1
|
Cappelleri A, Canesi S, Bertola L, Capo V, Zecchillo A, Albano L, Villa A, Scanziani E, Recordati C. Pneumocystis murina lesions in lungs of experimentally infected Cd40l -/- mice. Vet Pathol 2024:3009858241252409. [PMID: 38757523 DOI: 10.1177/03009858241252409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
The Cd40l-/- mouse is a well-established model of X-linked hyper-immunoglobulin M (IgM) syndrome, an immunodeficiency disorder of human beings characterized by the lack of expression of the CD40 ligand (CD40L) on activated T-cells, predisposing to infections with opportunistic pathogens like Pneumocystis jirovecii. The aim of our study was to describe the pulmonary lesions in Cd40l-/- mice experimentally infected with Pneumocystis murina, in comparison with naturally infected severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lungs from 26 Cd40l-/-, 11 SCID, and 5 uninfected Cd40l-/- mice were examined by histology and immunohistochemistry for the presence of the pathogen and for leukocyte populations (CD3, CD4, CD45R/B220, CD8a, Iba-1, Ly-6G, CD206, MHC II, and NKp46/NCR1). Infection was confirmed by immunohistochemistry in 18/26 (69%) Cd40l-/- mice and in 11/11 (100%) SCID mice. Fourteen out of 26 (54%) Cd40l-/- mice had interstitial pneumonia. Twenty-three out of 26 (88%) Cd40l-/- mice had peribronchiolar/perivascular lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates, rich in B-cells and Mott cells. Acidophilic macrophage pneumonia was additionally found in 20/26 (77%) Cd40l-/- mice. Only 4/11 (36%) SCID mice had interstitial pneumonia, but no peribronchiolar/perivascular infiltrates or acidophilic macrophage pneumonia were observed in this strain. This study represents the first description of pulmonary histopathological lesions in Cd40l-/- mice infected with P. murina. We speculate that the singular characteristics of the inflammatory infiltrates observed in Cd40l-/- mice could be explained by the specific immune phenotype of the model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cappelleri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
- Mouse and Animal Pathology Laboratory (MAPLab), UniMi Foundation, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Canesi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
- Mouse and Animal Pathology Laboratory (MAPLab), UniMi Foundation, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Bertola
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
- Mouse and Animal Pathology Laboratory (MAPLab), UniMi Foundation, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Capo
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- National Research Council, Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research, Milan Unit, Italy
| | - Alessandra Zecchillo
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- National Research Council, Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research, Milan Unit, Italy
| | - Luisa Albano
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Villa
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- National Research Council, Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research, Milan Unit, Italy
| | - Eugenio Scanziani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
- Mouse and Animal Pathology Laboratory (MAPLab), UniMi Foundation, Milan, Italy
| | - Camilla Recordati
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
- Mouse and Animal Pathology Laboratory (MAPLab), UniMi Foundation, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang Y, Nagase H, Tagawa YI, Taki S, Takamoto M. Endogenous IFN-γ facilitates Pneumocystis infection and downregulates carbohydrate receptors in CD4 + T cell-depleted mice. FEBS Lett 2024. [PMID: 38631897 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
IFN-γ plays a critical role in host defense against intracellular pathogens. IFN-γ is produced in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice infected with Pneumocystis, but the role of IFN-γ in host defense against Pneumocystis remains controversial. It has been previously reported that although exogenous IFN-γ has beneficial effects on eradication of Pneumocystis, endogenous IFN-γ has a negative impact on innate immunity in immunocompromised hosts. Surprisingly, CD4+ T cell-depleted IFN-γ deficient (GKO) mice exhibit resistance to Pneumocystis. Alveolar macrophages (AM) from GKO mice exhibit higher expression of macrophage mannose receptor (MMR) and Dectin-1. Concomitantly, they exhibited greater ability to phagocytize Pneumocystis, and this activity was suppressed by inhibitors of these receptors. Incubation with IFN-γ resulted in a reduction in both the expression of these receptors on AM and their Pneumocystis-phagocytic activity. These results indicate that endogenous IFN-γ facilitates Pneumocystis to escape from host innate immunity by attenuating the phagocytic activity of AM via downregulation of MMR and Dectin-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Department of Infection and Host Defense, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Hisashi Nagase
- Department of Infection and Host Defense, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Yoh-Ichi Tagawa
- Department of Biomolecular Functional Engineering, Graduate School of Bioscience and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Taki
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Masaya Takamoto
- Department of Infection and Host Defense, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
- Community Health Care Research Center, Nagano University of Health and Medicine, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bergstrom M, Rahim A, Akodu J, Marshall G, Harrison C, Penrose L, Lipman MC, Miller RF. Nebulised pentamidine prophylaxis of pneumocystis pneumonia in adults accessing HIV services at royal free hospital, London. Int J STD AIDS 2024:9564624241245155. [PMID: 38606484 DOI: 10.1177/09564624241245155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Receipt of nebulised pentamidine in people with HIV was audited to identify if individuals were appropriately receiving nebulised pentamidine, and whether national guidelines were being followed when prophylaxis was commenced and discontinued. Of 76 people with who received nebulised pentamidine, the main indication for starting nebulised pentamidine was a co-trimoxazole adverse drug reaction. Co-trimoxazole desensitization was not attempted before starting nebulised pentamidine. The main indication for stopping nebulised pentamidine prophylaxis was when immune reconstitution occurred. This single centre audit revealed that national guidelines were being followed in most cases. The lack of information regarding the reason for starting or stopping nebulised pentamidine prophylaxis, or detail of the clinician's concerns about potential poor adherence with oral regimens of prophylaxis as a reason for choosing nebulised pentamidine prophylaxis, identifies a need for improved documentation of clinicians' decision-making. Introduction of pharmacist-led interventions/alerts using patients' electronic records, similar to those used in primary care, would enable the specialist pharmacy team to identify when and if co-trimoxazole desensitization has been offered and discussed/declined before a clinician prescribes nebulised pentamidine as well as enabling identification of those in who pentamidine prophylaxis has been continued, despite "immune reconstitution".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malin Bergstrom
- HIV Services, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Anika Rahim
- HIV Services, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Jane Akodu
- HIV Services, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
- Pharmacy Services, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Gavin Marshall
- HIV Services, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
- Pharmacy Services, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Cora Harrison
- Medicine and Urgent Care, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Louisa Penrose
- HIV Services, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Marc Ci Lipman
- HIV Services, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
- UCL Respiratory, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
- Respiratory Medicine, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Robert F Miller
- HIV Services, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
- Centre for Clinical Research in Infection and Sexual Health, Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Giffen SR, Stoeppler E, Elliott A, Miller MB. Evaluation of analyte-specific reagents for the direct detection of Pneumocystis jirovecii. J Clin Microbiol 2024; 62:e0004524. [PMID: 38477535 PMCID: PMC11005341 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00045-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a serious and sometimes fatal infection occurring in immunocompromised individuals. High-risk patients include those with low CD4 counts due to human immunodeficiency virus infection and transplant recipients. The incidence of PJP is increasing, and rapid detection of PJP is needed to effectively target treatment and improve patient outcomes. A common method used is an immunofluorescent assay (IFA), which has limitations, including labor costs, low sensitivity, and requirement for expert interpretation. This study evaluates the performance of the DiaSorin Molecular Pneumocystis jirovecii analyte-specific reagent (ASR) in a laboratory-developed test (LDT) for the direct detection of P. jirovecii DNA without prior nucleic acid extraction. Respiratory samples (n = 135) previously tested by IFA from 111 patients were included. Using a composite standard of in-house IFA and reference lab PJP PCR, the percent positive agreement for the LDT using the DiaSorin ASR was 97.8% (90/92). The negative percent agreement was 97.7% (42/43). The lower limit of detection of the assay was determined to be 1,200 copies/mL in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Analytical specificity was assessed using cultures of oropharyngeal flora and common respiratory bacterial and fungal pathogens. No cross-reactivity was observed. Our study suggests that the DiaSorin Pneumocystis ASR accurately detects P. jirovecii DNA and demonstrates improved sensitivity compared to the IFA method. IMPORTANCE Our study is unique compared to other previously published studies on the DiaSorin analyte-specific reagent (ASR) because we focused on microbiological diagnostic methods commonly used (immunofluorescent assay) as opposed to pathology findings or reference PCR. In addition, in our materials and methods, we describe the protocol for the use of the DiaSorin ASR as a singleplex assay, which will allow other users to evaluate the ASR for clinical use in their lab.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha R. Giffen
- McLendon Clinical Laboratories, University of North Carolina Medical Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Elizabeth Stoeppler
- McLendon Clinical Laboratories, University of North Carolina Medical Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Avian Elliott
- McLendon Clinical Laboratories, University of North Carolina Medical Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Melissa B. Miller
- McLendon Clinical Laboratories, University of North Carolina Medical Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cissé OH, Ma L, Kovacs JA. Retracing the evolution of Pneumocystis species, with a focus on the human pathogen Pneumocystis jirovecii. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024:e0020222. [PMID: 38587383 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00202-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYEvery human being is presumed to be infected by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii at least once in his or her lifetime. This fungus belongs to a large group of species that appear to exclusively infect mammals, with P. jirovecii being the only one known to cause disease in humans. The mystery of P. jirovecii origin and speciation is just beginning to unravel. Here, we provide a review of the major steps of P. jirovecii evolution. The Pneumocystis genus likely originated from soil or plant-associated organisms during the period of Cretaceous ~165 million years ago and successfully shifted to mammals. The transition coincided with a substantial loss of genes, many of which are related to the synthesis of nutrients that can be scavenged from hosts or cell wall components that could be targeted by the mammalian immune system. Following the transition, the Pneumocystis genus cospeciated with mammals. Each species specialized at infecting its own host. Host specialization is presumably built at least partially upon surface glycoproteins, whose protogene was acquired prior to the genus formation. P. jirovecii appeared at ~65 million years ago, overlapping with the emergence of the first primates. P. jirovecii and its sister species P. macacae, which infects macaques nowadays, may have had overlapping host ranges in the distant past. Clues from molecular clocks suggest that P. jirovecii did not cospeciate with humans. Molecular evidence suggests that Pneumocystis speciation involved chromosomal rearrangements and the mounting of genetic barriers that inhibit gene flow among species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ousmane H Cissé
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Liang Ma
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Joseph A Kovacs
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Prosty C, Katergi K, Sorin M, Rjeily MB, Butler-Laporte G, McDonald EG, Lee TC. Comparative efficacy and safety of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia prophylaxis regimens for people living with HIV: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Microbiol Infect 2024:S1198-743X(24)00168-X. [PMID: 38583518 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2024.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is a common opportunistic infection among people living with HIV (PWH), particularly among new and untreated cases. Several regimens are available for the prophylaxis of PCP, including trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), dapsone-based regimens (DBRs), aerosolized pentamidine (AP), and atovaquone. OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy and safety of PCP prophylaxis regimens in PWH by network meta-analysis. METHODS DATA SOURCES: Embase, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL from inception to June 21, 2023. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Comparative randomized controlled trials (RCTs). PARTICIPANTS PWH. INTERVENTIONS Regimens for PCP prophylaxis either compared head-to-head or versus no treatment/placebo. ASSESSMENT OF RISK OF BIAS Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for RCTs 2. METHODS OF DATA SYNTHESIS Title or abstract and full-text screening and data extraction were performed in duplicate by two independent reviewers. Data on PCP incidence, all-cause mortality, and discontinuation due to toxicity were pooled and ranked by network meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses of primary versus secondary prophylaxis, by year, and by dosage were performed. RESULTS A total of 26 RCTs, comprising 55 treatment arms involving 7516 PWH were included. For the prevention of PCP, TMP-SMX was ranked the most favourable agent and was superior to DBRs (risk ratio [RR] = 0.54; 95% CI, 0.36-0.83) and AP (RR = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36-0.77). TMP-SMX was also the only agent with a mortality benefit compared with no treatment/placebo (RR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.64-0.98). However, TMP-SMX was also ranked as the most toxic agent with a greater risk of discontinuation than DBRs (RR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01-1.54) and AP (7.20; 95% CI, 5.37-9.66). No significant differences in PCP prevention or mortality were detected among the other regimens. The findings remained consistent within subgroups. CONCLUSIONS TMP-SMX is the most effective agent for PCP prophylaxis in PWH and the only agent to confer a mortality benefit; consequently, it should continue to be recommended as the first-line agent. Further studies are necessary to determine the optimal dosing of TMP-SMX to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Connor Prosty
