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Soraci L, Beccacece A, Princiotto M, Villalta Savedra E, Gambuzza ME, Aguennouz M, Corsonello A, Luciani F, Muglia L, Filicetti E, Greco GI, Volpentesta M, Biscetti L. The emerging links between immunosenescence in innate immune system and neurocryptococcosis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1410090. [PMID: 39229268 PMCID: PMC11369721 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1410090] [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] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunosenescence refers to the age-related progressive decline of immune function contributing to the increased susceptibility to infectious diseases in older people. Neurocryptococcosis, an infectious disease of central nervous system (CNS) caused by Cryptococcus neoformans (C. Neoformans) and C. gattii, has been observed with increased frequency in aged people, as result of the reactivation of a latent infection or community acquisition. These opportunistic microorganisms belonging to kingdom of fungi are capable of surviving and replicating within macrophages. Typically, cryptococcus is expelled by vomocytosis, a non-lytic expulsive mechanism also promoted by interferon (IFN)-I, or by cell lysis. However, whereas in a first phase cryptococcal vomocytosis leads to a latent asymptomatic infection confined to the lung, an enhancement in vomocytosis, promoted by IFN-I overproduction, can be deleterious, leading the fungus to reach the blood stream and invade the CNS. Cryptococcus may not be easy to diagnose in older individuals and, if not timely treated, could be potentially lethal. Therefore, this review aims to elucidate the putative causes of the increased incidence of cryptococcal CNS infection in older people discussing in depth the mechanisms of immunosenscence potentially able to predispose to neurocryptococcosis, laying the foundations for future research. A deepest understanding of this relationship could provide new ways to improve the prevention and recognition of neurocryptococcosis in aged frail people, in order to quickly manage pharmacological interventions and to adopt further preventive measures able to reduce the main risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Soraci
- Unit of Geriatric Medicine, Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
| | - Alessia Beccacece
- Centre for Biostatistics and Applied Geriatric Clinical Epidemiology, Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Ancona, Italy
| | | | | | | | - M’Hammed Aguennouz
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea Corsonello
- Unit of Geriatric Medicine, Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, School of Medicine and Digital Technologies, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Muglia
- Centre for Biostatistics and Applied Geriatric Clinical Epidemiology, Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
| | - Elvira Filicetti
- Unit of Geriatric Medicine, Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
| | - Giada Ida Greco
- Unit of Geriatric Medicine, Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
| | - Mara Volpentesta
- Unit of Geriatric Medicine, Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Cosenza, Italy
| | - Leonardo Biscetti
- Section of Neurology, Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Ancona, Italy
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Guan ST, Huang YS, Huang ST, Hsiao FY, Chen YC. The incidences and clinical outcomes of cryptococcosis in Taiwan: A nationwide, population-based study, 2002-2015. Med Mycol 2024; 62:myad125. [PMID: 38126122 PMCID: PMC10802930 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad125] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Large-scale epidemiological data on cryptococcosis other than cryptococcal meningitis (CM), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- or solid organ transplantation (SOT)-associated cryptococcosis are limited. This study investigated the disease burden of cryptococcosis in Taiwan over 14 years. Incident episodes of cryptococcosis, comorbidities, treatment, and outcomes were captured from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database and National Death Registry between 2002 and 2015. Of 6647 episodes analyzed, the crude incidence rate per 100 000 population increased from 1.48 in 2002 to 2.76 in 2015, which was driven by the growing trend in the non-CM group (0.86-2.12) but not in the CM group (0.62-0.64). The leading three comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (23.62%), malignancy (22.81%), and liver disease (17.42%). HIV accounted for 6.14% of all episodes and was associated with the highest disease-specific incidence rate (269/100 000 population), but the value dropped 16.20% biennially. Within 90 days prior to cohort entry, 30.22% of episodes had systemic corticosteroid use. The in-hospital mortality of all episodes was 10.80%, which varied from 32.64% for cirrhosis and 13.22% for HIV to 6.90% for SOT. CM was associated with a higher in-hospital mortality rate than non-CM (19.15% vs. 6.33%). At diagnosis, only 48.53% of CM episodes were prescribed an amphotericin-based regimen. The incidence rate of cryptococcosis was increasing, especially that other than meningitis and in the non-HIV population. A high index of clinical suspicion is paramount to promptly diagnose, treat, and improve cryptococcosis-related mortality in populations other than those with HIV infection or SOT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang-Ting Guan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, 2F.-220, No. 33, Linsen S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City 100025, Taiwan
