was brought to culture. Data were statistically analyzed. Results Infection became evident as early as day 3 post-inoculation. The levels of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1), soluble hemoglobin-haptoglobin scavenger receptor (sCD163), procalcitonin (PCT) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were elevated in the experimental group compared to the control (P < 0.01), whereas the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and IL-10 showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). The dynamic curves of the levels of CRP, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, SCD163 and TNF-α in both groups demonstrated a similar trend during infection but differences between the groups was observed only in the sTREM-1 levels. Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity were 85 and 80% for sTREM-1 (cut-off value: 45.88 pg/mL) and 80 and 75% for SCD163 (cut-off value: 16.44 U/mL), respectively. The values of the area under the ROC curve (AUCROC) of sTREM-1 and SCD163 were 0.882 (95% CI: 0.922–0.976) and 0.814 (95% CI: 0.678–0.950), respectively. Other markers did not exhibit significant differences. Conclusion sTREM-1 and SCD163 might be suitable biomarkers for pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Lu
- Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, No. 128 Ruili Road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Respiratory, Taizhou Municipal Hospital, No. 381 East Zhongshan Road, Taizhou, 318000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chunrong Wu
- Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, No. 128 Ruili Road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Lei Yan
- Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, No. 128 Ruili Road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jianguo Tang
- Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, No. 128 Ruili Road, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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23
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Brownlee RD, Imai DM, Coleman DJ, Ardeshir A, Abdelrazek SMR, Soto E. Experimental Infection of Mice with Veronaea botryosa as a Model for Human Phaeohyphomycosis. Comp Med 2019; 69:270-275. [PMID: 31387667 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-18-000151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Veronaea botryosa is a ubiquitous, dematiaceous mold capable of causing cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions in humans. In the last decade, V. botryosa has been associated with emergent systemic fungal infections in aquatic animals, including cultured sturgeon (Acipenser spp.), captive amphibians, and wild reptiles. Recently, repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR (rep-PCR) fingerprinting has demonstrated intraspecific variability among V. botryosa isolates from different clinically affected hosts and geographic regions. However, little is known regarding the pathogenic potential of the different genetic clades, and no mammalian model currently exists to investigate V. botryosa phaeohyphomycosis. In this study, we inoculated immunocompetent heterozygotic (nu/+) and immunodeficient homozygotic (nu/nu) Hsd:Athymic Nude-Fox1nu mice subcutaneously or through orogastric gavage with 1 of 3 representative V. botryosa strains that had been recovered from white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), and human hosts and typed by using rep-PCR analysis. Daily mortality and morbidity were recorded, and dissemination of the fungus was investigated through culture of splenic samples and histologic analysis of the injection site, regional lymph nodes, salivary gland, spleen, liver, mesenteric lymph node, and gastrointestinal tract. No differences in survival, fungal burden, or dissemination were observed between fungal strains, routes of inoculation, or host immune status. Fungal infection was observed after subcutaneous inoculation only, was localized to the inoculation site, and was identified in both nu/nu and nu/+ mice. Fungal strain variability was not associated with virulence in a murine model of infection, and this novel mouse model of V. botryosa phaeohyphomycosis recapitulates the human clinical condition.
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24
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Lichtheimia corymbifera Colonization Leading to Pulmonary Infection Can Be Prevented with Liposomal Amphotericin B in a New Murine Model. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.02544-18. [PMID: 31138564 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02544-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of pulmonary mucormycosis is constantly increasing, especially in hematological patients staying in high-efficiency particulate air-filtered rooms. Pulmonary inhalation of spores may occur outside the hospital, leading to invasive disease once patients received chemotherapies. We developed a new pulmonary mucormycosis mouse model mimicking the expected pathophysiology in human to study antifungal drugs. Naive mice were inoculated intratracheally with Lichtheimia corymbifera spores. After 3 days, mice received corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide and secondarily developed the disease, while only 5% of the initial inoculum was present in the lungs at day 3. Lung colonization with L. corymbifera spores in immunocompetent mice can last at least 44 days. Antifungal drug was administered the day of immunosuppression. Injection of a single 15 mg/kg of body weight dose of liposomal amphotericin B significantly improved survival and pulmonary fungal burden compared with controls, whereas 80 mg/kg oral posaconazole did not. These results show that a unique dose of liposomal amphotericin B offers a real potential decolonization treatment to prevent infection in our mouse model of L. corymbifera lung colonization followed by lung infection.
