Article
Infectious Diseases
Fang Chen, Yuan-Bing Liu, Bin-Jie Fu, Fa-Jin Lv, Zhi-Gang Chu
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of pulmonary nodules caused by cryptococcal infection through clinical and CT analysis. It was found that solitary nodules were smaller and less necrotic compared to multiple nodules, with similar clinical features. Identifying specific features such as air bronchogram, satellite lesions, or halo sign in solitary nodules can help in considering pulmonary cryptococcosis as a potential diagnosis.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
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
Respiratory System
Jinbao Huang, Hongyan Li, Changqing Lan, Heng Weng
Summary: This article reports a case of disseminated cryptococcal infection in an immunosuppressed girl, in which pulmonary cryptococcosis presented as diffuse cavitary pulmonary nodules, a rare finding.
BMC PULMONARY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Zhengtu Li, Mingdie Wang, Peiying Zeng, Zhaoming Chen, Yangqing Zhan, Shaoqiang Li, Ye Lin, Jing Cheng, Feng Ye
Summary: This study presented the performance of a Chinese-made cryptococcal GXM antigen test in the HIV-negative Chinese population. The test showed high sensitivity and specificity and demonstrated a positive correlation between serum GXM antigen levels and pulmonary lesion size.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Olivier Paccoud, Liliwe Shuping, Rudzani Mashau, Greg Greene, Vanessa Quan, Susan Meiring, Nelesh P. Govender, GERMS SA
Summary: Patients with CM or fungaemia detected through South Africa's laboratory CrAg screening program had better outcomes than those presenting directly to the hospital. Prior CrAg screening was associated with a lower 14-day case-fatality ratio, and the impact was greater during the COVID-19 period.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Yongchang Zhang, Zhigang Chu, Jianqun Yu, Xiaoyi Chen, Jing Liu, Jingxu Xu, Chencui Huang, Liqing Peng
Summary: The proposed combined model demonstrates good performance in differentiating between nodule/mass-type PC and LC. CT-based radiomics analysis shows potential as an effective tool for distinguishing nodule/mass-type PC from LC in clinical practice.
Article
Respiratory System
Jiejun Shi, Jianhua Chen, Liqing Hu, Ada Hoi Yan Ma, Haoxuan Hu, Chuwen Wang, Jiajia Huang, Qifa Song, Guoqing Qian
Summary: Cryptococcosis has become more common in China over the past two decades. It can infect both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. This study compared the clinical characteristics of pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) and extrapulmonary cryptococcosis (EPC) in 71 inpatients at Ningbo First Hospital. The results showed that immunocompromised hosts were more likely to have EPC, and EPC patients had a higher incidence of fever and headache. In addition, EPC patients had lower serum sodium levels, lower monocyte counts, and higher C-reactive protein levels compared to PC patients.
BMC PULMONARY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Mark W. Tenforde, Timothee Boyer-Chammard, Charles Muthoga, Leabaneng Tawe, Thandi Milton, Ikanyeng Rulaganyang, Kwana Lechiile, Ivy Rukasha, Tshepo B. Leeme, Nelesh P. Govender, Julia Ngidi, Madisa Mine, Sile F. Molloy, Thomas S. Harrison, Olivier Lortholary, Joseph N. Jarvis
Summary: The CryptoPS assay showed suboptimal diagnostic accuracy for CrAg screening, with poor sensitivity at low CrAg titers but reliably detecting individuals with high titers associated with poor outcomes.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Yu Yan, Yuxiao Wu, Qin Wang, Xiaodan Zhu, Huayin Li, Hongni Jiang
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of pulmonary lesions and identify prognostic factors in non-HIV patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis. The study found that pulmonary lesions were mainly located in the peripheral and lower lobes of the lung, with nodular-type lesions being the most common. After antifungal treatment, patients with smaller lesions had a better prognosis.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yanping Wang, Mi Yang, Yun Xia, Jia Yan, Jiaqi Zou, Dawei Zhang
Summary: NASBA is a new alternative detection method for cryptococcosis that is accurate and rapid, without the need for expensive equipment and specialized personnel. Combining NASBA with colloidal gold can improve the diagnostic accuracy of cryptococcosis.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Zoe W. Shi, Yanli Chen, Krystal M. Ogoke, Ashley B. Strickland, Meiqing Shi
Summary: Cryptococcus neoformans is a pathogenic fungus that can cause lung infection and migrate to the central nervous system, resulting in meningoencephalitis. It primarily infects immunocompromised individuals, including HIV/AIDS patients, but can also rarely affect immunocompetent individuals. Treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV/AIDS patients can lead to an exaggerated inflammatory response called immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) when co-infected with C. neoformans. Similarly, healthy individuals can also experience an excessive inflammatory response known as post-infectious inflammatory response syndrome (PIIRS) after contracting cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. Cryptococcal IRIS and PIIRS are life-threatening complications that can result in death for up to one-third of affected individuals.
