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)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yingyu Zhang, Weiliang Wang, Yingxuan Zhang, Sina Zhai, Han Xia, Xilin Zhang
Summary: Pulmonary cryptococcosis is a serious fungal infection that is rare in immune-competent patients. It is often difficult to diagnose in time due to its clinical manifestations and radiological features similar to other pulmonary infections. However, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a better diagnostic tool that can help clinicians distinguish pulmonary cryptococcosis from other atypical pulmonary infections.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Mohamed F. Hamed, Glauber Ribeiro de Sousa Araujo, Melissa E. Munzen, Marta Reguera-Gomez, Carly Epstein, Hiu Ham Lee, Susana Frases, Luis R. Martinez
Summary: Cn is a pathogenic fungus that causes severe meningoencephalitis, especially in countries with high HIV prevalence. PLB1 is an important virulence factor that causes brain tissue damage and alters glial cell functions during cryptococcal disease. These findings may help in understanding cerebral cryptococcosis and provide new research avenues in Cn pathogenesis.
Article
Microbiology
Chun Lin, Tsung-Ying Yang, Ming-Cheng Chan, Kuo-Hsuan Hsu, Yen-Hsiang Huang, Jeng-Sen Tseng
Summary: The study found that the majority of patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis in the non-HIV-infected population had comorbidities, with those having multiple comorbidities more likely to have multilobar and extrapulmonary involvement and a poor prognosis. Age, blood CrAg titer, and multiple comorbidities could act as risk factors for predicting the extent of disease and outcome.
Review
Immunology
Po-Hsien Kuo, Un-In Wu, Yi-Hua Pan, Jann-Tay Wang, Yu-Chen Wang, Hsin-Yun Sun, Wang-Huei Sheng, Yee-Chun Chen, Shan-Chwen Chang
Summary: Neutralizing anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies can predispose healthy individuals to exclusive pulmonary or localized cryptococcosis without involvement of the central nervous system. Despite the persistence of these autoantibodies, favorable outcomes without recurrence can typically be achieved after antifungal treatment.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
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
Paulo C. M. Villis, Alessandra T. de Macedo, Haryne L. A. Furtado, Pedro H. C. Fontenelle, Ingrid S. Goncalves, Thayariane L. Mendes, Brenda L. A. Motta, Pedro L. L. Marinho, Aruana J. M. C. R. Pinheiro, Lidio G. Lima-Neto, Cristina A. Monteiro, Luis C. N. da Silva, Gabriella F. Ferreira, Rodrigo A. Holanda, Julliana R. A. Santos
Summary: Cryptococcosis, caused by yeasts of the genus Cryptococcus, is a global infectious disease with increasing resistance to antifungals, highlighting the need for new therapeutic options. The acetate fraction of P. granatum extract showed promising antifungal activity against various Cryptococcus species, indicating its potential as a new treatment option.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Daniel B. Chastain, Amy Rao, Armaan Yaseyyedi, Andres F. Henao-Martinez, Thomas Borges, Carlos Franco-Paredes
Summary: This review aims to improve the recognition and management of patients with cerebral cryptococcomas. Based on the findings, management should include a minimum of 6 months of antifungal therapy, with considerations for concomitant corticosteroids and surgical intervention if necessary.
Article
Microbiology
Lorena Guasconi, Ignacio Beccacece, Ximena Volpini, Veronica L. Burstein, Cristian J. Mena, Leonardo Silvane, Mariel A. Almeida, Melina Mara Musri, Laura Cervi, Laura S. Chiapello
Summary: This study provides evidence for the function of lung dendritic cells during pulmonary infection. The results suggest that LangDC1 cells impair immune response, affecting the clearance of C. neoformans in the early stage of cryptococcosis.
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
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.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Michal Tomaszewski, Dominika Bebnowska, Rafal Hrynkiewicz, Jakub Dworzynski, Paulina Niedzwiedzka-Rystwej, Grzegorz Kopec, Ewelina Grywalska
Summary: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a relatively rare but increasingly incident disease, posing a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to its severe course and low patient survival rate. Research indicates that abnormalities within the immune system play a crucial role in the development of PAH, affecting the progression of the disease significantly. This review highlights the importance of understanding the immune system's role in PAH development to improve diagnosis and targeted immunotherapy.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xinying Xue, Xuelei Zang, Lifeng Wang, Dongliang Lin, Tianjiao Jiang, Jie Gao, Chongchong Wu, Xidong Ma, Hui Deng, Dingxia Shen, Lei Pan
Summary: This study compared the clinical features of pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) in patients with and without central nervous system (CNS) involvement, finding that the risk of CNS involvement increases in patients with headache, fever, and cavitation. These unique clinical features may be helpful in the diagnosis.
JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Respiratory System
Jiejun Shi, Jianhua Chen, Liqing Hu, Ada Hoi Yan Ma, Haoxuan Hu, Chuwen Wang, Jiajia Huang, Qifa Song, Guoqing Qian
Summary: Cryptococcosis has become more common in China over the past two decades. It can infect both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. This study compared the clinical characteristics of pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) and extrapulmonary cryptococcosis (EPC) in 71 inpatients at Ningbo First Hospital. The results showed that immunocompromised hosts were more likely to have EPC, and EPC patients had a higher incidence of fever and headache. In addition, EPC patients had lower serum sodium levels, lower monocyte counts, and higher C-reactive protein levels compared to PC patients.
BMC PULMONARY MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Po-Jen Hsiao, Han Cheng, Yung-Hsi Kao, Yuan-Hung Wang, Chih-Chiun Chiu, Wen-Fang Chiang, Chih-Chun Kuo, Chih-Pin Chuu, Kuo-An Wu
Summary: Pulmonary cryptococcosis is a fungal infection commonly found in immunocompromised patients, but it can also occur in immunocompetent individuals. The rapid and accurate diagnosis of this disease remains challenging. Research on clinical manifestations, laboratory diagnosis, and treatment can provide valuable insights into pulmonary cryptococcosis.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)