Review
Immunology
M. Develoux, F. M. Amona, C. Hennequin
Summary: Histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii (Hcd) is a rare endemic infection in intertropical Africa. Among 94 well-documented cases, 30.1% of patients were under 18. Common presentations include cutaneous/subcutaneous lesions, bone infections, and lymphadenopathies, with an increased rate of disseminated forms noted.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ugo Francoise, Mathieu Nacher, Morgane Bourne-watrin, Loic Epelboin, Camille Thorey, Magalie Demar, Jean-Francois Carod, Felix Djossou, Pierre Couppie, Antoine Adenis
Summary: Histoplasmosis has a burden similar to that of tuberculosis in Latin America, with even higher mortality rates. By analyzing a database, we identified factors associated with 30-day death after antifungal drug initiation and constructed a prognostic score. This score showed good discrimination performance in assessing disease severity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Maimuna Sayeed, Md Benzamin, Luthfun Nahar, Masud Rana, Aisharza Sultana Aishy
Summary: Histoplasma capsulatum is the most common cause of endemic mycosis in developing countries. It is typically asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, but can cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. Liver involvement is known in disseminated histoplasmosis, but primary liver infection without evidence of lung involvement is rare. Clinicians should be aware of isolated histoplasmosis affecting the hepatobiliary system and should conduct careful evaluation for diagnosis. Histoplasmosis should be considered in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients, regardless of pulmonary symptoms, in both endemic and non-endemic areas.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria Agustina Toscanini, Alejandro David Nusblat, Maria Lujan Cuestas
Summary: Histoplasmosis is a systemic mycosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, with clinical manifestations ranging from subclinical to life-threatening. Diagnosis is challenging, with limited sensitivity in current culture and visualization methods. Antigen testing is now included in the WHO Essential Diagnostics List, but there are still limitations and challenges in commercial availability and cross-reactivity with related fungi. New protein antigen candidates produced by DNA-recombinant techniques show promise for standardized and specific reagents in the diagnosis of histoplasmosis.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Romy M. Heilmann, Mary B. Nabity, Laura K. Bryan, Audrey K. Cook, Katherine Scott
Summary: This is a rare case of nasal mucocutaneous histoplasmosis in a dog, with an excellent clinical response to oral itraconazole. This case demonstrates that histoplasmosis in dogs can primarily affect the nasal cavity, responding rapidly to triazole antifungal therapy and having a good prognosis. A similar case has only been reported in human medicine in a young adult.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Kathleen A. Linder, Carol A. Kauffman
Summary: Diagnosing blastomycosis and histoplasmosis can be difficult, but current antigen and antibody detection methods help with rapid diagnosis. Culture and tissue examination have been traditional diagnostic methods for these fungal infections, but antigen detection plays a crucial role in establishing rapid diagnoses, especially in severely ill and immunocompromised patients.
Article
Microbiology
Priscila Marques de Macedo, Andrea D'avila Freitas, Thiago Prudente Bartholo, Andrea Reis Bernardes-Engemann, Marcos de Abreu Almeida, Fernando Almeida-Silva, Rosely Maria Zancope-Oliveira, Rodrigo Almeida-Paes
Summary: Two cases of acute pulmonary histoplasmosis were reported within two weeks after COVID-19 infection without common epidemiological history. Novel laboratory methods such as Western Blot and PCR were crucial for diagnosis and timely treatment initiation, indicating a potential link between COVID-19 and the development of acute histoplasmosis.
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Olivier Paccoud, Marine Nervo, Alexandre Alanio, Dea Garcia-Hermoso, Marie-Elisabeth Bougnoux, Joaquim Mateo, Emmanuel Mandonnet, Olivier Lortholary, Fanny Lanternier, Homa Adle-Biassette
Summary: This is the first reported case of central nervous system histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii in a patient without underlying immunodeficiency. African histoplasmosis is an underdiagnosed endemic fungal infection that should be considered in patients with cerebral lesions from Western and Central Africa.
JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Miguel Garcia-Boyano, William Vega, Luis Prieto, Nelly Chavez-Solorzano, Dalton Solis Montiel, Greta Mino-Leon
Summary: Progressive disseminated histoplasmosis is considered a top AIDS-defining illness in South America, with limited reported experience in children. This study in Ecuador found that clinical manifestations and laboratory findings in children living with HIV and PDH are similar to those in adults, with low CD4 cell count being a significant risk factor.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Madiha Fida, Anisha Misra, Julie A. Harring, Aahd Kubbara, Elitza S. Theel
Summary: Serologic testing remains a valuable tool for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis, especially when direct detection methods fail.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Patrick B. Mazi, Sandra R. Arnold, John W. Baddley, Nathan C. Bahr, Susan E. Beekmann, Todd P. McCarty, Philip M. Polgreen, Adriana M. Rauseo, Andrej Spec
Summary: Histoplasmosis is still common in the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys, but there have been reported cases outside these endemic areas. The variability of management strategy is higher for immunocompromised patients due to the lack of strong recommendations. Most infectious disease physicians follow the guidelines recommending itraconazole for histoplasmosis treatment, but there is no consensus for immunocompromised patients.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Kinan Drak Alsibai, Houari Aissaoui, Antoine Adenis, Morgane Bourne-Watrin, Felix Djossou, Loic Epelboin, Denis Blanchet, Magalie Demar, Pierre Couppie, Mathieu Nacher
Summary: Disseminated histoplasmosis is a significant cause of mortality in HIV-infected patients, and rapid diagnosis is crucial. Cytopathology, specifically bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytology, can provide a reliable diagnosis by examining the number and clustering pattern of yeasts in the lungs. The cytological findings in HIV patients showed higher BAL cellularity and a greater number of H. capsulatum yeasts in comparison to non-HIV patients.
Review
Microbiology
Kenneth Villareal, Austin Price, Alessandro C. Pasqualotto, Nathan C. Bahr
Summary: Histoplasmosis is often overlooked in many locations despite being endemic in large parts of the world. Limited availability of diagnostic tests contributes to poor outcomes in disseminated disease in HIV patients. Antigen testing shows promise for rapid point-of-care assays, but widespread availability and affordability are necessary.
Review
Microbiology
Spinello Antinori, Andrea Giacomelli, Mario Corbellino, Alessandro Torre, Marco Schiuma, Giacomo Casalini, Carlo Parravicini, Laura Milazzo, Cristina Gervasoni, Anna Lisa Ridolfo
Summary: Histoplasmosis in Europe and Israel is mainly imported by migrants and travelers, with a higher prevalence in males. The disease is typically diagnosed weeks to decades after leaving an endemic region. HIV-infected individuals and immunocompromised patients are more likely to develop progressive disseminated histoplasmosis, with a higher mortality rate in immunocompromised patients without HIV infection.
Article
Mycology
Rossana Patricia Basso, Vanice Rodrigues Poester, Jessica Louise Benelli, David A. Stevens, Heruza Einsfeld Zogbi, Izadora Clezar da S. Vasconcellos, Alessandro Comaru Pasqualotto, Melissa Orzechowski Xavier
Summary: This report discusses a case of severe histoplasmosis and COVID-19 infections in an HIV patient in Rio Grande, Southern Brazil. It suggests that histoplasmosis should be considered as a diagnostic possibility in opportunistic fungal co-infections in COVID-19 patients with AIDS, especially in endemic areas.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Celine Nourrisson, Maxime Moniot, Rose-Anne Lavergne, Estelle Robert, Virginie Bonnin, Ferry Hagen, Frederic Grenouillet, Claudia Cafarchia, Geraldine Butler, Sophie Cassaing, Marcela Sabou, Patrice Le Pape, Philippe Poirier, Florent Morio
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between drug resistance and genetic diversity, and found a high infection rate of D. catenulata with drug resistance. The results showed that there were differences in the susceptibility of the strains to antifungal drugs, and there may be genetic mutations leading to drug resistance. In addition, the study revealed the correlation between genetic diversity and drug resistance of the strains, indicating the possible clonal transmission of resistant isolates.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Matthew C. C. Fisher, David W. W. Denning
Summary: Invasive fungal diseases are increasing globally. The World Health Organization has identified fungi of critical importance to human health and suggests various actions including improved surveillance, research and innovation, and public-health interventions.