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - Khaled Katergi
- Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mark Sorin
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Guillaume Butler-Laporte
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, QC, Montréal, Canada
| | - Emily G McDonald
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Clinical Practice Assessment Unit, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Todd C Lee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, QC, Montréal, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Clinical Practice Assessment Unit, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Fathallah A, Chouaieb H, Saief MB, Ismaïl S, Said MB, Denning DW. The incidence and prevalence of serious fungal diseases in Tunisia. J Mycol Med 2024; 34:101479. [PMID: 38604083 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2024.101479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
With increasing concern about the negative health impact of fungal disease, there is a need to survey what is and is not known about the epidemiology of these infections in Tunisia. We have estimated the incidence and prevalence of the most serious fungal diseases in Tunisia for the first time. Using published literature from Tunisia, or if absent other countries, we have estimated the burden of life-threatening fungal infections and those causing significant morbidity, using deterministic modeling, based on populations at greatest risk. An estimated 250,494 (2.12% of the Tunisian population) are affected by a serious fungal disease annually. Invasive and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis are relatively common with 708 and 2090 patients affected, partly linked to the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Fungal asthma (allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and severe asthma with fungal sensitization) have an estimated prevalence of 38,264 (5.8% of the adult asthma population). Fungal keratitis probably affects 1,761 eyes annually, often leading to uniocular blindness. Candidaemia and Candida peritonitis probably affect at least 680 people annually, with a high mortality. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis probably affects over 200,000 women. While fungal diseases are regularly diagnosed in Tunisia, epidemiological studies with denominators are uncommon. Some fungal diseases are poorly addressed with the current diagnostic portfolio, and surveillance is lacking. Studies on these diseases and the implementation of a national program of surveillance are required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akila Fathallah
- Laboratory of Parasitology - Mycology, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia; Department of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse Mohamed El Karoui Street, Bp 126,4002 Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Hamed Chouaieb
- Laboratory of Parasitology - Mycology, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia; Department of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse Mohamed El Karoui Street, Bp 126,4002 Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Moadh Ben Saief
- Laboratory of Parasitology - Mycology, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Samar Ismaïl
- Laboratory of Parasitology - Mycology, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia; Department of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse Mohamed El Karoui Street, Bp 126,4002 Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Moncef Ben Said
- Laboratory of Parasitology - Mycology, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia; Department of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse Mohamed El Karoui Street, Bp 126,4002 Sousse, Tunisia
| | - David W Denning
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Nev OA, Duvenage L, Brown AJP, Dangarembizi R, Hoving JC. Slicing through the challenge of maintaining Pneumocystis in the laboratory. mBio 2024; 15:e0327723. [PMID: 38345378 PMCID: PMC10936409 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03277-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii is a major fungal pathogen of humans that causes life-threatening lung infections in immunocompromised individuals. Despite its huge global impact upon human health, our understanding of the pathobiology of this deadly fungus remains extremely limited, largely because it is not yet possible to cultivate Pneumocystis in vitro, independently of the host. However, a recent paper by Munyonho et al. offers a major step forward (F. T. Munyonho, R. D. Clark, D. Lin, M. S. Khatun, et al., 2023, mBio 15:e01464-23, https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01464-23). They show that it is possible to maintain both the trophozoite and cyst forms of the mouse pathogen, Pneumocystis murina, in precision-cut lung slices for several weeks. Furthermore, they demonstrate that this offers the exciting opportunity to examine potential virulence factors such as possible biofilm formation as well as antifungal drug responses in the lung.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga A. Nev
- Biosciences and Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Lucian Duvenage
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- CMM AFRICA Medical Mycology Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Pathology, Division of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alistair J. P. Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Rachael Dangarembizi
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- CMM AFRICA Medical Mycology Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Human Biology, Division of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jennifer Claire Hoving
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- CMM AFRICA Medical Mycology Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Pathology, Division of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kottom TJ, Carmona EM, Limper AH. Characterization of the Pneumocystis jirovecii and Pneumocystis murina phosphoglucomutases (Pgm2s): a potential target for Pneumocystis therapy. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0075623. [PMID: 38259086 PMCID: PMC10916394 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00756-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis cyst life forms contain abundant β-glucan carbohydrates, synthesized using β-1,3 and β-1,6 glucan synthase enzymes and the donor uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucose. In yeast, phosphoglucomutase (PGM) plays a crucial role in carbohydrate metabolism by interconverting glucose 1-phosphate and glucose 6-phosphate, a vital step in UDP pools for β-glucan cell wall formation. This pathway has not yet been defined in Pneumocystis. Herein, we surveyed the Pneumocystis jirovecii and Pneumocystis murina genomes, which predicted a homolog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae major PGM enzyme. Furthermore, we show that PjPgm2p and PmPgm2p function similarly to the yeast counterpart. When both Pneumocystis pgm2 homologs are heterologously expressed in S. cerevisiae pgm2Δ cells, both genes can restore growth and sedimentation rates to wild-type levels. Additionally, we demonstrate that yeast pgm2Δ cell lysates expressing the two Pneumocystis pgm2 transcripts individually can restore PGM activities significantly altered in the yeast pgm2Δ strain. The addition of lithium, a competitive inhibitor of yeast PGM activity, significantly reduces PGM activity. Next, we tested the effects of lithium on P. murina viability ex vivo and found the compound displays significant anti-Pneumocystis activity. Finally, we demonstrate that a para-aryl derivative (ISFP10) with known inhibitory activity against the Aspergillus fumigatus PGM protein and exhibiting 50-fold selectivity over the human PGM enzyme homolog can also significantly reduce Pmpgm2 activity in vitro. Collectively, our data genetically and functionally validate phosphoglucomutases in both P. jirovecii and P. murina and suggest the potential of this protein as a selective therapeutic target for individuals with Pneumocystis pneumonia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theodore J. Kottom
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Eva M. Carmona
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Andrew H. Limper
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rodríguez-Vargas C, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Denning DW, Belén Araúz A. Estimated burden of fungal infections in Panama. J Mycol Med 2024; 34:101466. [PMID: 38382172 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2024.101466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Data published on Panamanian fungal disease are scarce, mostly case reports. To date, there is no paper that compiles the burden of fungal disease Here we estimate for the first time the incidence and prevalence of fungal diseases in Panama. Data on fungal disease were obtained from different search engines: PubMed, Google Scholar, Scielo and Lilacs. For population and at risk diseases, we used statistics from worldometer, UNAIDS, and WHO. Incidence, prevalence, and absolute numbers were calculated based on the population at risk. Panamanian population in 2022 was 4,429,739. We estimated that 85,530 (1.93 %) people suffer from fungal diseases. The most frequent fungal infection was recurrent Candida vaginitis (3285/100,000). There are 31,000 HIV-infected people in Panama and based on the number of cases not receiving anti-retroviral therapy (14,570), and previous reports of prevalence of opportunistic infections, we estimated annual incidences of 4.0/100,000 for cryptococcal meningitis, 29.5/100,000 for oral candidiasis, 23.1/100,000 for esophageal candidiasis, 29.5/100,000 for Pneumocystis pneumonia, 15.1/100,000, and for histoplasmosis. For chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) and fungal asthma we used data from Guatemala and Colombia to estimate COPD and asthma prevalence and WHO report for tuberculosis. We estimated annual incidences of 6.1/100,000 for invasive aspergillosis and prevalence of 31.5/100,000 for CPA, 60.2/100,000 for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and 79.5/100,000 for severe asthma with fungal sensitisation. Other incidence estimates were 5.0/100,000 for candidaemia, 0.20/100,000 for mucormycosis, and 4.97/100,000 for fungal keratitis. Even though this report on burden of fungal disease is a forward step, more epidemiological studies to validate these estimates are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo
- Global Action For Fungal Infections, 01564 Geneva, Switzerland; Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28222 Madrid, Spain
| | - David W Denning
- Global Action For Fungal Infections, 01564 Geneva, Switzerland; Manchester Fungal Infection Group, The University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
| | - Ana Belén Araúz
- Department of Infectious Diseases Hospital Santo Tomás, Panama
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Gri J, Jain V. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2024; 18:52. [PMID: 38342895 PMCID: PMC10860319 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-024-04350-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE Pneumocystis jirovecii (PJP) pneumonia is a serious life-threatening condition in immunocompromised individuals and is often associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) + patients. We describe a case of PJP pneumonia which provided a diagnostic challenge in a patient who presented with no known risk factors leading to a delay in initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy. CASE PRESENTATION A 71-year-old previously healthy white/Caucasian male presented with subacute hypoxic respiratory failure due to multifocal pneumonia with diffuse bilateral ground glass opacities with consolidations despite prior treatment with antibiotics and steroids. He was admitted and started on intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics but continued to deteriorate, eventually requiring intubation and transfer to the ICU. Bronchoscopy revealed PJP and treatment was initiated, but the patient developed refractory shock and multiorgan failure, and ultimately died. It was later discovered that he was HIV-1 positive. CLINICAL DISCUSSION PJP, as a potential cause of his presentation, was not considered given that our patient lacked any overt risk factors for PJP pneumonia. He continued to worsen despite broad spectrum antibiotic therapy and hence bronchoscopy was pursued. His clinical profile, in hindsight, was suspicious for PJP pneumonia and early PJP-directed antibiotic therapy may have prevented a fatal outcome, as in this case. There was an element of cognitive bias across multiple providers which may have contributed to the delay in treatment despite his rapid clinical decline while on conventional pneumonia treatment protocol. His diagnosis was later evident when his BAL-DFA grew PJP in addition to his low levels of CD4 and CD8 cells. He was found to be HIV-1 positive five days after his death; there was a delay in this diagnosis since all positive HIV tests from the hospital are reported as 'pending' until the presumptive positive sample goes to the Connecticut Department of Public Health State laboratory for the confirmatory test. PJP-targeted therapies were initiated later in our patient's hospital course when the infection had progressed to refractory septic shock with multiorgan failure and eventual death. CONCLUSION PJP pneumonia is a fatal disease if not recognized early in the course of illness, and the patient usually undergoes multiple antibiotic regimens before they are diagnosed and receive appropriate clinical care. The gold standard of diagnostic testing for PJP is by obtaining bronchial washings through a flexible bronchoscopy and the turnaround time for such results may take a few days to result. A significant proportion of patients may not have any overt risk factors of immunosuppression and early empiric treatment for PJP may be clinically appropriate as the delay in diagnosis may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Gri
- Internal Medicine Program, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA.
