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Friedman DZP, Schwartz IS. Emerging Diagnostics and Therapeutics for Invasive Fungal Infections. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2023; 37:593-616. [PMID: 37532392 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2023.05.001] [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: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Recently, there have been significant advances in the diagnosis and management of invasive fungal infections. Compared with traditional fungal diagnostics, molecular assays promise improved sensitivity and specificity, the ability to test a range of samples (including noninvasive samples, ie, blood), the detection of genetic mutations associated with antifungal resistance, and the potential for a faster turnaround time. Antifungals in late-stage clinical development include agents with novel mechanisms of action (olorofim and fosmanogepix) and new members of existing classes with distinct advantages over existing antifungals in toxicity, drug-drug interactions, and dosing convenience (oteseconazole, opelconazole, rezafungin, ibrexafungerp, encochleated amphotericin B).
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Z P Friedman
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Global Health, The University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC5065, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ilan S Schwartz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, 315 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
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Eades CP, Bakri ARBA, Lau JCY, Moore CB, Novak-Frazer L, Richardson MD, Rautemaa-Richardson R. Comparison of β-1-3-D-Glucan and Candida Mannan Biomarker Assays with Serological Tests for the Diagnosis of Candidemia. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:813. [PMID: 37623584 PMCID: PMC10455369 DOI: 10.3390/jof9080813] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive candidiasis, including bloodstream infection (candidemia), encompasses the most severe forms of Candida infection. Several species-specific and non-specific serological assays are commercially available to aid in diagnosis. This study compared the performance of five such biomarker assays. Serum samples from 14 patients with proven or probable invasive candidiasis, and from 10 control patients, were included in the analysis. A total of 50 serum samples were tested using C. albicans germ tube antibody (CAGTA) assay (Vircell), C. albicans IgM, C. albicans IgG and Candida mannan assays (Dynamiker Biotechnology). Among these samples, the β-1-3-D-glucan (BDG) assay (Fungitell), a laboratory standard for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis, was positive in 20 (40%), intermediate in five (10%) and negative in 25 (50%). In cases of proven or probable candidemia, the sensitivity and specificity of the BDG assay was 86% and 80%, respectively; the Candida mannan assay, 14% and 86%; the CAGTA test, 57% and 60%; the C. albicans IgM assay, 71% and 60%; and C. albicans IgG assay 29% and 90%. In 4/8 (50%) cases with multiple serum samples, C. albicans IgM was positive sooner than BDG. Thus, when used as a rule-out test for invasive candidiasis, our data suggest that the C. albicans IgM assay may assist antifungal stewardship (over serum BDG).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P. Eades
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK;
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK (J.C.Y.L.); (L.N.-F.); (M.D.R.)
| | - Ahmed Rafezzan Bin Ahmed Bakri
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK (J.C.Y.L.); (L.N.-F.); (M.D.R.)
| | - Jeffrey C. Y. Lau
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK (J.C.Y.L.); (L.N.-F.); (M.D.R.)
| | - Caroline B. Moore
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK (J.C.Y.L.); (L.N.-F.); (M.D.R.)
| | - Lilyann Novak-Frazer
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK (J.C.Y.L.); (L.N.-F.); (M.D.R.)
- Mycology Reference Centre Manchester (MRCM), ECMM Excellence Centre of Medical Mycology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
| | - Malcolm D. Richardson
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK (J.C.Y.L.); (L.N.-F.); (M.D.R.)
- Mycology Reference Centre Manchester (MRCM), ECMM Excellence Centre of Medical Mycology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group (MFIG), Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Riina Rautemaa-Richardson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK;
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK (J.C.Y.L.); (L.N.-F.); (M.D.R.)