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Sarah E. Kidd, Alireza Abdolrasouli, Ferry Hagen
Summary: Fungal species have undergone significant nomenclatural change, particularly the Candida yeasts, due to molecular technologies in taxonomy. The lack of guidelines for microbiology laboratories on implementing these changes raises concerns about the dismissal or misinterpretation of laboratory reports by clinicians.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Wdson Luis Lima Kruschewsky, Suzana Alves Patricio, Isabela Cruz Bahiense, Simone Bravim Maifrede, Ana Paula Possa, Zoilo Pires de Camargo, Anderson Messias Rodrigues, Paulo Mendes Pecanha, Aloisio Falqueto, Tania Regina Grao-Velloso, Sarah Santos Goncalves
Summary: This study evaluated the clinicopathological characteristics of ten patients diagnosed with PCM caused by P. lutzii. The study emphasizes the importance of using different antigens in testing patients with clinical manifestations of PCM and negative serological tests for P. brasiliensis.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Bram Spruijtenburg, Amanda Bombassaro, Eelco F. J. Meijer, Anderson Messias Rodrigues, Maria Eduarda Grisolia, Vania Aparecida Vicente, Flavio de Queiroz-Telles, Jacques F. Meis, Theun de Groot
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Mycology
Samuel J. Hemmings, Johanna L. Rhodes, Matthew C. Fisher
Summary: Aspergillus fumigatus is a genetically diverse fungal species that is widely distributed globally and is a major cause of the life-threatening disease invasive aspergillosis. We present 3 de novo genome assemblies that represent the genetic diversity of clinical and environmental A. fumigatus. Sequencing using long-read Oxford Nanopore and subsequent assembly of the genomes resulted in 10-23 contigs with N50 ranging from 4.05 Mbp to 4.93 Mbp.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xiao Li, Jose F. Munoz, Lalitha Gade, Silvia Argimon, Marie -Elisabeth Bougnoux, Jolene R. Bowers, Nancy A. Chow, Isabel Cuesta, Rhys A. Farrer, Corinne Maufrais, Juan Monroy-Nieto, Dibyabhaba Pradhan, Jessie Uehling, Duong Vu, Corin A. Yeats, David M. Aanensen, Christophe d'Enfert, David M. Engelthaler, David W. Eyre, Matthew C. Fisher, Ferry Hagen, Wieland Meyer, Gagandeep Singh, Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo, Anastasia P. Litvintseva, Christina A. Cuomo
Summary: Genomic analyses are widely used in the study of pathogenic fungi, but the lack of controls for variant prediction accuracy poses a challenge. This study compares 14 variant calling pipelines and evaluates their performance using Candida auris isolates. The study highlights the importance of site quality and variation in read trimming strategies, SNP calling methods and parameters, and downstream filtration criteria in determining the accuracy and consistency of variant calling pipelines.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Luiza Chaves de Miranda Leonhardt Losada, Ruan Campos Monteiro, Jamile Ambrosio de Carvalho, Ferry Hagen, Matthew C. Fisher, Bram Spruijtenburg, Jacques F. Meis, Theun de Groot, Sarah Santos Goncalves, Ricardo Negroni, Rui Kano, Alexandro Bonifaz, Zoilo Pires de Camargo, Anderson Messias Rodrigues
Summary: This study developed a panel of highly polymorphic SSR markers suitable for genotyping Sporothrix species. PCR amplification revealed 240 alleles in 180 Sporothrix isolates, supporting the effectiveness of SSR markers in uncovering cryptic genetic diversity. The analysis of SSR diversity provided insights into the origins and transmission dynamics of cat-transmitted sporotrichosis.
Article
Microbiology
Breno Goncalves Pinheiro, Ana Paula Possa, Giannina Ricci, Angela Satie Nishikaku, Ferry Hagen, Rosane Christine Hahn, Zoilo Pires de Camargo, Anderson Messias Rodrigues
Summary: Classic paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a potentially deadly tropical systemic mycosis caused by Paracoccidioides species. A new multiplex probe-based qPCR assay was developed for the detection and speciation of Paracoccidioides. The assay showed high specificity and sensitivity in detecting PCM in clinical samples. This study contributes to the improvement of early diagnosis and treatment of PCM.