| | - Varun Jain
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Francis Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kottom TJ, Carmona EM, Limper AH. Targeting host tyrosine kinase receptor EphA2 signaling via small-molecule ALW-II-41-27 inhibits macrophage pro-inflammatory signaling responses to Pneumocystis carinii β-glucans. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0081123. [PMID: 38206037 PMCID: PMC10848750 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00811-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii, the fungus that causes Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP), is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. We have previously shown that lung epithelial cells can bind Pneumocystis spp. β-glucans via the EphA2 receptor, resulting in activation and release of proinflammatory cytokines. Herein, we show that in vivo Pneumocystis spp. β-glucans activation of the inflammatory signaling cascade in macrophages can be pharmacodynamically inhibited with the EphA2 receptor small-molecule inhibitor ALW-II-41-27. In vitro, when ALW-II-41-27 is administrated via intraperitoneal to mice prior to the administration of highly proinflammatory Saccharomyces cerevisiae β-glucans in the lung, a significant reduction in TNF-alpha release was noted in the ALW-II-41-27 pre-treated group. Taken together, our data suggest that targeting host lung macrophage activation via EphA2 receptor-fungal β-glucans interactions with ALW-II-41-27 or other EphA2 receptor kinase targeting inhibitors might be an attractive and viable strategy to reduce detrimental lung inflammation associated with PJP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theodore J. Kottom
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Eva M. Carmona
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Andrew H. Limper
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Sayson SG, Ashbaugh A, Cushion MT. Extracellular vesicles from Pneumocystis carinii-infected rats impair fungal viability but are dispensable for macrophage functions. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0365323. [PMID: 38236033 PMCID: PMC10845964 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03653-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis spp. are host obligate fungal pathogens that can cause severe pneumonia in mammals and rely heavily on their host for essential nutrients. The lack of a sustainable in vitro culture system poses challenges in understanding their metabolism, and the acquisition of essential nutrients from host lungs remains unexplored. Transmission electron micrographs show that extracellular vesicles (EVs) are found near Pneumocystis spp. within the lung. We hypothesized that EVs transport essential nutrients to the fungi during infection. To investigate this, EVs from P. carinii- and P. murina-infected rodents were biochemically and functionally characterized. These EVs contained host proteins involved in cellular, metabolic, and immune processes as well as proteins with homologs found in other fungal EV proteomes, indicating that Pneumocystis may release EVs. Notably, EV uptake by P. carinii indicated their potential involvement in nutrient acquisition and a possibility for using engineered EVs for efficient therapeutic delivery. However, EVs added to P. carinii in vitro did not show increased growth or viability, implying that additional nutrients or factors are necessary to support their metabolic requirements. Exposure of macrophages to EVs increased proinflammatory cytokine levels but did not affect macrophages' ability to kill or phagocytose P. carinii. These findings provide vital insights into P. carinii and host EV interactions, yet the mechanisms underlying P. carinii's survival in the lung remain uncertain. These studies are the first to isolate, characterize, and functionally assess EVs from Pneumocystis-infected rodents, promising to enhance our understanding of host-pathogen dynamics and therapeutic potential.IMPORTANCEPneumocystis spp. are fungal pathogens that can cause severe pneumonia in mammals, relying heavily on the host for essential nutrients. The absence of an in vitro culture system poses challenges in understanding their metabolism, and the acquisition of vital nutrients from host lungs remains unexplored. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are found near Pneumocystis spp., and it is hypothesized that these vesicles transport nutrients to the pathogenic fungi. Pneumocystis proteins within the EVs showed homology to other fungal EV proteomes, suggesting that Pneumocystis spp. release EVs. While EVs did not significantly enhance P. carinii growth in vitro, P. carinii displayed active uptake of these vesicles. Moreover, EVs induced proinflammatory cytokine production in macrophages without compromising their ability to combat P. carinii. These findings provide valuable insights into EV dynamics during host-pathogen interactions in Pneumocystis pneumonia. However, the precise underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. This research also raises the potential for engineered EVs in therapeutic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven G. Sayson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- The Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Alan Ashbaugh
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- The Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Melanie T. Cushion
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- The Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Benedict K, Baggs J, Gold JAW. Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Diagnostic Testing Practices for Pneumocystis Pneumonia-Associated Hospitalizations, United States, 2019-2022. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofae054. [PMID: 38379572 PMCID: PMC10878048 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Among 9196 hospitalizations involving Pneumocystis pneumonia, those without HIV had higher in-hospital mortality (24.3% vs 10.5%, P < .001) when compared with those with HIV. These findings underscore the continued importance of Pneumocystis pneumonia clinical awareness and the need for comprehensive prophylaxis guidance, particularly for certain patients without HIV who are immunosuppressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin Benedict
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - James Baggs
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jeremy A W Gold
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Guo J, Tian W, Lin H, Hu L, Gao X, Xia J, Yu H, Chen H, Li W, Wu W. Analytical and clinical validation of multiplex droplet digital PCR assay for detecting pathogenic fungal infection in lungs. Mycology 2023; 15:110-119. [PMID: 38558836 PMCID: PMC10976995 DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2023.2296941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary invasive fungal infection in immunocompromised hosts is difficult to diagnose, and current tools for diagnosis or monitoring of response to antifungal treatments have inherent limitations. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) has emerged as a promising tool for pulmonary pathogen detection with high sensitivity. This study presents a novel ddPCR panel for rapid and sensitive identification of pulmonary fungal pathogens. First, a ddPCR method for detecting three fungal genera, including Pneumocystis, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus, was established and evaluated. Then, the clinical validation performance of ddPCR was compared with that of qPCR using 170 specimens, and the 6 specimens with inconsistent results were further verified by metagenomics next-generation sequencing, which yielded results consistent with the ddPCR findings. Finally, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the efficiency of ddPCR. While the qPCR identified 16 (9.41%) cases of Aspergillus and 6 (3.53%) cases of Pneumocystis, ddPCR detected 20 (11.76%) Aspergillus cases and 8 (4.71%) Pneumocystis cases. The AUC for Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, and Pneumocystis was 0.974, 0.998, and 0.975, respectively. These findings demonstrated that the ddPCR assay is a highly sensitive method for identifying pathogens responsible for invasive fungal pulmonary infections, and is a promising tool for early diagnosis. .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Guo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjie Tian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huiping Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuejuan Gao
- Pilot Gene Technologies Company Limited, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiang Xia
- Pilot Gene Technologies Company Limited, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hao Yu
- Pilot Gene Technologies Company Limited, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenjuan Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Riebold D, Mahnkopf M, Wicht K, Zubiria-Barrera C, Heise J, Frank M, Misch D, Bauer T, Stocker H, Slevogt H. Axenic Long-Term Cultivation of Pneumocystis jirovecii. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:903. [PMID: 37755011 PMCID: PMC10533121 DOI: 10.3390/jof9090903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii, a fungus causing severe Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in humans, has long been described as non-culturable. Only isolated short-term experiments with P. jirovecii and a small number of experiments involving animal-derived Pneumocystis species have been published to date. However, P. jirovecii culture conditions may differ significantly from those of animal-derived Pneumocystis, as there are major genotypic and phenotypic differences between them. Establishing a well-performing P. jirovecii cultivation is crucial to understanding PCP and its pathophysiological processes. The aim of this study, therefore, was to develop an axenic culture for Pneumocystis jirovecii. To identify promising approaches for cultivation, a literature survey encompassing animal-derived Pneumocystis cultures was carried out. The variables identified, such as incubation time, pH value, vitamins, amino acids, and other components, were trialed and adjusted to find the optimum conditions for P. jirovecii culture. This allowed us to develop a medium that produced a 42.6-fold increase in P. jirovecii qPCR copy numbers after a 48-day culture. Growth was confirmed microscopically by the increasing number and size of actively growing Pneumocystis clusters in the final medium, DMEM-O3. P. jirovecii doubling time was 8.9 days (range 6.9 to 13.6 days). In conclusion, we successfully cultivated P. jirovecii under optimized cell-free conditions in a 70-day long-term culture for the first time. However, further optimization of the culture conditions for this slow grower is indispensable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Riebold
- Research Centre of Medical Technology and Biotechnology (FZMB), 99947 Bad Langensalza, Germany; (M.M.); (J.H.)
| | - Marie Mahnkopf
- Research Centre of Medical Technology and Biotechnology (FZMB), 99947 Bad Langensalza, Germany; (M.M.); (J.H.)
| | - Kristina Wicht
- Separation Science Group, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, B-9000 Gent, Belgium;
| | - Cristina Zubiria-Barrera
- Respiratory Infection Dynamics Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; (C.Z.-B.); (H.S.)
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Hannover Medical School, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), BREATH, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan Heise
- Research Centre of Medical Technology and Biotechnology (FZMB), 99947 Bad Langensalza, Germany; (M.M.); (J.H.)
| | - Marcus Frank
- Medical Biology and Electron Microscopy Centre (EMZ), University Medicine Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Daniel Misch
- Lungenklinik Heckeshorn, Helios Klinikum Emil-von-Behring, 14165 Berlin, Germany; (D.M.); (T.B.)
| | - Torsten Bauer
- Lungenklinik Heckeshorn, Helios Klinikum Emil-von-Behring, 14165 Berlin, Germany; (D.M.); (T.B.)
| | - Hartmut Stocker
- Clinic for Infectiology, St. Joseph’s Hospital Berlin, 12101 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Hortense Slevogt
- Respiratory Infection Dynamics Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; (C.Z.-B.); (H.S.)
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Hannover Medical School, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), BREATH, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Tekin A, Truong HH, Rovati L, Lal A, Gerberi DJ, Gajic O, O’Horo JC. The Diagnostic Accuracy of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing in Diagnosing Pneumocystis Pneumonia: A Systemic Review and Meta-analysis. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad442. [PMID: 37674635 PMCID: PMC10478158 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a growing concern as the immunocompromised population expands. Current laboratory approaches are limited. This systematic review aimed to evaluate metagenomic next-generation sequencing (MNGS) tests' performance in detecting PCP. Methods Five databases were searched through December 19, 2022, to identify original studies comparing MNGS with clinically diagnosed PCP. To assess the accuracy, symmetric hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic models were used. Results Eleven observational studies reporting 1442 patients (424 with PCP) were included. Six studies focused exclusively on recipients of biologic immunosuppression (none with HIV-associated immunosuppression). Six were exclusively on bronchoalveolar lavage, while 1 was on blood samples. The sensitivity of MGNS was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.90-0.99), and specificity was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.92-0.98), with negative and positive likelihood ratios of 0.02 (95% CI, 0.01-0.05) and 19.31 (95% CI, 10.26-36.36), respectively. A subgroup analysis of studies exclusively including bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and blood samples demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.78-0.99) and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.80-0.98) and a specificity of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.88-0.99) and 0.98 (95% CI, 0.76-1.00), respectively. The sensitivity analysis on recipients of biologic immunosuppression showed a sensitivity and specificity of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.90-0.98) and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.84-0.98), respectively. The overall confidence in the estimates was low. Conclusions Despite the low certainty of evidence, MNGS detects PCP with high sensitivity and specificity. This also applies to recipients of biologic immunosuppression and tests performed exclusively on blood samples without the need for BAL. Further studies are required in individuals with HIV-associated immunosuppression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aysun Tekin
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Hong Hieu Truong
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lucrezia Rovati
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Amos Lal
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Danielle J Gerberi
- Mayo Clinic Library Services, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ognjen Gajic
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - John C O’Horo