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25
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Lee SI, Kang KS. Omega-3 fatty acids modulate cyclophosphamide induced markers of immunosuppression and oxidative stress in pigs. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2684. [PMID: 30804435 PMCID: PMC6389924 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39458-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunosuppression directly correlates with economic benefits in livestock. Although omega-3, known as an energy source, is used as a pharmaceutical molecule, it remains unknown whether dietary supplementation with omega-3 can alleviate cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in pigs. Omega-3 treatment increased the number of white blood cell, lymphocytes, and monocytes and decreased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production under CTX challenge. In addition, we confirmed that omega-3 decreased the expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, TNF-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, and interleukin (IL)-8 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Additionally, omega-3 alleviated the activities of liver injury markers (alanine transaminase [ALT] and aspartate transaminase [AST]) and modulated oxidative stress markers (superoxide dismutase [SOD], malondialdehyde [MDA], and glutathione peroxidase [GPx]) in the blood serum after the CTX challenge. Based on these results, we suggest that omega-3 treatment modulates CTX-induced immunosuppression and oxidative stress in pigs. These results may have important implications in the development of new therapeutic approaches to improve immunosuppression, hepatic injury and dysfunction, and oxidative stress in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang In Lee
- Department of Animal Resource and Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, Chungnam, 330-714, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Soo Kang
- Bio Division, Medikinetics, Inc., Hansan-gil, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17792, Republic of Korea.
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26
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Carreras E, Velasco de Andrés M, Orta-Mascaró M, Simões IT, Català C, Zaragoza O, Lozano F. Discordant susceptibility of inbred C57BL/6 versus outbred CD1 mice to experimental fungal sepsis. Cell Microbiol 2019; 21:e12995. [PMID: 30577088 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Individual susceptibility differences to fungal infection following invasive and/or immunosuppressive medical interventions are an important clinical issue. In order to explore immune response-related factors that may be linked to fungal infection susceptibility, we have compared the response of inbred C57BL/6J and outbred CD1 mouse strains to different experimental models of fungal sepsis. The challenge of animals with the zymosan-induced generalised inflammation model revealed poorer survival rates in C57BL/6J, consistent with lower Th1 cytokine interferon (IFN)-γ serum levels, compared with CD1 mice. Likewise, ex vivo exposure of C57BL/6J splenocytes to zymosan but also bacterial lipopolisaccharide or lipoteichoic acid, resulted in lower IFN-γ secretion compared with CD1 mice. C57BL/6J susceptibility could be reverted by rescue infusion of relative low IFN-γ doses (0.2 μg/kg) either alone or in combination with the ß-glucan-binding CD5 protein (0.7 mg/kg) leading to improved post zymosan-induced generalised inflammation survival. Similarly, low survival rates to systemic Candida albicans infection (2.86 × 104 CFU/gr) were ameliorated by low-dose IFN-γ infusion in C57BL/6J but not CD1 mice. Our results highlight the importance of strain choice in experimental fungal infection models and provide a susceptibility rationale for more specific antifungal immunotherapy designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Carreras
- Immunoreceptors of the Innate and Adaptive System team, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Velasco de Andrés
- Immunoreceptors of the Innate and Adaptive System team, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Orta-Mascaró
- Immunoreceptors of the Innate and Adaptive System team, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Inês T Simões
- Immunoreceptors of the Innate and Adaptive System team, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Català
- Immunoreceptors of the Innate and Adaptive System team, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar Zaragoza
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Lozano
- Immunoreceptors of the Innate and Adaptive System team, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain.,Servei d'Immunologia, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Fakhim H, Vaezi A, Dannaoui E, Chowdhary A, Nasiry D, Faeli L, Meis JF, Badali H. Comparative virulence of Candida auris with Candida haemulonii, Candida glabrata and Candida albicans in a murine model. Mycoses 2018; 61:377-382. [PMID: 29460345 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) caused by uncommon Candida species with diverse virulence and susceptibility profiles has increased in recent years. Due to scarce clinical and experimental data on the pathogenicity of Candida auris, the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the virulence of two rare clinically relevant species, C. auris and Candida haemulonii with Candida glabrata and Candida albicans in an immunocompetent murine model of disseminated infection. Immunocompetent ICR female mice were infected with three inoculum sizes (1 × 105 , 1 × 106 and 1 × 107 CFU/mouse) of two C. auris strains and one isolate of C. haemulonii, C. glabrata and C. albicans. Tissue burden on days 5 and 10 postchallenge and mortality rate were used as virulence markers. A high virulence was found for C. albicans, followed by C. auris, C. glabrata and C. haemulonii, respectively. Candida albicans showed high virulence with a medium survival time of 9.5 days for mice infected with 1 × 107 CFU/mouse. For inocula at 1 × 106 and 1 × 107 CFU/mouse, there were significant differences in fungal burden at day 10 between C. albicans, C. auris and C. glabrata isolates compared with C. haemulonii (P < .0001). Overall, no significant differences between C. albicans with C. auris and C. glabrata were observed in mice infected with three different inocula (P > .05). In general, the highest fungal load of all isolates was detected in kidney followed by spleen, liver and lung tested with three different inocula on the two different experimental days. Histopathological examination revealed the abundant presence of yeast cells with pseudohyphae for C. albicans and only yeast cells for C. auris, C. glabrata and C. haemulonii, in all the kidney tissue samples. In conclusion, C. albicans is a highly virulent opportunistic fungus, as the clinical and experimental data demonstrate, and also our results demonstrate a low virulence of C. haemulonii in immunocompetent animals. Altogether, this study highlights the pathogenic potential of C. auris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Fakhim
