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Zieneldien T, Kim J, Greene J. Breakthrough Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia in an Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipient. Cureus 2024; 16:e61890. [PMID: 38978902 PMCID: PMC11228424 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61890] [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] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), which is currently referred to as Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, is an opportunistic fungal infection that commonly affects immunocompromised patients, and it is potentially fatal. Individuals at risk include those whose host immunity has been altered by underlying disease states, such as HIV and cancer patients, as well as transplant recipients and those taking immunosuppressive medications. Here, we present a case of a breakthrough PCP infection of an adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patient who was infected despite prophylaxis with inhaled pentamidine. The patient's transplant course was complicated by acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which was treated with tacrolimus, prednisone, beclomethasone, and budesonide. Treatments for GVHD, which include immunosuppressive therapies, are a risk factor for PCP. Thus, the patient was on prophylactic treatment with inhaled pentamidine. The case presents challenges that immunocompromised patients face, particularly those undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. While the patient received prophylactic treatment, there was still a breakthrough PCP infection. We highlight the risks this infection can cause and the need to promptly address these infections to prevent complications and optimize prophylactic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Zieneldien
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA
| | - Janice Kim
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA
| | - John Greene
- Department of Internal Medicine, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, USA
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2
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Lee JS, Kim C. Role of CARD9 in Cell- and Organ-Specific Immune Responses in Various Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2598. [PMID: 38473845 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052598] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9) is an intracellular adaptor protein that is abundantly expressed in cells of the myeloid lineage, such as neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells. CARD9 plays a critical role in host immunity against infections caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses. A CARD9 deficiency impairs the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines as well as migration and infiltration, thereby increasing susceptibility to infections. However, CARD9 signaling varies depending on the pathogen causing the infection. Furthermore, different studies have reported altered CARD9-mediated signaling even with the same pathogen. Therefore, this review focuses on and elucidates the current literature on varied CARD9 signaling in response to various infectious stimuli in humans and experimental mice models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Seok Lee
- Laboratory of Leukocyte Signaling Research, Department of Pharmacology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
- BK21, Program in Biomedical Science & Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Chaekyun Kim
- Laboratory of Leukocyte Signaling Research, Department of Pharmacology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
- BK21, Program in Biomedical Science & Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
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3
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Weaver D, Novak-Frazer L, Palmer M, Richardson M, Bromley M, Bowyer P. Development of a novel mycobiome diagnostic for fungal infection. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:63. [PMID: 38373963 PMCID: PMC10875777 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03197-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amplicon-based mycobiome analysis has the potential to identify all fungal species within a sample and hence could provide a valuable diagnostic assay for use in clinical mycology settings. In the last decade, the mycobiome has been increasingly characterised by targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. Although ITS targets give broad coverage and high sensitivity, they fail to provide accurate quantitation as the copy number of ITS regions in fungal genomes is highly variable even within species. To address these issues, this study aimed to develop a novel NGS fungal diagnostic assay using an alternative amplicon target. METHODS Novel universal primers were designed to amplify a highly diverse single copy and uniformly sized DNA target (Tef1) to enable mycobiome analysis on the Illumina iSeq100 which is a low cost, small footprint and simple to use next-generation sequencing platform. To enable automated analysis and rapid results, a streamlined bioinformatics workflow and sequence database were also developed. Sequencing of mock fungal communities was performed to compare the Tef1 assay and established ITS1-based method. The assay was further evaluated using clinical respiratory samples and the feasibility of using internal spike-in quantitative controls was assessed. RESULTS The Tef1 assay successfully identified and quantified Aspergillus, Penicillium, Candida, Cryptococcus, Rhizopus, Fusarium and Lomentospora species from mock communities. The Tef1 assay was also capable of differentiating closely related species such as A. fumigatus and A. fischeri. In addition, it outperformed ITS1 at identifying A. fumigatus and other filamentous pathogens in mixed fungal communities (in the presence or absence of background human DNA). The assay could detect as few as 2 haploid genome equivalents of A. fumigatus from clinical respiratory samples. Lastly, spike-in controls were demonstrated to enable semi-quantitation of A. fumigatus load in clinical respiratory samples using sequencing data. CONCLUSIONS This study has developed and tested a novel metabarcoding target and found the assay outperforms ITS1 at identifying clinically relevant filamentous fungi. The assay is a promising diagnostic candidate that could provide affordable NGS analysis to clinical mycology laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Weaver
- Core Technology Facility, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9WU, UK
| | - Lilyann Novak-Frazer
- Core Technology Facility, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9WU, UK
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Maisie Palmer
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Malcolm Richardson
- Core Technology Facility, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9WU, UK
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Mike Bromley
- Core Technology Facility, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9WU, UK.
| | - Paul Bowyer
- Core Technology Facility, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9WU, UK.