- Mycology Reference Centre Manchester (MRCM), ECMM Excellence Centre of Medical Mycology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
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Harvey DJ. Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for 2019-2020. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2022:e21806. [PMID: 36468275 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This review is the tenth update of the original article published in 1999 on the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2020. Also included are papers that describe methods appropriate to analysis by MALDI, such as sample preparation techniques, even though the ionization method is not MALDI. The review is basically divided into three sections: (1) general aspects such as theory of the MALDI process, matrices, derivatization, MALDI imaging, fragmentation, quantification and the use of arrays. (2) Applications to various structural types such as oligo- and polysaccharides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosides and biopharmaceuticals, and (3) other areas such as medicine, industrial processes and glycan synthesis where MALDI is extensively used. Much of the material relating to applications is presented in tabular form. The reported work shows increasing use of incorporation of new techniques such as ion mobility and the enormous impact that MALDI imaging is having. MALDI, although invented nearly 40 years ago is still an ideal technique for carbohydrate analysis and advancements in the technique and range of applications show little sign of diminishing.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Harvey
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Target Discovery Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
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White PL, Alanio A, Brown L, Cruciani M, Hagen F, Gorton R, Lackner M, Millon L, Morton CO, Rautemaa-Richardson R, Barnes RA, Donnelly JP, Loffler J. An overview of using fungal DNA for the diagnosis of invasive mycoses. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2022; 22:169-184. [PMID: 35130460 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2022.2037423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fungal PCR has undergone considerable standardization and together with the availability of commercial assays, external quality assessment schemes and extensive performance validation data, is ready for widespread use for the screening and diagnosis of invasive fungal disease (IFD). AREAS COVERED Drawing on the experience and knowledge of the leads of the various working parties of the Fungal PCR initiative, this review will address general considerations concerning the use of molecular tests for the diagnosis of IFD, before focussing specifically on the technical and clinical aspects of molecular testing for the main causes of IFD and recent technological developments. EXPERT OPINION For infections caused by Aspergillus, Candida and Pneumocystis jirovecii, PCR testing is recommended, combination with serological testing will likely enhance the diagnosis of these diseases. For other IFD (e.g. Mucormycosis) molecular diagnostics, represent the only non-classical mycological approach towards diagnoses and continued performance validation and standardization has improved confidence in such testing. The emergence of antifungal resistance can be diagnosed, in part, through molecular testing. Next-generation sequencing has the potential to significantly improve our understanding of fungal phylogeny, epidemiology, pathogenesis, mycobiome/microbiome and interactions with the host, while identifying novel and existing mechanisms of antifungal resistance and novel diagnostic/therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Lewis White
- Public Health Wales Microbiology Cardiff, UHW, Cardiff, UK CF14 4XW
| | - Alexandre Alanio
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Groupe Hospitalier Lariboisière, Saint-Louis, Fernand Widal, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France.,Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR2000, Unité de Mycologie Moléculaire, Centre National de Reference Mycoses invasives et Antifongiques, Paris, France
| | - Lottie Brown
- NHS Mycology Reference Centre Manchester, ECMM Centre of Excellence, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital; and Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, UK
| | | | - Ferry Hagen
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands & Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rebecca Gorton
- Dept. of Infection Sciences, Health Services Laboratories (HSL) LLP, London, UK
| | - Michaela Lackner
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Department of Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Publics Health, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Laurence Millon
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, University Hospital of Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France.,UMR 6249 CNRS Chrono-Environnement, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - C Oliver Morton
- Western Sydney University, School of Science, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Riina Rautemaa-Richardson
- NHS Mycology Reference Centre Manchester, ECMM Centre of Excellence, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital; and Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, UK
| | | | | | - Juergen Loffler
- Department of Internal Medicine II, WÜ4i, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
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Rogers TR, Verweij PE, Castanheira M, Dannaoui E, White PL, Arendrup MC. OUP accepted manuscript. J Antimicrob Chemother 2022; 77:2053-2073. [PMID: 35703391 PMCID: PMC9333407 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkac161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing incidence and changing epidemiology of invasive fungal infections continue to present many challenges to their effective management. The repertoire of antifungal drugs available for treatment is still limited although there are new antifungals on the horizon. Successful treatment of invasive mycoses is dependent on a mix of pathogen-, host- and antifungal drug-related factors. Laboratories need to be adept at detection of fungal pathogens in clinical samples in order to effectively guide treatment by identifying isolates with acquired drug resistance. While there are international guidelines on how to conduct in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing, these are not performed as widely as for bacterial pathogens. Furthermore, fungi generally are recovered in cultures more slowly than bacteria, and often cannot be cultured in the laboratory. Therefore, non-culture-based methods, including molecular tests, to detect fungi in clinical specimens are increasingly important in patient management and are becoming more reliable as technology improves. Molecular methods can also be used for detection of target gene mutations or other mechanisms that predict antifungal drug resistance. This review addresses acquired antifungal drug resistance in the principal human fungal pathogens and describes known resistance mechanisms and what in-house and commercial tools are available for their detection. It is emphasized that this approach should be complementary to culture-based susceptibility testing, given the range of mutations, resistance mechanisms and target genes that may be present in clinical isolates, but may not be included in current molecular assays.