1
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Stuckey PV, Santiago-Tirado FH. Fungal mechanisms of intracellular survival: what can we learn from bacterial pathogens? Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0043422. [PMID: 37506189 PMCID: PMC10501222 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00434-22] [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: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections represent a major, albeit neglected, public health threat with serious medical and economic burdens globally. With unacceptably high mortality rates, invasive fungal pathogens are responsible for millions of deaths each year, with a steadily increasing incidence primarily in immunocompromised individuals. The poor therapeutic options and rise of antifungal drug resistance pose further challenges in controlling these infections. These fungal pathogens have adapted to survive within mammalian hosts and can establish intracellular niches to promote survival within host immune cells. To do that, they have developed diverse methods to circumvent the innate immune system attack. This includes strategies such as altering their morphology, counteracting macrophage antimicrobial action, and metabolic adaptation. This is reminiscent of how bacterial pathogens have adapted to survive within host cells and cause disease. However, relative to the great deal of information available concerning intracellular bacterial pathogenesis, less is known about the mechanisms fungal pathogens employ. Therefore, here we review our current knowledge and recent advances in our understanding of how fungi can evade and persist within host immune cells. This review will focus on the major fungal pathogens, including Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus fumigatus, among others. As we discover and understand the strategies used by these fungi, similarities with their bacterial counterparts are becoming apparent, hence we can use the abundant information from bacteria to guide our studies in fungi. By understanding these strategies, new lines of research will open that can improve the treatments of these devastating fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter V. Stuckey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Felipe H. Santiago-Tirado
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
- Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
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2
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Taverna CG, Arias BA, Firacative C, Vivot ME, Szusz W, Vivot W, Mazza M, Córdoba SB, Canteros CE. Genotypic Diversity and Antifungal Susceptibility of Clinical Isolates of Cryptococcus Gattii Species Complex from Argentina. Mycopathologia 2023; 188:51-61. [PMID: 36609823 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-022-00705-x] [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: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the genotypic diversity of 22 Cryptococcus gattii species complex clinical isolates from Argentina and to place these genotypes within the diversity of clinical, veterinary and environmental isolates from Latin America. Mating type and antifungal susceptibility of the isolates were also determined. By URA5-RFLP, nine isolates were identified as molecular type VGI, 10 as VGII, one as VGIII and two as VGIV. Multilocus sequence typing (MSLT), following the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM) consensus MLST scheme, was used to determine the genotypic diversity. Our results suggest that, in Argentina, VGI isolates have low genetic diversity, while VGII isolates have high genetic diversity. Both isolates identified as VGIV by URA5-RFLP were genotyped by MLST as belonging to the currently named VGVI clade. From all isolates, eight sequence types (STs) were unique for Argentina, while five STs have been reported already in other countries, being of high interest the genotypes ST20 and ST7 since they belong to the subtypes VGIIa and VGIIb, respectively, which are associated with hypervirulent strains responsible for outbreaks in North America. To note, geographical analysis showed that some genotypes may be associated with some regions in Argentina. Most isolates were MATα, but we are reporting one isolate MATa for the first time in the country. Antifungal susceptibility tests showed that itraconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole had high activity against all isolates, while amphotericin B, fluconazole and 5-fluorocytosine were the least active drugs against all studied isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanza Giselle Taverna
- Departamento Micología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Barbara Abigail Arias
- Departamento Micología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Firacative
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Matías Ezequiel Vivot
- Departamento Micología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Wanda Szusz
- Departamento Micología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Walter Vivot
- Departamento Micología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana Mazza
- Departamento Micología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Susana Beatriz Córdoba
- Departamento Micología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristina Elena Canteros
- Departamento Micología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Reyes EY, Shinohara ML. Host immune responses in the central nervous system during fungal infections. Immunol Rev 2022; 311:50-74. [PMID: 35672656 PMCID: PMC9489659 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Fungal infections in the central nervous system (CNS) cause high morbidity and mortality. The frequency of CNS mycosis has increased over the last two decades as more individuals go through immunocompromised conditions for various reasons. Nevertheless, options for clinical interventions for CNS mycoses are still limited. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the host-pathogen interaction mechanisms in CNS mycoses for developing novel treatments. Although the CNS has been regarded as an immune-privileged site, recent studies demonstrate the critical involvement of immune responses elicited by CNS-resident and CNS-infiltrated cells during fungal infections. In this review, we discuss mechanisms of fungal invasion in the CNS, fungal pathogen detection by CNS-resident cells (microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, neurons), roles of CNS-infiltrated leukocytes, and host immune responses. We consider that understanding host immune responses in the CNS is crucial for endeavors to develop treatments for CNS mycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefany Y. Reyes
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Mari L. Shinohara
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27705, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27705, USA
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Lin K, Lai Y, Lin Y, Ho M, Chen Y, Chung W. Antifungal Susceptibility of the Clinical and Environmental Strains of
Cryptococcus gattii sensu lato
in Taiwan. Mycoses 2022; 66:13-24. [DOI: 10.1111/myc.13520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kuo‐Hsi Lin
- Tungs’ Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital Taichung Taiwan
- National Chung Hsing University Taichung Taiwan
| | - Yi‐Chyi Lai
- Chung Shan Medical University Taichung Taiwan
| | - Yi‐Pei Lin
- Tungs’ Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital Taichung Taiwan
| | - Mao‐Wang Ho
- China Medical University Hospital Taichung Taiwan
| | | | - Wen‐Hsin Chung
- National Chung Hsing University Taichung Taiwan
- Innovation and Development center of sustainable Agriculture (IDCSA), Taichung Taiwan
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5
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Su XH, Li WP, Liu JY, Wang YJ, Liu J, Xu XF, Yang L, Xia H, Jiang Y, Peng FH. Comparison of features and outcomes between HIV-negative patients with Cryptococcus gattii meningitis and Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis in South China. Mycoses 2022; 65:887-896. [PMID: 35793429 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare the epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging features, and outcomes in patients with Cryptococcus gattii meningitis (CGM) and Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis (CNM). METHODS We performed a retrospective study of HIV-negative patients with CGM and CNM (2015-2021) distinguished by metagenomic next-generation sequencing in cerebrospinal fluid in South China. RESULTS 81 patients (17 CGM, 64 CNM) were enrolled (72.8% male, median age 49 years, range 21-77 years), and CGM patients were younger (median, 43 vs 53 years, p = 0.005). Of 17 CGM, VGI and VGII accounted for 70.6% and 29.4%, respectively. CGM patients had less underlying diseases (7/17 [41.2%] vs 48/64 [75%], p=0.018) and focal neurologic deficit (3/17 [17.6%] vs 35/64 [54.7%], p = 0.022), had higher intracranial pressure (15/17 [88.2%] vs 25/64 [39.1%], p=0.002), more meningeal enhancement (14/17 [82.4%] vs 32/64 [50%], p = 0.034), less parenchymal involvement (median, 1 vs 3, p = 0.018), more lung cryptococcomas (6/12 [50%] vs 6/47 [12.8%], p = 0.014), faster CSF fungal clearance (p = 0.004), less complications (median, 1 vs 3, p < 0.001), and more favorable outcomes (16/17 [94.1%] vs 41/64 [64.1%], p =0.035). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that species identification helps to guide therapy and predict outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hong Su
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Wei-Peng Li
- Department of Neurology, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Jun-Yu Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Jie Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Feng Xu
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Han Xia
- Department of Scientific Affairs, Hugobiotech Co., Ltd., Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Fu-Hua Peng
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
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6
