Article
Immunology
Tyler G. Normile, Maurizio Del Poeta
Summary: This study found that the Cryptococcus neoformans Delta sgl1 mutant has the potential to be a vaccine for preventing and treating cryptococcosis, providing effective protection even in immunocompromised conditions. It was also discovered that the HK Delta sgl1 vaccine can prevent the reactivation of lung granuloma after immunosuppression.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Francis Essien, Marquise Westbrook, Graey Wolfley, Shane Patterson, Matthew Carrol
Summary: Cryptococcal neoformans, a rare fungal pathogen associated with immunocompromised individuals, can often be overlooked by clinicians due to its rarity, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. We present a case of an 81-year-old woman with no known risk factors or previous immunocompromising conditions, who was diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis during analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in the presence of newly diagnosed uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES IN CHRONIC DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yina Wang, Keyi Wang, Amariliz Rivera, Chaoyang Xue
Summary: Invasive fungal infections, such as cryptococcosis, are difficult to treat and lack effective vaccines. However, heat-killed fbp1 Delta cells (HK-fbp1) have shown potential as a vaccine candidate, providing immunity against lethal fungal pathogens. This study revealed that T cells, specifically CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells, are critical for the vaccine-induced protection. Additionally, HK-fbp1 administration can inhibit disease dissemination when used as a therapeutic agent at the early stage of infection.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Chao Li, Yang Meng, Hailong Li, Wei Du, Xindi Gao, Chenhao Suo, Yiru Gao, Yue Ni, Tianshu Sun, Sheng Yang, Tian Lan, Meiling Xin, Chen Ding
Summary: This study identifies Prm1 as a novel regulator of C. neoformans virulence and demonstrates that prm1? cells exhibit sensitivity to environmental stress conditions and deficiencies in the biosynthesis of chitosan and mannoprotein. Heat-killed prm1? cells facilitate host immunological defence against infection with wild-type C. neoformans and promote pulmonary production of interferon-γ, leading to activation of macrophage M1 differentiation and inhibition of M2 polarization. Therefore, C. neoformans Prm1 may be a potential target for anti-cryptococcosis medications and prm1? cells could be a candidate for a vaccine.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
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
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
Microbiology
Shelby J. Priest, Vikas Yadav, Cullen Roth, Tim A. Dahlmann, Ulrich Kuck, Paul M. Magwene, Joseph Heitman
Summary: This study reveals that RNA-interference loss and accumulation of Cnl1 elements lead to hypermutation and drug resistance in clinical isolates of the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Diego P. Peralta, Haya Nallar, Jessica Garcia-Chan
Summary: This case report highlights a case of meningitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii in an immunocompetent man who had significant exposure to a pet cockatoo, raising suspicion of zoonotic transmission. Delayed diagnosis due to low suspicion led to neurological sequelae. Recognition of pet birds as potential sources of Cryptococcus species' zoonotic transmission is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
CUREUS JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Stefan Walter, Ruth Gil-Prieto, Mario Gil-Conesa, Gil Rodriguez-Caravaca, Jesus San Roman, Angel Gil de Miguel
Summary: Baseline hospitalization, mortality, and in-hospital fatality rates for meningococcal infection in Spain from 1997 to 2018 were analyzed. The hospitalization rate for meningococcal infection significantly decreased over the study period and was highest in children under 5 years of age. Case fatality rate increased with age, with 30% of deaths occurring in children under 5 years of age. Epidemiological surveillance is necessary to evaluate preventive measures for meningococcal infection in all age groups.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Chenhao Suo, Yiru Gao, Chen Ding, Tianshu Sun
Summary: Cryptococcus species are opportunistic human fungal pathogens, and survival in a hostile environment is crucial for infection. Hsf family of thermotolerance transcription regulators plays a crucial role in the pathogen-host axis. Although Hsf1 is known to be a master regulator of the heat shock response, the link between Hsfs and Cryptococcus pathogenicity remains poorly understood. This review focuses on the transcriptional regulation of Hsf function and potential antifungal treatments targeting Hsf proteins in Cryptococcus.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
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
Fisheries
Nguyen Vu Linh, Le Thanh Dien, Pattiya Sangpo, Saengchan Senapin, Anat Thapinta, Wattana Panphut, Sophie St-Hilaire, Channarong Rodkhum, Ha Thanh Dong
Summary: Nanobubble technology has potential applications in aquaculture and can enhance immune responses in fish. Pre-treatment with ozone nanobubbles improves the efficacy of immersion vaccination against Streptococcus agalactiae in Nile tilapia.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Karthik Hullahalli, Matthew K. Waldor
Summary: The study utilized the STAMPR technique to investigate population dynamics of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli during murine systemic infection and found that organ-specific clearance failures were prevalent despite most organs being able to clear bacteria, leading to clonal expansions and variations in bacterial burden between animals. Stochastic dissemination of clones was observed to profoundly alter the pathogen population structure within organs.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sophie Gong, Pirathaban Sivabalan, Damon P. Eisen
Summary: This article discusses two cases of HIV-negative patients with hearing loss as a presenting feature of Cryptococcus gattii meningoencephalitis. Possible mechanisms for hearing loss with C. gattii infection are explored, aiming to raise awareness among clinicians that hearing loss can be a concerning feature in patients with persistent headache necessitating further investigation.
Article
Immunology
Jinbiao Lu, Xiaonan Guo, Chunhua Wang, Weixin Du, Xiaobing Shen, Cheng Su, Yongge Wu, Miao Xu
Summary: This study evaluated the therapeutic effect of a novel subunit vaccine AEC/BC02 after chemotherapy in a tuberculosis (TB) relapse model, showing that the vaccine could reduce bacterial loads and induce antigen-specific cellular immune responses.
