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Giannella M, Lanternier F, Dellière S, Groll AH, Mueller NJ, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Slavin MA. Invasive fungal disease in the immunocompromised host: changing epidemiology, new antifungal therapies, and management challenges. Clin Microbiol Infect 2024:S1198-743X(24)00386-0. [PMID: 39142631 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2024.08.006] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive fungal disease (IFD) causes morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised hosts (ICHs). Based on increasing recognition of the impact of IFD on human disease, a recent WHO priority list identified key areas of need. OBJECTIVES This review examines changes in the epidemiology of IFD, in particular the emergence of antifungal-resistant pathogens and the current availability of rapid diagnostic tests and antifungal treatment options. SOURCES Literature between 2000 and January 2024 regarding fungal epidemiology, diagnostic tests, antifungal resistance, emerging fungal pathogens, and novel antifungal agents in both adult and paediatric ICH were reviewed. CONTENT We describe the changing epidemiology and continued burden and mortality of IFD in ICH. Furthermore, we discuss the emergence of antifungal-resistant organisms driven by new immunosuppressed populations, climate change, and antifungal exposure in the individual and environment. We highlight novel antifungal agents and how they will address current unmet needs. IMPLICATIONS The changing epidemiology and increased population at risk for IFD, lack of recognition or quantification of risks for IFD with new therapies, current gaps in the availability of rapid diagnostic tests, and the imminent availability of novel antifungals with distinct spectra of activity argue for improved availability of and access to rapid diagnostics, antifungal stewardship programmes, and global access to antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maddalena Giannella
- Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Italy; European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Study Group for Infections in Compromised Hosts (ESCICH/ESCMID), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fanny Lanternier
- Fungal Infection Study Group, European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (EFISG/ESCMID), Basel, Switzerland; Infectious Diseases Department, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris Cité University, AP-HP, Paris, France; Mycology Department, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals, Translational Mycology Research Group, Paris, France
| | - Sarah Dellière
- Fungal Infection Study Group, European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (EFISG/ESCMID), Basel, Switzerland; Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Immunobiology of Aspergillus, Paris, France
| | - Andreas H Groll
- Fungal Infection Study Group, European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (EFISG/ESCMID), Basel, Switzerland; Infectious Disease Research Program, Center for Bone Marrow Transplantation and Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nicolas J Mueller
- European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Study Group for Infections in Compromised Hosts (ESCICH/ESCMID), Basel, Switzerland; Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo
- Fungal Infection Study Group, European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (EFISG/ESCMID), Basel, Switzerland; Mycology Reference Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Monica A Slavin
- European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Study Group for Infections in Compromised Hosts (ESCICH/ESCMID), Basel, Switzerland; Department of Oncology, National Centre for Infections in Cancer, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Sir Peter MacCallum, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Jiang Y, Tian R, Zhang C, Zhang L, Cui X, Wang P. Diagnosis and treatment of a patient with pulmonary infection caused by Emergomyces Orientalis: a case report. Future Microbiol 2024:1-8. [PMID: 39073787 DOI: 10.1080/17460913.2024.2366653] [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: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Emergomycosis is a dimorphic fungal disease that is typically disseminated and fatal among immunocompromised individuals. In the case report, we presented a patient with intermittent fever, night sweats, coughing and phlegm. Chest computed tomography revealed multiple soft-tissue nodules in both lungs. Routine pathological and microbiological tests did not confirm the diagnosis. Therefore, we conducted pathogen detection using metagenomic next-generation sequencing in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and identified the pulmonary infection caused by Emergomyces orientalis (Es. orientalis). During the antifungal treatment, the patient experienced renal function damage, and we have attempted various antifungal drugs for treatment. Finally, the patient's condition was brought under control. Therefore, the metagenomic next-generation sequencing pathogen detection was essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifang Jiang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050011, China
| | - Ruixin Tian
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050011, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050011, China
| | - Lujie Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050011, China
| | - Xiaoman Cui
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050011, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050011, China
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Nzimande SP, Govender NP, Maphanga TG. In vitro manogepix susceptibility testing of South African Emergomyces africanus, Emergomyces pasteurianus, and Blastomyces emzantsi clinical isolates. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0110423. [PMID: 37971237 PMCID: PMC10720492 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01104-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
We performed in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing of manogepix against the yeast phase of 78 Emergomyces africanus, 2 Emergomyces pasteurianus, and 5 Blastomyces emzantsi isolates using a reference broth microdilution method following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations. All three pathogens had low minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from <0.0005 to 0.008 mg/L. Manogepix should be investigated in animal models and potentially in future human clinical trials for endemic mycoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silondiwe P. Nzimande
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nelesh P. Govender
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Witwatersrand, South Africa
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tsidiso G. Maphanga
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Vinayagamoorthy K, Gangavaram DR, Skiada A, Prakash H. Emergomycosis, an Emerging Thermally Dimorphic Fungal Infection: A Systematic Review. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1039. [PMID: 37888295 PMCID: PMC10607913 DOI: 10.3390/jof9101039] [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: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Emergomycosis is an endemic mycosis caused by the Emergomyces species. Infections due to this agent have been reported globally. Hence, the present systematic review on Emergomyces infections was conducted to study the disease epidemiology, underlying diseases and risk factors, causative agents, and treatment and outcome. The MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched systematically with appropriate keywords from January 1990 to October 2022. A total of 77 cases of emergomycosis were included in the analysis. Emergomycosis was most commonly seen in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (n = 61, 79.2%) and HIV-uninfected patients with or without other comorbidities (n = 16, 20.8%). The underlying disease and risk factors significantly associated with emergomycosis in the HIV-infected patients were CD4+ T-cell counts less than 100 cells/mm3 (n = 55, 90.2%), anaemia (n = 30, 49.2%), and thrombocytopenia (n = 17, 27.9%), whereas in the HIV-uninfected patients, treatment with immunosuppressive drugs (n = 10, 62.5%), renal disease (n = 8, 50%), transplant recipients (n = 6, 37.5%), and diabetes mellitus (n = 4, 25%) were the significant risk factors associated with emergomycosis. Emergomyces africanus (n = 55, 71.4%) is the most common causative agent, followed by E. pasteurianus (n = 9, 11.7%) and E. canadensis (n = 5, 6.5%). E. africanus was most often isolated from HIV-infected patients (n = 54, 98.2%), whereas E. pasteurianus was most common in HIV-uninfected patients (n = 5, 55.6%). The all-cause mortality rate of the total cohort is 42.9%. No significant variation in the mortality rate is observed between the HIV-infected patients (n = 28, 36.4%) and the HIV-uninfected patients (n = 5, 6.5%). In conclusion, with an increase in the immunosuppressed population across the globe in addition to HIV infection, the case burden of emergomycosis may increase in the future. Hence, clinicians and mycologists should be vigilant and clinically suspicious of emergomycosis, which helps in early diagnosis and initiation of antifungal treatment to prevent disease mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dinesh Reddy Gangavaram