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Afsane Vaezi
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Medical Mycology/Invasive Fungi Research Center, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Eric Dannaoui
- Unité de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Service de Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine, APHP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Université Paris-Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Anuradha Chowdhary
- Department of Medical Mycology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Davood Nasiry
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences/Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Faeli
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Medical Mycology/Invasive Fungi Research Center, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Centre of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hamid Badali
- Department of Medical Mycology/Invasive Fungi Research Center, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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In Vivo Evaluation of Galla chinensis Solution in the Topical Treatment of Dermatophytosis. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2017; 2017:3843595. [PMID: 29259645 PMCID: PMC5702445 DOI: 10.1155/2017/3843595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Aim Dermatophytosis is one of the main fungal diseases in humans and animals all over the world. Galla chinensis, a traditional medicine, has various pharmacological effects. The goal of this study was to evaluate the treatment effect of Galla chinensis solution (GCS) on dermatophytosis-infected dogs (Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, resp.). Methods The treatment effects of GCS were evaluated by mycological cure rates and clinical score comprised of three indices, including inflammation, hair loss, and lesion scale. Results The results showed that, in the three models of dermatophytosis, GCS significantly (P < 0.05) improved skin lesions and fungal eradication. GCS (10% and 5%) had higher efficacy compared to the positive control (Tujingpi Tincture). The fungal eradication efficacy exceeds 85% after treatment with GCS (10%, 5%, and 2.5%) on day 14. Conclusion The GCS has antidermatophytosis effect in dogs, which may be a candidate drug for the treatment of dermatophytosis.
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29
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Verdi CM, Jesus FPK, Kommers G, Ledur PC, Azevedo MI, Loreto ES, Tondolo JSM, Andrade ENC, Schlemmer KB, Alves SH, Santurio JM. Embryonated chicken eggs: An experimental model for Pythium insidiosum infection. Mycoses 2017; 61:104-110. [PMID: 28972292 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Pythiosis is a severe disease caused by Pythium insidiosum. Currently, the research on the treatment of pythiosis uses rabbits as an experimental infection model. To reduce the use of animals in scientific experimentation, alternative models are increasingly necessary options. The objective of this study was to establish a new experimental infection model for pythiosis using embryonated chicken eggs. First, we tested the inoculation of 4 zoospore concentrations into the egg allantoic cavity at 3 embryonic days. We observed that increased zoospore concentration causes a decrease in survival time, and at a later embryonic day (the 14th) of infection, embryos showed delayed mortality. To confirm the reproducibility of the model, we chose the 14th embryonic day for the inoculation of 50 zoospores/egg, and the experiment was repeated twice. Mortality began with 30% embryos 48 hours after inoculation, and 95% embryos died within 72 hours. There was no mortality in the uninfected control group. The infection was confirmed by culture, PCR and histopathology. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of hyphae in blood vessels in the umbilical cords in 95% of embryos and only 1 liver (5%). Our results suggest that embryonated eggs can be a very useful alternative infection model to study pythiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila M Verdi
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Micológicas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmacologia, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Francielli P K Jesus
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica, Programa de Pós-graduação em Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Glaucia Kommers
- Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Departamento de Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Pauline C Ledur
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Micológicas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmacologia, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Maria I Azevedo
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Micológicas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmacologia, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Erico S Loreto
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Micológicas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Juliana S M Tondolo
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Micológicas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmacologia, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Eduardo N C Andrade
- Graduando em Medicina, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Karine B Schlemmer
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Micológicas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmacologia, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Sydney H Alves
