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)
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
Immunology
Seher Anjum, Owen Dean, Peter Kosa, M. Teresa Magone, Kelly A. King, Edmond Fitzgibbon, H. Jeff Kim, Chris Zalewski, Elizabeth Murphy, Bridgette Jeanne Billioux, Jennifer Chisholm, Carmen C. Brewer, Chantal Krieger, Waleed Elsegeiny, Terri L. Scott, Jing Wang, Sally Hunsberger, John E. Bennett, Avindra Nath, Kieren A. Marr, Bibiana Bielekova, David Wendler, Dima A. Hammoud, Peter Williamson
Summary: The use of adjunctive corticosteroid therapy in 15 patients with CM and PIIRS led to significant clinical improvements and improvements in cerebrospinal fluid parameters, with minimal toxicity in the acute setting.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Charles D. Giamberardino, Wiley A. Schell, Jennifer L. Tenor, Dena L. Toffaletti, Julia R. Palmucci, Choiselle Marius, Jane-Valeriane K. Boua, Quinlyn Soltow, Robert Mansbach, M. Arthur Moseley, J. Will Thompson, Laura G. Dubois, William Hope, John R. Perfect, Karen Joy Shaw
Summary: Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is a global fungal disease with high morbidity and mortality. The gepix Gwt1 inhibitors are a new class of antifungal drugs. This study demonstrated the efficacy of APX2039, a novel Gwt1 inhibitor, in mouse and rabbit models of CM. APX2039 showed rapid and significant reduction of the fungal burden in both models, with favorable antifungal activity compared to current treatment options. The drug also had good penetration into the central nervous system. These results support further evaluation of APX2039 as a potential oral monotherapy for CM.
Article
Microbiology
Rattagan Kajeekul, Pawut Mekawichai, Methee Chayakulkeeree
Summary: This study investigated the clinical characteristics and factors associated with mortality in HIV-associated and non-HIV-associated cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, and found differences in disease presentation and mortality rate between the two groups.
Article
Microbiology
Caleb P. Skipper, Katherine Huppler Hullsiek, Anna Stadelman, Darlisha A. Williams, Kenneth Ssebambulidde, Elizabeth Okafor, Lillian Tugume, Edwin Nuwagira, Andrew Akampurira, Abdu K. Musubire, Mahsa Abassi, Conrad Muzoora, Joshua Rhein, David R. Boulware, David B. Meya
Summary: Cryptococcus is the leading cause of AIDS-related meningitis in sub-Saharan Africa. The clinical implications of sterile cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures in individuals diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis using CSF cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) are unclear. This study found that individuals with sterile CSF cultures had higher CD4 counts, lower CSF opening pressures, and were more frequently receiving antiretroviral therapy. Despite having better control of Cryptococcus, mortality was similar to those with higher fungal burdens.
Article
Microbiology
William J. Hurt, Thomas S. Harrison, Sile F. Molloy, Tihana A. Bicanic
Summary: Cryptococcal meningitis is a leading cause of adult meningitis in HIV patients and accounts for a significant portion of HIV-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite limited antifungal drugs available, progress has been made in developing effective treatment strategies, including combination therapy and the introduction of new drugs. Early fungicidal activity has proven to be a useful surrogate marker in identifying effective treatment combinations. The use of shorter course induction regimens and alternative treatment options have shown promising results in recent clinical trials.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Kent Carpenter, Ali Etemady-Deylamy, Victoria Costello, Mohammad Khasawneh, Robin Chamberland, Katherine Tian, Maureen Donlin, Brenda Moreira-Walsh, Emily Reisenbichler, Getahun Abate
Summary: Fingolimod use has been associated with various cryptococcal infections. We report a unique case of cryptococcal chest wall mass and rib osteomyelitis related to fingolimod use. The patient showed significant improvement after treatment.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Master R. O. Chisale, Alex Jordan, Pocha Kamudumuli, Bernard Mvula, Michael W. Odo, Alice Maida, James Kandulu, Ben Chilima, Frank Sinyiza, Pauline Katundu, Hsin-yi Lee, Rebecca Mtegha, Tsung-Shu Joseph Wu, Joseph Bitirinyo, Rose Nyirenda, Thoko Kalua, Greg Greene, Tom Chiller, Rodney Adam
Summary: A cohort study was conducted to determine the outcomes and risk factors for attrition in adult Malawian people living with HIV (PLHIV) testing positive for cryptococcal antigenemia.
