Article
Microbiology
Juan Pablo Ramirez-Hinojosa, Salvador Medrano-Ahumada, Roberto Arenas, Arturo Bravo-Escobar, Sara Paraguirre-Martinez, Juan Xicohtencatl-Cortes, Erick Martinez-Herrera, Rigoberto Hernandez-Castro
Summary: Aspergillosis and mucormycosis are filamentous fungal infections that predominantly occur in immunocompromised patients, with a rare co-infection in the rhinocerebral region. The treatment of choice is surgical debridement and liposomal amphotericin B for this uncommon co-infection.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Robert A. Cramer
Summary: Fungal infections, which are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in high-risk populations, currently lack effective vaccines. Recent studies have identified a fungal enzyme essential for pathogenesis and virulence, and surprisingly, fungal strains lacking this enzyme can induce immune-mediated protection in immunocompromised animal models. These findings have important implications for the development of fungal vaccines in the future.
Review
Microbiology
Raffaella Diotti, Michelle Esposito, Chang Hui Shen
Summary: Telomeres play a crucial role in protecting chromosomal ends and have been found to contribute to biodiversity and new functional abilities. Unique fungal telomeric and chromatin structures have expanded clinical capabilities and deepened our understanding of pathogenicity levels.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Ruina Zhang, Yizhen Zhang, Wenjing Xu, Xiaomin Han, Junying Zhao
Summary: This case report presents a rare case of primary cutaneous aspergillosis in an immunocompetent woman following tattooing. The patient presented with erythematous papules, papulopustules, and a plaque on the lower limb which had been unresponsive to antihistamine treatment for over two years. Histological examination revealed spores in the corneous layer, a slightly thickened epidermis, and inflammatory cells around blood vessels in the superficial dermis. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated and identified in cultures. The lesions resolved completely after systemic antifungal treatment.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Review
Mycology
Amelie P. Brackin, Sam J. Hemmings, Matthew C. Fisher, Johanna Rhodes
Summary: Respiratory infections caused by fungal pathogens are a global health concern, particularly for immunocompromised patients. COVID-19 leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome has been shown to predispose patients to fungal co-infections such as aspergillosis and mucormycosis. Molecular diagnostic methods play a crucial role in ensuring early detection of respiratory fungal pathogens and detection of antifungal resistance.
Article
Immunology
Patience Eschenhagen, Claudia Grehn, Carsten Schwarz
Summary: In this study, it was found that Af-specific IgG m3 could be a useful biomarker for acute ABPA and Af pneumonia in CF patients. The levels of Af-specific Gm3 were significantly higher in acute Af disease groups, with a calculated cut-off value of 78.05 mg/L to discriminate controls and patients with ABPA/pneumonia. Further studies with a larger multicenter cohort are needed to validate these results.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sian Bentley, Jane C. Davies, Silke Gastine, Jackie Donovan, Joseph F. Standing
Summary: This study investigated the population pharmacokinetics of posaconazole in children with cystic fibrosis and performed dose simulations to recommend optimal doses in different age groups. The results showed that a starting dose of 300 mg OD in children aged 6-11 years and 400 mg OD in adolescents aged 12-17 years (following loading doses) yields a 90% probability of attaining an AUC of 30 mg.h/L.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Caroline Mota Fernandes, Tyler G. Normile, Joao Henrique Tadini Marilhano Fabri, Veronica Soares Brauer, Glauber R. de S. Araujo, Susana Frases, Leonardo Nimrichter, Iran Malavazi, Maurizio Del Poeta
Summary: This study found that deletion of the sglA gene in Aspergillus fumigatus can lead to a safe and effective vaccine formulation that provides protection for immunocompromised patients.
Article
Immunology
Claudia Grehn, Patience Eschenhagen, Svenja Temming, Uta Duesberg, Konrad Neumann, Carsten Schwarz
Summary: The study investigated the relationship between pet contact frequency, Aspergillus fumigatus colonization, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) diagnosis in German CF patients. The results suggest that frequent pet contact may be a risk factor for ABPA, particularly in patients with contact to dogs.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Chien-Wen Hsiao, Tsai-Hung Yen, Yen-Ching Wu, Jun-Peng Chen, Yun-Yu Chen, Wen-Nan Huang, Yi-Hsing Chen, Yi-Ming Chen
Summary: This study investigated the optimal cut-off values of Aspergillus-specific antibodies for diagnosing aspergillosis. Geographic differences in the antibody levels were observed, indicating the need for eco-climatic-specific references to accurately diagnose aspergillosis.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Raffaella Parente, Valentina Possetti, Marco Erreni, Francesca D'Autilia, Barbara Bottazzi, Cecilia Garlanda, Alberto Mantovani, Antonio Inforzato, Andrea Doni
Summary: The ubiquitous mold Aspergillus fumigatus is the major cause of invasive aspergillosis, requiring coordinated action of cellular and humoral components of the innate immune system for effective disposal. The complement system and pentraxins form an integrated system with interactions, synergy, and regulation, playing a pivotal role in mounting antifungal immunity. Proteins like PTX3 and SAP target A. fumigatus through complement-dependent pathways, utilising different mechanisms of complement activation and receptor-mediated phagocytosis, adding complexity to the immune response.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Kim Verburg, Jacq van Neer, Margherita Duca, Hans de Cock
Summary: Germination of conidia is a critical process in the Aspergillus life cycle and plays a major role in host infection. Targeting germination with novel antifungals could lead to early intervention and decreased fungal burden on patients.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
S. Earl Kang, Leilani G. Sumabat, Tina Melie, Brandon Mangum, Michelle Momany, Marin T. Brewer
Summary: Resistance to azole antifungal drugs in Aspergillus fumigatus strains isolated from agricultural environments and clinical settings is linked to the presence of multiple fungicide-resistance alleles, suggesting a connection between agricultural and clinical origins of multi-azole resistance.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ashley B. Strickland, Meiqing Shi
Summary: Fungal infections pose an increasing threat to global public health, with some species like Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Candida albicans causing life-threatening diseases that result in over one million deaths worldwide each year. Future directions in research include understanding the mechanisms of fungal dissemination and the process of immune cells eliminating fungi.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Zhengtu Li, Mingdie Wang, Teng Xu, Yangqing Zhan, Fengyi Chen, Ye Lin, Shaoqiang Li, Jing Cheng, Feng Ye
Summary: A highly sensitive and specific method for the detection of A. fumigatus using the CRISPR/Cas13a system has been developed. The method shows a promising potential for clinical diagnosis with high specificity and sensitivity.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