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Giacobbe DR, Dettori S, Di Pilato V, Asperges E, Ball L, Berti E, Blennow O, Bruzzone B, Calvet L, Capra Marzani F, Casabella A, Choudaly S, Dartevel A, De Pascale G, Di Meco G, Fallon M, Galerneau LM, Gallego M, Giacomini M, González Sáez A, Hänsel L, Icardi G, Koehler P, Lagrou K, Lahmer T, Lewis White P, Magnasco L, Marchese A, Marelli C, Marín-Arriaza M, Martin-Loeches I, Mekontso-Dessap A, Mikulska M, Mularoni A, Nordlander A, Poissy J, Russelli G, Signori A, Tascini C, Vaconsin LM, Vargas J, Vena A, Wauters J, Pelosi P, Timsit JF, Bassetti M. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in intensive care units: a multicenter study by ESGCIP and EFISG. Crit Care 2023; 27:323. [PMID: 37620828 PMCID: PMC10464114 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-023-04608-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is an opportunistic, life-threatening disease commonly affecting immunocompromised patients. The distribution of predisposing diseases or conditions in critically ill patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) and subjected to diagnostic work-up for PJP has seldom been explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS The primary objective of the study was to describe the characteristics of ICU patients subjected to diagnostic workup for PJP. The secondary objectives were: (i) to assess demographic and clinical variables associated with PJP; (ii) to assess the performance of Pneumocystis PCR on respiratory specimens and serum BDG for the diagnosis of PJP; (iii) to describe 30-day and 90-day mortality in the study population. RESULTS Overall, 600 patients were included in the study, of whom 115 had presumptive/proven PJP (19.2%). Only 8.8% of ICU patients subjected to diagnostic workup for PJP had HIV infection, whereas hematological malignancy, solid tumor, inflammatory diseases, and solid organ transplants were present in 23.2%, 16.2%, 15.5%, and 10.0% of tested patients, respectively. In multivariable analysis, AIDS (odds ratio [OR] 3.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-9.64, p = 0.029), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (OR 3.71; 95% CI 1.23-11.18, p = 0.020), vasculitis (OR 5.95; 95% CI 1.07-33.22, p = 0.042), metastatic solid tumor (OR 4.31; 95% CI 1.76-10.53, p = 0.001), and bilateral ground glass on CT scan (OR 2.19; 95% CI 1.01-4.78, p = 0.048) were associated with PJP, whereas an inverse association was observed for increasing lymphocyte cell count (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.42-1.00, p = 0.049). For the diagnosis of PJP, higher positive predictive value (PPV) was observed when both respiratory Pneumocystis PCR and serum BDG were positive compared to individual assay positivity (72% for the combination vs. 63% for PCR and 39% for BDG). Cumulative 30-day mortality and 90-day mortality in patients with presumptive/proven PJP were 52% and 67%, respectively. CONCLUSION PJP in critically ill patients admitted to ICU is nowadays most encountered in non-HIV patients. Serum BDG when used in combination with respiratory Pneumocystis PCR could help improve the certainty of PJP diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Roberto Giacobbe
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
- Infectious Diseases Unit, San Martino Policlinico Hospital - IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Silvia Dettori
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Unit, San Martino Policlinico Hospital - IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Pilato
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Erika Asperges
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Ball
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care, San Martino Policlinico Hospital - IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enora Berti
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, DMU Médecine, Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, Créteil, France
| | - Ola Blennow
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bianca Bruzzone
- Hygiene Unit, San Martino Policlinico Hospital-IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
| | - Laure Calvet
- Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Federico Capra Marzani
- Servizio di Anestesia e Rianimazione 1, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonio Casabella
- Microbiology Unit, Laboratory Department, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT-CERCA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sabadell, Spain
| | - Sofia Choudaly
- Inserm U1285, CHU Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576, UGSF, Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale Et Fonctionnelle, University of Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Anais Dartevel
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, Grenoble, France
| | - Gennaro De Pascale
- Dipartimento di Scienze Dell'emergenza, Anestesiologiche e Della Rianimazione, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Di Meco
- Infectious Diseases Unit, San Martino Policlinico Hospital - IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Melissa Fallon
- Public Health Wales Mycology Reference Laboratory, PHW Microbiology Cardiff, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Miguel Gallego
- Respiratory Department, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT-CERCA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sabadell, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mauro Giacomini
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and System Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Adolfo González Sáez
- Servicio de Microbiología Clínica y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias-CIBERES, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luise Hänsel
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Excellence Centre for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Medical Faculty and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Giancarlo Icardi
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Hygiene Unit, San Martino Policlinico Hospital-IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
| | - Philipp Koehler
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Excellence Centre for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Medical Faculty and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and National Reference Center for Mycosis, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tobias Lahmer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - P Lewis White
- Public Health Wales Mycology Reference Laboratory, PHW Microbiology Cardiff, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University Centre for Trials Research, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Laura Magnasco
- Infectious Diseases Unit, San Martino Policlinico Hospital - IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Anna Marchese
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- UO Microbiologia, San Martino Policlinico Hospital - IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
| | - Cristina Marelli
- Infectious Diseases Unit, San Martino Policlinico Hospital - IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mercedes Marín-Arriaza
- Servicio de Microbiología Clínica y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias-CIBERES, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Martin-Loeches
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Multidisciplinary Intensive Care Research Organization (MICRO), Dublin, Leinster, Ireland
- Pulmonary Intensive Care Unit, Respiratory Institute, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS (Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer), University of Barcelona, CIBERES, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Armand Mekontso-Dessap
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, DMU Médecine, Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, Créteil, France
- Groupe de Recherche Clinique CARMAS, Faculté de Santé de Créteil, IMRB, Creteil, Île-de-France, France
- INSERM, Creteil, Île-de-France, France
| | - Malgorzata Mikulska
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Unit, San Martino Policlinico Hospital - IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Mularoni
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, ISMETT-IRCCS Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Nordlander
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Julien Poissy
- Inserm U1285, CHU Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576, UGSF, Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale Et Fonctionnelle, University of Lille, 59000, Lille, France
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Critical Care Center, CHU Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Giovanna Russelli
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, ISMETT-IRCCS Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessio Signori
- Section of Biostatistics, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carlo Tascini
- Infectious Diseases Clinic, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria del Friuli Centrale (ASUFC), Udine, Italy
- Department of Medical Area (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | | | - Joel Vargas
- Dipartimento di Scienze Dell'emergenza, Anestesiologiche e Della Rianimazione, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Vena
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Unit, San Martino Policlinico Hospital - IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Joost Wauters
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paolo Pelosi
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care, San Martino Policlinico Hospital - IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
| | - Jean-Francois Timsit
- Medical and Infectious Diseases ICU, APHP, Bichat Hospital, Paris, France
- INSERM, IAME, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Matteo Bassetti
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Unit, San Martino Policlinico Hospital - IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Xue T, Kong X, Ma L. Trends in the Epidemiology of Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Immunocompromised Patients without HIV Infection. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:812. [PMID: 37623583 PMCID: PMC10455156 DOI: 10.3390/jof9080812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing morbidity and mortality of life-threatening Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in immunocompromised people poses a global concern, prompting the World Health Organization to list it as one of the 19 priority invasive fungal diseases, calling for increased research and public health action. In response to this initiative, we provide this review on the epidemiology of PCP in non-HIV patients with various immunodeficient conditions, including the use of immunosuppressive agents, cancer therapies, solid organ and stem cell transplantation, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, inherited or primary immunodeficiencies, and COVID-19. Special attention is given to the molecular epidemiology of PCP outbreaks in solid organ transplant recipients; the risk of PCP associated with the increasing use of immunodepleting monoclonal antibodies and a wide range of genetic defects causing primary immunodeficiency; the trend of concurrent infection of PCP in COVID-19; the prevalence of colonization; and the rising evidence supporting de novo infection rather than reactivation of latent infection in the pathogenesis of PCP. Additionally, we provide a concise discussion of the varying effects of different immunodeficient conditions on distinct components of the immune system. The objective of this review is to increase awareness and knowledge of PCP in non-HIV patients, thereby improving the early identification and treatment of patients susceptible to PCP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xue
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pneumoconiosis, Key Laboratory of Prophylaxis and Treatment and Basic Research of Respiratory Diseases of Shanxi Province, Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Respiratory, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Xiaomei Kong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pneumoconiosis, Key Laboratory of Prophylaxis and Treatment and Basic Research of Respiratory Diseases of Shanxi Province, Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Respiratory, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Liang Ma
- Critical Care Medicine Department, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kianipour S, Dehghan P, Emami Ardestani M. Detection of Opportunistic Fungi from the Bronchoalveolar Lavage Specimens of Patients with Pulmonary Diseases. Adv Biomed Res 2023; 12:176. [PMID: 37694245 PMCID: PMC10492593 DOI: 10.4103/abr.abr_297_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Opportunistic fungi are a constantly evolving group of pathogens that become active when the immune system is compromised, begin to multiply, and soon overwhelm the weakened immune system. This study was performed to evaluate the number of opportunistic fungi in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples of patients with pulmonary diseases. Materials and Methods After receiving patients' consent and demographic forms, a total of 120 BAL samples were taken by a pulmonary physician. The etiologic agents were identified by standard morphological and molecular methods. Yeast cells were counted on culture media, and direct smears were precisely examined for the presence of yeasts elements, Pneumocystis, and filamentous fungi. Results In this study, 29 (24.1%) patients showed positive direct smears for yeast elements in their BAL samples. The mean colony count of yeasts was 42,000 (CFU/mL) on culture media. Six (5%) species of filamentous fungi, including three (2.5%) isolates of Penicillium species (P. variabile, P. glabrum, and P. thomii), two (1.67%) Aspergillus species (A. flavus and A. fumigatus), 1 case (0.83%) Pseudallescheria boydii were detected. Seven cases (5.83%) of Pneumocystis cysts were observed in the direct smears stained with Giemsa. Identification of all fungi confirmed by molecular or sequencing methods. Conclusions Due to the presence of a large number of fungi in the BAL samples and possible physical interference with the selected drugs for treatment, we draw the attention of pulmonologists to this important issue. Rapid diagnosis of fungal infections is essential to optimize treatments and outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Kianipour
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Parvin Dehghan
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Emami Ardestani
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kottom TJ, Carmona EM, Limper AH. Lung Epithelial Cell Line Immune Responses to Pneumocystis. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:729. [PMID: 37504718 PMCID: PMC10381464 DOI: 10.3390/jof9070729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis sp. are fungal pathogens and members of the Ascomycota phylum. Immunocompetent individuals can readily eliminate the fungus, whereas immunocompromised individuals can develop Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP). Currently, over 500,000 cases occur worldwide, and the organism is listed on the recently released WHO fungal priority pathogens list. Overall, the number of PJP cases over the last few decades in developed countries with the use of highly effective antiretroviral therapy has decreased, but the cases of non-HIV individuals using immunosuppressive therapies have significantly increased. Even with relatively effective current anti-Pneumocystis therapies, the mortality rate remains 30-60% in non-HIV patients and 10-20% during initial episodes of PJP in HIV/AIDS patients. Although the role of alveolar macrophages is well studied and established, there is also well-established and emerging evidence regarding the role of epithelial cells in the immune response to fungi. This mini review provides a brief overview summarizing the innate immune response of the lung epithelium and various continuously cultured mammalian cell lines to Pneumocystis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theodore J. Kottom
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (E.M.C.); (A.H.L.)
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Gold JAW, Adjei S, Gundlapalli AV, Huang YLA, Chiller T, Benedict K, Toda M. Increased Hospitalizations Involving Fungal Infections during COVID-19 Pandemic, United States, January 2020-December 2021. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:1433-1437. [PMID: 37347805 PMCID: PMC10310397 DOI: 10.3201/eid2907.221771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hospitalizations involving fungal infections increased 8.5% each year in the United States during 2019-2021. During 2020-2021, patients hospitalized with COVID-19-associated fungal infections had higher (48.5%) in-hospital mortality rates than those with non-COVID-19-associated fungal infections (12.3%). Improved fungal disease surveillance is needed, particularly during respiratory virus pandemics.