- Health Data Research Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei City 10051, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Shan Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City 100225, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Tsung Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City 112304, Taiwan
- Center for Healthy Longevity and Aging Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City 112304, Taiwan
| | - Fei-Yuan Hsiao
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, 2F.-220, No. 33, Linsen S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City 100025, Taiwan
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City 100025, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City 100225, Taiwan
| | - Yee-Chun Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City 100225, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei City 10051, Taiwan
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan
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Fraser B, Munawar M, Halani S, Sabur N. Disseminated Cryptococcus neoformans presenting with an isolated pleural effusion in a patient receiving temozolomide and long-term steroids. BMJ Case Rep 2023; 16:e256255. [PMID: 37993145 PMCID: PMC10668160 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-256255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a ubiquitous environmental organism found worldwide. Infection with this organism occurs predominantly in immunocompromised hosts, including persons living with HIV or those with impaired cellular immunity. Cryptococcal pleural effusions have been described in cases with extensive pulmonary involvement. Here we present the case of a woman receiving temozolomide and steroids for glioblastoma multiforme, who developed cough and dyspnoea and was found to have an uncomplicated pleural effusion. Pleural fluid culture grew Cryptococcus neoformans with negative culture on bronchoalveolar lavage. High serum cryptococcal antigen titre of 1:64 prompted lumbar puncture which demonstrated positive cerebrospinal fluid for Cryptococcus neoformans She was treated with liposomal amphotericin B and flucytosine, followed by consolidation and maintenance therapy with fluconazole. Pleural involvement in the absence of pulmonary involvement has rarely been reported. We review pulmonary and radiographic manifestations of cryptococcal infection, when to assess for disseminated infection, and management principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke Fraser
- Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Infectious Diseases, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maha Munawar
- Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sheliza Halani
- Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Infectious Diseases, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Natasha Sabur
- Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Respirology, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Cryptococcal Meningitis in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Two-Decade Cohort Study in France. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11060699. [PMID: 35745553 PMCID: PMC9227085 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11060699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is the third most common cause of invasive fungal infection in solid organ transplant recipients and cryptococcal meningitis (CM) its main clinical presentation. CM outcomes, as well as its clinical features and radiological characteristics, have not yet been considered on a large scale in the context of kidney transplantation (KT). We performed a nationwide retrospective study of adult patients diagnosed with cryptococcosis after KT between 2002 and 2020 across 30 clinical centers in France. We sought to describe overall and graft survival based on whether KT patients with cryptococcosis developed CM or not. Clinical indicators of CNS involvement and brain radiological characteristics were assessed. Eighty-eight cases of cryptococcosis were diagnosed during the study period, with 61 (69.3%) cases of CM. Mortality was high (32.8%) at 12 months (M12) but not significantly different whether or not patients presented with CM. Baseline hyponatremia and at least one neurological symptom were independently associated with CM (p < 0.001). Positive serum cryptococcal antigen at diagnosis was also significantly associated with CM (p < 0.001). On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), three patterns of brain injury were identified: parenchymal, meningeal, and vascular lesions. Although CM does not affect graft function directly, it entails a grim prognosis.