Article
Oncology
Bin Hu, Wei Xia, Sirong Piao, Ji Xiong, Ying Tang, Hong Yu, Guangyu Tao, Linlin Sun, Minhui Shen, Ajay Wagh, Timothy J. Jaykel, Ding Zhang, Yuxin Li, Li Zhu
Summary: An integrated model combining radiomic, demographic, and radiological features was developed to differentiate pulmonary cryptococcosis nodules from lung adenocarcinomas on noncontrast CT. The integrated model showed better performance compared to a junior radiologist and comparable performance to a senior radiologist.
TRANSLATIONAL LUNG CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Chun Lin, Tsung-Ying Yang, Ming-Cheng Chan, Kuo-Hsuan Hsu, Yen-Hsiang Huang, Jeng-Sen Tseng
Summary: The study found that the majority of patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis in the non-HIV-infected population had comorbidities, with those having multiple comorbidities more likely to have multilobar and extrapulmonary involvement and a poor prognosis. Age, blood CrAg titer, and multiple comorbidities could act as risk factors for predicting the extent of disease and outcome.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Wei-Yi Wang, Yu-Lu Zheng, Li-Bin Jiang
Summary: Given the findings of our cases and the literature review, lung tissue homogenate CrAg testing can be helpful in improving the diagnosis of PC.
WORLD JOURNAL OF CLINICAL CASES
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Viviana Giustini, Alessandra Sottini, Stefano Belleri, Diego Bertoli, Aldo M. Roccaro, Alessandro Montanelli, Matteo Filippini, Marco Fontanella, Luisa Imberti
Summary: This study reports on a patient with sarcoidosis, CD4 lymphocytopenia, and cryptococcal-related meningoencephalitis, showing reduced production of new T cells, intact T cell proliferative capacity but oligoclonal expansion, and an effector memory phenotype. Expansion of regulatory T cell subset with high suppressive capability may control the deleterious activity of effector memory cells. This information enhances our understanding of the immune response to Cryptococcus in non-HIV-associated cases and the role of different cell subtypes in controlling the disease in humans.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Muneyoshi Kimura, Yuki Asano-Mori, Takashi Sakoh, Masahiro Abe, Keigo Ueno, Yasutaka Hoshino, Shigeki Nakamura, Takashi Umeyama, Satoshi Yamagoe, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Masaru Baba, Chikako Okada, Sho Ogura, Takashi Mitsuki, Kyosuke Yamaguchi, Mitsuhiro Yuasa, Daisuke Kaji, Kosei Kageyama, Aya Nishida, Yuki Taya, Kazuya Ishiwata, Shinsuke Takagi, Hisashi Yamamoto, Go Yamamoto, Naoyuki Uchida, Atsushi Wake, Shuichi Taniguchi, Hideki Araoka
Summary: Limited data are available on breakthrough fungemia in patients with hematological disorders. This study reviewed cases of breakthrough fungemia among adult patients with hematological diseases between 2008 and 2019. The results demonstrate the clinical characteristics and mortality factors associated with breakthrough fungemia in this patient population.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Hazim O. Khalifa, Vit Hubka, Akira Watanabe, Minoru Nagi, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Takashi Yaguchi, Katsuhiko Kamei
Summary: This study evaluated the prevalence of antifungal resistance, genetic mechanisms associated with resistance, and genotyping of Candida krusei. The results showed that most isolates were susceptible to most drugs, but a small portion showed resistance. Overexpression of ABC1 gene and FKS1 HS1 mutations were the main mechanisms of resistance. Genotyping confirmed the existence of two main subpopulations.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ryosuke Yamamuro, Muneyoshi Kimura, Yuki Asano-Mori, Masahiro Abe, Shigeki Nakamura, