Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aline de Oliveira Rezende, Rafaella Santos Saboia, Adeliane Castro da Costa, Diana Messala Pinheiro da Silva Monteiro, Adrielle Zagmignan, Luis Angelo Macedo Santiago, Rafael Cardoso Carvalho, Paulo Vitor Soeiro Pereira, Ana Paula Junqueira-Kipnis, Eduardo Martins de Sousa
Summary: This study investigated the association of HIF-1 alpha expression and related mechanisms with latent or active tuberculosis infection. The results showed that IL-15 expression was higher in individuals with LTBI, while IL-18 and TNF-alpha expression were similar between LTBI and TB groups. Additionally, patients with active TB had higher serum 25(OH)D3 levels and expression of IL-6, HIF1A, and A20. The study also found that PBMCs from individuals with LTBI showed decreased NF-kappa B phosphorylation and increased TNF-alpha production after HIF-1 alpha blockade.
Article
Immunology
Shi Zou, Yanni Xiang, Wei Guo, Qi Zhu, Songjie Wu, Yuting Tan, Yajun Yan, Ling Shen, Yong Feng, Ke Liang
Summary: The study indicates that HIV/TB co-infection alters the balance of γδT cell subsets and has complex effects on cytokine production by these cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Hannah P. Gideon, Travis K. Hughes, Constantine N. Tzouanas, Marc H. Wadsworth, Ang Andy Tu, Todd M. Gierahn, Joshua M. Peters, Forrest F. Hopkins, Jun-Rong Wei, Conner Kummerlowe, Kievershen Nargan, Jia Yao Phuah, H. Jacob Borish, Pauline Maiello, Alexander G. White, Caylin G. Winchell, Sarah K. Nyquist, Sharie Keanne C. Ganchua, Amy Myers, Kush V. Patel, Cassaundra L. Ameel, Catherine T. Cochran, Samira Ibrahim, Jaime A. Tomko, Lonnie James Frye, Jacob M. Rosenberg, Angela Shih, Michael Chao, Edwin Klein, Charles A. Scanga, Jose Ordovas-Montanes, Bonnie Berger, Joshua T. Mattila, Rajhmun Madansein, J. Christopher Love, Philana Ling Lin, Alasdair Leslie, Samuel M. Behar, Bryan Bryson, JoAnne L. Flynn, Sarah M. Fortune, Alex K. Shalek
Summary: This study focuses on tuberculosis lung infection and its complex multicellular structure, the granuloma. Through various techniques, the study identifies factors that influence bacterial control in granulomas. It shows that granulomas with bacterial persistence are enriched with different cell types that communicate through immune and wound-healing pathways. On the other hand, granulomas that drive bacterial control are characterized by diverse cell populations engaged in pro-inflammatory signaling networks. The study also finds that granulomas that arise later in infection display characteristics of restrictive granulomas and are more effective at killing Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Gao Chen, Shu-Shu Liu, Meng-Zheng Wu, Chun-Jun Qin, Fei-Fei Liu, Jian-Ying Liu, Li Liu
Summary: By detecting serum TB-IGRA and pleural effusion TB-RNA in patients with tuberculous pleural effusion, it was found that the combined use of TB-IGRA and TB-RNA has high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion, and can prevent some missed diagnoses of complicated pleural effusion.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL REGULATORS AND HOMEOSTATIC AGENTS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Nicole L. Grant, Kristen Kelly, Pauline Maiello, Helena Abbott, Shelby O'Connor, Philana Ling Lin, Charles A. Scanga, JoAnne L. Flynn
Summary: Despite research focus on CD4 T cells in Mtb infections, little is known about Mtb-specific T cells within lung granulomas. We identified immunodominant epitopes for two Mtb proteins using a macaque model, facilitating the identification of Mtb-specific cells. Granulomas were found to be enriched sites for Mtb-specific cells, which expressed activation markers and transcription factors. Our data highlighted the importance of activated, polarized Mtb-specific cells for controlling Mtb in lung granulomas.