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, PES Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Kuppam 517425, Andhra Pradesh, India;
| | - Anna Skiada
- First Department of Medicine, Laiko Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Hariprasath Prakash
- Department of Microbiology, PES Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Kuppam 517425, Andhra Pradesh, India
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Ibe C, Mnyambwa NP, Mfinanga SG. Emergomycosis in Africa: Time to Pay Attention to This Emerging Deadly Fungal Infection. Int J Gen Med 2023; 16:2313-2322. [PMID: 37309324 PMCID: PMC10257923 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s403797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Emergomycosis is an emerging deadly infectious disease caused primarily by a little-known airborne pathogen Emergomyces africanus, which can cause clinical management challenge especially in patients with advanced HIV disease. This minireview describes Es. africanus as the main cause of emergomycosis in Africa as well as considers contributing factors to the difficulties encountered in managing this infection. Emergomycosis is common in HIV-positive persons with low CD4 lymphocyte count and has an estimated fatality of 50%. The infection exhibits airborne transmission with pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations leading to skin lesions. However, the pathogenesis of Es. africanus is still poorly understood. The management of the infection is complicated due to lack of defined diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines. Limited expertise, poor research funding, and lack of awareness and national surveillance are thought to impact the recognition and prioritisation of the infection. These factors may ultimately assign emergomycosis a 'neglected infection status' even as it is suspected to be prevalent in more African countries than previously recognised. Increased awareness and integrated and targeted strategies such as mobilising manpower in clinical mycology are of paramount importance in managing emergomycosis in Africa and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chibuike Ibe
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria
| | - Nicholaus P Mnyambwa
- National Institute for Medical Research, Muhimbili Research Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Alliance for Africa Health and Research (A4A), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Sayoki G Mfinanga
- National Institute for Medical Research, Muhimbili Research Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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6
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Pierce J, Sayeed S, Doern CD, Bryson AL. Emergomyces pasteurianus in Man Returning to the United States from Liberia and Review of the Literature. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:635-639. [PMID: 36823688 PMCID: PMC9973675 DOI: 10.3201/eid2903.221683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
A 65-year-old man with HIV sought treatment for fever, weight loss, and productive cough after returning to the United States from Liberia. Fungal cultures grew Emergomyces pasteurianus, and the patient's health improved after beginning voriconazole. We describe the clinical case and review the literature, treatment, and susceptibilities for E. pasteurianus.
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7
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Reddy DL, Nel J, Govender NP. Review: Emergomycosis. J Mycol Med 2023; 33:101313. [PMID: 36272380 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2022.101313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review In this review, we provide an overview of emergomycosis from a clinical perspective and discuss the taxonomy and classification of the pathogens, epidemiology, pathophysiology of infection and mechanisms of pathogenesis, immunology, clinical manifestations, laboratory culture and diagnosis, molecular characterisation, therapy and prognosis. Recent Findings While Emergomyces pasteurianus is the most geographically-widespread species, Emergomyces africanus is endemic to Southern Africa and causes disseminated disease with cutaneous involvement primarily among patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. Summary Emergomycosis, a disseminated clinical disease resulting from infection with dimorphic fungi in the genus Emergomyces, occurs primarily among immunocompromised patients. Further knowledge is needed on the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of emergomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denasha L Reddy
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Jeremy Nel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Helen Joseph Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Nelesh P Govender
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service; School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Division of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, United Kingdom; MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, United Kingdom.
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8
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Bongomin F, Ekeng BE, Kibone W, Nsenga L, Olum R, Itam-Eyo A, Kuate MPN, Pebolo FP, Davies AA, Manga M, Ocansey B, Kwizera R, Baluku JB. Invasive Fungal Diseases in Africa: A Critical Literature Review. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8121236. [PMID: 36547569 PMCID: PMC9853333 DOI: 10.3390/jof8121236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) are of huge concern in resource-limited settings, particularly in Africa, due to the unavailability of diagnostic armamentarium for IFDs, thus making definitive diagnosis challenging. IFDs have non-specific systemic manifestations overlapping with more frequent illnesses, such as tuberculosis, HIV, and HIV-related opportunistic infections and malignancies. Consequently, IFDs are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. We critically reviewed the available literature on IFDs in Africa to provide a better understanding of their epidemiology, disease burden to guide future research and interventions. Cryptococcosis is the most encountered IFD in Africa, accounting for most of the HIV-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Invasive aspergillosis, though somewhat underdiagnosed and/or misdiagnosed as tuberculosis, is increasingly being reported with a similar predilection towards people living with HIV. More cases of histoplasmosis are also being reported with recent epidemiological studies, particularly from Western Africa, showing high prevalence rates amongst presumptive tuberculosis patients and patients living with HIV. The burden of pneumocystis pneumonia has reduced significantly probably due to increased uptake of anti-retroviral therapy among people living with HIV both in Africa, and globally. Mucormycosis, talaromycosis, emergomycosis, blastomycosis, and coccidiomycosis have also been reported but with very few studies from the literature. The emergence of resistance to most of the available antifungal drugs in Africa is yet of huge concern as reported in other regions. IFDs in Africa is much more common than it appears and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality. Huge investment is needed to drive awareness and fungi related research especially in diagnostics and antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Bongomin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu P.O. Box 166, Uganda
- Correspondence:
| | - Bassey E. Ekeng
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar P.O. Box 540281, Nigeria
| | - Winnie Kibone
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7072, Uganda
| | - Lauryn Nsenga
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Kabale University, Kabale P.O. Box 317, Uganda
| | - Ronald Olum
- Department of Medicine, St. Francis’s Hospital Nsambya, Kampala P.O. Box 7176, Uganda
| | - Asa Itam-Eyo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar P.O. Box 540281, Nigeria
| | | | - Francis Pebalo Pebolo
- Department of Reproductive Health, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu P.O. Box 166, Uganda
| | - Adeyinka A. Davies
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu P.O. Box 121102, Nigeria
| | - Musa Manga
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4114 McGavran-Greenberg, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Bright Ocansey
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Richard Kwizera
- Translational Research Laboratory, Department of Research, Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 22418, Uganda
| | - Joseph Baruch Baluku
- Division of Pulmonology, Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Kampala P.O. Box 7178, Uganda
- Makerere Lung Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 22418, Uganda
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Endemic Mycoses: Novel Findings for the Clinician. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8111184. [DOI: 10.3390/jof8111184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Endemic mycoses are difficult-to-diagnose conditions that may mimic several other diseases, particularly tuberculosis, community-acquired pneumonia, and cancer [...]