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Meier CS, Pagni M, Richard S, Mühlethaler K, Almeida JMGCF, Nevez G, Cushion MT, Calderón EJ, Hauser PM. Fungal antigenic variation using mosaicism and reassortment of subtelomeric genes' repertoires. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7026. [PMID: 37919276 PMCID: PMC10622565 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42685-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Surface antigenic variation is crucial for major pathogens that infect humans. To escape the immune system, they exploit various mechanisms. Understanding these mechanisms is important to better prevent and fight the deadly diseases caused. Those used by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii that causes life-threatening pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals remain poorly understood. Here, though this fungus is currently not cultivable, our detailed analysis of the subtelomeric sequence motifs and genes encoding surface proteins suggests that the system involves the reassortment of the repertoire of ca. 80 non-expressed genes present in each strain, from which single genes are retrieved for mutually exclusive expression. Dispersion of the new repertoires, supposedly by healthy carrier individuals, appears very efficient because identical alleles are observed in patients from different countries. Our observations reveal a unique strategy of antigenic variation. They also highlight the possible role in genome rearrangements of small imperfect mirror sequences forming DNA triplexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S Meier
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marco Pagni
- Vital-IT Group, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Richard
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Konrad Mühlethaler
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - João M G C F Almeida
- UCIBIO, Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Gilles Nevez
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie, Hôpital de La Cavale Blanche, CHU de Brest, Brest, France
- Infections respiratoires fongiques (IFR), Université d'Angers, Université de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Melanie T Cushion
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
- Cincinnati VAMC, Medical Research Service, Cincinnati, OH, 45220, USA
| | - Enrique J Calderón
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocίo/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientίficas/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiologίa y Salud Pública, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocίo, Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Seville, Spain
| | - Philippe M Hauser
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Kottom TJ, Carmona EM, Limper AH. Lung Epithelial Cell Line Immune Responses to Pneumocystis. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:729. [PMID: 37504718 PMCID: PMC10381464 DOI: 10.3390/jof9070729] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis sp. are fungal pathogens and members of the Ascomycota phylum. Immunocompetent individuals can readily eliminate the fungus, whereas immunocompromised individuals can develop Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP). Currently, over 500,000 cases occur worldwide, and the organism is listed on the recently released WHO fungal priority pathogens list. Overall, the number of PJP cases over the last few decades in developed countries with the use of highly effective antiretroviral therapy has decreased, but the cases of non-HIV individuals using immunosuppressive therapies have significantly increased. Even with relatively effective current anti-Pneumocystis therapies, the mortality rate remains 30-60% in non-HIV patients and 10-20% during initial episodes of PJP in HIV/AIDS patients. Although the role of alveolar macrophages is well studied and established, there is also well-established and emerging evidence regarding the role of epithelial cells in the immune response to fungi. This mini review provides a brief overview summarizing the innate immune response of the lung epithelium and various continuously cultured mammalian cell lines to Pneumocystis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore J. Kottom
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (E.M.C.); (A.H.L.)
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Li Z, Xu S, Shi J, Zhang Y. Pneumocystis pneumonia in a patient with diabetes mellitus: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e32290. [PMID: 36749248 PMCID: PMC9901983 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000032290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic infection of patients with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency. It is most frequently occurred in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, organ transplantation, leukemia, and immunosuppressive therapy. Here we describe the rare case of PCP in a non-HIV-infected diabetic patient and find possible reasons for the association through a literature review. PATIENT CONCERNS A 65-years-old male was admitted to our hospital due to a 10-year history of abnormal blood glucose levels and edema of both lower extremities for half a month. However, the patient developed a high fever and progressive dyspnea during hospitalization. DIAGNOSES The patient had elevated blood sugar levels, a low white blood cell count within normal limits, and severe lymphopenia. His blood G test and lactate dehydrogenase levels increased significantly. Multiple sputa and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid specimens for Pneumocystis jirovecii (PJ) nucleic acid detection were positive. Chest computed tomography scan demonstrated hazy patchy shadows in the lungs suspected to be pulmonary infections. No tumor, transplantation, or an autoimmune disease was found in the examinations. The patient was diagnosed with PCP finally. INTERVENTIONS A combination of oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and intravenous caspofungin was administered immediately against PJ. The patient was also treated with noninvasive ventilator-assisted ventilation, subcutaneous insulin, and hemodialysis therapy. OUTCOMES The patient was discharged home finally with a fair general condition and was followed up without respiratory symptoms. LESSONS The compromised immunity in HIV-negative patients with diabetes may be related to lymphocyte decrease and dysfunction, which may cause diabetic patients prone to PJ. Although PCP is rare in diabetes, it should be paid attention to the high rate of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziling Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Shuyun Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jing Shi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- * Correspondence: Yong Zhang, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430030, China (e-mail: )
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Lu E, Jiang H, Yang L, Wu N, Lu M. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in solid organ transplant recipients. Chin Med J (Engl) 2022; 135:2756-2758. [PMID: 36228150 PMCID: PMC9943981 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Erdan Lu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China
| | - Hanshui Jiang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China
| | - Ning Wu
- Endoscopy Center, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China
| | - Ming Lu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China
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Nasr M, Mohammad A, Hor M, Baradeiya AM, Qasim H. Exploring the Differences in Pneumocystis Pneumonia Infection Between HIV and Non-HIV Patients. Cureus 2022; 14:e27727. [PMID: 36106266 PMCID: PMC9441775 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.27727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is one of the most common opportunistic infections worldwide that affects the lung. Pneumocystis leads to pneumonia, caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii, formerly known as Pneumocystis carinii. In recent decades, PCP has been a major health problem for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients and is responsible for most of mortality and morbidity. However, the increasing number of immunosuppressive-related diseases has led to outbreaks in other patient populations, raising the concern for PCP as it becomes a major concern among those patients. These changes led to marked changes in the prevalence and mortality rates of PCP. Huge variations in those parameters among HIV and non-HIV patients have been seen also. Historically, the diagnosis was made by staining and direct visualization of the organism within the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. The diagnosis is now made by microscopic examination and a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of BAL. Serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan, which is a component of the Pneumocystis jirovecii cell wall that distinguishes it from other fungi, has become an important diagnostic tool. Early diagnosis and treatment play a vital role in the patient’s survival and in the infection outcome; hence, empirical PCP therapy should be started immediately when the infection is suspected without waiting for the results of the diagnostic test. Steroids play an important role in the treatment of HIV patients, especially patients who present with hypoxia and respiratory failure. Prophylaxis is very effective and should be given to all patients at high risk of PCP. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) should be started as soon as possible in newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients with PCP, and the immune status of immunocompromised patients with PCP should be improved by temporarily withholding immunosuppressive drugs or reducing their doses.