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Micológicas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Janio M Santurio
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Micológicas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmacologia, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
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Tondolo JSM, Loreto ÉS, Ledur PC, Jesus FPK, Silva TM, Kommers GD, Alves SH, Santurio JM. Chemically induced disseminated pythiosis in BALB/c mice: A new experimental model for Pythium insidiosum infection. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177868. [PMID: 28542438 PMCID: PMC5438141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Pythiosis is a severe and life-threatening disease that affects humans and various animal species. We report a model of vascular/disseminated pythiosis occurring after subcutaneous inoculation of 2 x 104Pythium insidiosum zoospores/mL in immunocompromised BALB/c mice. For this model, we carried out two rounds of experiments. First, we evaluated two protocols of immunosuppression before inoculation: cyclophosphamide at 150 mg/kg (CYP group) and cyclophosphamide 200 mg/kg plus hydrocortisone acetate at 250 mg/kg (CYP+HCA group). It was not possible to obtain mortality in the CYP group; however, the combination of CYP+HCA altered disease outcomes, with mortality rates reaching 60%. Second, we used the CYP+HCA immunosuppression protocol to analyze the histological and immunological statuses triggered by disease. When we inoculated immunocompetent mice with P. insidiosum zoospores, self-healing occurred via increased levels of IL-2, IFN-γ and IL-17A, which are characteristic of the Th1/Th17 cytokine response. For infected and immunosuppressed mice, the cytokine profiles showed high levels of IL-10, IL-6 and TNF-α. Increased IL-10 values are related to fungal infection susceptibility and led us to speculate that infection may be established through suppression of the host immune response. In addition, histopathological evaluation of the kidneys and liver demonstrated the presence of hyphae and the cellular findings suggested an acute vascular inflammation that mimics vascular/disseminated pythiosis in humans. This is the first murine model for pythiosis that is useful both for understanding the pathogenesis of this disease and for evaluating new treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana S. M. Tondolo
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Érico S. Loreto
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Pauline C. Ledur
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Francielli P. K. Jesus
- Instituto de Química, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química Orgânica, Laboratório de Processos Tecnológicos e Catálise, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Taiara M. Silva
- Departamento de Patologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Glaucia D. Kommers
- Departamento de Patologia, Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Sydney H. Alves
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Janio M. Santurio
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Desoubeaux G, Cray C. Rodent Models of Invasive Aspergillosis due to Aspergillus fumigatus: Still a Long Path toward Standardization. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:841. [PMID: 28559881 PMCID: PMC5432554 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis has been studied in laboratory by the means of plethora of distinct animal models. They were developed to address pathophysiology, therapy, diagnosis, or miscellaneous other concerns associated. However, there are great discrepancies regarding all the experimental variables of animal models, and a thorough focus on them is needed. This systematic review completed a comprehensive bibliographic analysis specifically-based on the technical features of rodent models infected with Aspergillus fumigatus. Out the 800 articles reviewed, it was shown that mice remained the preferred model (85.8% of the referenced reports), above rats (10.8%), and guinea pigs (3.8%). Three quarters of the models involved immunocompromised status, mainly by steroids (44.4%) and/or alkylating drugs (42.9%), but only 27.7% were reported to receive antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent from bacterial infection. Injection of spores (30.0%) and inhalation/deposition into respiratory airways (66.9%) were the most used routes for experimental inoculation. Overall, more than 230 distinct A. fumigatus strains were used in models. Of all the published studies, 18.4% did not mention usage of any diagnostic tool, like histopathology or mycological culture, to control correct implementation of the disease and to measure outcome. In light of these findings, a consensus discussion should be engaged to establish a minimum standardization, although this may not be consistently suitable for addressing all the specific aspects of invasive aspergillosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Desoubeaux
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of MiamiMiami, FL, USA.,Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie-Médecine tropicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de ToursTours, France.,Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires (CEPR) Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1100/Équipe 3, Université François-RabelaisTours, France
| | - Carolyn Cray
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of MiamiMiami, FL, USA
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Abstract
Dendritic cells are the most potent antigen-presenting cells, and are critical for the generation of an antigen-specific immune response and protective immunity. These unique features have been applied to dendritic cell-based immunization in a number of disease conditions. Our published results have demonstrated that the immunity induced by intranasal immunization with DNA-transfected dendritic cells results in reduced fungal burden, and alleviated lung tissue damage in a mouse model of pulmonary fungal infection. In this article, approaches for the preparation and characterization of DNA-transfected dendritic cells and intranasal immunization in mice are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanjana Awasthi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1110 N. Stonewall Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK, 73117, USA.