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Nielsen MC, Peterson JM, Shine B, Hornak JP, Esechie A, Bhatt S, Desai K, Dabi A, Felicella MM, Ren P. A Fatal Fungal Infection of Cryptococcus gattii (VGI) Meningitis in Texas. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofac236. [PMID: 35854998 PMCID: PMC9277648 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii is an under-recognized cause of meningitis, especially in non-endemic regions. This report details C. gattii disease progression from admission to autopsy in an otherwise healthy 40-year-old male in Texas. It brings awareness to an often unsuspected organism that can cause severe infection requiring early recognition and treatment in immunocompetent individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa C. Nielsen
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Joshua M. Peterson
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Billie Shine
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - J. Patrik Hornak
- Department of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Aimalohi Esechie
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Sandeep Bhatt
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Kinjal Desai
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Alok Dabi
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Ping Ren
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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7
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McCabe GA, McHugh JW, Goodwin T, Johnson DF, Fok A, Campbell TG. Ophthalmic manifestations of Cryptococcus gattii species complex: a case series and review of the literature. Int J Ophthalmol 2022; 15:119-127. [PMID: 35047366 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2022.01.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To report 4 cases of Cryptococcus gattii (C. gattii) species complex infection with diverse ophthalmic manifestations, and to review the literature to examine pathobiology of disease, classical ophthalmic presentations and outcomes, and treatment modalities for this emerging pathogen. METHODS Cases of C. gattii meningoencephalitis with ophthalmic manifestations were identified via chart review at two institutions in Australia and one institution in the mid-west region of the United States and are reported as a case series. Additionally, a MEDLINE literature review was conducted to identify all reported cases of C. gattii with ophthalmic manifestations from 1990-2020. Cases were reviewed and tabulated, together with our series of patients, in this report. RESULTS Four cases of C. gattii with ophthalmic manifestations are presented; three from Australia and one from the USA. A literature review identified a total of 331 cases of C. gattii with visual sequelae. The majority of cases occurred in immunocompetent individuals. Blurred vision and diplopia were the most common presenting symptoms, with papilloedema the most common sign, reported in 10%-50% of cases. Visual loss was reported in 10%-53% of cases, as compared to rates of visual loss of 1%-9% in C. neoformans infection. Elevated intracranial pressure, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fungal burden, and abnormal neurological exam at presentation correlated with poor visual outcomes. The mainstays of treatment are anti-fungal agents and aggressive management of intracranial hypertension with serial lumbar punctures. CSF diversion procedures should be considered for refractory cases. Acetazolamide and mannitol are associated with high complication rates, and adjuvant corticosteroids have demonstrated higher mortality rates; these treatments should be avoided. CONCLUSION Permanent visual loss represents a devastating yet potentially preventable sequelae of C. gattii infection. Intracranial hypertension needs to be recognised early and aggressively managed. Referral to an ophthalmologist/neuro-ophthalmologist in all cases of cryptococcal infection independent of visual symptoms at time of diagnosis is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace A McCabe
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3050, Australia
| | - Jack W McHugh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55902, USA
| | - Todd Goodwin
- James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.,NQ Eye Foundation, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Douglas F Johnson
- Department of Infectious Disease, the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3050, Australia
| | - Anthony Fok
- Department of Neurology, the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3050, Australia
| | - Thomas G Campbell
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3050, Australia.,NQ Eye Foundation, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.,Centre for Eye Research Australia, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia.,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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8
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Bellet V, Roger F, Krasteva D, Gouveia T, Drakulovski P, Pottier C, Bertout S. Multilocus sequence typing of strains from the Cryptococcus gattii species complex from different continents. Mycoses 2021; 65:88-96. [PMID: 34726802 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complexes are pathogens causing cryptococcal meningitis, a fungal infection that leads to death unless treated. Worldwide, it is estimated to kill over 180,000 individuals annually. OBJECTIVES We aim to investigate the molecular diversity of C. gattii isolates from strains isolated from 1995 to the present day from different continents. METHOD In this study, we analysed the molecular diversity by MLST and antifungal susceptibility by using the broth microdilution method according to the CLSI M27-A4 protocol of a total of 26 strains from Cryptococcus gattii species complex from both clinical and environmental sources. RESULTS Genotyping showed that most of the strains (17/26; 65.4%) belonged to serotype B and were distributed between three genotypes: VGI (13/17; 76.5%), VGII (3/17; 17.6%) and VGVI (1/17; 5.9%). The serotype C strains (9/26; 34.6%) were distributed between the VGIII (1/9; 11.1%) and VGIV (8/9; 88.9%) genotypes. The 26 strains belonged to 17 different MLST subtypes, and we highlight four new MLST genotypes (ST553, 554, 555 and 556). The two environmental strains were identified as serotype B and genotype VGI, but were of ST 51 and 154. All isolates have wild-type MIC of fluconazole and flucytosine. Regarding amphotericin B, five VGI strains showed MICs to AMB equal to 1 µg/ml, and according to the ECV for these genotypes, they were considered non-wild-type strains. CONCLUSIONS The current study reveals the genetic diversity and new sequence types among strains from the C. gattii complex species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Bellet
- UMI 233 IRD-UM INSERM U1175 TransVIHMI, Infections mycosiques et parasitaires liées au VIH, Laboratoire de Parasitologie et de Mycologie Médicale, UFR Pharmacie, Montpellier, France
| | - Frédéric Roger
- UMI 233 IRD-UM INSERM U1175 TransVIHMI, Infections mycosiques et parasitaires liées au VIH, Laboratoire de Parasitologie et de Mycologie Médicale, UFR Pharmacie, Montpellier, France
| | - Donika Krasteva
- UMI 233 IRD-UM INSERM U1175 TransVIHMI, Infections mycosiques et parasitaires liées au VIH, Laboratoire de Parasitologie et de Mycologie Médicale, UFR Pharmacie, Montpellier, France
| | - Tiphany Gouveia
- UMI 233 IRD-UM INSERM U1175 TransVIHMI, Infections mycosiques et parasitaires liées au VIH, Laboratoire de Parasitologie et de Mycologie Médicale, UFR Pharmacie, Montpellier, France
| | - Pascal Drakulovski
- UMI 233 IRD-UM INSERM U1175 TransVIHMI, Infections mycosiques et parasitaires liées au VIH, Laboratoire de Parasitologie et de Mycologie Médicale, UFR Pharmacie, Montpellier, France
| | - Cyril Pottier
- UMI 233 IRD-UM INSERM U1175 TransVIHMI, Infections mycosiques et parasitaires liées au VIH, Laboratoire de Parasitologie et de Mycologie Médicale, UFR Pharmacie, Montpellier, France
| | - Sébastien Bertout
- UMI 233 IRD-UM INSERM U1175 TransVIHMI, Infections mycosiques et parasitaires liées au VIH, Laboratoire de Parasitologie et de Mycologie Médicale, UFR Pharmacie, Montpellier, France
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9
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Maciey S, Maria CS, Oshima S, Newberry JA. Cryptococcus gattii Meningitis in a Previously Healthy Young Woman: A Case Report. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med 2021; 5:345-349. [PMID: 34437044 PMCID: PMC8373182 DOI: 10.5811/cpcem.2021.5.52344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cryptococcus gattii (C. gatti) is a rare cause of meningitis in the United States. Outbreaks in new geographic distributions in the past few decades raise concern that climate change may be contributing to a broader distribution of this pathogen. We review a case of C. gattii in a 23-year-old woman in Northern California who was diagnosed via lumbar puncture after six weeks of headache, blurred vision, and tinnitus. CASE REPORT A 23-year-old previously healthy young woman presented to the emergency department (ED) after multiple visits to primary care, other EDs, and neurologists, for several weeks of headache, nausea, tinnitus, and blurred vision. On examination the patient was found to have a cranial nerve VI palsy (impaired abduction of the left eye) and bilateral papilledema on exam. Lumbar puncture had a significantly elevated opening pressure. Cerebrospinal fluid studies were positive for C. gattii. The patient was treated with serial lumbar punctures, followed by lumbar drain, as well as amphotericin and flucytosine. The patient had improvement in headache and neurologic symptoms and was discharged to another facility that specializes in management of this disease to undergo further treatment with immunomodulators and steroids. CONCLUSION Fungal meningitis is uncommon in the US, particularly among immunocompetent patients. Due to climate change, C. gattii may be a new pathogen to consider. This finding raises important questions to the medical community about the way global climate change affects day to day medical care now, and how it may change in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarabeth Maciey
- Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford Health Care, Department of Emergency Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - Chloe Santa Maria
- Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford Comprehensive Otolaryngology Clinic, Department of Otolaryngology, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - Sachie Oshima
- Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford Health Care, Department of Emergency Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - Jennifer A Newberry
- Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford Health Care, Department of Emergency Medicine, Palo Alto, California
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10
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Fisher KM, Montrief T, Ramzy M, Koyfman A, Long B. Cryptococcal meningitis: a review for emergency clinicians. Intern Emerg Med 2021; 16:1031-1042. [PMID: 33420904 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-020-02619-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cryptococcal Meningitis (CM) remains a high-risk clinical condition, and many patients require emergency department (ED) management for complications and stabilization. OBJECTIVE This narrative review provides an evidence-based summary of the current data for the emergency medicine evaluation and management of CM. DISCUSSION This review evaluates the diagnosis, management, and empiric treatment of suspected CM in the ED. CM can easily evade diagnosis with a subacute presentation, and should be considered in any patient with a headache, neurological deficit, or who is immunocompromised. As a definitive diagnosis of CM will not be made in the ED, management of a patient with suspected CM includes prompt diagnostic testing and initiation of empiric treatment. Multiple types of newer Cryptococcal antigen tests provide high sensitivity and specificity both in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Patients should be treated empirically for bacterial, fungal, and viral meningitis, specifically with amphotericin B and flucytosine for presumed CM. Additionally, appropriate resuscitation and supportive care, including advanced airway management, management of increased intracranial pressure (ICP), antipyretics, intravenous fluids, and isolation, should be initiated. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) should not be initiated in the ED for those found or known to be HIV-positive for risk of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). CONCLUSIONS CM remains a rare clinical presentation, but carries significant morbidity and mortality. Physicians must rapidly diagnose these patients while evaluating for other diseases and complications. Early consultation with an infectious disease specialist is imperative, as is initiating symptomatic care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Marie Fisher
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Tim Montrief
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3550 Terrace St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Mark Ramzy
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3550 Terrace St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Alex Koyfman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Brit Long
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, 3841 Roger Brooke Dr, Fort Sam Houston, TX, 78234, USA.
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11
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Mundo W, Berning A, Koullias Y, Chastain DB, Stone N, Franco-Paredes C, Henao-Martínez AF, Vargas Barahona L. Disseminated Cryptococcal Disease in A Patient With Chronic Chylothorax and a Pleurovenous Catheter, a Case Report With Autopsy Findings. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofab258. [PMID: 34189175 PMCID: PMC8233570 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab258] [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: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus species are ubiquitous in the environment with a global distribution. While causing disease predominantly in immunocompromised hosts such as those with advanced HIV, HIV-uninfected patients are increasingly recognized as being affected. The most common forms of infection are cryptococcal pneumonia and meningitis. HIV-uninfected patients and extrapulmonary infections have worse outcomes, likely due to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Cryptococcus infections involving chylothorax or chyloabdomen have rarely been reported in humans. We describe a case of fulminant disseminated cryptococcosis with fungemia, peritonitis, and empyema in a patient with chronic chylothorax treated with an indwelling pleurovenous shunt. Key autopsy findings included cryptococcal organisms identified on calcified lymphadenopathy, pleural adhesions, and pericardium. We discuss the importance of identifying patients with nontraditional risks factors for cryptococcal disease, such as lymphopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia, and the potential implications of pleurovenous catheters in Cryptococcus dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Mundo
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Amber Berning
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Yiannis Koullias
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Daniel B Chastain
- Department of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, Albany, Georgia,USA
| | - Neil Stone
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Carlos Franco-Paredes
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Hospital Infantil de México, Federico Gómez, México City, México
| | - Andrés F Henao-Martínez
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Lilian Vargas Barahona
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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12
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Baddley JW, Chen SCA, Huisingh C, Benedict K, DeBess EE, Galanis E, Jackson BR, MacDougall L, Marsden-Haug N, Oltean H, Perfect JR, Phillips P, Sorrell TC, Pappas PG. MSG07: An International Cohort Study Comparing Epidemiology and Outcomes of Patients with Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii infections. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 73:1133-1141. [PMID: 33772538 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptococcosis due to Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii varies with geographic region, populations affected, disease manifestations and severity of infection, which impact treatment. METHODS We developed a retrospective cohort of patients diagnosed with culture-proven cryptococcosis during 1995-2013 from five centers in North America and Australia. We compared underlying diseases, clinical manifestations, treatment and outcomes in patients with C. gattii or C. neoformans infection. RESULTS A total of 709 patients (452 C. neoformans; 257 C. gattii) were identified. Mean age was 50.2 years; 61.4% were male; and 52.3% were Caucasian. Time to diagnosis was prolonged in C. gattii patients compared with C. neoformans (mean 52.2 vs 36.0 days; p<0.003) and there was a higher proportion of C. gattii patients without underlying disease (40.5% vs 10.2%; p<0.0001). Overall, 59% had central nervous system (CNS) infection, with lung (42.5%) and blood (24.5%) being common sites. Pulmonary infection was more common in patients with C. gattii than those with C. neoformans (60.7% vs 32.1%; p<0.0001). CNS or blood infections were more common in C. neoformans-infected patients (p≤0.0001 for both). Treatment of CNS disease with induction therapy of amphotericin B and flucytosine occurred in 76.4% of patients. Crude 12-month mortality was higher in patients with C neoformans (28.4% vs 20.2%; Odds Ratio 1.56; 95% CI 1.08, 2.26). CONCLUSIONS This study emphasizes differences in species-specific epidemiology and outcomes of patients with cryptococcosis, including underlying diseases, site of infection and mortality. Species identification in patients with cryptococcosis is necessary to discern epidemiologic patterns, guide treatment regimens and predict clinical progression and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Baddley
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sharon C-A Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Carrie Huisingh
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Kaitlin Benedict
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Eleni Galanis
- University of British Columbia, School of Population and Public Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Laura MacDougall
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Hanna Oltean
- Washington State Department of Health, Olympia, Washington, USA
| | - John R Perfect
- Duke University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Peter Phillips
- University of British Columbia, School of Population and Public Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,St Paul's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tania C Sorrell
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Infectious Diseases Group, Sydney, Australia
| | - Peter G Pappas
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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13
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Summers RP, Abel WF, Sessions WS, Polley EM, Shirley RM, Schnee AE. A case of Cryptococcus gattii infection in South Carolina: A possible challenge to known endemicity. IDCases 2021; 23:e01027. [PMID: 33425680 PMCID: PMC7776952 DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2020.e01027] [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: 10/18/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In the United States, C. gattii is considered to be endemic to the Pacific Northwest and although uncommon, additional cases have been documented in other regions including the Southeastern United States. While it has been hypothesized in the past that C. gattii may be endemic to the Southeastern United States, there remains a paucity of evidence. Here, we present a patient with no history of HIV/AIDS and no organ transplant and document the course of his disease and presentation. There were no adverse long-term neurological outcomes in this patient and the combination of steroid use, antifungal agents, and cerebrospinal fluid drainage resulted in his discharge from the hospital after 12 days. This patient’s subacute presentation with vague neurological symptoms highlights the importance of understanding the treatment of rare causes of meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Summers