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Rafat Z, Ashrafi K, Hashemi SJ, Sasani E, Naserani A, Sarvestani HK, Hashemi F. The mycological and molecular study of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia among HIV and non-HIV immunocompromised patients hospitalized in pulmonary units in Guilan, Northern Iran. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY 2021; 13:518-524. [PMID: 34557281 PMCID: PMC8421585 DOI: 10.18502/ijm.v13i4.6977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a serious infection that usually affects those with a weak immune system. Since the prevalence of this infection in Iran and in the world is not clearly defined, the present study aimed to evaluate the incidence, clinical spectrum, and demographic characteristics of PJP among HIV and non-HIV immunocompromised patients. Materials and Methods Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) specimens were obtained from 3 groups of immunocompromised patients, including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, diabetic patients, and patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies. All were hospitalized in pulmonary units. The specimens were examined using microscopic methods (Giemsa and calcofluor white staining) and the nested-PCR technique based on mtLSU-rRNA gene. Results A total of 120 BAL samples were collected. From 12.5% (5 from 40) of HIV-infected patients, 5% (2 from 40) of patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies, and 2.5% (1 from 40) of diabetic patients Pneumocystis jiroveci was isolated. There was not any association between the prevalence of PJP and the patient's gender (p= 0.557) and age (p= 0.681). Fever and dyspnea (n=7, 87.5%), nonproductive cough and abnormal auscultation sound (n=5, 62.5%), and also chills and weight loss (n=2, 25%) were the documented clinical symptoms of PJP. Also, the results showed that none of the samples had positive results for P. jiroveci with microscopic tests while using the nested-PCR method 8 samples had positive results. Conclusion Since PJP often causes symptoms that are similar to other illnesses, such as the flu or tuberculosis, clinical and laboratory findings should be used simultaneously for making the final decision on drug administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Rafat
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.,Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Keyhan Ashrafi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Seyed Jamal Hashemi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Food Microbiology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elahe Sasani
- Department of Mycology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Naserani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Hasti Kamali Sarvestani
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farshid Hashemi
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Schmid-Siegert E, Richard S, Luraschi A, Mühlethaler K, Pagni M, Hauser PM. Expression Pattern of the Pneumocystis jirovecii Major Surface Glycoprotein Superfamily in Patients with Pneumonia. J Infect Dis 2021; 223:310-318. [PMID: 32561915 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa342] [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: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human pathogen Pneumocystis jirovecii harbors 6 families of major surface glycoproteins (MSGs) encoded by a single gene superfamily. MSGs are presumably responsible for antigenic variation and adhesion to host cells. The genomic organization suggests that a single member of family I is expressed at a given time per cell, whereas members of the other families are simultaneously expressed. METHODS We analyzed RNA sequences expressed in several clinical samples, using specific weighted profiles for sorting of reads and calling of single-nucleotide variants to estimate the diversity of the expressed genes. RESULTS A number of different isoforms of at least 4 MSG families were expressed simultaneously, including isoforms of family I, for which confirmation was obtained in the wet laboratory. CONCLUSION These observations suggest that every single P. jirovecii population is made of individual cells with distinct surface properties. Our results enhance our understanding of the unique antigenic variation system and cell surface structure of P. jirovecii.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sophie Richard
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Amanda Luraschi
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Konrad Mühlethaler
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marco Pagni
- Vital-IT Group, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philippe M Hauser
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Abstract
Pneumocystis species colonize mammalian lungs and cause deadly pneumonia if the immune system of the host weakens. Each species presents a specificity for a single mammalian host species. Pneumocystis jirovecii infects humans and provokes pneumonia, which is among the most frequent invasive fungal infections. The lack of in vitro culture methods for these fungi complicates their study. Recently, high-throughput sequencing technologies followed by comparative genomics have allowed a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the sexuality of Pneumocystis organisms. The structure of their mating-type locus corresponding to a fusion of two loci, Plus and Minus, and the concomitant expression of the three mating-type genes revealed that their mode of sexual reproduction is primarily homothallism. This mode is favored by microbial pathogens and involves a single self-compatible mating type that can enter into the sexual cycle on its own. Pneumocystis sexuality is obligatory within the host's lungs during pneumonia in adults, primary infection in children, and possibly colonization. This sexuality participates in cell proliferation, airborne transmission to new hosts, and probably antigenic variation, processes that are crucial to ensure the survival of the fungus. Thus, sexuality is central in the Pneumocystis life cycle. The obligate biotrophic parasitism with obligate sexuality of Pneumocystis is unique among fungi pathogenic to humans. Pneumocystis organisms are similar to the plant fungal obligate biotrophs that complete their entire life cycle within their hosts, including sex, and that are also difficult to grow in vitro.