Article
Immunology
Yuting Tan, Wei Guo, Qi Zhu, Shihui Song, Yanni Xiang, Songjie Wu, Shi Zou, Yajun Yan, Ling Feng, Mingqi Luo, Ling Shen, Yong Feng, Ke Liang
Summary: This study investigated the function of peripheral cytokine-secreting cells in HIV/TB co-infection. The results showed that the absolute numbers of these cells were lower in patients with HIV/TB co-infection compared to TB or HIV infection alone. Additionally, the functional profiles of these cells were significantly different in HIV/TB co-infection. Furthermore, measuring the percentage of cytokine-secreting cells may be a sensitive marker for early evaluation of anti-TB treatment efficacy in HIV/TB co-infection.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Taylor W. Foreman, Christine E. Nelson, Keith D. Kauffman, Nickiana E. Lora, Caian L. Vinhaes, Danielle E. Dorosky, Shunsuke Sakai, Felipe Gomez, Joel D. Fleegle, Melanie Parham, Shehan R. Perera, Cecilia S. Lindestam Arlehamn, Alessandro Sette, Jason M. Brenchley, Artur T. L. Queiroz, Bruno B. Andrade, Juraj Kabat, Laura E. Via, Daniel L. Barber
Summary: HIV/Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) co-infected individuals have an increased risk of tuberculosis before the loss of peripheral CD4 T cells. This study used rhesus macaques to investigate the early effects of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) co-infection on pulmonary granulomas. The results showed that Mtb-specific CD4 T cells were dramatically depleted from granulomas two weeks after SIV inoculation in Mtb-infected macaques, before CD4 T cell loss in blood, airways, and lymph nodes. The study also revealed reduced motility of intralesional CD4 T cells after SIV co-infection. These findings suggest that CD4 T cells in granulomas may be decimated before the onset of acute HIV infection symptoms.
Review
Immunology
Alexis Hoerter, Eusondia Arnett, Larry S. Schlesinger, Elsje Pienaar
Summary: Coinfection with HIV and tuberculosis increases the risk of active tuberculosis and is the leading cause of death in HIV positive individuals. Tuberculosis granulomas, the sites of host-pathogen interactions, play a crucial role in understanding and treating coinfection. Coupling computational modeling with in vitro and in vivo experiments can accelerate discoveries in Mtb-HIV coinfection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Yonghao Cao, Bohdan P. Harvey, Feng Hong, Melanie Ruzek, Jing Wang, Erin R. Murphy, Zehra Kaymakcalan
Summary: The study suggests that ADA has a distinct mechanism of action in hidradenitis suppurativa compared to other drugs, promoting wound healing and specific regulation of inflammatory M phi. ADA treatment significantly reduces levels of inflammatory MMPs and promotes the expression of healing-related MMPs and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa who responded to the therapy.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Ryan Ha, Yoav Keynan, Zulma Vanessa Rueda
Summary: Immunomodulators like TNF inhibitors are used to treat autoimmune conditions but increase the risk of infections. Different types of TNF inhibitors have varying immunosuppressive effects and infection risks. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Legionella pneumophila, and Pneumocystis jirovecii are common pathogens associated with TNF inhibitor-associated infections. Other immunomodulators and host-directed treatments can influence these infections and mitigate their severity.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Danielle Nader, Nicola Fletcher, Gerard F. Curley, Steven W. Kerrigan
Summary: The unprecedented global COVID-19 pandemic has led to an urgent international effort to accelerate the development of antiviral drugs. COVID-19 infections are associated with cardiovascular complications, highlighting the importance of vascular endothelial cells in viral propagation. The etiological pathogen, SARS-CoV-2, possesses novel characteristics that enhance transmissibility, potentially through the integrin alpha V beta 3.
Article
Immunology
Noemi Rebecca Meier, Manuel Battegay, Tom H. M. Ottenhoff, Hansjakob Furrer, Johannes Nemeth, Nicole Ritz
Summary: The immune response to novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens in HIV-infected individuals developing TB differs from those not progressing to TB, with differences detectable up to 2 years before clinical diagnosis of active TB. This paves the way for the development of immune-based diagnostics for early prediction of TB disease.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Facundo Di Diego Garcia, Gonzalo Cabrerizo, Ana Paletta, Paula S. Perez, Augusto Varese, Jorge Geffner, Natalia Bello, Vanesa Fridman, Daniel Stecher, Ana Ceballos, Federico Remes Lenicov
Summary: This study investigated the effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on monocyte activation in chronic HIV infection and the mechanisms through which PGE2 modulates their inflammatory signature. The results showed increased plasma levels of PGE2 and an activated phenotype in monocytes from people with HIV (PWH). Monocytes from PWH also exhibited resistance to the inhibitory actions mediated by PGE2, possibly contributing to their inflammatory profile.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhouyangfan Peng, Mingwu Duan, Yiting Tang, Jianfeng Wu, Kai Zhao, Yanjun Zhong, Zhihui He, Jie Meng, Fangping Chen, Xianzhong Xiao, Haichao Wang, Timothy R. Billiar, Ben Lu, Fang Liang
Summary: Silicosis is caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust particles, and impaired interferon gamma signaling in myeloid cells is strongly associated with the occurrence of the disease. Interferon gamma priming of macrophages can partially inhibit the inflammatory response induced by crystalline silica.