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Hussein M, Haq IU, Hameed M, Alabbas A, Hadi HA, Elarabi A, Al-Bozom I. Isolated pulmonary cryptococcosis in a patient with Crohn's disease treated with infliximab: A case report and literature review. Respir Med Case Rep 2021; 33:101459. [PMID: 34401295 PMCID: PMC8349031 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors are widely used to treat various inflammatory conditions, where they have demonstrated excellent efficacy and tolerability. However, increased risk of infections is one of the most important concerns associated with these agents. Reactivation of tuberculosis and fungal infections have emerged as significant infective complications of anti-TNF-α therapy. Cryptococcus infection is an opportunistic fungal infection that can occur in patients receiving anti-TNF-α treatment. We report a rare case of isolated pulmonary cryptococcosis in a patient undergoing anti-TNF-α therapy for Crohn's disease. Our case should alert clinicians to the increased incidence and atypical presentation of pulmonary cryptococcosis in patients receiving anti-TNF-α treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mousa Hussein
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Pulmonology Department, Qatar
| | - Irfan Ul Haq
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Pulmonology Department, Qatar
| | - Mansoor Hameed
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Pulmonology Department, Qatar
| | - Abbas Alabbas
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Pulmonology Department, Qatar
| | - Hamad Abdel Hadi
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Infectious Diseases Department, Qatar
| | - Anam Elarabi
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Pulmonology Department, Qatar
| | - Issam Al-Bozom
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
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Huang SH, Lee CY, Tsai CS, Tsai MS, Liu CE, Hsu WT, Chen HA, Liu WD, Yang CJ, Sun HY, Ko WC, Lu PL, Lee YT, Hung CC. Screening for Cryptococcal Antigenemia and Burden of Cryptococcosis at the Time of HIV Diagnosis: A Retrospective Multicenter Study. Infect Dis Ther 2021; 10:1363-1377. [PMID: 34057690 PMCID: PMC8322196 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-021-00451-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Screening for cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) is recommended for people living with HIV (PLWH) who present with low CD4 lymphocyte counts. Real-world experience is important to identify gaps between the guidelines and clinical practice. We investigated the trends of CrAg testing and prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia among PLWH at the time of HIV diagnosis and the related mortality in Taiwan from 2009 to 2018. Methods Medical records of newly diagnosed PLWH seeking care at six medical centers around Taiwan between 2009 and 2018 were reviewed. The annual trends of PLWH who had CrAg testing and cryptococcal antigenemia were examined by Cochran-Armitage test. Among PLWH with CD4 < 200 cells/µl, timing of CrAg testing was analyzed for association with 12-month all-cause mortality in Kaplan-Meier plots and in a Cox proportional hazards model after adjustments. Results Among 5372 included PLWH, 1150 (21.4%) presented with baseline CD4 < 100 cells/µl, and this proportion had decreased during the study period [from 108 (29.3%) in 2009 to 93 (22.3%) in 2018 (P = 0.039)]. The overall prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia was 7.8% among PLWH with CD4 < 100 cells/µl, which remained stable during the 10-year study period (P = 0.356) and was 2.6% among PLWH with CD4 100–199 cells/µl. The uptake of CrAg testing had increased from 65.7% in 2009 to 78.0% in 2018 (P = 0.002) among PLWH with CD4 < 100 cells/µl. Late CrAg testing, defined by 14 days or later after HIV diagnosis, was associated with increased risk of 12-month mortality compared to early CrAg testing (adjusted hazard ratio 2.028, 95% CI 1.109–3.708). Conclusions Burden of cryptococcosis remained high among PLWH with low CD4 lymphocyte counts in Taiwan. Uptake of CrAg screening among late HIV presenters was still suboptimal and delayed. Late CrAg testing was associated with a higher mortality. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40121-021-00451-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Hsi Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan.,Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yuan Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Shiang Tsai
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Mao-Song Tsai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Eng Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ting Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yun-Lin Branch, Douliu, Yun-Lin County, Taiwan
| | - Hong-An Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Wang-Da Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jui Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yun Sun
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chien Ko
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Po-Liang Lu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Ti Lee
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ching Hung
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. .,China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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