Collapse
|
23
|
Ayling-Smith J, Backx M, Grant E, Dhillon R, Duckers J, Hood K, White PL. Gaining an Understanding of Pneumocystosis in Wales. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:660. [PMID: 37367596 DOI: 10.3390/jof9060660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) is a serious complication of many significant immunocompromising conditions. Prior incidence estimates in Wales are based on PcP's presentation in the HIV and transplant populations. The objectives were to describe the incidence of PcP in Wales using laboratory reporting measures and assess the impact of underlying immunosuppression cause on mortality. All positive PCR results for PcP between 2015 and 2018 were identified. The total number of unique positives with clinical and radiological correlation was 159 patients, a mean of 39.75 annually. The healthcare records of these patients were reviewed. The mortality at one month was 35.2% and 49.1% at one year. HIV remains the commonest cause of immunosuppression but has lower mortality than non-HIV conditions (12% vs. 59% at one year, p < 0.00001). Non-HIV conditions were categorised as life-threatening and non-life threatening but had a non-significant mortality (66% vs. 54%; p = 0.149), highlighting the negative impact of PcP. An incidence of PcP in Wales of 1.23-1.26 cases per 100,000 has been identified, 32-35% greater than the upper limit previously estimated. There is high mortality in non-HIV patients regardless of immunosuppression cause. A heightened awareness of PcP in these groups will hasten diagnosis and potentially improve mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Ayling-Smith
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | | | - Elizabeth Grant
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK
| | | | - Jamie Duckers
- All Wales Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, University Hospital Llandough, Penarth CF64 2XX, UK
| | - Kerenza Hood
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Pungan D, Fan J, Dai G, Khatun MS, Dietrich ML, Zwezdaryk KJ, Robinson JE, Landry SJ, Kolls JK. Novel Pneumocystis Antigens for Seroprevalence Studies. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:602. [PMID: 37367538 PMCID: PMC10300987 DOI: 10.3390/jof9060602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii is the most common cause of fungal pneumonia in children under the age of 2 years. However, the inability to culture and propagate this organism has hampered the acquisition of a fungal genome as well as the development of recombinant antigens to conduct seroprevalence studies. In this study, we performed proteomics on Pneumocystis-infected mice and used the recent P. murina and P. jirovecii genomes to prioritize antigens for recombinant protein expression. We focused on a fungal glucanase due to its conservation among fungal species. We found evidence of maternal IgG to this antigen, followed by a nadir in pediatric samples between 1 and 3 months of age, followed by an increase in prevalence over time consistent with the known epidemiology of Pneumocystis exposure. Moreover, there was a strong concordance of anti-glucanase responses and IgG against another Pneumocystis antigen, PNEG_01454. Taken together, these antigens may be useful tools for Pneumocystis seroprevalence and seroconversion studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dora Pungan
- John W Deming Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Jia Fan
- Department of Biochemistry, Center for Cellular & Molecular Diagnostics, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Guixiang Dai
- John W Deming Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Mst Shamima Khatun
- John W Deming Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Monika L. Dietrich
- Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Kevin J. Zwezdaryk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - James E. Robinson
- Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Samuel J. Landry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Jay K. Kolls
- John W Deming Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Zhang ZQ, Gigliotti F, Wright TW. The Dual Benefit of Sulfasalazine on Pneumocystis Pneumonia-Related Immunopathogenesis and Antifungal Host Defense Does Not Require IL-4Rα-Dependent Macrophage Polarization. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0049022. [PMID: 36916933 PMCID: PMC10112227 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00490-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis is a respiratory fungal pathogen that is among the most frequent causes of life-threatening pneumonia (PcP) in immunocompromised hosts. Alveolar macrophages play an important role in host defense against Pneumocystis, and several studies have suggested that M2 polarized macrophages have anti-Pneumocystis effector activity. Our prior work found that the immunomodulatory drug sulfasalazine (SSZ) provides a dual benefit during PcP-related immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) by concurrently suppressing immunopathogenesis while also accelerating macrophage-mediated fungal clearance. The benefits of SSZ were associated with heightened Th2 cytokine production and M2 macrophage polarization. Therefore, to determine whether SSZ improves the outcome of PcP through a mechanism that requires Th2-dependent M2 polarization, RAG2-/- mice lacking interleukin 4 receptor alpha chain (IL-4Rα) on macrophage lineage cells were generated. As expected, SSZ treatment dramatically reduced the severity of PcP-related immunopathogenesis and accelerated fungal clearance in immune-reconstituted RAG2-/- mice. Similarly, SSZ treatment was also highly effective in immune-reconstituted RAG2/IL-4Rα-/- and RAG2/gamma interferon receptor (IFN-γR)-/- mice, demonstrating that neither IL-4Rα-dependent M2 nor IFN-γR-dependent M1 macrophage polarization programs were required for the beneficial effects of SSZ. Despite the fact that macrophages from RAG2/IL-4Rα-/- mice could not respond to the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13, M2-biased alveolar macrophages were identified in the lungs following SSZ treatment. These data demonstrate that not only does SSZ enhance phagocytosis and fungal clearance in the absence of macrophage IL-4Rα signaling, but also that SSZ promotes M2 macrophage polarization in an IL-4Rα-independent manner. These findings could have implications for the treatment of PcP and other diseases in which M2 polarization is beneficial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo-Qian Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Francis Gigliotti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Terry W. Wright
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Rojas DA, Ponce CA, Bustos A, Cortés V, Olivares D, Vargas SL. Pneumocystis Exacerbates Inflammation and Mucus Hypersecretion in a Murine, Elastase-Induced-COPD Model. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9040452. [PMID: 37108906 PMCID: PMC10142929 DOI: 10.3390/jof9040452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation and mucus hypersecretion are frequent pathology features of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD. Selected bacteria, viruses and fungi may synergize as co-factors in aggravating disease by activating pathways that are able to induce airway pathology. Pneumocystis infection induces inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in immune competent and compromised humans and animals. This fungus is a frequent colonizer in patients with COPD. Therefore, it becomes essential to identify whether it has a role in aggravating COPD severity. This work used an elastase-induced COPD model to evaluate the role of Pneumocystis in the exacerbation of pathology, including COPD-like lung lesions, inflammation and mucus hypersecretion. Animals infected with Pneumocystis developed increased histology features of COPD, inflammatory cuffs around airways and lung vasculature plus mucus hypersecretion. Pneumocystis induced a synergic increment in levels of inflammation markers (Cxcl2, IL6, IL8 and IL10) and mucins (Muc5ac/Muc5b). Levels of STAT6-dependent transcription factors Gata3, FoxA3 and Spdef were also synergically increased in Pneumocystis infected animals and elastase-induced COPD, while the levels of the mucous cell-hyperplasia transcription factor FoxA2 were decreased compared to the other groups. Results document that Pneumocystis is a co-factor for disease severity in this elastase-induced-COPD model and highlight the relevance of STAT6 pathway in Pneumocystis pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego A Rojas
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICB), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago 8910132, Chile
| | - Carolina A Ponce
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile
| | - Adriel Bustos
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICB), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago 8910132, Chile
| | - Vicente Cortés
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICB), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago 8910132, Chile
| | - Daniela Olivares
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICB), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago 8910132, Chile
| | - Sergio L Vargas
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Ames R, Brown AJP, Gudelj I, Nev OA. Analysis of Pneumocystis Transcription Factor Evolution and Implications for Biology and Lifestyle. mBio 2023; 14:e0271122. [PMID: 36651897 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02711-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii kills hundreds of thousands of immunocompromised patients each year. Yet many aspects of the biology of this obligate pathogen remain obscure because it is not possible to culture the fungus in vitro independently of its host. Consequently, our understanding of Pneumocystis pathobiology is heavily reliant upon bioinformatic inferences. We have exploited a powerful combination of genomic and phylogenetic approaches to examine the evolution of transcription factors in Pneumocystis species. We selected protein families (Pfam families) that correspond to transcriptional regulators and used bioinformatic approaches to compare these families in the seven Pneumocystis species that have been sequenced to date with those from other yeasts, other human and plant pathogens, and other obligate parasites. Some Pfam families of transcription factors have undergone significant reduction during their evolution in the Pneumocystis genus, and other Pfam families have been lost or appear to be in the process of being lost. Meanwhile, other transcription factor families have been retained in Pneumocystis species, and some even appear to have undergone expansion. On this basis, Pneumocystis species seem to have retained transcriptional regulators that control chromosome maintenance, ribosomal gene regulation, RNA processing and modification, and respiration. Meanwhile, regulators that promote the assimilation of alternative carbon sources, amino acid, lipid, and sterol biosynthesis, and iron sensing and homeostasis appear to have been lost. Our analyses of transcription factor retention, loss, and gain provide important insights into the biology and lifestyle of Pneumocystis. IMPORTANCE Pneumocystis jirovecii is a major fungal pathogen of humans that infects healthy individuals, colonizing the lungs of infants. In immunocompromised and transplant patients, this fungus causes life-threatening pneumonia, and these Pneumocystis infections remain among the most common and serious infections in HIV/AIDS patients. Yet we remain remarkably ignorant about the biology and epidemiology of Pneumocystis due to the inability to culture this fungus in vitro. Our analyses of transcription factor retentions, losses, and gains in sequenced Pneumocystis species provide valuable new views of their specialized biology, suggesting the retention of many metabolic and stress regulators and the loss of others that are essential in free-living fungi. Given the lack of in vitro culture methods for Pneumocystis, this powerful bioinformatic approach has advanced our understanding of the lifestyle of P. jirovecii and the nature of its dependence on the host for survival.
Collapse
|
28
|
Wang M, Zhang Z, Dong X, Zhu B. Targeting β-glucans, vital components of the Pneumocystis cell wall. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1094464. [PMID: 36845149 PMCID: PMC9947646 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1094464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
β-glucan is the most abundant polysaccharide in the cell wall of Pneumocystis jirovecii, which has attracted extensive attention because of its unique immunobiological characteristics. β-glucan binds to various cell surface receptors, which produces an inflammatory response and accounts for its immune effects. A deeper comprehension of the processes by Pneumocystis β-glucan recognizes its receptors, activates related signaling pathways, and regulates immunity as required. Such understanding will provide a basis for developing new therapies against Pneumocystis. Herein, we briefly review the structural composition of β-glucans as a vital component of the Pneumocystis cell wall, the host immunity mediated by β-glucans after their recognition, and discuss opportunities for the development of new strategies to combat Pneumocystis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengyan Wang
- Department II of Infectious Diseases, Xixi Hospital of Hangzhou, Hangzhou, China,Department of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhongdong Zhang
- Department II of Infectious Diseases, Xixi Hospital of Hangzhou, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaotian Dong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Biao Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,*Correspondence: Biao Zhu,
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Ray A, Aayilliath K A, Banerjee S, Chakrabarti A, Denning DW. Burden of Serious Fungal Infections in India. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofac603. [PMID: 36589484 PMCID: PMC9792086 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fungal disease is frequent in India, but its incidence and prevalence are unclear. This review aims at defining the frequency or burden of various fungal infections in India. Methods A systematic review of the literature on the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science (WOS) databases was conducted using appropriate search strings. Deterministic modeling determined annual incidence and prevalence estimates for multiple life- and sight-threatening infections with significant morbidity. Results Literature searches yielded >2900 papers; 434 papers with incidence/prevalence/proportion data were analyzed. An estimated 57 251 328 of the 1 393 400 000 people in India (4.1%) suffer from a serious fungal disease. The prevalence (in millions) of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis is 24.3, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is 2.0, tinea capitis in school-age children is 25, severe asthma with fungal sensitization is 1.36, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis is 1.74, and chronic fungal rhinosinusitis is 1.52. The annual incidence rates of Pneumocystis pneumonia (58 400), invasive aspergillosis (250 900), mucormycosis (195 000), esophageal candidiasis in HIV (266 600), candidemia (188 000), fungal keratitis (1 017 100), and cryptococcal meningitis (11 500) were also determined. Histoplasmosis, talaromycosis, mycetoma, and chromoblastomycosis were less frequent. Conclusions India's fungal burden is high and underappreciated in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Animesh Ray
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Arunaloke Chakrabarti
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - David W Denning
- Correspondence: David W. Denning FRCP, FRCPath, FMedSci, Professor of Infectious Diseases in Global Health, Manchester Fungal Infection Group, CTF building, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, United Kingdom ()
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Cushion MT, Ashbaugh A, Sayson SG, Mosley C, Hauser PM. Anidulafungin Treatment Blocks the Sexual Cycle of Pneumocystis murina and Prevents Growth and Survival without Rescue by an Alternative Mode of Replication. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0290622. [PMID: 36287071 PMCID: PMC9769855 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02906-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The proposed life cycle of fungi in the genus Pneumocystis has typically included both an asexual cycle via binary fission and a sexual cycle. Until recently, the strategy used for sexual replication was largely unknown, but genomic and functional assays now support a mode known as primary homothallism (self-fertilization). The question of whether an asexual cycle contributes to the growth of these fungi remains. Treatment of Pneumocystis pneumonia in immunosuppressed rodent models with the class of drugs known as echinocandins is challenging the historical concept of asexual replication. The echinocandins target 1,3-β-D-glucan (BG) synthesis resulting in death for most fungi. Because Pneumocystis species have both non-BG expressing life cycle stages (trophic forms) and BG-expressing asci, treatment with anidulafungin and caspofungin resulted in elimination of asci, with large numbers of non-BG expressing organisms remaining in the lungs. Transcriptional analyses of anidulafungin treated Pneumocystis murina-infected lungs indicated that these agents were blocking the sexual cycle. In the present study, we explored whether there was an asexual or alternative method of replication that could rescue P. murina survival and growth in the context of anidulafungin treatment. The effects of anidulafungin treatment on early events in the sexual cycle were investigated by RT-qPCR targeting specific mating genes, including mam2, map3, matMi, matPi, and matMc. Results from the in vivo and gene expression studies clearly indicated there was no rescue by an asexual cycle, supporting these fungi's reliance on the sexual cycle for survival and growth. Dysregulation of mating-associated genes showed that anidulafungin induced effects early in the mating process. IMPORTANCE The concept of a sexually obligate fungus is unique among human fungal pathogens. This reliance can be exploited for drug development and here we show a proof of principle for this unusual target. Most human fungal pathogens eschew the mammalian environment with its battery of immune responses. Pneumocystis appear to have evolved to survive in such an environment, perhaps by using sexual replication to help in DNA repair and to introduce genetic variation in its major surface antigen family because the lung is the primary environment of these pathogens. The concept of primary homothallism fits well into its chosen ecosystem, with ready mating partners expressing both mating type receptors, and a sexual cycle that can introduce beneficial genetic variation without the need for outbreeding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie T. Cushion
- Medical Research Service, Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Alan Ashbaugh
- Medical Research Service, Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Steven G. Sayson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Christopher Mosley
- Medical Research Service, Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Philippe M. Hauser