Article
Microbiology
Peng Lu, Kai Wu, Hongxi Zhou, Haibing Yu, Ju Yuan, Lang Dong, Qiao Liu, Xiaoyan Ding, Wei Lu, Haitao Yang, Limei Zhu, Leonardo Martinez
Summary: Recent global guidelines recommend Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen-based skin tests, such as the ESAT6-CFP10 (EC) skin test, as alternatives to the tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT). However, little is known about the diagnostic value of these tests among persons living with HIV (PLHIV). This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the EC skin test among PLHIV in China and found that it performs well regardless of BCG vaccination or CD4 count.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Corinna D. Andreae, Derrick P. Smit, Nonjabulo S. Makhoba, Martin Kidd, Gerhard Walzl, Novel N. Chegou
Summary: The study aimed to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers for herpetic and syphilitic uveitis. Results showed three proteins in blood samples that differed between syphilitic and other causes, as well as a three-marker biosignature that separated syphilitic cases with high accuracy. Another biosignature differentiated herpetic cases from other causes with promising results. These findings suggest the potential for these biomarkers in distinguishing different etiologies of uveitis and warrant further investigation in larger studies.
OCULAR IMMUNOLOGY AND INFLAMMATION
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Nonjabulo S. Makhoba, Derrick P. Smit, Gerhard Walzl, Novel N. Chegou
Summary: The study evaluated potential host biomarkers in QuantiFERON supernatants for diagnosing ocular tuberculosis (OTB), and identified differences in biomarker concentrations between OTB and non-OTB patients, as well as a biosignature of four markers that could diagnose OTB with high specificity and moderate sensitivity.
OCULAR IMMUNOLOGY AND INFLAMMATION
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Hygon Mutavhatsindi, Gian D. van der Spuy, Stephanus T. Malherbe, Jayne S. Sutherland, Annemieke Geluk, Harriet Mayanja-Kizza, Amelia C. Crampin, Desta Kassa, Rawleigh Howe, Adane Mihret, Jacob A. Sheehama, Emmanuel Nepolo, Gunar Gunther, Hazel M. Dockrell, Paul L. A. M. Corstjens, Kim Stanley, Gerhard Walzl, Novel N. Chegou
Summary: The development of a non-sputum-based, point-of-care diagnostic test for tuberculosis is a global priority. A study conducted in six African countries identified a two-marker bio-signature with a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 69% for diagnosing TB in patients with no prior history of the disease.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Hygon Mutavhatsindi, Bridget Calder, Shirley McAnda, Stephanus T. Malherbe, Kim Stanley, Martin Kidd, Gerhard Walzl, Novel N. Chegou
Summary: This study identified 26 proteins in saliva that significantly differentiated individuals with TB from those with other respiratory diseases, and a 5-protein biosignature with the potential to diagnose TB with high accuracy. The results show promise for the development of new, rapid, and affordable TB diagnostic tests.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ray Y. Chen, Xiang Yu, Bronwyn Smith, Xin Liu, Jingcai Gao, Andreas H. Diacon, Rodney Dawson, Michele Tameris, Hong Zhu, Yahong Qu, Ruanqing Zhang, Shouguo Pan, Xiaowei Jin, Lisa C. Goldfeder, Ying Cai, Kriti Arora, Jing Wang, Joel Vincent, Stephanus Malherbe, Friedrich Thienemann, Robert J. Wilkinson, Gerhard Walzl, Clifton E. Barry
Summary: This study analyzed data from pulmonary PET-CT scans of successfully treated tuberculosis patients, showing that new lesions attached to cavities via bronchial inflammation after 4 weeks of treatment may play a larger role in the spread of pulmonary tuberculosis.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Charles M. Manyelo, Regan S. Solomons, Candice Snyders, Martin Kidd, Yajna Kooblal, Vinzeigh N. Leukes, Conita Claassen, Kelly Roos, Kim Stanley, Gerhard Walzl, Novel N. Chegou
Summary: The present study validated the accuracy of host cerebrospinal (CSF) biomarkers for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in children and identified several promising biomarker combinations. This study has significant implications for the future development of a rapid diagnostic tool for TBM in children.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Andriette M. Hiemstra, Candice E. MacDonald, Ilana C. van Rensburg, Kim Stanley, Elizna Maasdorp, Shirley Mc Anda, Susanne Tonsing, Jane Alexandra Shaw, Gerard Tromp, Gian D. van der Spuy, Kevin B. Urdahl, David M. Lewinsohn, Helena Kuivaniemi, Nelita Du Plessis, Stephanus T. Malherbe, Gerhard Walzl
Summary: This study aims to analyze the protective pathways of natural and vaccine-induced immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis by collecting data and samples from participants, including lung imaging and laboratory tests.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ruschca Jacobs, Dolapo O. Awoniyi, Ralf Baumann, Kim Stanley, Shirley McAnda, Susanne Kaempfer, Stephanus T. Malherbe, Mahavir Singh, Gerhard Walzl, Novel N. Chegou
Summary: This study assessed the combination of antibodies and cytokines for diagnosing tuberculosis. The results showed that the combination of antibodies had better performance, and the diagnostic accuracy was significantly improved when combining anti-Kit 1-IgA levels with cytokine biomarkers.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Humphrey Mulenga, Andrew Fiore-Gartland, Simon C. Mendelsohn, Adam Penn-Nicholson, Stanley Kimbung Mbandi, Bhavesh Borate, Munyaradzi Musvosvi, Michele Tameris, Gerhard Walzl, Kogieleum Naidoo, Gavin Churchyard, Thomas J. Scriba, Mark Hatherill
Summary: Host factors affect RISK11 score, with only cough affecting diagnostic performance. Combining host factors with RISK11 should be considered to improve prognostic performance.