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Lagrou K, Chen S, Masur H, Viscoli C, Decker CF, Pagano L, Groll AH. Pneumocystis jirovecii Disease: Basis for the Revised EORTC/MSGERC Invasive Fungal Disease Definitions in Individuals Without Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:S114-S120. [PMID: 33709126 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) causes substantive morbidity in immunocompromised patients. The EORTC/MSGERC convened an expert group to elaborate consensus definitions for Pneumocystis disease for the purpose of interventional clinical trials and epidemiological studies and evaluation of diagnostic tests. METHODS Definitions were based on the triad of host factors, clinical-radiologic features, and mycologic tests with categorization into probable and proven Pneumocystis disease, and to be applicable to immunocompromised adults and children without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Definitions were formulated and their criteria debated and adjusted after public consultation. The definitions were published within the 2019 update of the EORTC/MSGERC Consensus Definitions of Invasive Fungal Disease. Here we detail the scientific rationale behind the disease definitions. RESULTS The diagnosis of proven PCP is based on clinical and radiologic criteria plus demonstration of P. jirovecii by microscopy using conventional or immunofluorescence staining in tissue or respiratory tract specimens. Probable PCP is defined by the presence of appropriate host factors and clinical-radiologic criteria, plus amplification of P. jirovecii DNA by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in respiratory specimens and/or detection of β-d-glucan in serum provided that another invasive fungal disease and a false-positive result can be ruled out. Extrapulmonary Pneumocystis disease requires demonstration of the organism in affected tissue by microscopy and, preferably, PCR. CONCLUSIONS These updated definitions of Pneumocystis diseases should prove applicable in clinical, diagnostic, and epidemiologic research in a broad range of immunocompromised patients without HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and National Reference Centre for Mycosis, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sharon Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital and the University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Henry Masur
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Claudio Viscoli
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Genoa (DISSAL) and Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Catherine F Decker
- Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Livio Pagano
- Istituto di Ematologia, Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Andreas H Groll
- Infectious Disease Research Program, Center for Bone Marrow Transplantation and Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
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Assessment and Development of the Antifungal Agent Caspofungin for Aerosolized Pulmonary Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13040504. [PMID: 33916988 PMCID: PMC8067632 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13040504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis (IPA) and Pneumocystis jiroveci Pneumonia (PCP) are serious fungal pulmonary diseases for immunocompromised patients. The brand name drug CANCIDAS® (Caspofungin acetate for injection) is FDA approved to treat IPA, but is only 40% effective. Efficacious drug levels at the lung infection site are not achieved by systemic administration. Increasing the dose leads to toxicity. The objective, here, is to reformulate caspofungin for aerosolization to high drug concentration by lung targeted delivery and avoid systemic distribution. Described in this paper is a new, room temperature-stable formulation that meets these goals. The in vitro antifungal activity, solid state and reconstituted stability, and aerosol properties of the new formulation are presented. In addition, pharmacokinetic parameters and tissue distribution data are determined from nose-only inhalation studies in rats. Plasma and tissue samples were analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS). Inhaled drug concentrations for caspofungin Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API), and the new formulation, were compared at the same dose. In the lungs, the parameters Cmax and Area Under Curve (AUC) showed a 70%, and 60%, respective increase in drug deposition for the new formulation without significant systemic distribution. Moreover, the calculated pharmacodynamic indices suggest an improvement in efficacy. These findings warrant further animal toxicology studies and human clinical trials, with inhaled caspofungin, for treating IPA.
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Gurbuz CE, Delibas SB, Alpaydin AO, Sayiner AA, Ozkoc S. Genetic diversity of Pneumocystis jirovecii isolates among Turkish population based on mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal RNA and dihydropteroate synthase gene typing. Med Mycol 2021; 59:813-820. [PMID: 33709136 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myab004] [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: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii (P. jirovecii) is an atypical fungus that can cause severe interstitial pneumonia in immunocompromised patients. In this study, mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal RNA (mtLSU-rRNA) and dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) gene polymorphism in P. jirovecii isolates were investigated in Western Turkey's Izmir province and its surroundings. For this purpose, a total of 157 P. jirovecii isolates obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage samples of hospitalized cases and lung tissue samples of autopsy cases who died outside hospital were examined. Genotypes were identified by direct sequencing of mtLSU-rRNA restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the DHPS gene amplicons. The mtLSU-rRNA analysis revealed that genotype 2 was the most common genotype with 58%. The following genotypes were genotype 3 (13%), genotype 1 (11.6%) and genotype 4 (5.1%), while genotype 5 (0.7%) was detected in only one autopsy case. In addition, 16 (11.6%) cases had dual or triple different genotypes (mixed infection). It was observed that the genotype distribution was not affected by characteristics such as age, gender and immune status. However, the predominance of genotype 2 in solid organ tumors and the predominance of mixed infection in patients with chronic pulmonary disease were statistically significant. On the other hand, DHPS gene amplification was positive in 137 (87.3%) of 157 samples. While no mutation was observed in 135 samples, the association of wild-type and 57th codon mutation was detected in two hospitalized cases (1.5%). In this study, important epidemiological data on the distribution of mtLSU-rRNA genotypes were obtained. Also the existence of DHPS gene mutations associated with potential drug resistance in our community was shown for the first time. Further studies are needed to evaluate the possible effects of genotypes on the prognosis of the disease to help with the clinician's treatment decisions. LAY ABSTRACT Pneumocystis jirovecii (P. jirovecii) is an atypical fungus that can cause life-threatening pneumonia in immunocompromised patients. In this study, we investigated the mtLSU-rRNA and DHPS gene polymorphisms in P. jirovecii isolates from both hospital and autopsy cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceren Erguden Gurbuz
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Songul Bayram Delibas
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Aylin Ozgen Alpaydin
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ayca Arzu Sayiner
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Soykan Ozkoc
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