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 607 Grove Rd., Greenville, SC 29605, United States
| | - William F Abel
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 607 Grove Rd., Greenville, SC 29605, United States
| | - William S Sessions
- Prisma Health System Department of Internal Medicine, 701 Grove Rd., Greenville, SC 29605, United States
| | - Eric M Polley
- Prisma Health System Department of Internal Medicine, 701 Grove Rd., Greenville, SC 29605, United States
| | - Rhett M Shirley
- Prisma Health System Department of Infectious Disease, 701 Grove Rd., Greenville, SC 29605, United States
| | - Amanda E Schnee
- Prisma Health System Department of Infectious Disease, 701 Grove Rd., Greenville, SC 29605, United States
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14
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Pereira TC, de Menezes RT, de Oliveira HC, de Oliveira LD, Scorzoni L. In vitro synergistic effects of fluoxetine and paroxetine in combination with amphotericin B against Cryptococcus neoformans. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:6070654. [PMID: 33417701 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a yeast that mainly affects immunocompromised individuals and causes meningoencephalitis depending on the immune status of the host. The present study aimed to validate the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, fluoxetine hydrochloride (FLH) and paroxetine hydrochloride (PAH), alone and in combination with amphotericin B (AmB) against C. neoformans. Susceptibility tests were conducted using the broth microdilution method and synergistic effects of combining FLH and PAH with AmB were analyzed using the checkerboard assay. Effects of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and synergistic concentration were evaluated in biofilms by quantifying the biomass, measuring the viability by counting the colony-forming units (CFU/mL) and examining the size of the induced capsules. Cryptococcus neoformans was susceptible to FLH and PAH and the synergistic effect of FLH and PAH in combination with AmB reduced the MIC of AmB by up to 8-fold. The isolated substances and combination with AmB were able to reduce biofilm biomass and biofilm viability. In addition, FLH and PAH alone or in combination with AmB significantly decreased the size of the yeast capsules. Collectively, our results indicate the use of FLH and PAH as a promising prototype for the development of anti-cryptococcal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaís Cristine Pereira
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777 São José dos Campos, São Paulo 12245-000, Brazil
| | - Raquel Teles de Menezes
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777 São José dos Campos, São Paulo 12245-000, Brazil
| | - Haroldo Cesar de Oliveira
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rua Prof. Algacyr Munhoz Mader, 3775 Curitiba, PR 81350-010, Brazil
| | - Luciane Dias de Oliveira
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777 São José dos Campos, São Paulo 12245-000, Brazil
| | - Liliana Scorzoni
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Av. Engenheiro Francisco José Longo, 777 São José dos Campos, São Paulo 12245-000, Brazil
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15
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Xue X, Deng H, Zhao L, Zang X, Asuquo IP, Meng M, Ma X, Qin C, Meng Y, Wu C, Gao J, Pan L. Cryptococcosis caused by cryptococcus gattii: 2 case reports and literature review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e23213. [PMID: 33327239 PMCID: PMC7738107 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000023213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus gattii, is a life threatening fungal infection with recently increasing prevalence. C. gattii is a species complex comprising multiple independent species. However, many biological characteristics and clinical features of cryptococcosis due to C. gattii are relatively less well defined. In this paper, we identify two cases of C. gattii infection, and laboratory findings of genotype VGI and VGII in two groups of apparently immunocompetent Chinese individuals respectively. Upon detailed review of all 35 cases of C. gattii infections, it was observed that C. gattii can cause debilitating illness in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Cryptococcosis due to C. gattii is a serious systemic fungal infection, with pulmonary central nervous system tropism. Epidemiologically, C. gattii infection is not only restricted in tropical and subtropical regions, but also in other geographical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinying Xue
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University
| | - Hui Deng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University
| | - Longting Zhao
- Department of Infectious diseases, Rizhao Central Hospital, Rizhao, China
| | - Xuelei Zang
- Department of Microbiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing
| | | | - Mingming Meng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xidong Ma
- Department of Respiratory Disease, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong
| | - Chong Qin
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University
| | - Yao Meng
- Department of Chest surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University
| | | | - Jie Gao
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing
| | - Lei Pan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University
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16
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Abstract
Cryptococcus yeast species typically display characteristics of opportunistic pathogens, with the exception of C. gattii, which can cause life-threatening respiratory and disseminated brain infections in otherwise healthy people. The pathogenesis of C. gattii is not well understood, but an important characteristic is that C. gattii is capable of evading host cell-mediated immune defenses initiated by DCs. Here, we report that when virulent C. gattii becomes ingested by a DC, the intracellular compartment containing the fungi is covered by a persistent protein cage structure consisting of F-actin. This F-actin cage acts as a barrier to prevent interaction with other intracellular compartments, and as a result, the DC fails to kill the fungi and activate important cell-mediated immune responses. We propose that this unique immune evasion mechanism permits C. gattii to remain unchallenged within host cells, leading to persistent infection. Cryptococcus gattii is a major cause of life-threatening mycosis in immunocompetent individuals and responsible for the ongoing epidemic outbreak of cryptococcosis in the Pacific Northwest of North America. This deadly fungus is known to evade important host immune responses, including dendritic cell (DC) maturation and concomitant T cell immunity, via immune evasion mechanisms that remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that primary human DCs phagocytose C. gattii but the maturation of phagosomes to phagolysosomes was blocked as a result of sustained filamentous actin (F-actin) that entrapped and concealed the phagosomes from recognition. Superresolution structured illumination microscopy (SR-SIM) revealed that the persistent phagosomal F-actin formed a cage-like structure that sterically hindered and functionally blocked the fusion of lysosomes. Blocking lysosome fusion was sufficient to inhibit phagosomal acidification and subsequent intracellular fungal killing by DCs. Retention of phagosomal F-actin by C. gattii also caused DC immunoparalysis. Disrupting the retained F-actin cage with cytochalasin D not only restored DC phagosomal maturation but also promoted DC costimulatory maturation and robust T cell activation and proliferation. Collectively, these results reveal a unique mechanism of DC immune evasion that enhances intracellular fungal pathogenicity and may explain suppressed cell-mediated immunity.
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17
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False-Negative CSF Cryptococcal Antigen with Cryptococcus gattii Meningoencephalitis in Southeastern United States: A Case Report and Literature Review. Case Rep Infect Dis 2020; 2020:8232178. [PMID: 32733719 PMCID: PMC7376414 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8232178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A 70-year-old immunocompetent male in South Carolina was admitted secondary to altered mental status and headache without focal neurological deficits. Head CT was negative. Lumbar puncture (LP) revealed normal glucose, elevated protein, and lymphocytosis. Opening pressure was 15 cm of H20. CSF lateral flow assay was negative for cryptococcal antigen; CSF cultures showed no growth. The patient rapidly improved on acyclovir and was diagnosed with presumed viral meningitis, as viral PCR and fungal culture were pending at time of discharge. The patient's condition quickly worsened and the patient returned one day later with right arm weakness and dysarthria. Brain MRI revealed T2/flair signal abnormalities in the left frontal lobe with associated parenchymal enhancement. Repeat LP revealed increasing white blood cell count with a worsening lymphocytosis and decreasing glucose, and opening pressure remained normal. CSF fungal culture from the first admission grew Cryptococcus gattii, and repeated CSF cryptococcal antigen and culture returned positive. The patient was started on IV steroids, induction Amphotericin and Fluconazole, followed by maintenance oral Fluconazole. The patient's clinical course was complicated by a brainstem lacunar infarction, which led to demise. We present this case of Cryptococcus gattii meningoencephalitis to highlight the risk factors, characteristics, and challenges in diagnosis and treatment of an emerging disease in the Southeastern United States.