Review
Immunology
Sally H. H. Mohamed, Tinashe K. K. Nyazika, Kenneth Ssebambulidde, Michail S. S. Lionakis, David B. B. Meya, Rebecca A. A. Drummond
Summary: Cryptococcal meningitis is the leading cause of central nervous system fungal infections in humans, especially in Africa due to high HIV burden and limited access to antifungal treatments. The immune response to Cryptococcus neoformans is not fully understood, but CD4(+) T-cells producing IFN-gamma play a crucial role in fungal clearance.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Seher H. Anjum, John E. Bennett, Owen Dean, Kieren A. Marr, Dima A. Hammoud, Peter R. Williamson
Summary: This study investigated the use of brain MRI in non-HIV patients with cryptococcal meningitis. The results showed that MRI characteristics of non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis include hydrocephalus, meningeal and ependymal enhancement, and basal ganglia lesions.
Article
Microbiology
Kiiza Kandole Tadeo, Audrey Nimwesiga, Richard Kwizera, Lucy Apeduno, Emily Martyn, Michael Okirwoth, Elizabeth Nalintya, Radha Rajasingham, Darlisha A. Williams, Joshua Rhein, David B. Meya, Bosco Kafufu, David R. Boulware, Caleb P. Skipper
Summary: The newly developed CrAgSQ semiquantitative lateral flow assay provides a rapid one-step test for a semiquantitative result without the need for serial dilutions. It shows excellent diagnostic performance on CSF samples, maintaining both sensitivity and specificity while countering false-negative prozone effects. The CrAgSQ assay reading is more complex but provides valuable clinical information about disease burden and probability of culture positivity in a single rapid diagnostic test.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ran Tao, Xiaorong Peng, Xiang Liu, Lijun Xu, Junwei Su, Guanjing Lang, Ying Huang, Biao Zhu
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of lenalidomide treatment on neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in patients with HCM who had completed cryptococcal clearance. The results showed that lenalidomide treatment significantly improved cognitive function in HCM patients, particularly in the domain of memory function.
JOURNAL OF INFLAMMATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Chutithep Teekaput, Saowaluck Yasri, Romanee Chaiwarith
Summary: This study aimed to compare the characteristics of cryptococcal meningitis between HIV-infected and non-infected individuals, finding differences in some aspects. Increasing awareness among physicians of this disease in HIV-uninfected individuals may lead to earlier diagnosis and timely treatment.
Article
Immunology
Zhouqing Gan, Jia Liu, Yijie Wang, Lu Yang, Zheng Lou, Han Xia, Min Li, Zhuolin Chen, Ying Jiang, Fuhua Peng
Summary: This study demonstrates that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) can be considered as a supplementary test for the diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) and for directly distinguishing Cryptococcus gattii from Cryptococcus neoformans in clinical specimens.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Zahra Ghadimi Korka, Shohreh Noorizadeh Dehkordi, Soheil Mansour Sohani, Marzieh Yassin
Summary: The Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) in Persian has been found to be a relevant and reliable tool for assessing trunk abnormalities in Persian-speaking people with multiple sclerosis (PWMS).
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS
(2024)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Daniele Caliendo, Maria Carmela Grassia, Antonio Carotenuto, Maria Petracca, Roberta Lanzillo, Vincenzo Brescia Morra, Marcello Moccia
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Maddalena Sparaco, Elisabetta Maida, Floriana Bile, Renato Vele, Luigi Lavorgna, Giuseppina Miele, Simona Bonavita
Summary: The SDQ was translated into Italian and validated for use in pwMS to detect swallowing disturbances. The 14-item SDQ demonstrated high internal consistency, good accuracy, and reliability in pwMS, making it a readily applicable tool for investigating dysphagia in MS.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Leticia Rodrigues Gomes, Benito Pereira Damasceno, Brunno Machado de Campos, Alfredo Damasceno
Summary: This study found that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have more frequent work restrictions and impairment in money management and driving abilities compared to controls. Cognitive function, physical disability, and MS lesion burden are strongly associated with work restrictions, and social cognition can influence financial capacity. Cognitive and brain reserve can help retain some of these daily occupations.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS
(2024)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Kaitlin E. Riegler, John Beauvais, Lindsay O. Neto, Elizabeth S. Gromisch
Summary: This study examined the differences in resilience levels among individuals with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) who had sleep disorders, sleep problems, and no sleep disorders/problems. The results showed that PwMS with sleep disorders had significantly lower resilience, with the difference being driven by the support from family and friends. These findings highlight the connection between sleep and resilience in PwMS, emphasizing the importance of social support.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
A. Maunula, S. Atula, Sm Laakso, Pj Tienari
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the frequency and risk factors of FTY rebound in a hospital district in Southern Finland. The results showed that 10.5% of patients experienced a rebound, and 28% of patients had relapses of any severity after discontinuing FTY. Younger age at diagnosis, longer exposure to FTY, lower lymphocyte count, and higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio after discontinuation were identified as risk factors for a rebound.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS
(2024)