Article
Immunology
Chunxi Yang, Zeyuan Bian, Oliver Blechert, Fengyi Deng, Hui Chen, Yueting Li, Yunhong Yang, Min Chen, Ping Zhan
Summary: This study conducted in hospitals in Jiangxi Province, South Central China, recruited 230 clinically suspected cryptococcosis cases and found Cryptococcus neoformans to be the predominant species causing the disease in the region. A large proportion of strains were not sensitive to fluconazole, and a high percentage of HIV-related infections were reported, highlighting the importance of continuous monitoring of species distribution and antifungal sensitivity in the investigation of this severe disease.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Qingyu Huang, Zhuquan Hong, Quanlong Hong
Summary: This case report describes a rare combined infection of Actinomyces odontolyticus sepsis and cryptococcal encephalitis. The patient was successfully treated with a combination therapy of penicillin, amphotericin, and fluconazole.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
John W. Baddley, Sharon C-A Chen, Carrie Huisingh, Kaitlin Benedict, Emilio E. DeBess, Eleni Galanis, Brendan R. Jackson, Laura MacDougall, Nicola Marsden-Haug, Hanna Oltean, John R. Perfect, Peter Phillips, Tania C. Sorrell, Peter G. Pappas
Summary: This study compared patients with cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, revealing differences in characteristics, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcomes between the two species.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Briggith-Nathalia Serna-Espinosa, Diomedes Guzman-Sanabria, Maribel Forero-Castro, Patricia Escandon, Zilpa Adriana Sanchez-Quitian
Summary: The Cryptococcus genus consists of over 80 species, with C. neoformans and C. gattii being pathogenic to humans. They differ in geographic distribution and environmental niche, with C. neoformans found worldwide in bird droppings and C. gattii in tropical regions associated with Eucalyptus trees. In Colombia, environmental isolates of both species complexes are mainly recovered from pigeons' excrement and Eucalyptus trees, respectively, with higher positivity in high humidity and less sunny, cold or temperate regions.
Review
Immunology
Herdson Renney de Sousa, Stefania de Frazao, Getulio Pereira de Oliveira Junior, Patricia Albuquerque, Andre Moraes Nicola
Summary: Cryptococcosis, caused by Cryptococcus spp, has a high mortality rate and lacks effective prevention and treatment methods. Understanding fungal virulence and host responses could lead to improved therapies. Studies using clinical isolates to correlate laboratory and patient data have provided valuable insights into the pathophysiology of cryptococcosis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Silvia Katherine Carvajal, Javier Melendres, Patricia Escandon, Carolina Firacative
Summary: Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii are life-threatening fungal pathogens that cause cryptococcosis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Resistance to azoles, commonly used to treat this infection, is a major concern. This study investigated the amino acid composition of ERG11 and its correlation with in vitro susceptibility to azoles in clinical isolates of C. neoformans and C. gattii. The results showed differential susceptibility to azoles between the two species, potentially linked to differences in ERG11 composition.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
David C. Molik, DeAndre Tomlinson, Shane Davitt, Eric L. Morgan, Matthew Sisk, Benjamin Roche, Natalie Meyers, Michael E. Pfrender
Summary: This study utilized Natural Language Processing to better understand the ecological niches of Cryptococcus neoformans. By analyzing metagenetic research articles through a topic modeling approach, a potential association between C. neoformans and soils associated with decomposing wood was identified. Through the use of machine learning and metagenetic data, the study highlights the importance of utilizing large-scale datasets to better understand environmental associations of rare pathogens.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Isabel Freitas, Tatiana Salazar, Pedro Rodrigues, Maria Vilela, Augusto Duarte
Summary: Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) is a common cause of central nervous system infections, presenting with symptoms such as headache, fever, malaise, and altered mental status. It can cause small vessel vasculitis leading to cerebral lesions. However, there is limited literature on cerebrovascular injury patterns in CM. We report a case of CM with an unusual presentation of transient focal neurological symptoms without fever, initially misdiagnosed as transient ischemic attack. Therefore, a thorough etiological investigation is necessary, even in patients with vascular risk factors, when focal neurological deficits are present.