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18
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Rossi A, Bannon K, Sanchez MD, Bradway DS. Pathology in Practice. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2020; 254:935-937. [PMID: 30938609 DOI: 10.2460/javma.254.8.935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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19
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Alaniz AJ, Carvajal JG, Carvajal MA, Cogliati M, Vergara PM. Spatial Quantification of the Population Exposed to Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii Species Complexes in Europe: Estimating the Immunocompetent and HIV/AIDS Patients Under Risk. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2020; 40:524-533. [PMID: 31578757 DOI: 10.1111/risa.13410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus is an important fungal pathogen worldwide, causing serious clinical manifestations that can affect immunocompetent patients and can be particularly severe for immunocompromised patients. The Cryptococcus gattii s.s. (AFLP4/VGI), Cryptococcus tetragattii (AFLP/VGIV), Cryptococcus neoformans, and Cryptococcus deneoformans have been isolated from both clinical and environmental sources in Europe. We aim to quantify the people in Europe and the entire Mediterranean area who are under risk associated with each of the three fungal pathogens in a spatially explicit way, generating a series of maps and population statistics per country. Niche modeling was applied to estimate the potential distribution of each fungal pathogen, then these models were overlapped with a map of population density to estimate risk levels. The potential number of people per risk level and per country was quantified using a map of population count per pixel. Prevalence of HIV per country was also included in the analysis to quantify the HIV-infected population under potential risk. People under risk associated with exposure to C. gattii species (C. gattii s.s. and C. tetragattii) reached 137.65 million, whereas those exposed to C. neoformans and C. deneoformans were 268.58 and 360.78 million people, respectively. More than a half million HIV-infected patients are exposed to each of the two species of the C. neoformans species complex, and more than 200,000 to the C. gattii species complex. The present results can be useful for public health planning by European governments, focusing on the provision of inputs for a "screen-and-treat" approach, availability of medical resources, and continuous monitoring programs in risk zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto J Alaniz
- Centro de Estudios en Ecología Espacial y Medio Ambiente, Ecogeografía, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Gestión Agraria, Facultad Tecnológica, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jorge G Carvajal
- Centro de Estudios en Ecología Espacial y Medio Ambiente, Ecogeografía, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mario A Carvajal
- Centro de Estudios en Ecología Espacial y Medio Ambiente, Ecogeografía, Santiago, Chile
| | - Massimo Cogliati
- Dipartimento Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Pablo M Vergara
- Departamento de Gestión Agraria, Facultad Tecnológica, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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20
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Cryptococcus gattii infection in an immunocompetent host in Greece. Med Mycol Case Rep 2019; 27:1-3. [PMID: 31867171 PMCID: PMC6906646 DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2019.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a case of a 31-year-old otherwise healthy female with pulmonary cryptococcoma along with cryptococcal meningitis due to Cryptococcus gattii molecular type VGI, in Greece. Combined antifungal treatment and surgical excision of pulmonary cryptococcoma yielded a good response.
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21
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Rudman J, Evans RJ, Johnston SA. Are macrophages the heroes or villains during cryptococcosis? Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 132:103261. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.103261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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22
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Jaen G, Drowos J, Hennekens CH, Levine RS. Lower Mortality Rates from Cryptococcosis in Women and Whites with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the United States. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2019; 7:117-120. [PMID: 31664674 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-019-00640-6] [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: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic mycotic infection often found in pigeon droppings and other bird excrement. This serious disease is often fatal and, not unexpectedly, far more common in patients with immune deficiency, including those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It has been hypothesized that women with cryptococcosis and HIV have a more favorable mortality experience than men. In addition, the availability of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (ART) for HIV in the United States (US) has been associated with greater racial disparities in mortality. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) database afforded a unique opportunity to explore mortality rates due to cryptococcosis by gender and race in the US among patients with HIV from 1999 to 2016. Mortality rate ratios from cryptococcosis were significantly lower in women and whites with HIV. These descriptive data lead to the formulation of hypotheses requiring testing in analytic studies designed a priori to do so and pose clinical and public health challenges in reducing mortality from cryptococcosis in patients with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovana Jaen
- Department of Integrated Medical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Building 71, Suite 215, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
| | - Joanna Drowos
- Department of Integrated Medical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Building 71, Suite 215, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA.
| | - Charles H Hennekens
- Department of Integrated Medical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Building 71, Suite 215, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
| | - Robert S Levine
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 3701 Kirby Drive, Suite 600, Houston, TX, 77098, USA
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23
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien K Ming
- Academic Clinical Fellow, Department of Infection and Immunity, Imperial College London, London W12 0HS
| | - Thomas S Harrison
- Professor of Infectious Diseases and Medicine, Institute of Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London
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24
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Spicer SK, Subramani A, Aguila AL, Green RM, McClelland EE, Bicker KL. Toward a clinical antifungal peptoid: Investigations into the therapeutic potential of AEC5. Biopolymers 2019; 110:e23276. [PMID: 30938841 PMCID: PMC6660985 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that causes cryptococcal meningitis in immunocompromised individuals. Existing antifungal treatment plans have high mammalian toxicity and increasing drug resistance, demonstrating the dire need for new, nontoxic therapeutics. Antimicrobial peptoids are one alternative to combat this issue. Our lab has recently identified a tripeptoid, AEC5, with promising efficacy and selectivity against C. neoformans. Here, we report studies into the broad-spectrum efficacy, killing kinetics, mechanism of action, in vivo half-life, and subchronic toxicity of this compound. Most notably, these studies have demonstrated that AEC5 rapidly reduces fungal burden, killing all viable fungi within 3 hours. Additionally, AEC5 has an in vivo half-life of 20+ hours and no observable in vivo toxicity following 28 days of daily injections. This research represents an important step in the characterization of AEC5 as a practical treatment option against C. neoformans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina K. Spicer
- Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Chemistry, 1301 E. Main St., Murfreesboro, TN 37132
| | - Aarthi Subramani
- Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Biology, 1301 E. Main St., Murfreesboro, TN 37132
| | - Angelica L. Aguila
- Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Chemistry, 1301 E. Main St., Murfreesboro, TN 37132
| | - R. Madison Green
- Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Chemistry, 1301 E. Main St., Murfreesboro, TN 37132
| | - Erin E. McClelland
- Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Biology, 1301 E. Main St., Murfreesboro, TN 37132
| | - Kevin L. Bicker
- Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Chemistry, 1301 E. Main St., Murfreesboro, TN 37132
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25
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Bruner KT, Franco-Paredes C, Henao-Martínez AF, Steele GM, Chastain DB. Cryptococcus gattii Complex Infections in HIV-Infected Patients, Southeastern United States. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:1998-2002. [PMID: 30334702 PMCID: PMC6199986 DOI: 10.3201/eid2411.180787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased awareness of C. gattii infections in these patients is critical for improving diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Cryptococcus gattii traditionally infects immunocompetent hosts and causes devastating pulmonary or central nervous system disease. However, this infection rarely occurs in patients infected with HIV. We report 3 cases of HIV-associated C. gattii complex infections in the southeastern United States. Detection of C. gattii in HIV-infected patients in this region warrants increased awareness of this threat to ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatment to optimize patient outcomes.
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26
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Moritz D, Mena Lora A, Blumer B, Harrington AT. Recovery of Cryptococcus gattii from an Infected Ventriculo-Peritoneal Shunt, Illinois, USA. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:1382-1383. [PMID: 29912690 PMCID: PMC6038746 DOI: 10.3201/eid2407.171754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii is a fungal pathogen endemic in tropical and subtropical regions. Isolated cases and outbreaks have been reported in areas of North America and Europe, expanding the distribution pattern beyond warmer regions. We describe a case of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt infection by C. gattii in an immunocompetent person in Illinois.