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Madani WMH, Grayson W. A presumptive case of cutaneous emergomycosis in a female patient with HIV - Maseru, Lesotho. S Afr J Infect Dis 2022; 37:415. [PMID: 36338194 PMCID: PMC9634954 DOI: 10.4102/sajid.v37i1.415] [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: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Emergomycosis is a recently described emerging opportunistic fungal infection among individuals living with HIV, in whom it is a cause of significant mortality and morbidity. This article retrospectively reports on a presumptive case of extensive cutaneous emergomycosis in a young immunocompromised patient from Lesotho. The histopathological features on skin biopsy were in keeping with emergomyces infection. The lesions responded to treatment with amphotericin B and oral fluconazole. Contribution This case contributes to the existing evidence that as an emergent opportunistic infection, emergomycosis is possibly widespread in Africa but the true extend of the disease is not fully defined. This is further aggravated by the diagnostic difficulty as a result of limited resources in some areas in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waheeba M H Madani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital, Maseru, Lesotho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ministry of Health, Mafeteng, South Africa
| | - Wayne Grayson
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Histopathology, Ampath Laboratories, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Mapengo RE, Maphanga TG, Grayson W, Govender NP. Endemic mycoses in South Africa, 2010–2020: A decade-long description of laboratory-diagnosed cases and prospects for the future. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010737. [PMID: 36170322 PMCID: PMC9518919 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Emergomycosis, histoplasmosis, sporotrichosis and blastomycosis are endemic to southern Africa; the first two are AIDS-related mycoses. We described laboratory-diagnosed cases of endemic and imported mycoses in South Africa over a decade and discuss available diagnostic tools, reasons for the current under-estimation of cases and future strategies to improve case ascertainment. Materials and methods We analysed electronic pathology laboratory data from all public laboratories and one large private laboratory in South Africa from 2010–2020. Diagnostic specimens processed at the national mycology reference laboratory were also included. We classified cases as proven, probable and possible based on the method of identification. Results We identified 682 cases, of which 307 were proven, 279 were probable and 96 were possible. Of 307 culture-confirmed cases, 168 were identified by phenotypic methods plus sequencing, 128 by phenotypic methods alone and 11 by direct PCR. Of 279 probable cases, 176 had yeasts observed on histology, 100 had a positive Histoplasma antigen test and 3 a positive pan-dimorphic PCR test. All 96 possible cases had compatible clinical syndrome with inflammatory infiltrates on skin tissue histology. A majority of cases had an unspecified endemic mycosis (207/682, 30.4%), followed by sporotrichosis (170/682, 24.9%), emergomycosis (154/682, 22.6%), histoplasmosis (133/682, 19.5%), blastomycosis (14/682, 2.1%) and talaromycosis (4/682, 0.6%). Conclusions This study reports a relatively low number of cases over a decade considering an estimated large population at risk, suggesting that a substantial fraction of cases may remain undiagnosed. There is a need to increase awareness among healthcare workers and to develop rapid point-of-care diagnostic tools and make these widely accessible. Emergomycosis, histoplasmosis, sporotrichosis and blastomycosis are serious fungal diseases which occur in southern Africa among people with either healthy or weakened immune systems. These fungal diseases may be missed because they mimic other diseases, occur together with other conditions that mask their presence or are simply not considered by healthcare workers. There are very few available simple diagnostic tests and most African countries do not conduct fungal disease surveillance. We described cases of these fungal diseases, which had been diagnosed in South African laboratories, from 2010–2020. We identified 682 cases, of which 307 were proven, 279 were probable and 96 were possible based on the available clinical and laboratory information. A majority of cases could not be allocated to one of the four disease types and were classified as unspecific endemic mycoses (30.4%). The remainder were sporotrichosis (24.9%), emergomycosis (22.3%), histoplasmosis (19.5%), blastomycosis (2.1%) and a travel-associated infection, talaromycosis (0.6%). We found relatively few cases considering the large population at risk. We believe that this could be due to the above-mentioned issues and insufficient expertise in diagnostic laboratories. There is a need to increase awareness among healthcare workers and to develop rapid point-of-care diagnostic tools and make these widely accessible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rutendo E. Mapengo
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases (Centre for Healthcare-Associated Infections. Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Tsidiso G. Maphanga
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases (Centre for Healthcare-Associated Infections. Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Wayne Grayson
- Ampath National Reference Laboratory, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Nelesh P. Govender
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases (Centre for Healthcare-Associated Infections. Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Institute of Immunity and Infection, St George’s University of London, London, United Kingdom
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12
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Mah J, Bakker A, Tseng C, Lafay-Cousin L, Kuhn S, Brundler MA, Lisboa LF. Isolated Pulmonary Emergomycosis in an Immunocompetent Patient in Alberta, Canada. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofac021. [PMID: 35174253 PMCID: PMC8843081 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Emergomyces canadensis pulmonary infection was incidentally diagnosed in an asymptomatic patient suspected to have metastatic osteosarcoma. Molecular diagnosis was imperative to fungal identification given overlapping histopathological features with histoplasmosis. This report documents a case of isolated pulmonary emergomycosis in an otherwise immunocompetent patient while discussing diagnostic and management pitfalls of this emerging and underdiagnosed infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Mah
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andrea Bakker
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Calvin Tseng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lucie Lafay-Cousin
- Section of Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Alberta Children's Hospital, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Susan Kuhn
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Marie-Anne Brundler
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Luiz F Lisboa
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Abstract
Various uncommon fungal pathogens have been increasingly identified as causes of disseminated and invasive fungal disease (IFD) worldwide. Growing recognition and clinical knowledge of these emerging fungal pathogens has occurred through improved molecular diagnostics, nucleic sequence databases, and taxonomic reclassification of medically significant fungi. However, emerging fungal diseases carry significant morbidity and mortality and, due to a paucity of published literature, the collective clinical experience with these fungi is often limited. In this review, we focus on unusual emerging fungal pathogens not extensively covered elsewhere in this issue of Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America.