CUREUS JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Enoch Tay, Sharon C-A Chen, Wendy Green, Ronald Lopez, Catriona L. Halliday
Summary: This study developed a new real-time PCR assay that can diagnose cryptococcosis rapidly and accurately, and differentiate between the two major causative agents. The assay showed high sensitivity and specificity, and can be applied to diverse clinical specimens.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anne Toivonen, Mari Eriksson, Nathalie Friberg, Timo Hautala, Sohvi Kaariainen, Jaana Leppaaho-Lakka, Janne Mikkola, Tuomas Nieminen, Jarmo Oksi, Juha H. Salonen, Pekka Suomalainen, Markku Vanttinen, Hanna Jarva, Annemarjut J. Jaaskelainen
Summary: The study investigated the clinical characteristics of cryptococcosis patients in Finland and found that invasive cryptococcal infection can occur in both HIV/AIDS patients or other immunocompromised individuals as well as immunocompetent individuals. The study also emphasized the importance of recognizing cryptococcosis in Finland, where it is extremely rare, as early diagnosis and antifungal therapy are crucial for prognosis.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
A. Elisabeth Gressler, Daniela Volke, Carolina Firacative, Christiane L. Schnabel, Uwe Mueller, Andor Krizsan, Bianca Schulze-Richter, Matthias Brock, Frank Brombacher, Patricia Escandon, Ralf Hoffmann, Gottfried Alber
Summary: The study showed an increase in anti-cryptococcal IgG titers in CM patients, while IgM titers were not affected. Additionally, pre-existing IgG and IgM antibodies were detected even in healthy individuals' sera.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Mareike Bernhard, Navaporn Worasilchai, Mourine Kangogo, Christine Bii, Wioleta J. Trzaska, Michael Weig, Uwe Gross, Ariya Chindamporn, Oliver Bader
Summary: This study re-evaluated sample pre-processing procedures for yeasts of the Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii species complexes and created a set of publicly available references for use with the MALDI Biotyper system. By assessing peak content using four different pre-processing protocols and creating 13 reference entries with standard formic acid extraction, correct classification of 93.5% of test isolates was achieved. The freely available database references can improve species-level identification of cryptococcal isolates.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Abel Wembabazi, Dianah Rhoda Nassozi, Enid Akot, Timothy Isaac Ochola, Prosper Tom Kweka, Nelson Tom Katamu, David Meya, Beatrice Achan
Summary: In this study among HIV-positive patients in Uganda, no C. gattii infections were found.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Carolina dos Santos Bermann, Caroline Quintana Braga, Lara Baccarin Ianiski, Sonia de Avila Botton, Daniela Isabel Brayer Pereira
Summary: This review systematically examines studies on cryptococcosis in domestic and wild animals. Cats and koalas have the highest number of reported cases. The disease mainly affects the respiratory and neurological systems and the diagnosis is challenging. The use of laboratory and molecular tools for diagnosis and the establishment of standardized therapeutic protocols are crucial.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhaobo Shi, Yong Sun, Hui Liu, Jun Zhang, Lili Ma
Summary: Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) is a highly fatal fungal infection that affects the central nervous system (CNS). It is mainly caused by Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) and can also occur in apparently immunocompetent patients. Complications such as cerebellar infarction and renal dysfunction may arise during the course of treatment, emphasizing the importance of close monitoring and timely intervention. In chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients, CM may be a possible underlying pathogen, highlighting the need for awareness and appropriate management strategies.
