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Kelty MT, Miron-Ocampo A, Beattie SR. A series of pyrimidine-based antifungals with anti-mold activity disrupt ER function in Aspergillus fumigatus. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0104524. [PMID: 38916314 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01045-24] [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: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised populations. Moreover, fungal disease caused by molds are difficult to treat and are associated with particularly high mortality. To address the need for new mold-active antifungal drugs, we performed a high-throughput screen with Aspergillus fumigatus, the most common pathogenic mold. We identified a novel, pyrimidine-based chemical scaffold with broad-spectrum antifungal activity including activity against several difficult-to-treat molds. A chemical genetics screen of Saccharomyces cerevisiae suggested that this compound may target the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and perturb ER function and/or homeostasis. Consistent with this model, this compound induces the unfolded protein response and inhibits secretion of A. fumigatus collagenases. Initial cytotoxicity and pharmacokinetic studies show favorable features including limited mammalian cell toxicity and bioavailability in vivo. Together, these data support the further medicinal chemistry and pre-clinical development of this pyrimidine scaffold toward more effective treatments for life-threatening invasive mold infections.IMPORTANCEInvasive fungal diseases are life-threatening infections caused by fungi in immunocompromised individuals. Currently, there are only three major classes of antifungal drugs available to treat fungal infections; however, these options are becoming even more limited with the global emergence of antifungal drug resistance. To address the need for new antifungal therapies, we performed a screen of chemical compounds and identified a novel molecule with antifungal activity. Initial characterization of this compound shows drug-like features and broad-spectrum activity against medically important fungi. Together, our results support the continued development of this compound as a potential future therapy for these devastating fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin T Kelty
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Aracely Miron-Ocampo
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Sarah R Beattie
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Neoh CF, Chen SCA, Lanternier F, Tio SY, Halliday CL, Kidd SE, Kong DCM, Meyer W, Hoenigl M, Slavin MA. Scedosporiosis and lomentosporiosis: modern perspectives on these difficult-to-treat rare mold infections. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0000423. [PMID: 38551323 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00004-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYAlthough Scedosporium species and Lomentospora prolificans are uncommon causes of invasive fungal diseases (IFDs), these infections are associated with high mortality and are costly to treat with a limited armamentarium of antifungal drugs. In light of recent advances, including in the area of new antifungals, the present review provides a timely and updated overview of these IFDs, with a focus on the taxonomy, clinical epidemiology, pathogenesis and host immune response, disease manifestations, diagnosis, antifungal susceptibility, and treatment. An expansion of hosts at risk for these difficult-to-treat infections has emerged over the last two decades given the increased use of, and broader population treated with, immunomodulatory and targeted molecular agents as well as wider adoption of antifungal prophylaxis. Clinical presentations differ not only between genera but also across the different Scedosporium species. L. prolificans is intrinsically resistant to most currently available antifungal agents, and the prognosis of immunocompromised patients with lomentosporiosis is poor. Development of, and improved access to, diagnostic modalities for early detection of these rare mold infections is paramount for timely targeted antifungal therapy and surgery if indicated. New antifungal agents (e.g., olorofim, fosmanogepix) with novel mechanisms of action and less cross-resistance to existing classes, availability of formulations for oral administration, and fewer drug-drug interactions are now in late-stage clinical trials, and soon, could extend options to treat scedosporiosis/lomentosporiosis. Much work remains to increase our understanding of these infections, especially in the pediatric setting. Knowledge gaps for future research are highlighted in the review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin Fen Neoh
- National Centre for Infections in Cancer, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sharon C-A Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Fanny Lanternier
- Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hôpital universitaire Necker-Enfants malades, Paris, France
- National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals, Translational Mycology research group, Mycology Department, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Shio Yen Tio
- National Centre for Infections in Cancer, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Catriona L Halliday
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sarah E Kidd
- National Mycology Reference Centre, SA Pathology, Adelaide, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - David C M Kong
- National Centre for Infections in Cancer, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- The National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infections and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, Australia
| | - Wieland Meyer