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Kwizera R, Bongomin F, Lukande R. Deep fungal infections diagnosed by histology in Uganda: a 70-year retrospective study. Med Mycol 2021; 58:1044-1052. [PMID: 32242631 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaa018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality. However, the burden of deep fungal infections is not well described in Uganda. We aimed to estimate the burden and etiology of histologically diagnosed deep fungal infections in Uganda. We retrospectively reviewed histology reports at the Pathology Reference Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda from January 1950 to September 2019 to identify any reports that had a fungal infection as the diagnosis. Over the study period, 697 cases of deep fungal infections were identified with an average incidence of 0.73/100,000 persons per decade. There was a general decline in the number of cases detected. Median age of the cases was 28 years (IQR: 11-40) and majority (59%) were male. The age group of 0-10 years were the most affected. The foot was the most affected part of the body (26%). Deep mycoses identified include eumycetoma (32%), subcutaneous phycomycosis (26%), histoplasmosis (9.2%), chromoblastomycosis (4.6%), aspergillosis (3.3%), cryptococcosis (3.3%), blastomycosis (1.6%), subcutaneous mycosis (1.4%), dermatomycosis (1.3%), coccidioidomycosis (0.6%), mucormycosis (0.6%), and sporotrichosis (0.1%). Histoplasma was the commonest causative agent (9.2%) followed by Aspergillus (3.4%) and Cryptococcus (3.3%), while 81% of the fungal pathogens were not identified to genus/species level. Only 31% of the cases were diagnosed clinically as deep fungal infections. There is a substantial burden of deep fungal infections caused by multiple fungal pathogens in Uganda. There is need to build local capacity for mycology so as to improve on the index of clinical suspicion and diagnostic capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Kwizera
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Felix Bongomin
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Robert Lukande
- Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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Samaddar A, Sharma A. Emergomycosis, an Emerging Systemic Mycosis in Immunocompromised Patients: Current Trends and Future Prospects. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:670731. [PMID: 33968970 PMCID: PMC8104006 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.670731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the global emergence of emergomycosis, a systemic fungal infection caused by a novel dimorphic fungus Emergomyces species has been observed among immunocompromised individuals. Though initially classified under the genus Emmonsia, a taxonomic revision in 2017 based on DNA sequence analyses placed five Emmonsia-like fungi under a separate genus Emergomyces. These include Emergomyces pasteurianus, Emergomyces africanus, Emergomyces canadensis, Emergomyces orientalis, and Emergomyces europaeus. Emmonsia parva was renamed as Blastomyces parvus, while Emmonsia crescens and Emmonsia sola remained within the genus Emmonsia until a taxonomic revision in 2020 placed both the species under the genus Emergomyces. However, unlike other members of the genus, Emergomyces crescens and Emergomyces sola do not cause disseminated disease. The former causes adiaspiromycosis, a granulomatous pulmonary disease, while the latter has not been associated with human disease. So far, emergomycosis has been mapped across four continents: Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. However, considering the increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS, it is presumed that the disease must have a worldwide distribution with many cases going undetected. Diagnosis of emergomycosis remains challenging. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of histoplasmosis as there is considerable clinical and histopathological overlap between the two entities. Sequencing the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA is considered as the gold standard for identification, but its application is compromised in resource limited settings. Serological tests are non-specific and demonstrate cross-reactivity with Histoplasma galactomannan antigen. Therefore, an affordable, accessible, and reliable diagnostic test is the need of the hour to enable its diagnosis in endemic regions and also for epidemiological surveillance. Currently, there are no consensus guidelines for the treatment of emergomycosis. The recommended regimen consists of amphotericin B (deoxycholate or liposomal formulation) for 1–2 weeks, followed by oral itraconazole for at least 12 months. This review elaborates the taxonomic, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of emergomycosis. It also enumerates several novel antifungal drugs which might hold promise in the treatment of this condition and therefore, can be potential areas of future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arghadip Samaddar
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Anuradha Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
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16
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Maphanga TG, Naicker SD, Gómez BL, Mhlanga M, Mpembe RS, Schwartz IS, Bamford C, Nel J, Govender NP. Cross-reactivity of a Histoplasma capsulatum antigen enzyme immunoassay in urine specimens from persons with emergomycosis in South Africa. Med Mycol 2020; 59:672-682. [PMID: 33330930 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaa100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Histoplasma antigen detection in urine is a rapid diagnostic method for disseminated histoplasmosis, although cross-reactivity has been reported in specimens from patients with other thermally dimorphic fungal infections. We tested urine specimens, from persons with suspected invasive fungal infections, using a commercial monoclonal antibody Histoplasma enzyme immunoassay (EIA) at a South African national mycology reference laboratory from August 2014 through December 2018. Corresponding fungal culture and histopathology results were obtained from an electronic laboratory information system. In some cases, cultured fungal isolates were sent with the urine specimen for species-level identification by phenotypic and molecular methods. Cross-reactivity was confirmed using culture filtrates of several fungal pathogens. Of 212 referred cases, 41 (19%) were excluded since they had no recorded clinical history (n = 1), alternative diagnoses were confirmed (n = 2), or no fungal culture or histopathology results (n = 38). Eighty-seven of 212 (41%) had laboratory evidence of an invasive fungal disease, while 84 (40%) did not. Of the 87 cases, 37 (43%) were culture-confirmed mycoses: emergomycosis (n = 18), histoplasmosis (n = 8), sporotrichosis (n = 6), cryptococcosis (n = 2), talaromycosis (n = 1), and other fungi isolated (n = 2). The sensitivity and specificity of the EIA were calculated for two groups: culture-confirmed (n = 37) and histology-confirmed invasive fungal disease (n = 50). The sensitivity and specificity of the EIA for diagnosis of histoplasmosis compared to culture were 88% (7/8, 95%CI 47-100%) and 72% (21/29, 95%CI 53-87%), respectively, and for diagnosis of emergomycosis/histoplasmosis compared to histology was 83% (29/35, 95%CI 66-93%) and 93% (14/15, 95%CI 68-100%), respectively. Cross-reactions occurred in urine specimens of patients with Emergomyces africanus infection and in culture filtrates of E. africanus, T. marneffei and Blastomyces species. A commercial Histoplasma EIA had satisfactory accuracy for diagnosis of culture-confirmed histoplasmosis, but cross-reacted in urine specimens from patients with invasive disease caused by the closely-related pathogen, E. africanus and in culture filtrates of E. africanus and other related fungi. LAY SUMMARY