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Alshahrani MY, Alfaifi M, Al Shahrani M, Alshahrani AS, Alkhathami AG, Dera AA, Ahmad I, Wahab S, Beg MMA, Hakamy A, Hamid ME. Increased mRNA expression of key cytokines among suspected cases of Pneumocystis jirovecii infection. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:28. [PMID: 33413198 PMCID: PMC7792013 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05729-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a fatal infectious disease caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii (PJP). The major factor relevant to morbidity and mortality seems to be the host inflammatory reaction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 cytokine mRNA expression among suspected P. jirovecii infection. Methods This was a cross-sectional analytical study undertaken in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. One hundred suspected PCP cases and 100 healthy controls were included in the study. Basic clinical manifestations, radiological findings, microbiological and immunological findings were extracted from the hospital records from January 2019 to August 2019, Pneumocystis detection was done by immune-fluorescent staining (IFAT, Gomorimethanamine silver staining (GMSS), Giemsa staining, Toluidine blue O (TBO), and Pneumocystis RT-PCR. Results Increased more than 5 fold, 3 fold, 4 fold, and 7 fold of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 mRNA expression were observed in PCP cases compared to controls. Higher expression of IL-2 mRNA was connected with crept, wheezing and chest X-ray findings like central perihilar infiltrate, patchy infiltrate, consolidation, hilar lymphadenopathy, pneumothorax, pleural effusion which showed higher expression compared to counterpart (p< 0.0001). Higher expression of IL-4 mRNA was found to be significantly associated with weight loss (p=0.002), dyspnea (p=0.003), crept (p=0.01), and chest X-ray findings (p< 0.0001). Significantly increased expression of IL-10 mRNA was observed to be associated with weight loss, dyspnea, night sweats, wheezing, and different findings of chest X-ray compared to their counterparts, whereas, IL-13 mRNA was observed in cases with fever. Suspected cases of PCP confirmed positive by IFTA with higher IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 mRNA expression compared to negative cases. RT-PCR confirmed PCP cases had significantly higher expression of IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 as well as IL-13 mRNA compared to negative cases. Positive detected cases by GMSS showed higher IL-2, IL-10 mRNA expression, while Giemsa showed only higher IL-4 mRNA expression compared to negative cases. Conclusion Confirmed cases of P. jirovecii showed higher IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 mRNA expression comparatively to negative cases. Increased expression of cytokines may be indicative of infection severity and could help in patients’ management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Y Alshahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alfaifi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mesfer Al Shahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ali G Alkhathami
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayed A Dera
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Irfan Ahmad
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shadma Wahab
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mirza M A Beg
- Department of Biochemistry, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Ali Hakamy
- Respiratory Therapy Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed E Hamid
- Department of Microbiology and Clinical Parasitology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
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16
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Human Fungal Pathogens: Diversity, Genomics, and Preventions. Fungal Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-60659-6_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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17
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Kloc M, Uosef A, Kubiak JZ, Ghobrial RM. Macrophage Proinflammatory Responses to Microorganisms and Transplanted Organs. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249669. [PMID: 33352942 PMCID: PMC7766629 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue-resident macrophages and those conscripted from the blood/bone marrow are professional phagocytes. They play a role in tissue homeostasis, replacement, and healing, and are the first-line responders to microbial (viral, bacterial, and fungi) infections. Intrinsic ameboid-type motility allows non-resident macrophages to move to the site of inflammation or injury, where, in response to the inflammatory milieu they perform the anti-microbial and/or tissue repair functions. Depending on the need and the signaling from the surrounding tissue and other immune cells, macrophages acquire morphologically and functionally different phenotypes, which allow them to play either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory functions. As such, the macrophages are also the major players in the rejection of the transplanted organs making an excellent target for the novel anti-rejection therapies in clinical transplantation. In this review, we describe some of the less covered aspects of macrophage response to microbial infection and organ transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Kloc
- The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.U.); (R.M.G.)
- Department of Surgery, The Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Genetics Houston, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Ahmed Uosef
- The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.U.); (R.M.G.)
- Department of Surgery, The Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jacek Z. Kubiak
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (WIHE), 01-163 Warsaw, Poland;
- Cell Cycle Group, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes (IGDR), University Rennes, UMR 6290, CNRS, 35043 Rennes, France
| | - Rafik M. Ghobrial
- The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.U.); (R.M.G.)
- Department of Surgery, The Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Wang H, Chang Y, Cui ZZ, Liu ZJ, Ma SF. Admission C-Reactive Protein-to-Albumin Ratio Predicts the 180-Day Mortality of AIDS-Related Pneumocystis Pneumonia. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2020; 36:753-761. [PMID: 32580561 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2020.0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessment tools are necessary for the adequate stratification of patients with AIDS-related pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of severity assessment scores and inflammation- and nutrition-based parameters for predicting the 180-day mortality of AIDS-related PCP. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with AIDS-related PCP admitted at the Beijing Di-Tan Hospital. The CURB-65 score, Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) score, Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR), procalcitonin, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio during the first 24 h of intensive care unit admission were analyzed. The prognostic values of the severity assessment scores and biomarkers for 180-day mortality were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) indexes. A total of 123 patients with AIDS-related PCP were included. Fifty-five patients were dead, and 68 were still alive at 180 days after admission. CAR, CURB-65, PSI, and APACHE II were independent predictors of 180-day mortality. The optimal cutoff value of CAR was 2.0 mg/g [area under the ROC curve = 0.844, 95% credential interval (CI) = 0.776-0.913], and CAR >2.0 mg/g increased the prognostic value of all three severity assessment scores, with an IDI index of 5.1% for the CURB-65 score, 8.1% for the PSI score, and 4.1% for the APACHE II score (all p < .05). Combining CAR >2.0 mg/g enhanced the capability of CURB-65, APACHE II, and PSI in predicting the 180-day mortality of patients with AIDS-related PCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Di-Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yufei Chang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Di-Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Zhang Cui
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Di-Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Juan Liu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Di-Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shan-Fang Ma
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Di-Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Theel ES. Crossing a New Threshold: Use of Elevated (1,3)-β-d- Glucan Levels to Distinguish Causation From Colonization in Pneumocystis jirovecii Polymerase Chain Reaction-Positive Cancer Patients. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 69:1310-1312. [PMID: 30561566 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy1078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elitza S Theel
