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)
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
Junsong Chen, Jiasheng Shao, Min Dai, Wei Fang, Ya-li Yang
Summary: The fungal genus Cryptococcus includes pathogens that can cause cryptococcosis in healthy and immunocompromised individuals. HIV-infected patients with T-cell dysfunction are particularly susceptible. It has also been observed in organ transplant recipients, patients on long-term immunosuppressive therapy, and those with unidentified immunodeficiency. The disease outcome depends on the interaction between the host immune system and the pathogen. Most infections are caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, and research has primarily focused on this species.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Hazrat Bilal, Dongxing Zhang, Muhammad Shafiq, Muhammad Nadeem Khan, Canhua Chen, Sabir Khan, Qian Wang, Lin Cai, Muhammad Awais, Haibin Hu, Yuebin Zeng
Summary: This research investigated the epidemiology, risk factors, and antifungal susceptibility pattern of Cryptococcus neoformans in eastern Guangdong, China. The number of cryptococcal infections increased 8-fold during the study duration, with meningitis being the most common type. A high proportion of cases were male. Non-wild type isolates were found against several antifungal drugs.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Minna Ding, Kyle D. Smith, Darin L. Wiesner, Judith N. Nielsen, Katrina M. Jackson, Kirsten Nielsen
Summary: The mechanisms of latency in C. neoformans infection are not well understood. This study aimed to fill the knowledge gap by establishing criteria for latency and developing a murine model of persistent C. neoformans infection. Clinical isolates from HIV patients with cryptococcal meningitis were used to infect mice, and the results showed that the majority of infected mice exhibited persistent, controlled infections meeting the criteria for latency. CD4+ T-cells were found to be important for controlling the infection and preventing dissemination. The study highlights the utility of this new mouse model system for studying host immune responses against C. neoformans infections.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Zhun Li, Zhengtu Li, Jun Yang, Chun Lu, Yongming Li, Yinzhu Luo, Feng Cong, Rongmei Shi, Zhen Wang, Huaying Chen, Xinxia Li, Jinglu Yang, Feng Ye
Summary: Allicin has shown strong antimicrobial activity against Cryptococcus by disrupting cell membrane permeability and function.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
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
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
Medicine, General & Internal
Pakornswit Sathongdejwisit, Kritsada Pruksaphon, Akarin Intaramat, Pisinee Aiumurai, Nitat Sookrung, Kavi Ratanabanangkoon, Joshua D. Nosanchuk, Sirida Youngchim
Summary: The study developed a novel lateral flow immunochromatographic strip test for detecting cryptococcal polysaccharide capsular antigens using a single specific monoclonal antibody, mAb 18B7, which showed high sensitivity and accuracy in diagnosing cryptococcal meningitis with cerebrospinal fluid samples. The mAb 18B7 ICT was also effective in serum samples, providing a reliable and cost-effective point-of-care immunodiagnostic test for cryptococcosis, especially in countries where commercial kits are not available or affordable.
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
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
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)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Israel Diniz-Lima, Leonardo Marques da Fonseca, Elias Barbosa da Silva-Junior, Joyce Cristina Guimaraes-de-Oliveira, Leonardo Freire-de-Lima, Danielle Oliveira Nascimento, Alexandre Morrot, Jose Osvaldo Previato, Lucia Mendonca-Previato, Debora Decote-Ricardo, Celio Geraldo Freire-de-Lima
Summary: Cryptococcosis is caused by pathogenic fungi, including Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. The latter causes severe undiscriminating infections in immunocompetent individuals and is becoming more prevalent due to climatic factors. The immunopathology of cryptococcosis caused by C. gattii is still poorly understood, but research has helped to uncover its different variants.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Vinicius Alves, Pedro Henrique Martins, Bruna Miranda, Iara Bastos de Andrade, Luiza Pereira, Christina Takiya Maeda, Glauber Ribeiro Araujo, Susana Frases
Summary: This study investigates the potential of repurposing Copaxone(R) as a chemotherapy candidate for Cryptococcus neoformans infection. The results demonstrate that Copaxone(R) exhibits antifungal properties and modulates the key virulence factor, the polysaccharide capsule. This alternative treatment approach provides new prospects for combating C. neoformans infection and addresses the limitations associated with current antifungal therapies.