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34
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Sanchis M, Sutton DA, Wiederhold NP, Guarro J, Capilla J. Efficacy of echinocandins against murine infections by Diutina (Candida) rugosa. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2016; 86:61-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2016.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/21/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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35
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Mu H, Niu H, Wang D, Sun F, Sun Y, Duan J. Chitosan conjugation enables intracellular bacteria susceptible to aminoglycoside antibiotic. Glycobiology 2016; 26:1190-1197. [DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cww079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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da Silva RT, Guimarães DA, Camargo ZP, Rodrigues AM, Maceira JP, Bernardes-Engemann AR, Orofino-Costa R. Cutaneous murine model of infection caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum: a preliminary study of an emerging human pathogen. Med Mycol 2016; 54:890-8. [PMID: 27250925 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myw034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neoscytalidium dimidiatum is an emerging fungus that causes a skin infection similar to dermatophytosis; it affects both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed individuals, and it may invade deeper tissues and organs and cause systemic disease. Little is known about the etiopathogenesis of the infection caused by this fungus, and no standard effective treatment is available. The aim of the present experimental study was to develop an animal model of skin infection with N. dimidiatum. BALB/c mice were inoculated with two fungal strains, and different routes of infection were tested. When challenged intradermally, N. dimidiatum strain HUPE164165 caused skin infection in 67% of the animals whereas strain HUPE115669 did it in 49%. Neoscytalidium dimidiatum was isolated from the skin of 25% of the animals inoculated via epidermal scarification and from 100% of the animals challenged via subcutaneous injection. Mice inoculated intradermally were followed-up during four weeks, and clinical samples were collected on days 3, 8, 15, and 29 after inoculation, corresponding to different stages of infection. The cutaneous infection rate, as measured by the recovery of N. dimidiatum strain HUPE164165 from skin biopsies of animals inoculated intradermally, revealed the presence of infection in 90% of the animals sacrificed at 3 days post-inoculation, 71% at 8, 85% at 15, and 33% at 29. Conidia and hyphae were observed in PAS-stained sections as well as a mild to moderate inflammatory infiltrate in haematoxylin-eosin, although it did not differ from animals inoculated either with T. quinckeanum or PBS. The intradermal route of inoculation was considered to be suitable for the study of skin infection with N. dimidiatum The animal model developed in this preliminary study is the first to allow the study of cutaneous infection with N. dimidiatum and may contribute to further investigations of the aetiology, immunology, pathogenesis and treatment targeting this emerging mycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Teixeira da Silva
- Dermatology Department, Medical Mycology Laboratory, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Brazil
| | - Dávson A Guimarães
- Dermatology Department, Medical Mycology Laboratory, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Brazil
| | - Zoilo P Camargo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anderson M Rodrigues
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Andréa R Bernardes-Engemann
- Dermatology Department, Medical Mycology Laboratory, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Brazil
| | - Rosane Orofino-Costa
- Dermatology Department, Medical Mycology Laboratory, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Brazil
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Virulence and Experimental Treatment of Trichoderma longibrachiatum, a Fungus Refractory to Treatment. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:5029-32. [PMID: 27216056 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00373-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Different inocula of Trichoderma longibrachiatum were tested in a murine model, and only the highest one (1 × 10(7) CFU/animal) killed all of the mice at day 15 postinfection, with spleen and liver the most affected organs. The efficacies of amphotericin B deoxycholate, liposomal amphotericin B, voriconazole, and micafungin were evaluated in the same model, with very poor results. Our study demonstrated the low virulence but high resistance to antifungal compounds of this fungus.