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27
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Cryptococcus deuterogattii VGIIa Infection Associated with Travel to the Pacific Northwest Outbreak Region in an Anti-Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Autoantibody-Positive Patient in the United States. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.02733-18. [PMID: 30755511 PMCID: PMC6372798 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02733-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mortality rates associated with C. gattii infections are estimated to be between 13% and 33%, depending on an individual’s predisposition, and C. gattii has caused at least 39 deaths in the PNW region. There have been four other international travel cases reported in patients from Europe and Asia with travel history to the PNW, but this report describes the first North American traveler who acquired C. deuterogattii infection presenting within the United States and the first case of a C. deuterogattii outbreak infection associated with anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies. Early and accurate diagnoses are important for disease prevention and treatment and for control of infectious diseases. Continual reporting of C. deuterogattii infections is necessary to raise awareness of the ongoing outbreak in the PNW and to alert travelers and physicians to the areas of endemicity with potential risks. The region encompassing the Pacific Northwest (PNW), Vancouver Island, Oregon, and Washington has been the location of an ongoing Cryptococcus gattii outbreak since the 1990s, and there is evidence that the outbreak is expanding along the West Coast into California. Here we report a clinical case of a 69-year-old, HIV-negative man from North Carolina who was diagnosed with a fungal brain mass by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and pathology. He had traveled to Seattle and Vancouver 3 years earlier and to Costa Rica 4 months prior to presentation. Phenotypic evidence showed that the fungal mass isolated from the patient’s brain represented C. gattii. In agreement with the phenotypic results, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) provided genotypic evidence that assigned the infecting organism within the C. gattii species complex and to the C. deuterogattii VGIIa clade. Whole-genome sequencing revealed >99.99% identity with the C. deuterogattii reference strain R265, indicating that the infecting strain is derived from the highly clonal outbreak strains in the PNW. We conclude that the patient acquired the C. gattii infection during his travel to the region 3 years prior and that the infection was dormant for an extended period of time before causing disease. The patient tested positive for anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) autoantibodies, supporting earlier reports that implicate these autoantibodies as a risk factor associated with C. gattii infection.
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Abstract
Community-acquired pneumonia refers to an acute infection of the lung in patients who did not meet any of the criteria for health care-acquired pneumonia, and is associated with at least some symptoms of acute infection, accompanied by the presence of an acute infiltrate on a chest radiograph. Chest radiography remains an important component of the evaluation of a patient with a suspicion of pneumonia, and is usually the first examination to be obtained. The diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia is based on the presence of select clinical features and is supported by imaging of the lung, usually by chest radiography. Infection of the lower respiratory tract typically presents radiologically as one of 3 patterns: (a) focal nonsegmental or lobar pneumonia, (b) multifocal bronchopneumonia or lobular pneumonia, and (c) focal or diffuse "interstitial" pneumonia. High-resolution computed tomography allows a better depiction of the pattern and distribution of pneumonia than the radiograph but is seldom required in the evaluation of patients with suspected or proven bacterial pneumonia. However, high-resolution computed tomography is a useful adjunct to conventional radiography in selected cases.
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Bauer M, Wickenhauser C, Haak A, Pazaitis N, Siebolts U, Mawrin C, Strauss C, Rickerts V, Stoevesandt D, Cornely OA, Meis JF, Hagen F. Case report: A fatal case of cryptococcosis in an immunocompetent patient due to Cryptococcus deuterogattii (AFLP6/VGII). JMM Case Rep 2018; 5:e005168. [PMID: 30479782 PMCID: PMC6249430 DOI: 10.1099/jmmcr.0.005168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cryptococcosis in immunocompetent adults is a rare disease in Europe, mostly induced by members of the Cryptococcus gattii species complex. The diagnosis can be challenging due to its rarity, unspecific symptoms and long symptomless latency. Case presentation A 49-year-old woman with a three weeks history of headache was admitted to the hospital due to discrete ataxia and impaired vision. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a contrast-enhancing mass in the cerebellum. Further investigations detected a slight leukocytosis and a single subpleural nodule in the right inferior lung lobe. The cerebral lesion was surgically removed, and a direct frozen section only showed an unspecific inflammation. In the course of her admission she developed non-treatable cerebral edema and died ten days after surgical intervention. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen and postmortem evaluation of the lung and the cerebrum demonstrated fungal elements. Molecular identification of the fungal elements in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue lead to the diagnosis of cryptococcosis induced by C. gattii sensu lato. Molecular genetic analysis identified the involved cryptococcal species as genotype AFLP6/VGII, recently described as Cryptococcus deuterogattii, which is known to be endemic to the west-coast of Canada and the USA. Additional heteroanamnestic information revealed that she had spent her holidays on Vancouver Island, Canada, two years before disease onset, indicating that infection during this stay seems to be plausible. Conclusion Cryptococcosis due to C. deuterogattii is a rarely encountered fungal disease in Europe, not particularly associated with immunodeficiency, and infection is likely to be contracted in endemic areas. Due to its rarity, long symptomless latency, unspecific symptoms and misleading radiological features the diagnosis can be challenging. Physicians need to be aware of this differential diagnosis in immunocompetent patients, as early adequate therapy can be lifesaving.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bauer
- Institute of Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - C Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - A Haak
- Institute of Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - N Pazaitis
- Institute of Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - U Siebolts
- Institute of Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - C Mawrin
- Institute of Neuropathology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - C Strauss
- Department of Neurosurgery, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - V Rickerts
- FG 16, Consultant Laboratory for Cryptococcosis, Scedosporiosis and Imported Systemic Mycoses, Robert-Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - D Stoevesandt
- Institute of Radiology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - O A Cornely
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Department I of Internal Medicine, Clinical Trials Centre Cologne (ZKS Köln), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - J F Meis
- Department Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Centre of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - F Hagen
- Department Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Akins PT, Jian B. The Frozen Brain State of Cryptococcus gattii: A Globe-Trotting, Tropical, Neurotropic Fungus. Neurocrit Care 2018; 30:272-279. [DOI: 10.1007/s12028-018-0538-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Lockhart SR, Roe CC, Engelthaler DM. Whole-Genome Analysis of Cryptococcus gattii, Southeastern United States. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 22:1098-101. [PMID: 27191335 PMCID: PMC4880073 DOI: 10.3201/eid2206.151455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii is a recognized pathogenic fungus along the Pacific coast of the United States from California to Washington. Here we report that C. gattii may also be endemic to the southeastern United States and has probably been present there longer than in the Pacific Northwest.