Correction
Microbiology
Wdson Luis Lima Kruschewsky, Suzana Alves Patricio, Isabela Cruz Bahiense, Simone Bravim Maifrede, Ana Paula Possa, Zoilo Pires de Camargo, Anderson Messias Rodrigues, Paulo Mendes Pecanha, Aloisio Falqueto, Tania Regina Grao-Velloso, Sarah Santos Goncalves
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Priscila Marques de Macedo, Aude Sturny-Leclere, Dayvison Francis Saraiva Freitas, Theo Ghelfenstein-Ferreira, Maria Clara Gutierrez-Galhardo, Marcos de Abreu Almeida, Anderson Messias Rodrigues, Thierry Pautet, Samia Hamane, Rodrigo Almeida-Paes, Rosely Maria Zancope-Oliveira, Alexandre Alanio
Summary: A new pan-Sporothrix quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay was developed and validated on clinical samples from confirmed human sporotrichosis cases. This assay showed high sensitivity and specificity, providing a fast and reliable diagnostic tool for human sporotrichosis.
Article
Dermatology
Salene Angelini Colombo, Gustavo Canesso Bicalho, Camila Stefanie Fonseca de Oliveira, Danielle Ferreira de Magalhaes Soares, Lauranne Alves Salvato, Kelly Moura Keller, Camila de Valgas e Bastos, Maria Helena Franco Morais, Anderson Messias Rodrigues, Joao Luis Reis Cunha, Maria Isabel de Azevedo
Summary: This study aimed to identify the Sporothrix species involved in the ongoing outbreaks of animal sporotrichosis in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and analyze their genetic relationships. The study found a significant increase in animal cases, with cats being the most affected host. Sporothrix brasiliensis was identified as the predominant agent, with evidence of circulation of different genotypes associated with animal sporotrichosis in the region.
Article
Microbiology
Florent Lassalle, Salah Al-Shalali, Mukhtar Al-Hakimi, Elisabeth Njamkepo, Ismail Mahat Bashir, Matthew J. Dorman, Jean Rauzier, Grace A. Blackwell, Alyce Taylor-Brown, Mathew A. Beale, Adrian Cazares, Ali Abdullah Al-Somainy, Anas Al-Mahbashi, Khaled Almoayed, Mohammed Aldawla, Abdulelah Al-Harazi, Marie-Laure Quilici, Francois-Xavier Weill, Ghulam Dhabaan, Nicholas R. Thomson
Summary: Yemen has been experiencing the largest cholera outbreak in modern history since 2016. In 2018, multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed among Vibrio cholerae isolates from cholera patients. Analyzing 260 isolates sampled in Yemen between 2018 and 2019, it was found that 84% of V. cholerae isolates belonged to the seventh pandemic El Tor (7PET) lineage, sub-lineage T13, while 16% were non-toxigenic, from diversed non-7PET lineages. The emergence and dominance of T13 subclones carrying an MDR pseudo-compound transposon coincided with the treatment of severe cholera with macrolides between 2016 and 2019. The detection of MDR plasmids in non-7PET V. cholerae lineages also suggested genetic exchange with 7PET epidemic strains. The stable co-occurrence of the IncC plasmid with the SXT family of integrative and conjugative elements in the 7PET background has important implications for cholera control.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Mycology
Bert Gerrits van den Ende, Anderson Messias Rodrigues, Rosane Christine Hahn, Ferry Hagen
Summary: This article reports a case of chronic multifocal paracoccidioidomycosis in a Venezuelan patient. Whole genome sequencing revealed that the isolated strain was actually a Nannizziopsis species. This finding highlights the need for molecular characterization of cases that clinically mimic paracoccidioidomycosis but are serologically negative for Paracoccidioides.
REVISTA IBEROAMERICANA DE MICOLOGIA
(2023)