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38
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Treviño-Rangel RDJ, Villanueva-Lozano H, Hernández-Rodríguez P, Martínez-Reséndez MF, García-Juárez J, Rodríguez-Rocha H, González GM. Activity of sertraline againstCryptococcus neoformans:in vitroandin vivoassays. Med Mycol 2015; 54:280-6. [DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myv109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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Restrepo A, Cano LE, Gonzalez Á. THE POWER OF THE SMALL: THE EXAMPLE OF Paracoccidioides brasiliensis CONIDIA. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2015; 57 Suppl 19:5-10. [PMID: 26465363 PMCID: PMC4711192 DOI: 10.1590/s0036-46652015000700003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on Paracoccidioides brasiliensis has centered in the yeast cell probably because of the lack of distinctive features in the mycelium. In 1942 and for the first time, lateral conidia were noticed in the fungus' hyphae. Later on, Brazilian, Venezuelan and Argentinean researchers described "aleurias" when the fungus was grown in natural substrates. In 1970 authors became interested in the conidia and were able to obtain them in large numbers and treat them as individual units. Their shape and size were defined and the presence of all the elements of a competent eukaryotic cell were demonstrated. Conidia exhibited thermal dimorphism and, additionally, when given intranasally to BALB/c male mice, they converted into yeasts in the lungs and produce progressive pulmonary lesions with further dissemination to other organs. Studies on the phagocyte-conidia interaction were revealing and showed that these versatile structures allow a better understanding of the host- P. brasiliensis interactions.
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Yan Y, Zhao Z, Wan H, Wu R, Fang J, Liu H. A novel fungus concentration-dependent rat model for acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis: an experimental study. BMC Infect Dis 2014; 14:3856. [PMID: 25526739 PMCID: PMC4297382 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-014-0713-y] [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: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis is a lethal infectious process afflicting immunocompromised individuals. Knowledge about this disease is still limited due to the scarcity of animal models designed to study the pathogenesis of this infection. Mast cells are tissue-resident immune cells that participate in a variety of allergic and inflammatory conditions. Limited attention has been given to the role of mast cells in acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to create a rat model of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis based on analyzing the impact of different fungal concentrations on establishing infection, and to observe the changes of mast cells in rats with this disease. Methods Sprague–Dawley rats were divided randomly into four groups, three of which were experimental and received different concentrations of Aspergillus fumigatus inoculations, and one was a control group (D). The inoculated Aspergillus fumigatus concentrations were 5 × 107 conidia/ml in group A, 107 conidia/ml in group B, and 106 conidia/ml in group C. Before fungal inoculation, rats were immunosuppressed using cyclophosphamide and cortisone acetate, and had Merocel sponges inserted into the right nares. Hematology and histopathology investigations were then performed. Results An acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis rat model was established successfully with an incidence rate of 90% in group A, 50% in group B and 10% in group C. Aspergillus fumigatus invasion was observed in 20% of the lungs in group A, but was not seen in the remaining groups. In addition, no fungi invaded the orbital tissue, brains, livers, spleens or kidneys of any rat. Compared with the control set, the total number of mast cells in the experimental groups was not significantly increased, but mast cell degranulation, on the other hand, was only found in infected nasal cavities. Conclusions This investigation illustrates that various fungal concentrations have different effects on the incidence of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis, and it also demonstrates the feasibility of using this model to study the process of fungal rhinosinusoidal invasion. In addition, the results suggest that mast cells may play a role in the protection of sinuses against acute Aspergillus fumigatus infection and in the clearance of established hyphal masses. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-014-0713-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyan Yan
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zuotao Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100034, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hongfei Wan
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ruochen Wu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jugao Fang
- Department of ENT, Affiliated Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China.
| | - Honggang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China.
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41
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Animal models of invasive aspergillosis for drug discovery. Drug Discov Today 2014; 19:1380-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2014.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2013] [Revised: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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In vitro and in vivo evidence for amphotericin B as a P-glycoprotein substrate on the blood-brain barrier. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:4464-9. [PMID: 24867970 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02535-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphotericin B (AMB) has been a mainstay therapy for fungal infections of the central nervous system, but its use has been limited by its poor penetration into the brain, the mechanism of which remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in AMB crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The uptake of AMB by primary brain capillary endothelial cells in vitro was significantly enhanced after inhibition of P-gp by verapamil. The impact of two model P-gp inhibitors, verapamil and itraconazole, on brain/plasma ratios of AMB was examined in both uninfected CD-1 mice and those intracerebrally infected with Cryptococcus neoformans. In uninfected mice, the brain/plasma ratios of AMB were increased 15 min (3.5 versus 2.0; P < 0.05) and 30 min (5.2 versus 2.8; P < 0.05) after administration of verapamil or 45 min (6.0 versus 3.9; P < 0.05) and 60 min (5.4 versus 3.8; P < 0.05) after itraconazole administration. The increases in brain/plasma ratios were also observed in infected mice treated with AMB and P-gp inhibitors. The brain tissue fungal CFU in infected mice were significantly lower in AMB-plus-itraconazole or verapamil groups than in the untreated group (P < 0.005), but none of the treatments protected the mice from succumbing to the infection. In conclusion, we demonstrated that P-gp inhibitors can enhance the uptake of AMB through the BBB, suggesting that AMB is a P-gp substrate.
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Fernández-Silva F, Capilla J, Mayayo E, Sutton D, Guarro J. Experimental murine acremoniosis: an emerging opportunistic human infection. Med Mycol 2014; 52:29-35. [PMID: 24577339 DOI: 10.3109/13693786.2013.797610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acremonium is an emerging fungal pathogen causing severe infections. We evaluated the virulence of three clinically relevant species within the genus, i.e., Acremonium kiliense (currently Sarocladium kiliense), Acremonium sclerotigenum-A. egyptiacum complex and Acremonium implicatum in a murine model of disseminated infection. Both immunocompetent and immunosuppresssed mice were infected with two inocula concentrations (2 × 10(6) and 2 × 10(8) conidia/animal) of two strains of each species. Tissue burden, mortality rate, histopathology and levels of (1→3)-β-D-glucan were used as virulence markers. None of the species of Acremonium tested was able to cause infection in immunocompetent mice. Conversely, severe infections were produced in immunocompromised mice, the spleen being the most affected organ. In general, the virulence of the Acremonium species tested was low, S. kiliense being the most virulent species.
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Siopi M, Mavridou E, Mouton JW, Verweij PE, Zerva L, Meletiadis J. Susceptibility breakpoints and target values for therapeutic drug monitoring of voriconazole and Aspergillus fumigatus in an in vitro pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model. J Antimicrob Chemother 2014; 69:1611-9. [DOI: 10.1093/jac/dku023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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El-Muzghi AAM, Mirkov I, Djokic J, Popov Aleksandrov A, Miljkovic D, Glamoclija J, Kataranovski D, Kataranovski M. Regional cytokine responses to pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompetent rats. Immunobiology 2013; 218:1514-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2013.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Revised: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/22/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Zhang F, An Y, Li Z, Zhao C. A Novel Model of Invasive Fungal Rhinosinusitis in Rats. Am J Rhinol Allergy 2013; 27:361-6. [PMID: 23816783 DOI: 10.2500/ajra.2013.27.3953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (IFRS) is a life-threatening inflammatory disease that affects immunocompromised patients, but animal models of the disease are scarce. This study aimed to develop an IFRS model in neutropenic rats. Methods The model was established in three consecutive steps: unilateral nasal obstruction with Merocel sponges, followed by administration of cyclophosphamide (CPA), and, finally, nasal inoculation with Aspergillus fumigatus. Fifty healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups, with group I as the controls, group II undergoing unilateral nasal obstruction alone, group III undergoing nasal obstruction with fungal inoculation, group IV undergoing nasal obstruction with administration of CPA, and group V undergoing nasal obstruction with administration of CPA and fungal inoculation. Hematology, histology, and mycology investigations were performed. Results The changes in the rat absolute neutrophil counts (ANCs) were statistically different across the groups. The administration of CPA decreased the ANCs, whereas nasal obstruction with fungal inoculation increased the ANCs, and nasal obstruction did not change them. Histological examination of the rats in group V revealed the hyphal invasion of sinus mucosa and bone, thrombosis, and tissue infarction. No pathology indicative of IFRS was observed in the remaining groups. Positive rates of fungal culture in tissue homogenates from the maxillary sinus (62.5%) and lung (25%) were found in group V, whereas groups I, II, III, and IV showed no fungal culture in the homogenates. Conclusion A rat IFRS model was successfully developed through nasal obstruction, CPA-induced neutropenia, and fungal inoculation. The disease model closely mimics the pathophysiology of anthropic IFRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yunfang An
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zeqing Li