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Rabacal W, Schweitzer F, Kling HM, Buzzelli L, Rayens E, Norris KA. A therapeutic vaccine strategy to prevent Pneumocystis pneumonia in an immunocompromised host in a non-human primate model of HIV and Pneumocystis co-infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1036658. [PMID: 36561749 PMCID: PMC9763597 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1036658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pneumocystis is a ubiquitous fungal pathogen that causes pneumonia (PCP) and pulmonary sequelae in HIV-infected individuals and other immunocompromised populations. With the success of anti-retroviral therapy for HIV-infected individuals the frequency of PCP in that population has decreased, however, PCP remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals with hematologic and solid malignancies, and in individuals treated with immunosuppressive therapies for autoimmune diseases, and following bone marrow and solid organ transplantation. Despite the clinical need, there is no approved vaccine to prevent PCP in vulnerable populations. The ultimate goal of the field is to develop an effective vaccine that can overcome immune deficits in at risk populations and induce long-lasting protective immunity to Pneumocystis. Toward this goal, our laboratory has established a model of PCP co-infection in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected non-human primates (NHP) and identified a recombinant protein sub-unit vaccine, KEX1, that induces robust anti-Pneumocystis immunity in immune-competent macaques that is durable and prevents PCP following simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-induced immunosuppression. Type I, or invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells have the potential to provide B cell help under conditions of reduced CD4+ T cell help. Methods In the present study, we used the SIV model of HIV infection to address whether therapeutic vaccination with the iNKT cell-activating adjuvant α-galactosylceramide (α-GC) and KEX1 (α-GC+KEX1) can effectively boost anti-Pneumocystis humoral immunity following virus-induced immunosuppression. Results Immunization of antigen-experienced NHPs with α-GC+KEX1 during the early chronic phase of SIV-infection significantly boosted anti-Pneumocystis humoral immunity by increasing memory B cells and antibody titers, and enhanced titer durability during SIV-induced immunosuppression. This therapeutic vaccination strategy boosted anti-Pneumocystis immune responses during SIV-infection and contributed to protection against Pneumocystis co-infection in KEX1-vaccinated macaques. Conclusion These studies present a novel strategy for stimulating durable anti-Pneumocystis humoral immunity in the context of complex, chronic SIV-induced immunosuppression and may be further applied to immunization of other immunosuppressed populations, and toward other common recall antigens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Whitney Rabacal
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States,*Correspondence: Whitney Rabacal,
| | - Finja Schweitzer
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Heather M. Kling
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Lizabeth Buzzelli
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Emily Rayens
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Karen A. Norris
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Burghi G, Metaxa V, Pickkers P, Soares M, Rello J, Bauer PR, van de Louw A, Taccone FS, Loeches IM, Schellongowski P, Rusinova K, Antonelli M, Kouatchet A, Barratt-Due A, Valkonen M, Pène F, Mokart D, Jaber S, Azoulay E, De Jong A. End of life decisions in immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure. J Crit Care 2022; 72:154152. [PMID: 36137351 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2022.154152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify patient, disease and organizational factors associated with decisions to forgo life-sustaining therapies (DFLSTs) in critically ill immunocompromised patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for acute respiratory failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a secondary analysis of the international EFRAIM prospective study, which enrolled 1611 immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure admitted to 68 ICUs in 16 countries between October 2015 and June 2016. Multivariate logistic analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of DFLSTs. RESULTS The main causes of immunosuppression were hematological malignancies (50%) and solid tumor (38%). Patients had a median age of 63 yo (54-71). A pulmonologist was involved in the patient management in 38% of cases. DFLSTs had been implemented in 28% of the patients. The following variables were independently associated with DFLSTs: 1) patient-related: older age (OR 1.02 per one year increase, 95% confidence interval(CI) 1.01-1.03,P < 0.001), poor performance status (OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.98-3.93, P < 0.001); 2) disease-related: shock (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.45-2.75, P < 0.001), liver failure (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.14-2.21, P = 0.006), invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.31-2.46, P < 0.001); 3) organizational: having a pulmonologist involved in patient management (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.36-2.52, P < 0.001), and the presence of a critical care outreach services (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.11-2.38, P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS A DFLST is made in one in four immunocompromised patient admitted to the ICU for acute respiratory failure. Involving a pulmonologist in patient's management is associated with less non beneficial care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaston Burghi
- Terapia Intensiva, Hospital Maciel - Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Peter Pickkers
- The Department of Intensive Care Medicine (710), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marcio Soares
- Terapia Intensiva, Hospital Maciel - Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Jordi Rello
- CIBERES, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona, European Study Group of Infections in Critically Ill Patients (ESGCIP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Philippe R Bauer
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Andry van de Louw
- Penn State University College of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Fabio Silvio Taccone
- Department of Intensive Care, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ignacio Martin Loeches
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Multidisciplinary Intensive Care Research Organization (MICRO), St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Katerina Rusinova
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine and Institute for Medical Humanities, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Massimo Antonelli
- Agostino Gemelli University Hospital, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Achille Kouatchet
- Department of Medical Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital of Angers, France
| | - Andreas Barratt-Due
- Department of Emergencies and Critical Care, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Miia Valkonen
- Division of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Frédéric Pène
- Medical ICU, Cochin Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris and University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Djamel Mokart
- Réanimation Polyvalente et Département d'Anesthésie et de Réanimation, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Samir Jaber
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care unit, Regional University Hospital of Montpellier, St-Eloi Hospital, University of Montpellier, Phymedexp, Université de Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, CHRU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Elie Azoulay
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Hôpital Saint-Louis and Paris Diderot Sorbonne University, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, cedex 10 75475, Paris
| | - Audrey De Jong
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care unit, Regional University Hospital of Montpellier, St-Eloi Hospital, University of Montpellier, Phymedexp, Université de Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, CHRU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Torous VF, Branda JA. Fun with fungi: a comprehensive review of common fungal organisms encountered in cytology. J Am Soc Cytopathol 2022; 12:153-169. [PMID: 36564314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jasc.2022.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The ability to detect and diagnose infection is essential in the practice of cytopathology. The identification of suppurative or granulomatous inflammation should prompt careful evaluation for infection. Many of the most commonly encountered fungal organisms demonstrate characteristic microscopic appearances that allow accurate identification even with routine cytology stains, particularly when considered in the context of clinical factors such as geographic location, social history, patient immune status, and symptoms. Given the vital role cytopathologists play in the accurate diagnosis or presumptive identification of infections, this review explores the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and morphologic features of common fungal pathogens in addition to their differential diagnoses and ancillary testing methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanda F Torous
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - John A Branda
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Rayens E, Rabacal W, Willems HME, Kirton GM, Barber JP, Mousa JJ, Celia-Sanchez BN, Momany M, Norris KA. Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a pan-fungal vaccine in preclinical models of aspergillosis, candidiasis, and pneumocystosis. PNAS Nexus 2022; 1:pgac248. [PMID: 36712332 PMCID: PMC9802316 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections cause over 1.5 million deaths worldwide. Despite increases in fungal infections as well as the numbers of individuals at risk, there are no clinically approved fungal vaccines. We produced a "pan-fungal" peptide, NXT-2, based on a previously identified vaccine candidate and homologous sequences from Pneumocystis, Aspergillus,Candida, and Cryptococcus. We evaluated the immunogenicity and protective capacity of NXT-2 in murine and nonhuman primate models of invasive aspergillosis, systemic candidiasis, and pneumocystosis. NXT-2 was highly immunogenic and immunized animals had decreased mortality and morbidity compared to nonvaccinated animals following induction of immunosuppression and challenge with Aspergillus, Candida, or Pneumocystis. Data in multiple animal models support the concept that immunization with a pan-fungal vaccine prior to immunosuppression induces broad, cross-protective antifungal immunity in at-risk individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Rayens
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Whitney Rabacal
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | | | - Gabrielle M Kirton
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - James P Barber
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jarrod J Mousa
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Brandi N Celia-Sanchez
- Fungal Biology Group, Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Michelle Momany
- Fungal Biology Group, Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
McCollam S, Lewis JS 2nd, Bubalo J, Diaz A. Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia Prophylaxis with Intravenous Pentamidine in Adult Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022;:e0083322. [PMID: 36214573 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00833-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this single-center retrospective case series was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 300-mg once-monthly intravenous (IV) pentamidine prophylaxis in 702 adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients. We observed no cases of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) following IV pentamidine administration. Breakthrough Nocardia and Toxoplasma infections were observed in 7 (1%) and 5 (0.7%) patients, respectively. The most commonly reported adverse event was nausea. Monthly IV pentamidine is a reasonable alternative to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX).
Collapse
|
36
|
Salazar-Hamm PS, Montoya KN, Montoya L, Cook K, Liphardt S, Taylor JW, Cook JA, Natvig DO. Breathing can be dangerous: Opportunistic fungal pathogens and the diverse community of the small mammal lung mycobiome. Front Fungal Biol 2022; 3:996574. [PMID: 37746221 PMCID: PMC10512277 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2022.996574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Human lung mycobiome studies typically sample bronchoalveolar lavage or sputum, potentially overlooking fungi embedded in tissues. Employing ultra-frozen lung tissues from biorepositories, we obtained fungal ribosomal RNA ITS2 sequences from 199 small mammals across 39 species. We documented diverse fungi, including common environmental fungi such as Penicillium and Aspergillus, associates of the human mycobiome such as Malassezia and Candida, and others specifically adapted for lungs (Coccidioides, Blastomyces, and Pneumocystis). Pneumocystis sequences were detected in 83% of the samples and generally exhibited phylogenetic congruence with hosts. Among sequences from diverse opportunistic pathogens in the Onygenales, species of Coccidioides occurred in 12% of samples and species of Blastomyces in 85% of samples. Coccidioides sequences occurred in 14 mammalian species. The presence of neither Coccidioides nor Aspergillus fumigatus correlated with substantial shifts in the overall mycobiome, although there was some indication that fungal communities might be influenced by high levels of A. fumigatus. Although members of the Onygenales were common in lung samples (92%), they are not common in environmental surveys. Our results indicate that Pneumocystis and certain Onygenales are common commensal members of the lung mycobiome. These results provide new insights into the biology of lung-inhabiting fungi and flag small mammals as potential reservoirs for emerging fungal pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kyana N. Montoya
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Liliam Montoya
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Kel Cook
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Schuyler Liphardt
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - John W. Taylor
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Joseph A. Cook
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
- Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Donald O. Natvig
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Pungan D, Eddens T, Song K, Lakey MA, Crovetto NS, Arora SK, Husain S, Kolls JK. Targeted NGS-Based Analysis of Pneumocystis jirovecii Reveals Novel Genotypes. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:863. [PMID: 36012851 PMCID: PMC9409852 DOI: 10.3390/jof8080863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii is an important etiological agent of pneumonia that is underdiagnosed due to the inability to culture the organism. The 2019 PERCH study identified Pneumocystis as the top fungal cause of pneumonia in HIV-negative children using a PCR cutoff of 104 copies of Pneumocystis per mL of sample in nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal (NP/OP) specimens. Given that Pneumocystis consists of an environmental ascus form and a trophic from (the latter is the form that attaches to the lung epithelium), it is possible that life-form-specific molecular assays may be useful for diagnosis. However, to accomplish this goal, these assays require genotypic information, as the current fungal genomic data are largely from the US and Europe. To genotype Pneumocystis across the globe, we developed an NGS-based genotyping assay focused on genes expressed in asci as well as trophs using PERCH throat swabs from Africa, Bangladesh, and Thailand, as well as North American samples. The NGS panel reliably detected 21 fungal targets in these samples and revealed unique genotypes in genes expressed in trophs, including Meu10, an ascospore assembly gene; two in mitochondrial gene ATP8, and the intergenic region between COX1 and ATP8. This assay can be used for enhanced Pneumocystis epidemiology to study outbreaks but also permits more accurate RT-CPR- or CRISPR-based assays to be performed to improve the non-bronchoscopic diagnosis of this under-reported fungal pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dora Pungan
- Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, John W. Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Taylor Eddens
- Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, USA
| | - Kejing Song
- Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, John W. Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Meredith A. Lakey
- Biospecimen and Core Research Laboratory, Department of Research, Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA
| | - Nicolle S. Crovetto
- Biospecimen and Core Research Laboratory, Department of Research, Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA
| | - Simran K. Arora
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University Health Network/University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 2N2, Canada
| | - Shahid Husain
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University Health Network/University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 2N2, Canada
| | - Jay K. Kolls
- Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, John W. Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Bishop LR, Curran SJ, Kovacs JA. Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells Accumulate in the Lungs during Murine Pneumocystis Infection but Are Not Required for Clearance. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8060645. [PMID: 35736127 PMCID: PMC9224882 DOI: 10.3390/jof8060645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis is a fungal pathogen that can cause pneumonia in immunosuppressed hosts and subclinical infection in immunocompetent hosts. Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are unconventional lymphocytes with a semi-invariant T-cell receptor that are activated by riboflavin metabolites that are presented by the MHC-1b molecule MR1. Although Pneumocystis can presumably synthesize riboflavin metabolites based on whole-genome studies, the role of MAIT cells in controlling Pneumocystis infection is unknown. We used a co-housing mouse model of Pneumocystis infection, combined with flow cytometry and qPCR, to characterize the response of MAIT cells to infection in C57BL/6 mice, and, using MR1−/− mice, which lack MAIT cells, to examine their role in clearing the infection. MAIT cells accumulated in the lungs of C57BL/6 mice during Pneumocystis infection and remained at increased levels for many weeks after clearance of infection. In MR1−/− mice, Pneumocystis infection was cleared with kinetics similar to C57BL/6 mice. Thus, MAIT cells are not necessary for control of Pneumocystis infection, but the prolonged retention of these cells in the lungs following clearance of infection may allow a more rapid future response to other pathogens.