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Maiken Cavling Arendrup
- Unit of Mycology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Diagnostics for Fungal Infections in Solid Organ Transplants (SOT). CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12281-021-00422-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Yan G, Chew KL, Chai LYA. Update on Non-Culture-Based Diagnostics for Invasive Fungal Disease. Mycopathologia 2021; 186:575-582. [PMID: 34213735 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00549-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Diagnostic tests for fungi provide the mycological evidence to strengthen diagnosis of invasive fungal disease. Conventional microbiology and histopathology have their limitations. Recognizing this, there have been attempts at developing new methods to improve yield of diagnosing invasive fungal disease (IFD). The recent focus has been on non-culture-based antigen detection and molecular methods. The use of antigen detection of IFD through 1,3-β-D-glucan and galactomannan assay have been expanded, followed by development of lateral flow assays, and in combination with other diagnostic modalities to further increase diagnostic yield. The molecular diagnostic front has seen initiatives to standardize polymerase chain reaction methodologies to detect fungi and anti-fungal resistance, new platforms such as the T2Candida Biosystems and foray into fungal metagenomics. As these newer assays undergo stringent validation before incorporation into the diagnostic algorithm, the clinician needs to be mindful of their bedside utility as well as their limitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Yan
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.,Division of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Cluster, National University Health System, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119228, Singapore
| | - Ka Lip Chew
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Louis Yi Ann Chai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Cluster, National University Health System, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119228, Singapore. .,National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, Singapore. .,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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White PL, Bretagne S, Caliendo AM, Loeffler J, Patterson TF, Slavin M, Wingard JR. Aspergillus Polymerase Chain Reaction-An Update on Technical Recommendations, Clinical Applications, and Justification for Inclusion in the Second Revision of the EORTC/MSGERC Definitions of Invasive Fungal Disease. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:S95-S101. [PMID: 33709129 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus polymerase chain reaction testing of blood and respiratory samples has recently been included in the second revision of the EORTC/MSGERC definitions for classifying invasive fungal disease. This is a result of considerable efforts to standardize methodology, the availability of commercial assays and external quality control programs, and additional clinical validation. This supporting article provides both clinical and technical justifications for its inclusion while also summarizing recent advances and likely future developments in the molecular diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Lewis White
- Public Health Wales Mycology Reference Laboratory, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Stephane Bretagne
- Mycology Laboratory, Saint Louis Hospital, Paris and Université de Paris, France
| | - Angela M Caliendo
- Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Juergen Loeffler
- Department of Molecular Biology and Infection, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Medical Hospital II, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas F Patterson
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio and the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Monica Slavin
- National Centre for Infections in Cancer, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Medical Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - John R Wingard
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Camp I, Spettel K, Willinger B. Molecular Methods for the Diagnosis of Invasive Candidiasis. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6030101. [PMID: 32640656 PMCID: PMC7558065 DOI: 10.3390/jof6030101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive infections caused by members of the genus Candida are on the rise. Especially patients in intensive care units, immunocompromised patients, and those recovering from abdominal surgery are at risk for the development of candidemia or deep-seated candidiasis. Rapid initiation of appropriate antifungal therapy can increase survival rates significantly. In the past, most of these infections were caused by C. albicans, a species that typically is very susceptible to antifungals. However, in recent years a shift towards infections caused by non-albicans species displaying various susceptibly patterns has been observed and the prompt diagnosis of the underlying species has become an essential factor determining the therapeutic outcome. The gold standard for diagnosing invasive candidiasis is blood culture, even though its sensitivity is low and the time required for species identification usually exceeds 48 h. To overcome these issues, blood culture can be combined with other methods, and a large number of tests have been developed for this purpose. The aim of this review was to give an overview on strengths and limitations of currently available molecular methods for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis.
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Kidd SE, Chen SCA, Meyer W, Halliday CL. A New Age in Molecular Diagnostics for Invasive Fungal Disease: Are We Ready? Front Microbiol 2020; 10:2903. [PMID: 31993022 PMCID: PMC6971168 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) present an increasing global burden in immunocompromised and other seriously ill populations, including those caused by pathogens which are inherently resistant or less susceptible to antifungal drugs. Early diagnosis encompassing accurate detection and identification of the causative agent and of antifungal resistance is critical for optimum patient outcomes. Many molecular-based diagnostic approaches have good clinical utility although interpretation of results should be according to clinical context. Where an IFD is in the differential diagnosis, panfungal PCR assays allow the rapid detection/identification of fungal species directly from clinical specimens with good specificity; sensitivity is also high when hyphae are seen in the specimen including in paraffin-embedded tissue. Aspergillus PCR assays on blood fractions have good utility in the screening of high risk hematology patients with high negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV) of 94 and 70%, respectively, when two positive PCR results are obtained. The standardization, and commercialization of Aspergillus PCR assays has now enabled direct comparison of results between laboratories with commercial assays also offering the simultaneous detection of common azole resistance mutations. Candida PCR assays are not as well standardized with the only FDA-approved commercial system (T2Candida) detecting only the five most common species; while the T2Candida outperforms blood culture in patients with candidemia, its role in routine Candida diagnostics is not well defined. There is growing use of Mucorales-specific PCR assays to detect selected genera in blood fractions. Quantitative real-time Pneumocystis jirovecii PCRs have replaced microscopy and immunofluorescent stains in many diagnostic laboratories although distinguishing infection may be problematic in non-HIV-infected patients. For species identification of isolates, DNA barcoding with dual loci (ITS and TEF1α) offer optimal accuracy while next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies offer highly discriminatory analysis of genetic diversity including for outbreak investigation and for drug resistance characterization. Advances in molecular technologies will further enhance routine fungal diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Kidd
- National Mycology Reference Centre, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, South Australia Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sharon C.-A. Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, ICPMR, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Westmead Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Research and Education Network, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Catriona L. Halliday
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, ICPMR, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
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Arastehfar A, Wickes BL, Ilkit M, Pincus DH, Daneshnia F, Pan W, Fang W, Boekhout T. Identification of Mycoses in Developing Countries. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:E90. [PMID: 31569472 PMCID: PMC6958481 DOI: 10.3390/jof5040090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive advances in technology offer a vast variety of diagnostic methods that save time and costs, but identification of fungal species causing human infections remains challenging in developing countries. Since the echinocandins, antifungals widely used to treat invasive mycoses, are still unavailable in developing countries where a considerable number of problematic fungal species are present, rapid and reliable identification is of paramount importance. Unaffordability, large footprints, lack of skilled personnel, and high costs associated with maintenance and infrastructure are the main factors precluding the establishment of high-precision technologies that can replace inexpensive yet time-consuming and inaccurate phenotypic methods. In addition, point-of-care lateral flow assay tests are available for the diagnosis of Aspergillus and Cryptococcus and are highly relevant for developing countries. An Aspergillus galactomannan lateral flow assay is also now available. Real-time PCR remains difficult to standardize and is not widespread in countries with limited resources. Isothermal and conventional PCR-based amplification assays may be alternative solutions. The combination of real-time PCR and serological assays can significantly increase diagnostic efficiency. However, this approach is too expensive for medical institutions in developing countries. Further advances in next-generation sequencing and other innovative technologies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based diagnostic tools may lead to efficient, alternate methods that can be used in point-of-care assays, which may supplement or replace some of the current technologies and improve the diagnostics of fungal infections in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Arastehfar
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Brian L Wickes
- The Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
| | - Macit Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Çukurova, Adana 01330, Turkey.
| | | | - Farnaz Daneshnia
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Weihua Pan
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| | - Wenjie Fang
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| | - Teun Boekhout
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, 1012 WX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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