Emergomyces africanus and Histoplasma capsulatum are fungi that cause a multi-system disease among HIV-seropositive persons with a low CD4 cell count. Handling live cultures of these fungi to confirm a diagnosis requires specialized laboratory equipment and infrastructure which is infrequently accessible in low-resource settings. The features of the two diseases (i.e., disseminated histoplasmosis and emergomycosis) may be indistinguishable when infected tissue is prepared, stained, and examined under a microscope. Enzyme immunoassays (EIA) have been developed as rapid diagnostic tools for the detection of a cell wall component of H. capsulatum in urine specimens, although cross-reactions have been reported in specimens from patients with other fungal infections. We evaluated the accuracy of a commercial Histoplasma EIA to diagnose histoplasmosis and to assess cross-reactions in urine specimens from persons with emergomycosis and in cultures of E. africanus and related fungi. We report a sensitivity and specificity of 88% (95%CI 47-100%) and 72% (95%CI 53-87%) for diagnosis of histoplasmosis compared to culture and 83% (95%CI 66-93%) and 93% (95%CI 68-100%) for diagnosis of either histoplasmosis/emergomycosis compared to a diagnosis made by microscopic examination of infected tissue. The assay cross-reacted in urine specimens from patients with emergomycosis and in culture filtrates of related fungi. Although the EIA cross-reacted with other related fungi, this test can decrease the time to diagnosis and facilitate early treatment of emergomycosis and histoplasmosis in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsidiso G Maphanga
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases (Centre for Healthcare-Associated Infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Serisha D Naicker
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases (Centre for Healthcare-Associated Infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Beatriz L Gómez
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Mabatho Mhlanga
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases (Centre for Healthcare-Associated Infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ruth S Mpembe
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases (Centre for Healthcare-Associated Infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ilan S Schwartz
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | - Colleen Bamford
- National Health Laboratory Service, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jeremy Nel
- School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nelesh P Govender
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases (Centre for Healthcare-Associated Infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Division of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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17
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Dellière S, Rivero-Menendez O, Gautier C, Garcia-Hermoso D, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Alanio A. Emerging mould infections: Get prepared to meet unexpected fungi in your patient. Med Mycol 2020; 58:156-162. [PMID: 31111906 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myz039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal diseases are increasing issues in modern medicine, where the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic and the wider use of immunosuppressive drugs generate an ever-growing number of immunocompromised patients with an increased susceptibility to uncommon fungal pathogens. In the past decade, new species have been reported as being responsible for disseminated and invasive fungal diseases in humans. Among them, the following genera are rare but seem emerging issues: Scopulariopsis, Hormographiella, Emergomyces, Westerdykella, Trametes, Actinomucor, Saksenaea, Apophysomyces, and Rhytidhysteron. Delay in diagnosis, which is often the case in these infections, jeopardizes patients' prognosis and leads to increased mortality. Here we summarize the clinical and biological presentation and the key features to identify these emerging pathogens and we discuss the available antifungal classes to treat them. We focused on Pubmed to recover extensively reported human invasive cases and articles regarding the nine previously cited fungal organisms. Information concerning patient background, macroscopic and microscopic description and pictures of these fungal organisms, histological features in tissues, findings with commonly used antigen tests in practice, and hints on potential efficient antifungal classes were gathered. This review's purpose is to help clinical microbiologists and physicians to suspect, identify, diagnose, and treat newly encountered fungi in hospital settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Dellière
- Université de Paris, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Saint-Louis-Lariboisière-Fernand-Widal, Paris, France
| | - Olga Rivero-Menendez
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cécile Gautier
- Institut Pasteur, Molecular Mycology Unit, CNRS UMR2000, National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals (NRCMA), Paris, France
| | - Dea Garcia-Hermoso
- Institut Pasteur, Molecular Mycology Unit, CNRS UMR2000, National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals (NRCMA), Paris, France
| | - Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alexandre Alanio
- Université de Paris, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Saint-Louis-Lariboisière-Fernand-Widal, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, Molecular Mycology Unit, CNRS UMR2000, National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals (NRCMA), Paris, France.,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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18
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Tirado-Sánchez A, González GM, Bonifaz A. Endemic mycoses: epidemiology and diagnostic strategies. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2020; 18:1105-1117. [PMID: 32620065 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1792774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The global frequency of endemic mycoses has considerably increased, mainly due to environmental changes, population growth in endemic areas, and the increase in HIV-related immunosuppressed status. Among the most frequent endemic mycoses are coccidioidomycosis in semi-desert climates, and paracoccidioidomycosis, and histoplasmosis in tropical climates. The inoculum can enter the host through the airway or directly through the skin. Lymphatic and hematogenous spread may involve the skin. AREAS COVERED In this article, we provide up-to-date epidemiological and diagnostic data on major (histoplasmosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis) and minor (talaromycosis, adiaspiromycosis, emergomycosis) endemic mycoses. EXPERT OPINION Endemic mycoses include diseases with a localized endemic area, and a few of them converge. These mycoses all have in common the airway involvement and can cause pulmonary symptoms following initial asymptomatic infection. Among the risk groups to acquire these mycoses are travelers from endemic areas, archeologists, speleologists, and immigrants. Promising and useful diagnostic tools have been developed in endemic mycoses; however, most of them are not standardized or available in low-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Tirado-Sánchez
- Dermatology Service, Hospital General De México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga" , Mexico City, CP, Mexico.,Internal Medicine Department, Hospital General De Zona 29, Instituto Mexicano Del Seguro Social ., Mexico City, CP, Mexico
| | - Gloria M González
- Departamento De Microbiología, Facultad De Medicina, Universidad Autónoma De Nuevo León , San Nicolas De Los Garza, Mexico
| | - Alexandro Bonifaz