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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20
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Fisher MC, Gurr SJ, Cuomo CA, Blehert DS, Jin H, Stukenbrock EH, Stajich JE, Kahmann R, Boone C, Denning DW, Gow NAR, Klein BS, Kronstad JW, Sheppard DC, Taylor JW, Wright GD, Heitman J, Casadevall A, Cowen LE. Threats Posed by the Fungal Kingdom to Humans, Wildlife, and Agriculture. mBio 2020; 11:e00449-20. [PMID: 32371596 PMCID: PMC7403777 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00449-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The fungal kingdom includes at least 6 million eukaryotic species and is remarkable with respect to its profound impact on global health, biodiversity, ecology, agriculture, manufacturing, and biomedical research. Approximately 625 fungal species have been reported to infect vertebrates, 200 of which can be human associated, either as commensals and members of our microbiome or as pathogens that cause infectious diseases. These organisms pose a growing threat to human health with the global increase in the incidence of invasive fungal infections, prevalence of fungal allergy, and the evolution of fungal pathogens resistant to some or all current classes of antifungals. More broadly, there has been an unprecedented and worldwide emergence of fungal pathogens affecting animal and plant biodiversity. Approximately 8,000 species of fungi and Oomycetes are associated with plant disease. Indeed, across agriculture, such fungal diseases of plants include new devastating epidemics of trees and jeopardize food security worldwide by causing epidemics in staple and commodity crops that feed billions. Further, ingestion of mycotoxins contributes to ill health and causes cancer. Coordinated international research efforts, enhanced technology translation, and greater policy outreach by scientists are needed to more fully understand the biology and drivers that underlie the emergence of fungal diseases and to mitigate against their impacts. Here, we focus on poignant examples of emerging fungal threats in each of three areas: human health, wildlife biodiversity, and food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Fisher
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah J Gurr
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Christina A Cuomo
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David S Blehert
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Hailing Jin
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California-Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Eva H Stukenbrock
- Max Planck Fellow Group Environmental Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
- Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jason E Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California-Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Regine Kahmann
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Department of Organismic Interactions, Marburg, Germany
| | - Charles Boone
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - David W Denning
- The National Aspergillosis Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Neil A R Gow
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Bruce S Klein
- Department of Pediatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, and Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - James W Kronstad
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Donald C Sheppard
- McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunology, Departments of Medicine, Microbiology & Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - John W Taylor
- University of California-Berkeley, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Gerard D Wright
- M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Medicine, and Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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21
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The Other Side of the Coin: Anti-inflammatory Antibody Therapy for Infectious Diseases. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00844-19. [PMID: 31712268 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00844-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The inflammatory response to the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii plays a central role in the respiratory failure associated with Pneumocystis pneumonia. To help ameliorate the inflammatory response, corticosteroids are used as an adjuvant to standard antimicrobial therapy. Corticosteroids, however, can have a wide range of effects (including deleterious effects) on the host immune response. To date, pathogen-specific antibody therapy has primarily been developed for both its direct antimicrobial activity (e.g., toxin and viral neutralization) and its ability to enhance the antimicrobial activity of the host immune response via effector cells, like macrophages and neutrophils. In this issue of Infection and Immunity, Hoy et al. (Z. Hoy, T. W. Wright, M. Elliott, J. Malone, et al., Infect Immun 88:e00640-19, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00640-19) report on a surprising application of Pneumocystis-specific antibody therapy in treating disease by decreasing the inflammatory response. This effect appears to occur as a result of an enhanced phagocytic activity within the lung and an associated alteration in the macrophage phenotype. This study adds insight into our understanding of antibody activity and highlights the possibility of using antibody therapy to limit inflammation for other infectious diseases in which inflammatory damage plays a significant role in disease pathogenesis.
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22
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Kestel Kayık S, Acar E, Memiş L. Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia in Newly Diagnosed HIV Infection: A Challenging Case Report. Turk Patoloji Derg 2020; 1:246-250. [PMID: 32149364 PMCID: PMC10510603 DOI: 10.5146/tjpath.2020.01480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii is a potentially life-threatening opportunistic pathogen particularly affecting the lungs, mainly in immunosuppressed individuals and HIV-infected patients with a low CD4 cell count. A 50-year-old man presented with a 1-week history of pleuritic chest pain and fever. He was also hypoxic with oxygen saturation of 86% on room air. Detailed clinical history revealed that he had fatigue, dyspnea, night sweats, generalized bone pain and a loss of about 10 kg in weight over the past six months without intention. Chest imaging showed diffuse bilateral infiltrates. Diagnostic bronchoscopy was performed. Transbronchial biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage were received simultaneously. The presence of P. jirovecii was suspected in hematoxylin-eosin-stained slides, and Gomori's methenamine silver stain was used to confirm the diagnosis. A blood test revealed dyslipidemia, hypothyroidism, increased plasma levels of the gonadotropins and positive HIV antibodies with a CD4+ cell count of 48/μL. CMV co-infection was found with CMV viral load of 6738 copies/ml in plasma. Herein, we present a case with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) that led to a new diagnosis of Human immonudeficiency virus. As in our case, diagnosis of disease through the pathological examination of tissues (biopsy samples) or bodily fluids could lead to the recognition of an unrevealed HIV-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selin Kestel Kayık
- Department of Pathology, Gazi University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Elif Acar
- Department of Pathology, Gazi University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Leyla Memiş
- Department of Pathology, Gazi University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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23
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilse D Jacobsen