Article
Microbiology
Carolina Firacative, Natalia Zuluaga-Puerto, Jose Guevara
Summary: This study aimed to determine the genotypic diversity and antifungal susceptibility of Cryptococcus neoformans isolates causing meningoencephalitis in patients from Lima, Peru. The results showed that isolates of molecular type VNI were less susceptible to fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole compared to VNII isolates. This study provides important data on the molecular epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility of the most common etiological agent of cryptococcosis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Camaron R. Hole, Chrissy M. Leopold Wager, Natalia Castro-Lopez, Althea Campuzano, Hong Cai, Karen L. Wozniak, Yufeng Wang, Floyd L. Wormley
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2019)
Article
Fisheries
Xiao Xiang, Yanbing Zhang, Qianqian Li, Jianchao Wei, Ke Liu, Donghua Shao, Beibei Li, Michal A. Olszewski, Zhiyong Ma, Yafeng Qiu
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
M. E. Wilson, E. E. McCandless, M. A. Olszewski, N. Edward Robinson
VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Althea Campuzano, Natalia Castro-Lopez, Amanda J. Martinez, Michal A. Olszewski, Anutosh Ganguly, Chrissy Leopold Wager, Chiung-Yu Hung, Floyd L. Wormley
Review
Immunology
Benjamin N. Nelson, Ashlee N. Hawkins, Karen L. Wozniak
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jintao Xu, Lori M. Neal, Anutosh Ganguly, Jessica L. Kolbe, Jessica C. Hargarten, Waleed Elsegeiny, Christopher Hollingsworth, Xiumiao He, Mike Ivey, Rafael Lopez, Jessica Zhao, Benjamin Segal, Peter R. Williamson, Michal A. Olszewski
Correction
Microbiology
Yee-Seul So, Juyeong Jang, Goun Park, Jintao Xu, Michal A. Olszewski, Yong-Sun Bahn
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Khusraw Jamil, Maria J. Polyak, David D. Feehan, Philip Surmanowicz, Danuta Stack, Shu Shun Li, Henry Ogbomo, Michal Olszewski, Anutosh Ganguly, Christopher H. Mody
Article
Immunology
Agnieszka Razim, Marcelina Pyclik, Katarzyna Pacyga, Sabina Gorska, Jintao Xu, Michal A. Olszewski, Andrzej Gamian, Andrzej Myc
Summary: The study aimed to design, develop, and characterize silicone oil-based nanoadjuvant candidates for intranasal vaccines, with potential to be mucosal adjuvants. The nanoadjuvant candidates exhibited stability and remarkable adjuvant properties, and can be used for intranasal immunization.
Article
Microbiology
Yue Chen, Sean M. Vargas, Trever C. Smith, Sai Lakshmi Rajasekhar Karna, Taylor MacMackin Ingle, Karen L. Wozniak, Floyd L. Wormley, Janakiram Seshu
Summary: The Borrelia peptidoglycan interacting Protein (BpiP) plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the PG and cell envelope during different phases of Bb infection. Deletion of bpiP results in reduced infection in immunocompetent mice and increased susceptibility to various stressors and immune responses. Understanding the role of BpiP and other factors in Bb survival during infection could aid in developing strategies to reduce the incidence of Lyme disease.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Benjamin N. Nelson, Savannah G. Beakley, Sierra Posey, Brittney Conn, Emma Maritz, Janakiram Seshu, Karen L. Wozniak
Summary: Studies have shown that dendritic cells play a key role in the immune response against Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungal pathogen causing cryptococcal meningitis. Proteins within the lysosome of dendritic cells were found to have antifungal properties against C. neoformans, demonstrating potential as immune-based therapeutics. The proteins killed or inhibited the fungus without being toxic to mammalian cells.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ashlee N. Hawkins, Brenden F. Determann, Benjamin N. Nelson, Karen L. Wozniak
Summary: Different subsets of pulmonary macrophages and DCs exhibit varying interactions with Cryptococcus neoformans, with female Ly6c(-) monocyte-like macrophages significantly inhibiting fungal growth, while male CD11b(+) DCs enhancing fungal growth. Additionally, subsets from female mice produced higher levels of cytokines compared to male mice following exposure to C. neoformans.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nikolay Gerasimchuk, Kevin Pinks, Tarosha Salpadoru, Kaitlyn Cotton, Olga Michka, Marianna A. Patrauchan, Karen L. Wozniak
Summary: A series of novel organoantimony(V) cyanoximates were synthesized and showed potential antimicrobial activity against bacterial and fungal pathogens. The compounds exhibited good thermal stability and crystal structures were determined.
Article
Immunology
Feng Yang, Jinghao Zhang, Su Wang, Zhaoyang Sun, Jun Zhou, Feng Li, Yue Liu, Li Ding, Yixin Liu, Wenjing Chi, Tao Liu, Yongqun He, Ping Xiang, Zhijun Bao, Michal A. Olszewski, Hu Zhao, Yanmei Zhang
Summary: This study analyzed the genome heterogeneity of clinical H. pylori strains from patients with four different gastric disorders, revealing population structure and molecular genomic features associated with pathogenicity. Specific genetic features were identified in individual disease groups, with unique gene clusters related to inorganic ion transport and metabolism found in peptic ulcer and gastric cancer groups. Detection rates of virulence genes and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats varied among the disease groups, suggesting different mechanisms of pathogenicity. Additionally, multiple putative genomic islands containing genes associated with metabolism and unknown function were identified, indicating potential factors contributing to specific gastric disorders caused by H. pylori.
Article
Dermatology
Ezhil Arasan Ramanan, Sailatha Ravi, K. R. Radha Anbu, Margaret Michael
DERMATOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
(2020)