- Dermatology Service, Hospital General De México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga" , Mexico City, CP, Mexico.,Mycology Department, Hospital General De México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga" , Mexico City, CP, Mexico
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19
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Human Blastomycosis in South Africa Caused by Blastomyces percursus and Blastomyces emzantsi sp. nov., 1967 to 2014. J Clin Microbiol 2020; 58:JCM.01661-19. [PMID: 31896663 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01661-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We reevaluated 20 cases of blastomycosis diagnosed in South Africa between 1967 and 2014, with Blastomyces dermatitidis considered to be the etiological agent, in light of newly described species and the use of more advanced technologies. In addition to histopathological and/or culture-based methods, all 20 isolates were phenotypically and genotypically characterized, including multilocus typing of five genes and whole-genome sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed as outlined by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute documents M27-A3 and M38-A2. We merged laboratory and corresponding clinical case data, where available. Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of five-gene and whole-genome sequences revealed two groups, both of which were closely related to but distinct from B. dermatitidis, Blastomyces gilchristii, and Blastomyces parvus The first group (n = 12) corresponded to the recently described species Blastomyces percursus, and the other (n = 8) is described here as Blastomyces emzantsi sp. nov. Both species exhibited incomplete conversion to the yeast phase at 37°C and were heterothallic for mating types. All eight B. emzantsi isolates belonged to the α mating type. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed distinct species identities as well as the absence of a full orthologue of the BAD-1 gene. Extrapulmonary (skin or bone) disease, probably resulting from hematogenous spread from a primary lung infection, was more common than pulmonary disease alone. Voriconazole, posaconazole, itraconazole, amphotericin B, and micafungin had the most potent in vitro activity. Over the 5 decades, South African cases of blastomycosis were caused by species that are distinct from B. dermatitidis Increasing clinical awareness and access to simple rapid diagnostics may improve the diagnosis of blastomycosis in resource-limited countries.
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20
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Disseminated Emergomyces pasteurianus Infection in India: A Case Report and a Review. Mycopathologia 2019; 185:193-200. [PMID: 31659677 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-019-00387-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
We report here a case of disseminated Emergomyces pasteurianus infection from India in a patient with AIDS. The patient presented with weight loss, dyspnoea and multiple non-tender skin lesions over face, neck and chest over 3 months. The case was diagnosed by microscopy, histopathology of sample and isolation of fungus from skin lesion, breast nodule, bone marrow and sputum. The identification of the isolates was confirmed by sequencing internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA, beta-tubulin, actin and intein PRP8. The patient responded well to intravenous amphotericin B deoxycholate followed by itraconazole therapy.
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21
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Schwartz IS, Govender NP, Sigler L, Jiang Y, Maphanga TG, Toplis B, Botha A, Dukik K, Hoving JC, Muñoz JF, de Hoog S, Cuomo CA, Colebunders R, Kenyon C. Emergomyces: The global rise of new dimorphic fungal pathogens. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007977. [PMID: 31536607 PMCID: PMC6752945 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ilan S. Schwartz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nelesh P. Govender
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Lynne Sigler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yanping Jiang
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Tsidiso G. Maphanga
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
| | - Barbra Toplis
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Alfred Botha
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Karolina Dukik
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - J. Claire Hoving
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Jose F. Muñoz
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sybren de Hoog
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Center of Expertise in Mycology of RadboudUMC/ Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Christina A. Cuomo
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Chris Kenyon
- Clinical Sciences Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
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22
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Estimated Burden of Fungal Infections in Namibia. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:jof5030075. [PMID: 31426392 PMCID: PMC6787647 DOI: 10.3390/jof5030075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Namibia is a sub-Saharan country with one of the highest HIV infection rates in the world. Although care and support services are available that cater for opportunistic infections related to HIV, the main focus is narrow and predominantly aimed at tuberculosis. We aimed to estimate the burden of serious fungal infections in Namibia, currently unknown, based on the size of the population at risk and available epidemiological data. Data were obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO), Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and published reports. When no data existed, risk populations were used to estimate the frequencies of fungal infections, using the previously described methodology. The population of Namibia in 2011 was estimated at 2,459,000 and 37% were children. Among approximately 516,390 adult women, recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (≥4 episodes /year) is estimated to occur in 37,390 (3003/100,000 females). Using a low international average rate of 5/100,000, we estimated 125 cases of candidemia, and 19 patients with intra-abdominal candidiasis. Among survivors of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Namibia 2017, 112 new cases of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) are likely, a prevalence of 354 post-TB and a total prevalence estimate of 453 CPA patients in all. Asthma affects 11.2% of adults, 178,483 people, and so allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS) were estimated in approximately 179/100,000 and 237/100,000 people, respectively. Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is estimated to affect 15 patients following leukaemia therapy, and an estimated 0.13% patients admitted to hospital with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (259) and 4% of HIV-related deaths (108) — a total of 383 people. The total HIV-infected population is estimated at 200,000, with 32,371 not on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Among HIV-infected patients, 543 cases of cryptococcal meningitis and 836 cases of Pneumocystis pneumonia are estimated each year. Tinea capitis infections were estimated at 53,784 cases, and mucormycosis at five cases. Data were missing for fungal keratitis and skin neglected fungal tropical diseases such as mycetoma. The present study indicates that approximately 5% of the Namibian population is affected by fungal infections. This study is not an epidemiological study—it illustrates estimates based on assumptions derived from similar studies. The estimates are incomplete and need further epidemiological and diagnostic studies to corroborate, amend them, and improve the diagnosis and management of these diseases.
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Emerging Fungal Infections: New Patients, New Patterns, and New Pathogens. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:jof5030067. [PMID: 31330862 PMCID: PMC6787706 DOI: 10.3390/jof5030067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The landscape of clinical mycology is constantly changing. New therapies for malignant and autoimmune diseases have led to new risk factors for unusual mycoses. Invasive candidiasis is increasingly caused by non-albicans Candida spp., including C. auris, a multidrug-resistant yeast with the potential for nosocomial transmission that has rapidly spread globally. The use of mould-active antifungal prophylaxis in patients with cancer or transplantation has decreased the incidence of invasive fungal disease, but shifted the balance of mould disease in these patients to those from non-fumigatus Aspergillus species, Mucorales, and Scedosporium/Lomentospora spp. The agricultural application of triazole pesticides has driven an emergence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus in environmental and clinical isolates. The widespread use of topical antifungals with corticosteroids in India has resulted in Trichophyton mentagrophytes causing recalcitrant dermatophytosis. New dimorphic fungal pathogens have emerged, including Emergomyces, which cause disseminated mycoses globally, primarily in HIV infected patients, and Blastomyceshelicus and B. percursus, causes of atypical blastomycosis in western parts of North America and in Africa, respectively. In North America, regions of geographic risk for coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, and blastomycosis have expanded, possibly related to climate change. In Brazil, zoonotic sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis has emerged as an important disease of felines and people.
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Govender NP, Grayson W. Emergomycosis ( Emergomyces africanus) in Advanced HIV Disease. Dermatopathology (Basel) 2019; 6:63-69. [PMID: 31700845 PMCID: PMC6827448 DOI: 10.1159/000495405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2013, a novel thermally dimorphic fungal pathogen was described to cause disseminated disease among persons living with advanced HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Although the organism was initially described as an Emmonsia-like fungus, it is now known to belong to a new genus of thermally dimorphic fungi and was recently named Emergomyces africanus. There is considerable clinical and histopathological overlap between emergomycosis and histoplasmosis. This review addresses taxonomic, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of Es. africanus disease, a condition which has, to date, only been reported from southern Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelesh P Govender
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases (Centre for Healthcare-Associated Infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Wayne Grayson
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Ampath National Laboratories, Johannesburg, South Africa
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25
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Cronjé N, Schwartz IS, Retief L, Bastos ADS, Matthee S, Preiser W, Bennett NC, Maphanga T, Govender NP, Colebunders R, Kenyon C. Attempted molecular detection of the thermally dimorphic human fungal pathogen Emergomyces africanus in terrestrial small mammals in South Africa. Med Mycol 2019; 56:510-513. [PMID: 28992307 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ecological niche of Emergomyces africanus (formerly Emmonsia species), a dimorphic fungus that causes an AIDS-related mycosis in South Africa, is unknown. We hypothesized that natural infection with E. africanus occurs in wild small mammals. Using molecular detection with primers specific for E. africanus, we examined 1402 DNA samples from 26 species of mole-rats, rodents, and insectivores trapped in South Africa that included 1324 lung, 37 kidney, and 41 liver specimens. DNA of E. africanus was not detected in any animals. We conclude that natural infection of wild small mammals in South Africa with E. africanus has not been proven.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Cronjé
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ilan S Schwartz
- Global Health Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Liezl Retief
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Armanda D S Bastos
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sonja Matthee
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Wolfgang Preiser
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,National Health Laboratory Service Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nigel C Bennett
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Tsidiso Maphanga
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Centre for Healthcare-associated Infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nelesh P Govender
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Centre for Healthcare-associated Infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Division of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town
| | - Robert Colebunders
- Global Health Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Chris Kenyon
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town.,Sexually Transmitted Infection Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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Schwartz IS, Sanche S, Wiederhold NP, Patterson TF, Sigler L. Emergomyces canadensis, a Dimorphic Fungus Causing Fatal Systemic Human Disease in North America. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:758-761. [PMID: 29553321 PMCID: PMC5875289 DOI: 10.3201/eid2404.171765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
We report 4 patients in North America with disease caused by Emergomyces canadensis, a newly proposed species of pathogenic dimorphic fungus. Affected persons were immunocompromised; lived in Saskatchewan, Colorado, and New Mexico; and had systemic disease involving blood, skin, cervix, lung, and lymph node. Two cases were fatal.
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27
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Warnock DW. Name Changes for Fungi of Medical Importance, 2016-2017. J Clin Microbiol 2019; 57:e01183-18. [PMID: 30257904 PMCID: PMC6355541 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01183-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This article lists proposed new or revised species names and classification changes associated with fungi of medical importance that were published in the years 2016 and 2017. While many of the revised names listed have been widely adopted without further discussion, some may take longer to achieve more general usage.
