Article
Microbiology
Norida Velez, Nelson Vega-Vela, Marina Munoz, Paola Gomez, Patricia Escandon, Juan David Ramirez, Oscar Zaragoza, Lucia Monteoliva Diaz, Claudia-Marcela Parra-Giraldo
Summary: In this study, the relationship between phenotypes and genotypes of clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans from different cities in Colombia was investigated. The study found that isolates showed variations in pigmentation, capsule size, and pathogenicity. Polymorphism analysis revealed genetic variants associated with capsule size change, melanin production, or pathogenicity. However, no clear patterns were found in the analysis of phenotype and genotype for Cryptococcus.
Article
Microbiology
Norida Velez, Lucia Monteoliva, Zilpa-Adriana Sanchez-Quitian, Ahinara Amador-Garcia, Rocio Garcia-Rodas, Andres Ceballos-Garzon, Concha Gil, Patricia Escandon, Oscar Zaragoza, Claudia-Marcela Parra-Giraldo
Summary: This study found that the combination of iron and copper can enhance the pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans and increase the abundance of proteins related to virulence factors. This suggests that the uptake of metals may affect the pathogenicity of fungi.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Silvia Katherine Carvajal, Yerly Vargas-Casanova, Hector Manuel Pineda-Castaneda, Javier Eduardo Garcia-Castaneda, Zuly Jenny Rivera-Monroy, Claudia Marcela Parra-Giraldo
Summary: This study evaluated the binding and antifungal activity of chimeras composed of bovine lactoferricin (LfcinB) and buforin II (BFII) against Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii. The chimeras showed high activity against the strains, with a synergistic effect when combined with fluconazole treatment.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Bive Zono, Michel Moutschen, Hippolyte Situakibanza, Rosalie Sacheli, Gaultier Muendele, Pius Kabututu, Adolphe Biakabuswa, Nicole Landu, Georges Mvumbi, Marie-Pierre Hayette
Summary: Cryptococcal meningitis caused by Cn strains presents more severe symptoms with headache and meningeal signs, while Cc/Cl infection is more challenging to diagnose clinically. There are significant differences in the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration for fluconazole, identification methods, and antifungal susceptibility between the two groups.
BMC 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
Infectious Diseases
Jeng-How Yang, Po-Yen Huang, Chun-Wen Cheng, Shian-Sen Shie, Zhong-Fu Lin, Lan-Yan Yang, Chia-Hui Lee, Ting-Shu Wu
Summary: Despite treatment with antifungal drugs, mortality rates due to Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii fungemia remain significant. Antifungal susceptibility testing does not predict clinical outcomes, with greater disease severity, high comorbidities, poor consciousness level, and inappropriate treatment associated with increased mortality in cryptococcemia cases.
Article
Microbiology
Daniel Paiva Agustinho, Holly Leanne Brown, Guohua Chen, Elizabeth Anne Gaylord, Jennifer Geddes-McAlister, Michael Richard Brent, Tamara Lea Doering
Summary: This study used genetic methods to identify sequence variants that influence fungal virulence. The researchers found a region containing important variants and confirmed the significant impact of a specific variant on virulence.
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Chen-Hsin Yu, Poppy Sephton-Clark, Jennifer L. Tenor, Dena L. Toffaletti, Charles Giamberardino, Miriam Haverkamp, Christina A. Cuomo, John R. Perfect
Summary: This study provides insights into the gene expression patterns of Cryptococcus neoformans in human cerebrospinal fluid, highlighting the importance of carbon metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, transport, cell wall structure, and stress-related gene functions during growth in this environment. Highly expressed yeast genes in human CSF include those associated with survival or virulence, as well as genes encoding hypothetical proteins. The findings contribute to understanding how the yeast responds to stress in the central nervous system, with potential implications for developing new therapeutics targeting these genes and pathways.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhaobo Shi, Yong Sun, Hui Liu, Jun Zhang, Lili Ma
Summary: Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) is a highly fatal fungal infection that affects the central nervous system (CNS). It is mainly caused by Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) and can also occur in apparently immunocompetent patients. Complications such as cerebellar infarction and renal dysfunction may arise during the course of treatment, emphasizing the importance of close monitoring and timely intervention. In chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients, CM may be a possible underlying pathogen, highlighting the need for awareness and appropriate management strategies.
Article
Parasitology
Erika Nascimento, Patricia Helena Grizante Bariao, Marcia Regina von Zeska Kress, Fernando Crivelenti Vilar, Rodrigo de Carvalho Santana, Gilberto Gambero Gaspar, Roberto Martinez
Summary: This study found that infections by the CN species complex were associated with drug immunosuppression and fungemia, while infections by the CG species complex had more evident environmental exposure and higher humoral response. Patients infected with CN and CG species could have comorbidities or not. Diabetes mellitus, other chronic non-infectious diseases, and alcoholism were potential predisposing factors for infections by both CN and CG species complexes. Immunocompetent patients, regardless of the infecting Cryptococcus species complexes, showed a higher occurrence of meningitis and a trend toward less fungal dissemination and longer survival than immunosuppressed hosts.