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Zheng S, Tan TT, Chien JMF. Cryptococcus gattii Infection Presenting as an Aggressive Lung Mass. Mycopathologia 2017; 183:597-602. [PMID: 29214455 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-017-0233-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii is an endemic fungus predominantly isolated in the tropical and subtropical regions, causing predominantly pulmonary disease with a predilection for the central nervous system. Herein, we report a case of rapidly progressing C. gattii pneumonia in an immune-deficient but virologically suppressed host with underlying human immunodeficiency viral (HIV) infection, exhibiting various fungal morphologies from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytological specimens. A 51-year-old Chinese male with known HIV disease was admitted to the Singapore General Hospital for evaluation of functional decline, febrile episodes, and a left hilar mass on chest radiograph. Computed tomography (CT) showed consolidation in the apical segment of the left lower lobe. He underwent bronchoscopy and BAL. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography done 10 days after the initial CT showed approximate doubling of the pulmonary lesion. Cytological examination of the fluid revealed yeasts of varying sizes. Subsequent fungal culture from BAL fluid grew C. gattii 10 days later.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwei Zheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Thuan Tong Tan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jaime Mei Fong Chien
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
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Case Series: Report of the First Two Human Indigenous Cases of Cryptococcus gattii Infection in Eastern Canada. Mycopathologia 2017; 183:399-406. [DOI: 10.1007/s11046-017-0215-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Ribeiro NS, Dos Santos FM, Garcia AWA, Ferrareze PAG, Fabres LF, Schrank A, Kmetzsch L, Rott MB, Vainstein MH, Staats CC. Modulation of Zinc Homeostasis in Acanthamoeba castellanii as a Possible Antifungal Strategy against Cryptococcus gattii. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1626. [PMID: 28883816 PMCID: PMC5573748 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii is a basidiomycetous yeast that can be found in the environment and is one of the agents of cryptococcosis, a life-threatening disease. During its life cycle, cryptococcal cells take hold inside environmental predators such as amoebae. Despite their evolutionary distance, macrophages and amoebae share conserved similar steps of phagocytosis and microbial killing. To evaluate whether amoebae also share other antifungal strategies developed by macrophages, we investigated nutritional immunity against cryptococcal cells. We focused on zinc homeostasis modulation in Acanthamoeba castellanii infected with C. gattii. The intracellular proliferation rate (IPR) in amoebae was determined using C. gattii R265 and mutants for the ZIP1 gene, which displays defects of growth in zinc-limiting conditions. We detected a reduced IPR in cells lacking the ZIP1 gene compared to wild-type strains, suggesting that amoebae produce a low zinc environment to engulfed cells. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis employing the zinc probe Zinpyr-1 confirmed the reduced concentration of zinc in cryptococcal-infected amoebae. qRT-PCR analysis of zinc transporter-coding genes suggests that zinc export by members of the ZnT family would be involved in the reduced intracellular zinc concentration. These results indicate that amoebae may use nutritional immunity to reduce fungal cell proliferation by reducing zinc availability for the pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S Ribeiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Francine M Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ane W A Garcia
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Patrícia A G Ferrareze
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Laura F Fabres
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Microbiologia Agrícola e do Ambiente, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Augusto Schrank
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil.,Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Livia Kmetzsch
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil.,Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marilise B Rott
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Microbiologia Agrícola e do Ambiente, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil.,Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marilene H Vainstein
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil.,Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Charley C Staats
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil.,Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil
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Emerging Fungal Infections in the Pacific Northwest: The Unrecognized Burden and Geographic Range of Cryptococcus gattii and Coccidioides immitis. Microbiol Spectr 2017; 4. [PMID: 27337452 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.ei10-0016-2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Both Cryptococcus gattii and Coccidioides can cause debilitating diseases if not identified early. It is imperative that clinicians recognize these diseases and begin treatment quickly when necessary. In order to have these two mycoses in their differential diagnosis, clinicians, microbiologists, and public health officials must be aware of the expanding geographic boundary in the case of Coccidioides immitis and the new emergence in the case of C. gattii. Accordingly, there is now mandatory reporting for cases of C. gattii and C. immitis in both Washington and Oregon, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention keeps a repository of available isolates. Through the One Health initiative, clinicians, veterinarians, and public health officials are collaborating to better understand the emergence and expanding geographic range of these extremely important fungal diseases.
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Gassiep I, McDougall D, Douglas J, Francis R, Playford EG. Cryptococcal infections in solid organ transplant recipients over a 15-year period at a state transplant center. Transpl Infect Dis 2017; 19. [DOI: 10.1111/tid.12639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian Gassiep
- Department of Infectious Diseases; Princess Alexandra Hospital; Brisbane QLD Australia
- School of Medicine; University of Queensland; Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - David McDougall
- Department of Infectious Diseases; Princess Alexandra Hospital; Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Joel Douglas
- Department of Infectious Diseases; Princess Alexandra Hospital; Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Ross Francis
- School of Medicine; University of Queensland; Brisbane QLD Australia
- Department of Nephrology; Princess Alexandra Hospital; Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Elliott G. Playford
- Department of Infectious Diseases; Princess Alexandra Hospital; Brisbane QLD Australia
- School of Medicine; University of Queensland; Brisbane QLD Australia
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Abstract
This article lists proposed new or revised species names and classification changes associated with fungi of medical importance for the years 2012 through 2015. 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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Repeated therapeutic lumbar punctures in cryptococcal meningitis – necessity and/or opportunity? Curr Opin Infect Dis 2016; 29:539-545. [DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Deiss RG, Bolaris M, Wang A, Filler SG. Cryptococcus gattiiMeningitis Complicated by Listeria monocytogenesInfection. Emerg Infect Dis 2016; 22:1669-71. [PMID: 27532498 PMCID: PMC4994331 DOI: 10.3201/eid2209.160142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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Uejio CK, Mak S, Manangan A, Luber G, Bartlett KH. Climatic Influences on Cryptococcus gattii [corrected] Populations, Vancouver Island, Canada, 2002-2004. Emerg Infect Dis 2016; 21:1989-96. [PMID: 26484590 PMCID: PMC4622228 DOI: 10.3201/eid2111.141161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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
Vancouver Island, Canada, reports the world's highest incidence of Cryptococcus gattii infection among humans and animals. To identify key biophysical factors modulating environmental concentrations, we evaluated monthly concentrations of C. gatti in air, soil, and trees over a 3-year period. The 2 study datasets were repeatedly measured plots and newly sampled plots. We used hierarchical generalized linear and mixed effect models to determine associations. Climate systematically influenced C. gattii concentrations in all environmental media tested; in soil and on trees, concentrations decreased when temperatures were warmer. Wind may be a key process that transferred C. gattii from soil into air and onto trees. C. gattii results for tree and air samples were more likely to be positive during periods of higher solar radiation. These results improve the understanding of the places and periods with the greatest C. gattii colonization. Refined risk projections may help susceptible persons avoid activities that disturb the topsoil during relatively cool summer days.
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Chang CC, Chen SCA. Colliding Epidemics and the Rise of Cryptococcosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2015; 2:jof2010001. [PMID: 29376920 PMCID: PMC5753082 DOI: 10.3390/jof2010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Discovered more than 100 years ago as a human pathogen, the Cryptococcus neoformans–Cryptococcus gattii (C. neoformans–C. gattii) complex has seen a large global resurgence in its association with clinical disease in the last 30 years. First isolated in fermenting peach juice, and identified as a human pathogen in 1894 in a patient with bone lesions, this environmental pathogen has now found niches in soil, trees, birds, and domestic pets. Cryptococcosis is well recognized as an opportunistic infection and was first noted to be associated with reticuloendothelial cancers in the 1950s. Since then, advances in transplant immunology, medical science and surgical techniques have led to increasing numbers of solid organ transplantations (SOT) and hematological stem cell transplantations being performed, and the use of biological immunotherapeutics in increasingly high-risk and older individuals, have contributed to the further rise in cryptococcosis. Globally, however, the major driver for revivification of cryptococcosis is undoubtedly the HIV epidemic, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where access to care and antiretroviral therapy remains limited and advanced immunodeficiency, poverty and malnutrition remains the norm. As a zoonotic disease, environmental outbreaks of both human and animal cryptococcosis have been reported, possibly driven by climate change. This is best exemplified by the resurgence of C. gattii infection in Vancouver Island, Canada, and the Pacific Northwest of the United States since 1999. Here we describe how the colliding epidemics of HIV, transplantation and immunologics, climate change and migration have contributed to the rise of cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina C Chang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne 3181, Australia.
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa.
| | - Sharon C-A Chen
- Marie Bashir Institute for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney 2145, Australia.
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, ICPMR-Pathology West, Westmead Hospital, Sydney 2145, Australia.