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28
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Gast KB, van der Hoeven A, de Boer MGJ, van Esser JWJ, Kuijper EJ, Verweij JJ, van Keulen PHJ, van der Beek MT. Two cases of Emergomyces pasteurianus infection in immunocompromised patients in the Netherlands. Med Mycol Case Rep 2019; 24:5-8. [PMID: 30733915 PMCID: PMC6357787 DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2019.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Revised: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We report two cases of Emergomyces pasteurianus infection in the Netherlands. Both patients were immunocompromised and had pulmonary symptoms. The first patient died due to a pulmonary infection with Es. pasteurianus, concomitant listeriosis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. The second patient had pulmonary and subcutaneous lesions, and recovered completely after treatment with posaconazole for 14 months. In both cases, diagnosis of Es. pasteurianus was made with internal transcribed spacer rRNA PCR and culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin B Gast
- Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Alieke van der Hoeven
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mark G J de Boer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Ed J Kuijper
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jaco J Verweij
- Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | | | - Martha T van der Beek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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29
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Schwartz IS, Lerm B, Hoving JC, Kenyon C, Horsnell WG, Basson WJ, Otieno-Odhiambo P, Govender NP, Colebunders R, Botha A. Emergomyces africanus in Soil, South Africa. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:377-380. [PMID: 29350144 PMCID: PMC5782882 DOI: 10.3201/eid2402.171351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We detected Emergomyces africanus, a thermally dimorphic fungus that causes an HIV-associated systemic mycosis, by PCR in 18 (30%) of 60 soil samples from a wide range of habitats in South Africa. Direct and indirect culture techniques were unsuccessful. Experimental intraperitoneal inoculation of conidia induced murine disease.
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30
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Phylogeny, ecology and taxonomy of systemic pathogens and their relatives in Ajellomycetaceae (Onygenales): Blastomyces, Emergomyces, Emmonsia, Emmonsiellopsis. FUNGAL DIVERS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s13225-018-0403-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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31
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Paradoxical worsening of Emergomyces africanus infection in an HIV-infected male on itraconazole and antiretroviral therapy. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018. [PMID: 29518092 PMCID: PMC5843213 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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32
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Emergomyces: a New Genus of Dimorphic Fungal Pathogens Causing Disseminated Disease among Immunocompromised Persons Globally. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12281-018-0308-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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33
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Oladele RO, Ayanlowo OO, Richardson MD, Denning DW. Histoplasmosis in Africa: An emerging or a neglected disease? PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006046. [PMID: 29346384 PMCID: PMC5773084 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Histoplasmosis in Africa has markedly increased since the advent of the HIV/AIDS epidemic but is under-recognised. Pulmonary histoplasmosis may be misdiagnosed as tuberculosis (TB). In the last six decades (1952-2017), 470 cases of histoplasmosis have been reported. HIV-infected patients accounted for 38% (178) of the cases. West Africa had the highest number of recorded cases with 179; the majority (162 cases) were caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. dubuosii (Hcd). From the Southern African region, 150 cases have been reported, and the majority (119) were caused by H. capsulatum var. capsulatum (Hcc). There have been 12 histoplasmin skin test surveys with rates of 0% to 35% positivity. Most cases of Hcd presented as localised lesions in immunocompetent persons; however, it was disseminated in AIDS patients. Rapid diagnosis of histoplasmosis in Africa is only currently possible using microscopy; antigen testing and PCR are not available in most of Africa. Treatment requires amphotericin B and itraconazole, both of which are not licensed or available in several parts of Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita O. Oladele
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Olusola O. Ayanlowo
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Malcolm D. Richardson
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Mycology Reference Centre Manchester, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - David W. Denning
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
- National Aspergillosis Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections, Geneva, Switzerland
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34
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Schwartz IS, McLoud JD, Berman D, Botha A, Lerm B, Colebunders R, Levetin E, Kenyon C. Molecular detection of airborne Emergomyces africanus, a thermally dimorphic fungal pathogen, in Cape Town, South Africa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006174. [PMID: 29357352 PMCID: PMC5800596 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Emergomyces africanus is a thermally dimorphic fungus that causes a systemic mycosis in immunocompromised persons in South Africa. Infection is presumed to follow inhalation of airborne propagules. We developed a quantitative PCR protocol able to detect as few as 5 Es. africanus propagules per day. Samples were collected in Cape Town, South Africa over 50 weeks by a Burkard spore trap with an alternate orifice. We detected Es. africanus in air samples from 34 days (10%) distributed over 11 weeks. These results suggest environmental exposure to airborne Es. africanus propagules occurs more commonly in endemic areas than previously appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilan S. Schwartz
- Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Josh D. McLoud
- Biological Sciences, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Dilys Berman
- University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Alfred Botha
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Barbra Lerm
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
| | | | - Estelle Levetin
- Biological Sciences, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Chris Kenyon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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35
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Antifungal Susceptibility of Emerging Dimorphic Pathogens in the Family Ajellomycetaceae. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 62:AAC.01886-17. [PMID: 29084748 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01886-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The in vitro susceptibilities of 24 molecularly identified dimorphic fungi belonging to the genera Adiaspiromyces, Blastomyces, and Emergomyces within the family Ajellomycetaceae were tested against 8 standard antifungal agents using CLSI document M38-A2. Amphotericin B and posaconazole had the lowest geometric mean MICs (<0.05 μg/ml) followed by itraconazole (<0.07 μg/ml), voriconazole (<0.15 μg/ml), and isavuconazole (<0.42 μg/ml) while fluconazole was not active. Micafungin demonstrated good in vitro antifungal activity against Emergomyces (geometric mean minimum effective concentration [GM MEC] 0.1 μg/ml) and Blastomyces (GM MEC <0.017 μg/ml).
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36
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McCarthy MW, Walsh TJ. Harnessing the potential of CRISPR-Cas9 to advance the study of human fungal pathogens. EXPERT REVIEW OF PRECISION MEDICINE AND DRUG DEVELOPMENT 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/23808993.2017.1375851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew William McCarthy
- Hospital Medicine, Joan and Sanford I Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas J. Walsh
- Transplantation-Oncology Infectious Diseases Program, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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