Article
Immunology
Prithviraj Bose, David McCue, Sebastian Wurster, Nathan P. Wiederhold, Marina Konopleva, Tapan M. Kadia, Gautam Borthakur, Farhad Ravandi, Lucia Masarova, Koichi Takahashi, Zeev Estrov, Musa Yilmaz, Naval Daver, Naveen Pemmaraju, Kiran Naqvi, Caitlin R. Rausch, Kayleigh R. Marx, Wei Qiao, Xuelin Huang, Carol A. Bivins, Sherry A. Pierce, Hagop M. Kantarjian, Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis
Summary: In patients with newly diagnosed AML/MDS undergoing remission-induction chemotherapy, ISAV is a safe and effective alternative for antifungal prophylaxis, with excellent tolerability and minimal adverse effects such as mild to moderate elevation of liver function tests.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Hamid Badali, Connie Canete-Gibas, Hoja Patterson, Carmita Sanders, Barbara Mermella, Victor Garcia, James Mele, Hongxin Fan, Nathan P. Wiederhold
Summary: Olorofim showed good in vitro activity against clinical isolates of the Fusarium oxysporum and F solani species complexes, similar to amphotericin B, while other drugs exhibited inconsistent in vitro activity. Further studies are needed to determine its in vivo efficacy.
Article
Microbiology
Teclegiorgis Gebremariam, Sondus Alkhazraji, Abdullah Alqarihi, Nathan P. Wiederhold, Laura K. Najvar, Thomas E. Patterson, Scott G. Filler, Ashraf S. Ibrahim
Summary: Biomedical research shows some differences between male and female mice infected with invasive pulmonary mucormycosis, but these differences have no impact on the outcome of treatment or host immune response.
Article
Microbiology
Hamid Badali, Connie Canete-Gibas, Dora McCarthy, Hoja Patterson, Carmita Sanders, Marjorie P. David, James Mele, Hongxin Fan, Nathan P. Wiederhold
Summary: This study evaluated the epidemiology and susceptibility profiles of Mucorales isolates in the United States, finding Rhizopus as the predominant genus, the respiratory tract as the main source of isolates, and amphotericin B and posaconazole as the most active antifungal drugs, with isavuconazole showing the greatest variability.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Abigail R. Armwood, Connie F. Canete-Gibas, Jennifer A. Dill-Okubo, Nathan P. Wiederhold, Alvin C. Camus
Summary: A study on phaeohyphomycosis cases in a diverse range of aquarium-housed fish species found that the disease mostly affects bony fish, particularly marine species. The most common fungal genus identified was Exophiala, with two new species described for the first time in fish. Pathologically, lesions were most frequently observed in the skin/fin, skeletal muscle, and kidneys.
JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Jonathan D. Dear, Krystle L. Reagan, Sean E. Hulsebosch, Chai-Fei Li, Matthew John Lodge Munro, Barbara A. Byrne, Verena K. Affolter, Nathan Wiederhold, Connie Canete-Gibas, Jane E. Sykes
Summary: This study describes the clinical features, radiographic findings, pathological characteristics, and outcomes of dogs with disseminated Rasamsonia species complex infections. The infection involves multiple systems such as the vertebral column, central nervous system, kidneys, spleen, lymph nodes, lungs, and heart. Molecular techniques are necessary for proper identification and treatment guidance.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Sharon C-A Chen, John Perfect, Arnaldo L. Colombo, Oliver A. Cornely, Andreas H. Groll, Danila Seidel, Kerstin Albus, Joao Nobrega de Almedia, Guillermo Garcia-Effron, Nicole Gilroy, Cornelia Lass-Floerl, Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, Livio Pagano, Tamas Papp, Riina Rautemaa-Richardson, Jon Salmanton-Garcia, Andrej Spec, Joerg Steinmann, Sevtap Arikan-Akdagli, Dorothee E. Arenz, Rosanne Sprute, Luisa Duran-Graeff, Tomas Freiberger, Corrado Girmenia, Michelle Harris, Souha S. Kanj, Maryam Roudbary, Olivier Lortholary, Joseph Meletiadis, Esther Segal, Felipe Francisco Tuon, Nathan Wiederhold, Tihana Bicanic, Jagdish Chander, Yee-Chun Chen, Po-Ren Hsueh, Margaret Ip, Patricia Munoz, Isabel Spriet, Elvis Temfack, Luis Thompson, Anna Maria Tortorano, Aristea Velegraki, Nelesh P. Govender