- The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Martin Hoenigl
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Translational Medical Mycology Research Group, ECMM Excellence Center for Clinical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Monica A Slavin
- National Centre for Infections in Cancer, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Machiavello Roman FJ, Pischel L, Azar MM. Lung infections due to emerging fungal pathogens. Curr Opin Pulm Med 2024; 30:258-265. [PMID: 38411158 DOI: 10.1097/mcp.0000000000001059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review highlights the epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical management of pulmonary infections caused by emerging fungal organisms. RECENT FINDINGS Emerging fungal infections have arisen as a result of population and environmental changes. An enlarging pool of immunocompromised hosts on triazole antifungal prophylaxis has led to an increased incidence of non- Aspergillus molds, such as Fusarium , Scedosporium and Lomentospora spp. Advances in diagnostic capabilities led to the identification of the Emergomyces genus and non- dermatitidis Blastomyces species, which have a significant disease burden in Africa and the Middle East. Climate change has contributed to changing the distribution of previously confined endemic mycoses, like coccidioidomycosis and talaromycosis. These emerging organisms pose important diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. SUMMARY Newly recognized pathogenic fungi and established endemic mycoses with expanding geographic boundaries have become important agents of pulmonary disease. There is a dearth of clinical evidence on the appropriate management of these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marwan M Azar
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Lomentospora prolificans Disseminated Infections: A Systematic Review of Reported Cases. Pathogens 2022; 12:pathogens12010067. [PMID: 36678415 PMCID: PMC9861501 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lomentospora prolificans, a rare, highly virulent filamentous fungus with high rates of intrinsic resistance to antifungals, has been associated with different types of infections in immunocompromised as well as immunocompetent individuals. OBJECTIVE To systematically address all relevant evidence regarding L. prolificans disseminated infections in the literature. METHODS We searched Medline via PubMed and Scopus databases through July 2022. We performed a qualitative synthesis of published articles reporting disseminated infections from L. prolificans in humans. RESULTS A total of 87 studies describing 142 cases were included in our systematic review. The pathogen was most frequently reported in disseminated infections in Spain (n = 47), Australia (n = 33), the USA (n = 21), and Germany (n = 10). Among 142 reported cases, 48.5% were males. Underlying conditions identified for the majority of patients included malignancy (72.5%), hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (23.2%), solid organ transplantation (16%), and AIDS (2%). Lungs, central nervous system, skin, eyes, heart and bones/joints were the most commonly affected organs. Neutropenia was recorded in 52% of patients. The mortality rate was as high as 87.3%. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review conducted on disseminated infections due to this rare microorganism. Physicians should be aware that L. prolificans can cause a diversity of infections with high mortality and primarily affects immunocompromised and neutropenic patients.
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Song Y, Zhou M, Gong Q, Guo J. Scedosporium apiospermum and Lichtheimia corymbifera Co-Infection Due to Inhalation of Biogas in Immunocompetent Patients: A Case Series. Infect Drug Resist 2022; 15:6423-6430. [PMID: 36349214 PMCID: PMC9637341 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s388166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This is the first report describing co-infection of Scedosporium apiospermum and Lichtheimia corymbifera caused by biogas inhalation in two people without underlying medical conditions. Two patients fell into the same pig manure pit at the same time while rescuing another patient (this person died in a few hours) and inhaled biogas. Both patients were diagnosed with pulmonary fungal disease and developed acute liver failure around Day 52. Their results were negative for the 1,3-β-d-glucan test and weakly positive for the galactomannan test. They were treated with amphotericin B and/or posaconazole without surgery. The patient in case 2 required amphotericin B deoxycholate aerosol inhalation to complete the treatment. Both patients recovered completely. For patients with mucormycosis confined to the lungs who cannot tolerate intravenous drip amphotericin B, increasing the dose of nebulised administration maybe a salvage regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Song
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mi Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingmei Gong
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030012, People’s Republic of China,Correspondence: Qingmei Gong, Intensive Care Unit, Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Shuangtasi Street 59#, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030012, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-13934647196, Email
| | - Jinlin Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030012, People’s Republic of China,Jinlin Guo, Department of Pharmacy, Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Shuangtasi Street 59#, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030012, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-18335136581, Email
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