Collapse
|
39
|
Bozzi G, Saltini P, Matera M, Morena V, Castelli V, Peri AM, Taramasso L, Ungaro R, Lombardi A, Muscatello A, Bono P, Grancini A, Maraschini A, Matinato C, Gori A, Bandera A. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in HIV-negative patients, a frequently overlooked problem. A case series from a large Italian center. Int J Infect Dis 2022; 121:172-176. [PMID: 35568363 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) still has substantial morbidity and mortality. For non-HIV patients, the course of infection is severe, and management guidelines are relatively recent. We collected all PCP cases (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer criteria) diagnosed in HIV-negative adult inpatients in 2019-2020 at our center in northern Italy. RESULTS Of 20 cases, nine had microbiologic evidence of probable (real-time polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR) and 11 proven (immunofluorescence) PCP on respiratory specimens. Half were female; the median age was 71.5 years; 14 of 20 patients had hematologic malignancies, five had autoimmune/hyperinflammatory disorders, and one had a solid tumor. RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) was 24-37 for bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and 32-39 for sputum; Ct was 24-33 on BAL proven cases. Of 20 cases, four received additional diagnoses on BAL. At PCP diagnosis, all patients were not on anti-pneumocystis prophylaxis. We retrospectively assessed prophylaxis indications: 9/20 patients had a main indication, 5/9 because of prednisone treatment ≥ 20 mg (or equivalents) for ≥4 weeks. All patients underwent antimicrobial treatment according to guidelines; 18/20 with concomitant corticosteroids. A total of 4/20 patients died within 28 days from diagnosis. CONCLUSION Despite appropriate treatment, PCP is still associated to high mortality (20%) among non-HIV patients. Strict adherence to prophylaxis guidelines, awareness of gray areas, and prompt diagnosis can help manage this frequently overlooked infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Bozzi
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.
| | - Paola Saltini
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Malvina Matera
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Morena
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy; III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco", University of Milan, Milan, Italy Via Giovanni Battista Grassi, 74, 20157, Milano, Italy
| | - Valeria Castelli
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Peri
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Taramasso
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Ungaro
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Lombardi
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Muscatello
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Bono
- Medical Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Microbiology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Grancini
- Medical Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Microbiology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Maraschini
- Medical Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Microbiology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Matinato
- Medical Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Microbiology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Gori
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bandera
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lmimouni BE, Hennequin C, Penney ROS, Denning DW. Estimated Incidence and Prevalence of Serious Fungal Infections in Morocco. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:414. [PMID: 35448645 PMCID: PMC9025078 DOI: 10.3390/jof8040414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Few data are published from Morocco on fungal disease, although numerous case reports attest to a wide range of conditions in the country. Here, we estimate for the first time the incidence and prevalence of serious fungal diseases in the country. Detailed literature searches in English and French were conducted for all serious fungal infections. Demographic and individual underlying condition prevalence or annual incidence were obtained from UNAIDS (HIV), WHO (TB) and other international sources. Deterministic modelling was then applied to estimate fungal disease burden. Morocco's population in 2021 was 36,561,800. Multiple publications describe various fungal diseases, but epidemiological studies are rare. The most frequent serious fungal infections were tinea capitis (7258/100,000) and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (2794/100,000 females). Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis is also common at a prevalence of 19,290 (53/100,000) because of the relatively high rate of tuberculosis. The prevalence of asthma in adults exceeds one million, of whom fungal asthma (including allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)) probably affects 42,150 (115/100,000). Data are scant on candidaemia (estimated at 5/100,000), invasive aspergillosis (estimated at 4.1/100,000), HIV-related complications such as cryptococcal meningitis and Pneumocystis pneumonia and mucormycosis. Fungal keratitis is estimated at 14/100,000). Mycetoma and chromoblastomycosis are probably rare. Fungal disease is probably common in Morocco and diagnostic capacity is good in the teaching hospitals. These estimates need confirmation with methodologically robust epidemiological studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Badre Eddine Lmimouni
- Parasitology and Medical Mycology Laboratory, Military Hospital Teaching Mohammed the Fifth, BioInova Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed the Fifth, Rabat 10100, Morocco;
| | - Christophe Hennequin
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP, 75012 Paris, France;
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, 75012 Paris, France
| | | | - David W. Denning
- Global Action for Fungal Infections, 1208 Geneva, Switzerland;
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Choi JS, Kwak SH, Kim MC, Seol CH, Kim SR, Park BH, Lee EH, Yong SH, Leem AY, Kim SY, Lee SH, Chung K, Kim EY, Jung JY, Kang YA, Park MS, Kim YS, Lee SH. Clinical impact of pneumothorax in patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and respiratory failure in an HIV-negative cohort. BMC Pulm Med 2022; 22:7. [PMID: 34996422 PMCID: PMC8742377 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-021-01812-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) with acute respiratory failure can result in development of pneumothorax during treatment. This study aimed to identify the incidence and related factors of pneumothorax in patients with PCP and acute respiratory failure and to analyze their prognosis. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the occurrence of pneumothorax, including clinical characteristics and results of other examinations, in 119 non-human immunodeficiency virus patients with PCP and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilator treatment in a medical intensive care unit (ICU) at a tertiary-care center between July 2016 and April 2019. Results During follow up duration, twenty-two patients (18.5%) developed pneumothorax during ventilator treatment, with 45 (37.8%) eventually requiring a tracheostomy due to weaning failure. Cytomegalovirus co-infection (odds ratio 13.9; p = 0.013) was related with occurrence of pneumothorax in multivariate analysis. And development of pneumothorax was not associated with need for tracheostomy and mortality. Furthermore, analysis of survivor after 28 days in ICU, patients without pneumothorax were significantly more successful in weaning from mechanical ventilator than the patients with pneumothorax (44% vs. 13.3%, p = 0.037). PCP patients without pneumothorax showed successful home discharges compared to those who without pneumothorax (p = 0.010). Conclusions The development of pneumothorax increased in PCP patient with cytomegalovirus co-infection, pneumothorax might have difficulty in and prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilators, which clinicians should be aware of when planning treatment for such patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ji Soo Choi
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Hyun Kwak
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Chul Kim
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Hwan Seol
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Ryeol Kim
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Hoon Park
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Hye Lee
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hyun Yong
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Ah Young Leem
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Song Yee Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Lee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungsoo Chung
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Young Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Ye Jung
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Ae Kang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Moo Suk Park
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Sam Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Hwan Lee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
S D, S TD, Gupta R, Varughese S, Varghese GM, George B, Michael JS. Effectiveness of a real-time PCR for diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia in immunocompromised patients - Experience from a tertiary care center, India. J Mycol Med 2021; 32:101241. [PMID: 34999296 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2021.101241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is a life-threatening fungal infection in immunocompromised patients. Traditionally, the laboratory diagnosis of PCP relied on the visualization of organisms by microscopy as Pneumocystis cannot be readily cultured in the laboratory. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is preferred over the conventional microscopic methods as PCR is rapid and found to have higher sensitivity. This retrospective study aimed to analyze the diagnostic value of a real-time PCR (qPCR) for routine diagnosis of PCP in immunocompromised patients with various underlying conditions. The qPCR targets a 121 bp fragment of P.jirovecii mitochondrial large subunit rRNA gene. The study was conducted in a 2600-bed tertiary care hospital between January and December 2019. All patients whose respiratory samples were tested for PCP by qPCR were included. The clinical diagnosis was made for each patient and categorized into PCP and non-PCP based on multi-component clinical criteria by a multi-disciplinary team. The performance characteristics of qPCR were analyzed using clinical diagnosis as the reference. A total of 339 respiratory samples from 289 patients were tested for PCP by qPCR during the study period. The overall sensitivity and specificity of qPCR were 84.75% (95% CI, 73.01% to 92.78%) and 96.1% (95% CI, 92.7 to 98.2), respectively. The sensitivity was slightly higher among HIV-infected patients (91%) than the non- HIV group (81%). The PCR exhibited higher sensitivity in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) (94%) than in sputum samples (81%). The colonization can be ruled out with the cycle threshold (CT) value of below 34 with a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 78%, respectively. The real-time PCR showed good sensitivity and specificity for routine diagnosis of PCP in patients with various underlying conditions. In addition, a cut-off CT value (≤ 34) was determined to exclude colonization from active pneumonia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dhanalakshmi S
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, India.