Summary: This article discusses the increasing prevalence of rare yeast infections in immunocompromised or seriously ill patients, highlighting the importance of comprehensive multidisciplinary management. It also addresses the need for region-specific or updated management guidelines, while noting that expert opinions and in-vitro susceptibility results play a key role in treatment recommendations for these infections.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Mycology
Keenan Ryan, Connie Canete-Gibas, Carmita Sanders, Nestor Sosa, Nathan P. Wiederhold
Summary: This report presents the phenotypic characteristics of a novel fungal species isolated from a prosthetic hip infection, identified as a new thielavia-like species through DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The patient responded well to antifungal treatment and remained stable without complications.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Alberto E. Paniz-Mondolfi, Steven Agemy, Connie Canete-Gibas, Melissa R. Gitman, Codrin E. Iacob, Inna Necula, Ching-Yi Wang, Lourdes A. Delgado Noguera, Carmita Sanders, Nathan P. Wiederhold, Emilia M. Sordillo, Michael D. Nowak
Summary: Keratomycosis, caused by various fungi including Colletotrichum species, is a major cause of ophthalmic morbidity worldwide. The first reported case of C. chlorophyti infection in a post-corneal transplant patient indicates an increasing role for Colletotrichum species as emerging human pathogens, especially in transplant populations.
MEDICAL MYCOLOGY CASE REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Martin Hoenigl, Rosanne Sprute, Matthias Egger, Amir Arastehfar, Oliver A. Cornely, Robert Krause, Cornelia Lass-Florl, Juergen Prattes, Andrej Spec, George R. Thompson, Nathan Wiederhold, Jeffrey D. Jenks
Summary: The epidemiology of invasive fungal infections is changing due to increased usage of antifungal agents leading to resistance. Limited therapeutic options are further challenged by drug-drug interactions, toxicity, and administration constraints. Despite the lack of new antifungal drug classes in the past two decades, there are promising new classes in late-stage clinical development, offering hope for improved treatment options.
Article
Microbiology
Raquel Sabino, Nathan Wiederhold
Summary: The accurate identification of fungal pathogens is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of invasive fungal infections. Histopathology provides provisional identification but must be combined with laboratory results for improved accuracy.
Article
Microbiology
Laura S. Burrack, Robert T. Todd, Natthapon Soisangwan, Nathan P. Wiederhold, Anna Selmecki
Summary: Antifungal drug resistance and tolerance are a serious threat to global public health. This study investigated the evolution of drug resistance in Candida auris and found rapid acquisition of resistance mutations and the stability of resistance in the absence of drugs. The genetic background of clinical isolates was also found to affect the evolutionary potential and acquisition of resistance. These findings highlight the high stability and high rates of acquisition of antifungal resistance in C. auris, which can lead to the evolution of pan-resistant isolates in clinical settings.
Review
Microbiology
Nathan P. Wiederhold
Summary: Several new antifungals with novel pharmacodynamics/mechanisms of action are being developed, as well as modified agents within established classes. These drugs have the potential to combat fungal strains with reduced susceptibility or acquired resistance to current antifungals, and may improve clinical outcomes for patients with invasive fungal infections.
Article
Immunology
Alvaro C. Laga, Jessica W. Crothers, Connie F. Canete-Gibas, Nathan P. Wiederhold, Isaac H. Solomon
Summary: Two cases of Rigidoporus corticola infection in humans in the United States are reported, illustrating previously undescribed clinicopathologic manifestations of this filamentous basidiomycete in humans.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Mycology
Ernesto Rodriguez-Andrade, Jose F. Cano-Lira, Nathan Wiederhold, Alba Perez-Cantero, Josep Guarro, Alberto M. Stchigel
Summary: The study investigated clinical fungi of the order Onygenales from a reference laboratory in the USA, identifying new genera and species. Echinocandins demonstrated the highest in vitro antifungal activity against the fungi, followed by terbinafine and posaconazole.