- Department of Otolaryngology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Changqing Zhao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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Mavridou E, Meletiadis J, Jancura P, Abbas S, Arendrup MC, Melchers WJG, Heskes T, Mouton JW, Verweij PE. Composite survival index to compare virulence changes in azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus clinical isolates. PLoS One 2013; 8:e72280. [PMID: 23991080 PMCID: PMC3753310 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2012] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding resistance to antifungal agents in Aspergillus fumigatus is of increasing importance for the treatment of invasive infections in immunocompromised patients. Although a number of molecular resistance mechanisms are described in detail, the potential accompanying virulence changes and impact on clinical outcome have had little attention. We developed a new measure of survival, the composite survival index (CSI) to use as a measure of the virulence properties of A. fumigatus. Using a novel mathematical model we found a strong correlation between the in vitro growth characteristics and virulence in vivo expressed as CSI. Our model elucidates how three critical parameters (the lag phase (τ), decay constant (λ), and growth rate (ν)) interact with each other resulting in a CSI that correlated with virulence. Hence, strains with a long lag phase and high decay constant were less virulent in a murine model of invasive aspergillosis, whereas high virulence for isolates with a high CSI was associated in vitro with rapid growth and short lag phases. Resistant isolates with cyp51A mutations, which account for the majority of azole resistant aspergillosis cases, did not show a lower virulence compared to azole-susceptible isolates. In contrast, the CSI index revealed that a non-cyp51A-mediated resistance mechanism was associated with a dramatic decrease in CSI. Because of its predictive value, the mathematical model developed may serve to explore strain characteristics in vitro to predict virulence in vivo and significantly reduce the number of experimental animals required in such studies. The proposed measure of survival, the CSI can be used more in a general form in survival studies to explore optimal treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleftheria Mavridou
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Nijmegen Institute for Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Nijmegen Institute for Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail: (EM); (PEV)
| | - Joseph Meletiadis
- Laboratory for Clinical Microbiology, Attikon University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Pavol Jancura
- Institute for Computing and Information Sciences, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Saiden Abbas
- Institute for Computing and Information Sciences, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maiken C. Arendrup
- Department of Microbiological Surveillance and Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Willem J. G. Melchers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Nijmegen Institute for Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Nijmegen Institute for Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tom Heskes
- Institute for Computing and Information Sciences, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Johan W. Mouton
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Nijmegen Institute for Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Nijmegen Institute for Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul E. Verweij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Nijmegen Institute for Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Nijmegen Institute for Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail: (EM); (PEV)
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Reflections on the approach to treatment of a mycologic disaster. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013; 57:1567-72. [PMID: 23384533 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02242-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Animal Models In Mycology: What Have We Learned Over The Past 30 Years. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s12281-012-0126-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Susceptibility to progressive Cryptococcus neoformans pulmonary infection is regulated by loci on mouse chromosomes 1 and 9. Infect Immun 2012; 80:4167-76. [PMID: 22988020 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00417-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic factors that regulate the pathogenesis of pneumonia caused by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans are poorly understood. Through a phenotypic strain survey we observed that inbred C3H/HeN mice develop a significantly greater lung fungal burden than mice of the resistant CBA/J strain 4 weeks following intratracheal infection with C. neoformans ATCC 24067. The aim of the present study was to characterize the inflammatory response of C3H/HeN mice following C. neoformans pulmonary infection and to identify genetic loci that regulate host defense. Following cryptococcal infection, C3H/HeN mice demonstrated a Th2 immune response with heightened airway and tissue eosinophilia, goblet cell metaplasia, and significantly higher lung interleukin-5 (IL-5) and IL-13 protein expression relative to CBA/J mice. Conversely, CBA/J mice exhibited greater airway and tissue neutrophilia that was associated with significantly higher pulmonary expression of gamma interferon, CXCL10, and IL-17 proteins than C3H/HeN mice. Using the fungal burden at 4 weeks postinfection as a phenotype, genome-wide quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis among 435 segregating (C3H/HeN × CBA/J)F2 (C3HCBAF2) hybrids identified two significant QTLs on chromosomes 1 (Cnes4) and 9 (Cnes5) that control susceptibility to cryptococcal pneumonia in an additive manner. Susceptible C3H/HeN mice carry a resistance allele at Cnes4 and a susceptibility allele at Cnes5. These studies reveal additional genetic complexity of the host response to C. neoformans that is associated with divergent patterns of pulmonary inflammation.
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