Article
Immunology
Vinzeigh N. Leukes, Stephanus T. Malherbe, Andriette Hiemstra, Leigh A. Kotze, Kelly Roos, Alana Keyser, Dalene De Swardt, Andrea Gutschmidt, Gerhard Walzl, Nelita du Plessis
Summary: Resistance to common anti-TB drugs is a major challenge in TB treatment, leading to the investigation of host-directed therapies (HDTs). This study found that Sildenafil, when repurposed as an HDT, was unable to reverse the suppressive effects of MDSC on T-cell responsiveness, suggesting the need for further development of MDSC-targeting HDTs for TB.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Cassandra L. R. van Doorn, Clare Eckold, Katharina Ronacher, Rovina Ruslami, Suzanne van Veen, Ji-Sook Lee, Vinod Kumar, Sarah Kerry-Barnard, Stephanus T. Malherbe, Leanie Kleynhans, Kim Stanley, Philip C. Hill, Simone A. Joosten, Reinout van Crevel, Cisca Wijmenga, Julia A. Critchley, Gerhard Walzl, Bachti Alisjahbana, Marielle C. Haks, Hazel M. Dockrell, Tom H. M. Ottenhoff, Eleonora Vianello, Jacqueline M. Cliff
Summary: The study found that the analysis of patients' whole blood transcriptional profiles can predict treatment failure or success in tuberculosis, even in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Bih Hycenta Chendi, Tracey Jooste, Thomas Jens Scriba, Martin Kidd, Simon Mendelsohn, Kristian Tonby, Gerhard Walzl, Anne M. Dyrhol-Riise, Novel Njweipi Chegou
Summary: A three-gene signature (BAFT2, ETV7, and CD1C) was found to be able to assist in the diagnosis of TB in hospitalized patients with low TB burden. However, the influence of confounding variables such as age needs to be further evaluated in larger studies.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Fredrich J. van der Colff, Candice Snyders, Gerhard Walzl, Novel Chegou, Derrick Smit
Summary: The purpose of this study was to describe the concentrations of biomarkers in serum and urine of South African patients with ocular tuberculosis (OTB). In a prospective study, 29 urine and serum biomarkers were compared in 14 OTB patients at a tertiary eye clinic. Most biomarkers showed significantly higher concentrations in serum than in urine, except for IL-1RA and IL-2 which showed higher concentrations in urine. Three biomarkers (sIL-2Ra, sTNFRI, and IFN gamma) showed no difference in concentration between urine and serum.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Humphrey Mulenga, Andrew Fiore-Gartland, Simon C. Mendelsohn, Adam Penn-Nicholson, Stanley Kimbung Mbandi, Elisa Nemes, Bhavesh Borate, Munyaradzi Musvosvi, Michele Tameris, Gerhard Walzl, Kogieleum Naidoo, Gavin Churchyard, Thomas J. Scriba, Mark Hatherill
Summary: The study evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic performance of two biomarkers, RISK11 and QFTPlus, in predicting TB risk. The combination of the two markers did not improve overall discriminatory performance compared to the individual tests.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Bachti Alisjahbana, Susan M. McAllister, Cesar Ugarte-Gil, Nicolae Mircea Panduru, Katharina Ronacher, Raspati C. Koesoemadinata, Carlos Zubiate, Anca Lelia Riza, Stephanus T. Malherbe, Leanie Kleynhans, Sonia Lopez, Hazel M. Dockrell, Rovina Ruslami, Mihai Ioana, Gerhard Walzl, Fiona Pearson, Julia A. Critchley, David A. J. Moore, Reinout van Crevel, Philip C. Hill
Summary: This study conducted active TB screening among diabetes mellitus patients in Indonesia, Peru, Romania, and South Africa, and identified 14 TB cases. The data supports the recommendation for routine symptom-based TB screening in high TB-burden countries for known diabetes mellitus patients. Additionally, poor glucose control, smoking, lower body mass index, education, and socio-economic status were found to be associated with newly diagnosed/current TB.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