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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Expression and Immunostaining Analyses Suggest that Pneumocystis Primary Homothallism Involves Trophic Cells Displaying Both Plus and Minus Pheromone Receptors. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.01145-19. [PMID: 31289178 PMCID: PMC6747714 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01145-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The fungi belonging to the genus Pneumocystis may cause severe pneumonia in immunocompromised humans, a disease that can be fatal if not treated. This disease is nowadays one of the most frequent invasive fungal infections worldwide. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the sexuality of these fungi involves a single partner that can self-fertilize. Here, we report that two receptors recognizing specifically excreted pheromones are involved in this self-fertility within infected human lungs. Using fluorescent antibodies binding specifically to these receptors, we observed that most often, the fungal cells display both receptors at their surface. These pheromone-receptor systems might play a role in mate recognition and/or postfertilization events. They constitute an integral part of the Pneumocystis obligate sexuality within human lungs, a cycle that is necessary for the dissemination of the fungus to new individuals. The genus Pneumocystis encompasses fungal species that colonize mammals’ lungs with host specificity. Should the host immune system weaken, the fungal species can cause severe pneumonia. The life cycle of these pathogens is poorly known, mainly because an in vitro culture method has not been established. Both asexual and sexual cycles would occur. Trophic cells, the predominant forms during infection, could multiply asexually but also enter into a sexual cycle. Comparative genomics revealed a single mating type locus, including plus and minus genes, suggesting that primary homothallism involving self-fertility of each strain is the mode of reproduction of Pneumocystis species. We identified and analyzed the expression of the mam2 and map3 genes encoding the receptors for plus and minus pheromones using reverse transcriptase PCR, in both infected mice and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples from patients with Pneumocystis pneumonia. Both receptors were most often concomitantly expressed during infection, revealing that both pheromone-receptor systems are involved in the sexual cycle. The map3 transcripts were subject to alternative splicing. Using immunostaining, we investigated the presence of the pheromone receptors at the surfaces of Pneumocystis cells from a patient. The staining tools were first assessed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae displaying the Pneumocystis receptors at their cellular surface. Both receptors were present at the surfaces of the vast majority of the cells that were likely trophic forms. The receptors might have a role in mate recognition and/or postfertilization events. Their presence at the cell surface might facilitate outbreeding versus inbreeding of self-fertile strains.
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Fillinger RJ, Anderson MZ. Seasons of change: Mechanisms of genome evolution in human fungal pathogens. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2019; 70:165-174. [PMID: 30826447 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Fungi are a diverse kingdom of organisms capable of thriving in various niches across the world including those in close association with multicellular eukaryotes. Fungal pathogens that contribute to human disease reside both within the host as commensal organisms of the microbiota and the environment. Their niche of origin dictates how infection initiates but also places specific selective pressures on the fungal pathogen that contributes to its genome organization and genetic repertoire. Recent efforts to catalogue genomic variation among major human fungal pathogens have unveiled evolutionary themes that shape the fungal genome. Mechanisms ranging from large scale changes such as aneuploidy and ploidy cycling as well as more targeted mutations like base substitutions and gene copy number variations contribute to the evolution of these species, which are often under multiple competing selective pressures with their host, environment, and other microbes. Here, we provide an overview of the major selective pressures and mechanisms acting to evolve the genome of clinically important fungal pathogens of humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Fillinger
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Matthew Z Anderson
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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26
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Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia during Brentuximab Vedotin Therapy: A Case Report and Literature Review. Case Rep Hematol 2019; 2019:8982937. [PMID: 31049233 PMCID: PMC6458937 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8982937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Brentuximab vedotin (BV), an antibody drug conjugate against CD30, has been increasingly used in clinical practice, and the less common adverse events associated to the drug are not well described. Also, opportunistic infections have been reported, and data on immune reconstitution after use of BV are lacking. The authors describe a case of a 45-year-old man with Hodgkin lymphoma receiving BV as a consolidation therapy after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant. After nine months of consolidation with BV, the patient developed a respiratory disorder characterized by fever, chills, dyspnea, and hypoxemia, and pneumonia by Pneumocystis jirovecii (PJ) was confirmed by bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage. In spite of the fact that there are no specific recommendations about infectious prophylaxis in patients using the drug, we would like to draw the attention of professionals who use the medication in relation to the risk of opportunistic infections, such as pneumonia by PJ.
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Cereser L, Dallorto A, Candoni A, Volpetti S, Righi E, Zuiani C, Girometti R. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia at chest High-resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) in non-HIV immunocompromised patients: Spectrum of findings and mimickers. Eur J Radiol 2019; 116:116-127. [PMID: 31153552 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2019.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) has emerged as a main issue in non Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) immunocompromised hosts, exposing patients to high mortality rates, especially when the diagnosis is delayed. Since microbiological confirmation is often unfeasible or difficult to obtain, High-resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) represents a main tool for guiding the diagnosis in the appropriate clinical scenario. Nevertheless, radiologists must be aware that PJP at HRCT is a multifaceted process, with a variety of common and less frequent findings, along with a broad spectrum of infectious (e.g., viral and certain fungal and bacterial pneumonias) and non-infectious (e.g., pulmonary oedema, diffuse alveolar haemorrhage, and drug toxicity) differential diagnoses. In this review we resume background clinical information on PJP in non-HIV immunocompromised patients, illustrate both typical and less frequent HRCT findings, and present the spectrum of infectious and non-infectious mimickers at HRCT, highlighting the similarities with PJP and providing clues for the differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Cereser
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine, p.le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Anna Dallorto
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine, p.le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Anna Candoni
- Division of Haematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital of Udine, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine, p.le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Stefano Volpetti
- Division of Haematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital of Udine, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine, p.le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Elda Righi
- Infectious Diseases, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine, p.le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Chiara Zuiani
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine, p.le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Rossano Girometti
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine, p.le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.
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Site-Directed Mutagenesis of the 1,3-β-Glucan Synthase Catalytic Subunit of Pneumocystis jirovecii and Susceptibility Assays Suggest Its Sensitivity to Caspofungin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.01159-18. [PMID: 30249686 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01159-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The echinocandin caspofungin inhibits the catalytic subunit Gsc1 of the enzymatic complex synthesizing 1,3-β-glucan, an essential compound of the fungal wall. Studies with rodents showed that caspofungin is effective against Pneumocystis asci. However, its efficacy against asci of Pneumocystis jirovecii, the species infecting exclusively humans, remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity to caspofungin of the P. jirovecii Gsc1 subunit, as well as of those of Pneumocystis carinii and Pneumocystis murina infecting, respectively, rats and mice. In the absence of an established in vitro culture method for Pneumocystis species, we used functional complementation of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gsc1 deletant. In the fungal pathogen Candida albicans, mutations leading to amino acid substitutions in Gsc1 confer resistance to caspofungin. We introduced the corresponding mutations into the Pneumocystis gsc1 genes using site-directed mutagenesis. In spot dilution tests, the sensitivity to caspofungin of the complemented strains decreased with the number of mutations introduced, suggesting that the wild-type enzymes are sensitive. The MICs of caspofungin determined by Etest and YeastOne for strains complemented with Pneumocystis enzymes (respectively, 0.125 and 0.12 μg/ml) were identical to those upon complementation with the enzyme of C. albicans, for which caspofungin presents low MICs. However, they were lower than the MICs upon complementation with the enzyme of the resistant species Candida parapsilosis (0.19 and 0.25 μg/ml). Sensitivity levels of Gsc1 enzymes of the three Pneumocystis species were similar. Our results suggest that P. jirovecii is sensitive to caspofungin during infections, as are P. carinii and P. murina.
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Goyal S, Castrillón-Betancur JC, Klaile E, Slevogt H. The Interaction of Human Pathogenic Fungi With C-Type Lectin Receptors. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1261. [PMID: 29915598 PMCID: PMC5994417 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungi, usually present as commensals, are a major cause of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. Such infections, if not diagnosed or treated properly, can prove fatal. However, in most cases healthy individuals are able to avert the fungal attacks by mounting proper antifungal immune responses. Among the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) are the major players in antifungal immunity. CLRs can recognize carbohydrate ligands, such as β-glucans and mannans, which are mainly found on fungal cell surfaces. They induce proinflammatory immune reactions, including phagocytosis, oxidative burst, cytokine, and chemokine production from innate effector cells, as well as activation of adaptive immunity via Th17 responses. CLRs such as Dectin-1, Dectin-2, Mincle, mannose receptor (MR), and DC-SIGN can recognize many disease-causing fungi and also collaborate with each other as well as other PRRs in mounting a fungi-specific immune response. Mutations in these receptors affect the host response and have been linked to a higher risk in contracting fungal infections. This review focuses on how CLRs on various immune cells orchestrate the antifungal response and on the contribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms in these receptors toward the risk of developing such infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surabhi Goyal
- Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Septomics Research Center, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Juan Camilo Castrillón-Betancur
- Septomics Research Center, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,International Leibniz Research School for Microbial and Biomolecular Interactions, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology/Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Esther Klaile
- Septomics Research Center, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Hortense Slevogt
- Septomics Research Center, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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Epidemiology of fungal infections in China. Front Med 2018; 12:58-75. [DOI: 10.1007/s11684-017-0601-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Tasaka S. Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-infected Adults and Adolescents: Current Concepts and Future Directions. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-CIRCULATORY RESPIRATORY AND PULMONARY MEDICINE 2015; 9:19-28. [PMID: 26327786 PMCID: PMC4536784 DOI: 10.4137/ccrpm.s23324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Revised: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is one of the most common opportunistic infections in human immunodeficiency virus–infected adults. Colonization of Pneumocystis is highly prevalent among the general population and could be associated with the transmission and development of PCP in immunocompromised individuals. Although the microscopic demonstration of the organisms in respiratory specimens is still the golden standard of its diagnosis, polymerase chain reaction has been shown to have a high sensitivity, detecting Pneumocystis DNA in induced sputum or oropharyngeal wash. Serum β-D-glucan is useful as an adjunctive tool for the diagnosis of PCP. High-resolution computed tomography, which typically shows diffuse ground-glass opacities, is informative for the evaluation of immunocompromised patients with suspected PCP and normal chest radiography. Trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is the first-line agent for the treatment of mild to severe PCP, although it is often complicated with various side effects. Since TMP-SMX is widely used for the prophylaxis, the putative drug resistance is an emerging concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadatomo Tasaka
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Abstract
Few among the millions of fungal species fulfill four basic conditions necessary to infect humans: high temperature tolerance, ability to invade the human host, lysis and absorption of human tissue, and resistance to the human immune system. In previously healthy individuals, invasive fungal disease is rare because animals' sophisticated immune systems evolved in constant response to fungal challenges. In contrast, fungal diseases occur frequently in immunocompromised patients. Paradoxically, successes of modern medicine have put increasing numbers of patients at risk for invasive fungal infections. Uncontrolled HIV infection additionally makes millions vulnerable to lethal fungal diseases. A concerted scientific and social effort is needed to meet these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia R Köhler
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York 10461
| | - John Perfect
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710
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