| | - Thambu David S
- Department of Medicine, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, India
| | - Richa Gupta
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, India
| | - Santosh Varughese
- Department of Nephrology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, India
| | - George M Varghese
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, India
| | - Biju George
- Department of Hematology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, India
| | - Joy S Michael
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, India
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Nijhuis RHT, Godschalk PCR, Smink JHI, van der Zee C, van Hannen EJ. Comparison of the PneumoGenius® and RealStar® Pneumocystis jirovecii PCR CE-IVD assays with a lab developed test for the detection of Pneumocystis jirovecii. Med Mycol 2021; 60:6459726. [PMID: 34894244 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myab080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii (Pj) is a fungal pathogen that can cause severe and potential fatal pneumonia (Pneumocystis pneumonia, PCP) in immunocompromised patients. Microbiological diagnosis is necessary to confirm PCP, for which mainly real-time PCR assays are used by detecting Pj from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens. In this study, we evaluate the performance of the CE-IVD PneumoGenius® assay and CE-IVD RealStar® Pneumocystis jirovecii PCR assay in comparison to the lab developed test (LDT) that is used in routine diagnostics. Comparison was done by including 100 BAL specimens: 25 retrospective specimens, selected based on results obtained with LDT (15 positive/10 negative), and 75 prospectively collected specimens. LDT (targeting MSG) was performed according to local procedures and the PneumoGenius® (targeting mtLSU and DHPS fas) and RealStar® assays (targeting mtLSU) according to manufacturer's instructions. Combining results of retrospective and prospective analysis, sensitivity was 69.7%, 100% and 100% for the LDT, PneumoGenius® and RealStar®, respectively. Specificity was 100% for LDT and Pneumogenius®, whereas RealStar® showed a specificity of 97%. Correlation of fungal loads found with the PneumoGenius® and RealStar® assays was high (R2: 0.98). The PneumoGenius® and RealStar® assays performed comparable, and both showed high sensitivity in comparison to the LDT. For optimal diagnosis of PCP, the LDT has to be replaced by another, more sensitive assay.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roel H T Nijhuis
- Laboratory for medical microbiology and medical immunology, Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - Peggy C R Godschalk
- Laboratory for medical microbiology and medical immunology, Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - Jorike H I Smink
- Laboratory for medical microbiology and medical immunology, Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - Cindy van der Zee
- Laboratory for medical microbiology and immunology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Erik J van Hannen
- Laboratory for medical microbiology and immunology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Castelnuovo F, Tiecco G, Storti S, Fumarola B, Brianese N, Bertelli D, Castelli F. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in breast cancer mimicking SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia during pandemic. Infez Med 2021; 29:614-617. [PMID: 35146372 PMCID: PMC8805466 DOI: 10.53854/liim-2904-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is one of the most common HIV-related opportunistic infection. Apart from HIV patients, subjects treated with an associated therapy of high doses glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive drugs should be considered at risk. SARS-CoV-2 has become worldly known as the responsible of the pandemic that hit the world in late 2019 and that is still ongoing. Italy, and especially Brescia, was one of the area most struck by the pandemic, with a significant number of cases being reported (more than 112,648 as of October 2021). The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 is mainly based on RT-PCR assays performed on nasopharyngeal swab, X-ray of the chest and clinical manifestations. We describe two cases of PJP in two immunocompromised patients with breast cancer who were admitted at Spedali Civili of Brescia hospital, Italy, with an initial diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, despite testing negative to RT-PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs. We also retrospectively reassessed all cases of pneumonia deemed as SARS-CoV-2-related upon admission and then converted to PJP as the final diagnosis. We describe the two following cases to emphasize that clinicians should always be alert about PJP, even during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and avoid focusing on COVID-19 exclusively. PJP should always be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients, particularly if immunosuppressed, with an X-ray or TC of the chest suggestive of interstitial pneumonia and a negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Castelnuovo
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Tiecco
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Samuele Storti
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Benedetta Fumarola
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Nigritella Brianese
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Davide Bertelli
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesco Castelli
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Gantois N, Lesaffre A, Durand-Joly I, Bautin N, Le Rouzic O, Nseir S, Reboux G, Scherer E, Aliouat EM, Fry S, Gosset P, Fréalle E. Factors associated with Pneumocystis colonization and circulating genotypes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with acute exacerbation or at stable state and their homes. Med Mycol 2021; 60:6420247. [PMID: 34734270 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myab070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii colonization is frequent during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and patients constitute potential contributors to its interhuman circulation. However, the existence of an environmental reservoir cannot be excluded. We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with Pneumocystis colonization during COPD, and studied circulation between patients and their domestic environment. Pneumocystis molecular detection and mtLSU genotyping were performed in oro-pharyngeal washes (OPW) sampled in 58 patients with COPD acute exacerbation, and in indoor dust, sampled in patients' homes using electrostatic dust collectors (EDCs). Lung and systemic inflammation was assessed. Pneumocystis carriage was evaluated in 28 patients after 18 months at stable state. Pneumocystis was detected in 11/58 OPWs during exacerbation (19.0%). Colonized patients presented a significantly lower body mass index, and higher serum IL-17 and CD62P. One patient presented positive detection of typable isolates in both OPW and EDC, with both isolates harboring mtLSU genotype 3. Pneumocystis genotype 1 was further detected in EDCs from three non-colonized patients and one colonized patient with non-typable isolate. Genotypes 1 and 2 were predominant in clinical isolates (both 42%), with genotype 3 representing 16% of isolates. Pneumocystis was detected in 3/28 patients at stable state (10.7%). These data suggest that Pneumocystis colonization could be facilitated by a lower BMI and be related to acute alteration of lung function during COPD exacerbation. It also suggests Th17 pathway and platelet activation could be involved in the anti-Pneumocystis response during colonization. Last, Pneumocystis detection in EDCs supports its potential persistence in indoor dust. LAY SUMMARY Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients tend to be more frequently colonized by Pneumocystis during exacerbation (19.0%) than at stable state (10.7%). Factors associated with colonization include lower BMI, higher IL-17, and CD62P. Pneumocystis detection in patients' dwellings suggests potential persistence in indoor dust.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nausicaa Gantois
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Aymerick Lesaffre
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | | | - Nathalie Bautin
- CHU Lille, Clinique des Maladies Respiratoires, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Olivier Le Rouzic
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France.,CHU Lille, Clinique des Maladies Respiratoires, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Saad Nseir
- CHU Lille, Pôle de Réanimation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Gabriel Reboux
- Chrono-Environnement UMR 6249 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté & Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU de Besançon, F-25030 Besançon, France
| | - Emeline Scherer
- Chrono-Environnement UMR 6249 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté & Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU de Besançon, F-25030 Besançon, France
| | - El Moukhtar Aliouat
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Stéphanie Fry
- CHU Lille, Clinique des Maladies Respiratoires, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Philippe Gosset
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Emilie Fréalle
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France.,CHU Lille, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, F-59000 Lille, France
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Baddley JW, Thompson GR, Chen SCA, White PL, Johnson MD, Nguyen MH, Schwartz IS, Spec A, Ostrosky-Zeichner L, Jackson BR, Patterson TF, Pappas PG. Coronavirus Disease 2019-Associated Invasive Fungal Infection. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofab510. [PMID: 34877364 PMCID: PMC8643686 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can become complicated by secondary invasive fungal infections (IFIs), stemming primarily from severe lung damage and immunologic deficits associated with the virus or immunomodulatory therapy. Other risk factors include poorly controlled diabetes, structural lung disease and/or other comorbidities, and fungal colonization. Opportunistic IFI following severe respiratory viral illness has been increasingly recognized, most notably with severe influenza. There have been many reports of fungal infections associated with COVID-19, initially predominated by pulmonary aspergillosis, but with recent emergence of mucormycosis, candidiasis, and endemic mycoses. These infections can be challenging to diagnose and are associated with poor outcomes. The reported incidence of IFI has varied, often related to heterogeneity in patient populations, surveillance protocols, and definitions used for classification of fungal infections. Herein, we review IFI complicating COVID-19 and address knowledge gaps related to epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of COVID-19-associated fungal infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John W Baddley
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - George R Thompson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Sharon C -A Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Hospital and Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - P Lewis White
- Public Health Wales Microbiology Cardiff, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Melissa D Johnson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - M Hong Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ilan S Schwartz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andrej Spec
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | | | - Thomas F Patterson
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Peter G Pappas
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Sarasombath PT, Thongpiya J, Chulanetra M, Wijit S, Chinabut P, Ongrotchanakun J, Jitmuang A, Wanachiwanawin D. Quantitative PCR to Discriminate Between Pneumocystis Pneumonia and Colonization in HIV and Non-HIV Immunocompromised Patients. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:729193. [PMID: 34745031 PMCID: PMC8564139 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.729193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic infection that commonly occurs in immunocompromised individuals. A definite diagnosis of PCP can be made only when the organism is identified in a respiratory specimen. It remains unclear whether qPCR can differentiate patients with PCP from those with Pneumocystis jirovecii colonization. In this study, we retrospectively collected data from HIV and non-HIV patients during 2013-2019. A diagnosis of definite, probable PCP, or PCP excluded was made based on clinical criteria, radiological reports, and three standard laboratory staining methods with blinding to qPCR data. Data from qPCR that was performed to determine the fungal burden (DNA copies/μl) in the BAL specimens of 69 HIV and 286 non-HIV patients were then obtained and reviewed. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the upper and lower cut-off values for PCP diagnosis in HIV and non-HIV groups. In the non-HIV group, the lower cut-off value of 1,480 DNA copies/μl yielded a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 91.0-100), specificity of 72.9% (95% CI, 64.0-80.7), a positive predictive value (PPV) of 54.9% (95% CI, 47.6-62.1), and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100% with Youden index of 0.73 for PCP diagnosis. In this group, the upper cut-off value of 9,655 DNA copies/μl showed the sensitivity of 100% (95% CI, 91.0-100) and specificity of 95.8% (95% CI, 90.4-98.6) with PPV of 88.6% (95% CI, 76.8-94.8) and a NPV of 100% with Youden index of 0.96 for PCP diagnosis. Regarding the HIV group, the lower cut-off value of 1,480 DNA copies/μl showed the sensitivity of 100% (95% CI, 92.5-100%) and specificity of 91.7% (95% CI, 61.5-99.8) with PPV of 97.9% (95% CI, 87.8-99.7) and a NPV of 100% with Youden index of 0.92 for PCP diagnosis. The sensitivity and specificity of the upper cut-off value of 12,718 DNA copies/μl in this group were 97.9% (95%CI, 88.7-100) and 100% (95%CI, 73.5-100), respectively. The values above the upper cut-off point had a PPV of 100% (95% CI, N/A) and a NPV of 92.3% (95% CI, 63.3-98.8) with Youden index of 0.98 for PCP diagnosis in the HIV group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jerapas Thongpiya
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Monrat Chulanetra
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirirat Wijit
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pisith Chinabut
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jeerawan Ongrotchanakun
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anupop Jitmuang
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Darawan Wanachiwanawin
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Kurkjian C, Hollifield M, Feola DJ, Garvy BA. Bias of the Immune Response to Pneumocystis murina Does Not Alter the Ability of Neonatal Mice to Clear the Infection. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:827. [PMID: 34682248 DOI: 10.3390/jof7100827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Newborn mice are unable to clear Pneumocystis (PC) infection with the same efficiency as adults due, in part, to their inability to develop a robust immune response to infection until three weeks of age. It is known that infants tend develop a Th2 skewed response to antigen so we sought to determine whether a biased cytokine response altered the clearance of PC infection in neonatal mice. P. murina infection in neonatal mice resulted in increased IL-4 expression by CD4 T cells and myeloid cells, augmented IL-13 secretion within the airways and increased arginase activity in the airways, indicative of Th2-type responses. P. murina-infected IL-4Rα-/- neonates had a shift towards Th1 cytokine production and increased numbers of CD4 and CD8 T cells within the lung as well as elevated levels of P. murina-specific IgG. IFNγ-/- and IL-23 p19-/- mice had altered CD4-T cell-dependent cytokine and cell responses. Though we could alter the T helper cell environment in neonatal knockout mice, there was no loss in the ability of these pups to clear infection. It is possible that the Th2 phenotype normally seen in neonatal mice protects the developing lung from pro-inflammatory immune responses without compromising host defense against P. murina.
Collapse
|
49
|
Rafat Z, Ashrafi K, Hashemi SJ, Sasani E, Naserani A, Sarvestani HK, Hashemi F. The mycological and molecular study of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia among HIV and non-HIV immunocompromised patients hospitalized in pulmonary units in Guilan, Northern Iran. Iran J Microbiol 2021; 13:518-524. [PMID: 34557281 PMCID: PMC8421585 DOI: 10.18502/ijm.v13i4.6977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a serious infection that usually affects those with a weak immune system. Since the prevalence of this infection in Iran and in the world is not clearly defined, the present study aimed to evaluate the incidence, clinical spectrum, and demographic characteristics of PJP among HIV and non-HIV immunocompromised patients. Materials and Methods Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) specimens were obtained from 3 groups of immunocompromised patients, including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, diabetic patients, and patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies. All were hospitalized in pulmonary units. The specimens were examined using microscopic methods (Giemsa and calcofluor white staining) and the nested-PCR technique based on mtLSU-rRNA gene. Results A total of 120 BAL samples were collected. From 12.5% (5 from 40) of HIV-infected patients, 5% (2 from 40) of patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies, and 2.5% (1 from 40) of diabetic patients Pneumocystis jiroveci was isolated. There was not any association between the prevalence of PJP and the patient's gender (p= 0.557) and age (p= 0.681). Fever and dyspnea (n=7, 87.5%), nonproductive cough and abnormal auscultation sound (n=5, 62.5%), and also chills and weight loss (n=2, 25%) were the documented clinical symptoms of PJP. Also, the results showed that none of the samples had positive results for P. jiroveci with microscopic tests while using the nested-PCR method 8 samples had positive results. Conclusion Since PJP often causes symptoms that are similar to other illnesses, such as the flu or tuberculosis, clinical and laboratory findings should be used simultaneously for making the final decision on drug administration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Rafat
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.,Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Keyhan Ashrafi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Seyed Jamal Hashemi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Food Microbiology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elahe Sasani
- Department of Mycology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Naserani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Hasti Kamali Sarvestani
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farshid Hashemi
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Abstract
Efforts to control transmissible infectious diseases rely on the ability to screen large populations, ideally in community settings. These efforts can be limited by the requirement for invasive or logistically difficult collection of patient samples, such as blood, urine, stool, sputum, and nasopharyngeal swabs. Oral sampling is an appealing, noninvasive alternative that could greatly facilitate high-throughput sampling in community settings. Oral sampling has been described for the detection of dozens of human pathogens, including pathogens whose primary sites of infection are outside of the oral cavity, such as the respiratory pathogens Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2. Oral sampling can demonstrate active infections as well as resolving or previous infections, the latter through the detection of antibodies. Its potential applications are diverse, including improved diagnosis in special populations (e.g., children), population surveillance, and infectious disease screening. In this minireview, we address the use of oral samples for the detection of diseases that primarily manifest outside the oral cavity. Focusing on well-supported examples, we describe applications for such methods and highlight their potential advantages and limitations in medicine, public health, and research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ethan D. Valinetz
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Gerard A. Cangelosi
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| |
Collapse
|