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Fluconazole Susceptibility in Cryptococcus gattii Is Dependent on the ABC Transporter Pdr11. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 60:1202-7. [PMID: 26643330 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01777-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii isolates from the Pacific Northwest have exhibited higher fluconazole MICs than isolates from other sites. The mechanism of fluconazole resistance in C. gattii is unknown. We sought to determine the role of the efflux pumps Mdr1 and Pdr11 in fluconazole susceptibility. Using biolistic transformation of the parent isolate, we created a strain lacking Mdr1 (mdr1Δ) and another strain lacking Pdr11 (pdr11Δ). Phenotypic virulence factors were assessed by standard methods (capsule size, melanin production, growth at 30 and 37 °C). Survival was assessed in an intranasal murine model of cryptococcosis. Antifungal MICs were determined by the M27-A3 methodology. No differences in key virulence phenotypic components were identified. Fluconazole susceptibility was unchanged in the Mdr1 knockout or reconstituted isolates. However, fluconazole MICs decreased from 32 μg/ml for the wild-type isolate to <0.03 μg/ml for the pdr11Δ strain and reverted to 32 μg/ml for the reconstituted strain. In murine models, no difference in virulence was observed between wild-type, knockout, or reconstituted isolates. We conclude that Pdr11 plays an essential role in fluconazole susceptibility in C. gattii. Genomic and expression differences between resistant and susceptible C. gattii clinical isolates should be assessed further in order to identify other potential mechanisms of resistance.
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Mansour MK, Ackman JB, Branda JA, Kradin RL. CASE RECORDS of the MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL. Case 32-2015. A 57-Year-Old Man with Severe Pneumonia and Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure. N Engl J Med 2015; 373:1554-64. [PMID: 26465989 DOI: 10.1056/nejmcpc1503830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Kawamura I, Kamei K, Yarita K, Ohkusu M, Ito K, Tsukahara M, Honda M, Nakashima K, Akamatsu H, Kurai H. Cryptococcus gattii genotype VGIIb infection in Japan. Med Mycol J 2015; 55:E51-4. [PMID: 25231224 DOI: 10.3314/mmj.55.e51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
This report describes a case of Cryptococcus gattii VGIIb infection of the pulmonary and central nervous systems in an immunocompetent Japanese man with a travel history, and it hypothesizes the place where he was infected with C. gattii using the genotype information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ichiro Kawamura
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital
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Tseng HK, Huang TY, Wu AYJ, Chen HH, Liu CP, Jong A. How Cryptococcus interacts with the blood-brain barrier. Future Microbiol 2015; 10:1669-82. [PMID: 26437710 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.15.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus demonstrates predilection for invasion of the brain, but the mechanism by which Cryptococcus crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to cause brain invasion is largely unknown. In order for Cryptococcus to cross the BBB, there must be a way to either cross human brain microvascular endothelial cells, which are the main constitute of the BBB, or go in between tight junctions. Recent evidence of human brain microvascular endothelial cell responses to transcellular brain invasions includes membrane rearrangements, intracellular signaling pathways and cytoskeletal activations. Several Cryptococcal genes related to the traversal of BBB have been identified, including CPS1, ITR1a, ITR3c, PLB1, MPR1, FNX1 and RUB1. In addition, Cryptococcus neoformans-derived microvesicles may contribute to cryptococcal brain invasion. Paracellularly, Cryptococcus may traverse across BBB using either routes utilizing plasmin, ammonia or macrophages in a Trojan horse mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiang-Kuang Tseng
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, No. 46, Sec. 3, Zhongzheng Road, Sanzhi Distric, New Taipei City 25245, Taiwan.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei Branch, No. 92, Sec. 2, Zhongshan North Road, Taipei City 10449, Taiwan.,Microbiology Section, Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Tamshui Branch, No. 45, Minsheng Road, Tamshui District, New Taipei City 25160, Taiwan
| | - Tseng-Yu Huang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei Branch, No. 92, Sec. 2, Zhongshan North Road, Taipei City 10449, Taiwan
| | - Alice Ying-Jung Wu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei Branch, No. 92, Sec. 2, Zhongshan North Road, Taipei City 10449, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Hong Chen
- Microbiology Section, Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Tamshui Branch, No. 45, Minsheng Road, Tamshui District, New Taipei City 25160, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Pan Liu
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, No. 46, Sec. 3, Zhongzheng Road, Sanzhi Distric, New Taipei City 25245, Taiwan.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei Branch, No. 92, Sec. 2, Zhongshan North Road, Taipei City 10449, Taiwan.,Microbiology Section, Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Tamshui Branch, No. 45, Minsheng Road, Tamshui District, New Taipei City 25160, Taiwan
| | - Ambrose Jong
- Hematology-Oncology/BMT, Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
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Abstract
Understanding of the taxonomy and phylogeny of Cryptococcus gattii has been advanced by modern molecular techniques. C. gattii probably diverged from Cryptococcus neoformans between 16 million and 160 million years ago, depending on the dating methods applied, and maintains diversity by recombining in nature. South America is the likely source of the virulent C. gattii VGII molecular types that have emerged in North America. C. gattii shares major virulence determinants with C. neoformans, although genomic and transcriptomic studies revealed that despite similar genomes, the VGIIa and VGIIb subtypes employ very different transcriptional circuits and manifest differences in virulence phenotypes. Preliminary evidence suggests that C. gattii VGII causes severe lung disease and death without dissemination, whereas C. neoformans disseminates readily to the central nervous system (CNS) and causes death from meningoencephalitis. Overall, currently available data indicate that the C. gattii VGI, VGII, and VGIII molecular types more commonly affect nonimmunocompromised hosts, in contrast to VGIV. New, rapid, cheap diagnostic tests and imaging modalities are assisting early diagnosis and enabling better outcomes of cerebral cryptococcosis. Complications of CNS infection include increased intracranial pressure, severe neurological sequelae, and development of immune reconstitution syndrome, although the mortality rate is low. C. gattii VGII isolates may exhibit higher fluconazole MICs than other genotypes. Optimal therapeutic regimens are yet to be determined; in most cases, initial therapy with amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine is recommended.
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Mukhopadhyay SL, Kumar M, Chickabasaviah YT, Bahubali VKH, Raj PA, Bharath RD, Siddaiah N. Cerebellar cryptococcoma due to Cryptococcus gattii VGI; a rare and first report from India. JMM Case Rep 2015. [DOI: 10.1099/jmmcr.0.000052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mukesh Kumar
- National institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Yasha T. Chickabasaviah
- National institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Veena Kumari H. Bahubali
- National institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Prabhu A.R. Raj
- National institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Rose Dawn Bharath
- National institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Nagarathna Siddaiah
- National institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India
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49
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Cryptococcus gattii genotype AFLP6/VGII meningoencephalitis in an immunocompetent Filipino male in Kuwait: activation of a dormant infection. JMM Case Rep 2015. [DOI: 10.1099/jmmcr.0.000058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
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Espinel-Ingroff A, Kidd SE. Current trends in the prevalence of Cryptococcus gattii in the United States and Canada. Infect Drug Resist 2015; 8:89-97. [PMID: 25999744 PMCID: PMC4437038 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s57686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of Cryptococcus gattii infections in both Canada and the United States (US) is provided in this literature review beyond the British Columbia (BC) outbreak (1999-2013). Based on a search of the literature, case reports of C. gattii human infections including the prevalent molecular genotypes causing these infections in both Canada and the US have been documented since the C. gattii outbreak in BC. The literature reveals that: i) although C. gattii infections continue to be reported in both countries, the preliminary overall number of confirmed C. gattii infections may be decreasing in both Canada and the US (~23 cases each in 2012 versus ~17 and 20 cases, respectively in 2013); ii) C. gattii genotype distribution is region-dependent; iii) C. gattii is more frequently isolated from infections in the immunocompromised host (including acquired immune deficiency syndrome [AIDS] infection) than previously expected; iv) although pulmonary disease is higher than in C. neoformans infections, central nervous system disease is also reported among patients infected with C. gattii.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah E Kidd
- National Mycology Reference Center, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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