REVISTA DA SOCIEDADE BRASILEIRA DE MEDICINA TROPICAL
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Lei Zhang, Keming Zhang, Hang Li, Carolina Coelho, Diego de Souza Goncalves, Man Shun Fu, Xinhua Li, Ernesto S. Nakayasu, Young-Mo Kim, Wanqing Liao, Weihua Pan, Arturo Casadevall
Summary: The study showed that extracellular vesicles released by Cryptococcus-infected macrophages can reduce fungal burdens but lead to shorter survival in infected mice. These EVs also induce inflammatory responses in naive macrophages and activate immune-related pathways to combat C. neoformans.
Article
Immunology
Xiaoman Guo, Xinru Mao, Di Tian, Yixin Liao, Bintao Su, Chaoliang Ye, Dongling Shi, Tie Fu Liu, Yun Ling, Yi Hao
Summary: Cryptococcus neoformans infection in the central nervous system leads to high levels of IL-17 production, mainly by CD4(+) T cells, and is dependent on STAT3 signaling. IL-17 could serve as a diagnostic biomarker for C. neoformans infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Donjeta Pllana-Hajdari, Ekene P. Chidebelu, Massimo Cogliati
Summary: A total of 300 tree-associated samples were collected from green areas in three towns in Kosovo, and cultured to isolate Cryptococcus species. One soil sample from Prizren tested positive, yielding three isolates identified as C. neoformans var. neoformans (C. deneoformans), molecular type VNIV, two MAT & alpha;, and one MATa. The study reports the presence of C. neoformans strains in the environment in Kosovo and highlights the importance of monitoring pathogen distribution and the potential impacts of climate change.
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
Microbiology
Piotr R. Stempinski, Kristie D. Goughenour, Lukas M. du Plooy, J. Andrew Alspaugh, Michal A. Olszewski, Lukasz Kozubowski
Summary: This study reveals the importance of the Flc1 protein in maintaining calcium homeostasis and vacuolar biogenesis in Cryptococcus neoformans. Deletion of Flc1 leads to an increase in cytosolic calcium concentration, an elevation of Crz1 transcription factor in the nucleus, and an aberrant accumulation of cell wall chitin. Flc1 is also involved in vacuolar fusion and capsule formation. The absence of Flc1 results in the loss of survival ability and virulence in Cryptococcus.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Shamsul Qumar, Trang Hoa Nguyen, Shamsun Nahar, Nishat Sarker, Stephen Baker, Dieter Bulach, Niyaz Ahmed, Motiur Rahman
Summary: The study found that two main populations of H pylori with similar antibiotic profiles are predominant in Bangladesh, with HpAisa2 isolates potentially more virulent than HpEurope isolates.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Shijia Hu, Eileen Png, Michelle Gowans, David E. H. Ong, Paola Florez de Sessions, Jie Song, Niranjan Nagarajan
Summary: This study characterized the gut and oral microbiome of Asian Crohn's disease (CD) patients using whole genome shotgun sequencing, revealing the enrichment of oral bacteria such as Streptococcus salivarius in the gut microbiome of CD patients. Additionally, distinct differences in gut microbial species abundance were observed between CD patients and healthy controls, with potential associations to disease activity. Ectopic gut colonization by oral bacteria was evidenced, especially during the active phase of CD, highlighting geographical/ethnic differences compared to subjects of European descent. Moreover, variations in microbial pathways provide potential targets for microbiome modification.
Article
Microbiology
Sushmita Sridhar, Sally Forrest, Derek Pickard, Claire Cormie, Emily A. Lees, Nicholas R. Thomson, Gordon Dougan, Stephen Baker
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance is a critical global health crisis, with rising resistance to fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin. Research has shown that clinical isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium adapt to high concentrations of ciprofloxacin in a way that promotes intracellular survival, with different isolates responding heterogeneously to the drug.
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Claire Waddington, Megan E. Carey, Christine J. Boinett, Ellen Higginson, Balaji Veeraraghavan, Stephen Baker
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global public health threat caused by excessive use of antimicrobials. The interplay between pathogens, AMR encoding genes, and mobile genetic elements on a microbial level is not fully understood, hampering control measures. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and metagenomic analyses have improved our understanding of these processes, informing mitigation strategies and novel diagnostic methods to optimize antimicrobial use and control AMR. Future opportunities for AMR control are identified, alongside challenges that need to be addressed to fully utilize WGS approaches for international AMR control.
Article
Microbiology
Karrie K. K. Ko, Nurdyana Binte Abdul Rahman, Shireen Yan Ling Tan, Kenneth X. L. Chan, Sui Sin Goh, James Heng Chiak Sim, Kun Lee Lim, Wan Loo Tan, Kian Sing Chan, Lynette L. E. Oon, Niranjan Nagarajan, Chayaporn Suphavilai
Summary: This study reveals a previously unreported mutation in the N gene of SARS-CoV-2, which may render certain commercial tests unable to accurately detect the virus, highlighting the importance of real-time surveillance of viral variants.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Giorgia Sulis, Gamuchirai Tavaziva, Genevieve Gore, Andrea Benedetti, Regan Solomons, Ronald van Toorn, Stephanie Thee, Jeremy Day, Sabine Verkuijl, Annemieke Brands, Kerri Viney, Tiziana Masini, Faiz Ahmad Khan, Silvia S. Chiang
Summary: A 6-month intensive regimen is recommended as an alternative to the 12-month regimen for treating pediatric drug-susceptible tuberculous meningitis. It is associated with higher treatment success but a higher frequency of neurological sequelae among survivors.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nguyen Thi Thuy Ngan, Barnaby Flower, Jeremy N. Day
Summary: Cryptococcal meningitis is a devastating brain infection primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals. Diagnosis is usually straightforward, but the mortality rate remains high. This review discusses the latest guidelines for the treatment of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis and explores various treatment options and their efficacy and undesirable effects.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arif M. Tanmoy, Yogesh Hooda, Mohammad S. I. Sajib, Kesia E. da Silva, Junaid Iqbal, Farah N. Qamar, Stephen P. Luby, Gordon Dougan, Zoe A. Dyson, Stephen Baker, Denise O. Garrett, Jason R. Andrews, Samir K. Saha, Senjuti Saha
Summary: This study sequenced Salmonella Paratyphi A isolates from different countries and developed a new genotyping scheme called Paratype. By using Paratype, spatiotemporal genomic variation and antimicrobial resistance markers can be identified, aiding in tracking the transmission of Salmonella Paratyphi A globally.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Mailis Maes, Fahad Khokhar, Sam A. J. Wilkinson, Andrew D. Smith, Ganna Kovalenko, Gordon Dougan, Joshua Quick, Nicholas J. Loman, Stephen Baker, Martin D. Curran, Jordan P. Skittrall, Charlotte J. Houldcroft
Summary: Human adenovirus F41 causes acute gastroenteritis in children and is associated with an increase in paediatric hepatitis. The genetic diversity of adenovirus F41 in UK children is not well understood, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on viral diversity in the UK is unclear. In this study, we used a new method to sequence F41 genomes from clinical samples and found two F41 lineages in paediatric patients in the East of England. Our findings suggest that the circulating F41 lineages existed before the COVID-19 pandemic.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sophie L. Higham, Stephen Baker, Katie E. Flight, Aishwarya Krishna, Paul Kellam, Stephen T. Reece, John S. Tregoning
Summary: This study aimed to develop a clinically relevant model of A. baumannii respiratory tract infection and test the impact of different immunization routes on the protective immunity provided by an OMV vaccine. Results showed that intramuscular and subcutaneous immunizations did not provide effective protection, while intranasal immunization significantly reduced airway and systemic infection.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Vincenzo Torraca, Dominik Brokatzky, Sydney L. Miles, Charlotte E. Chong, P. Malaka De Silva, Stephen Baker, Claire Jenkins, Kathryn E. Holt, Kate S. Baker, Serge Mostowy
Summary: Shigella, including specific serotypes, can establish persistent infection in the zebrafish model. The O-antigen plays a crucial role in this process, and the serotype-associated effects observed in humans are also observed in zebrafish.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Hyunah Yoon, Antonio S. Nakouzi, Van Anh Duong, Le Quoc Hung, Tran Quang Binh, Nguyen Le Nhu Tung, Jeremy N. Day, Liise-anne Pirofski
Summary: This study identified non-T-cell markers of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) and provided valuable information for diagnosing CM risk in HIV-negative individuals.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sulochana Manandhar, Quynh Nguyen, To Nguyen Thi Nguyen, Duy Thanh Pham, Maia A. Rabaa, Sabina Dongol, Buddha Basnyat, Sameer M. Dixit, Stephen Baker, Abhilasha Karkey
Summary: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC) clones are important pathogens of community-onset bloodstream infections (BSIs), with raised concerns about further community dissemination.
JAC-ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nguyen Thi Nhung, Nguyen Thi Phuong Yen, Nguyen Thi Thuy Dung, Nguyen Thi Minh Nhan, Doan Hoang Phu, Bach Tuan Kiet, Guy Thwaites, Ronald B. Geskus, Stephen Baker, Juan Carrique-Mas, Marc Choisy
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between phenotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial use (AMU), as well as potential inter-species transmission, in Escherichia coli isolates from humans and chickens in households in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. The study found that AMU was significantly higher in chickens compared to humans, and isolates from chickens showed a higher prevalence of multidrug resistance. The study also demonstrated the co-influence of AMU and potential transmission on observed AMR patterns. Restricting unnecessary AMU and limiting interspecies contact are important for reducing the burden of AMR.
JAC-ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2022)
Correction
Critical Care Medicine
Mailis Maes, Ellen Higginson, Joana Pereira-Dias, Martin D. Curran, Surendra Parmar, Fahad Khokhar, Delphine Cuchet-Lourenco, Janine Lux, Sapna Sharma-Hajela, Benjamin Ravenhill, Islam Hamed, Laura Heales, Razeen Mahroof, Amelia Soderholm, Sally Forrest, Sushmita Sridhar, Nicholas M. Brown, Stephen Baker, Vilas Navapurkar, Gordon Dougan, Josefn Bartholdson Scott, Andrew Conway Morris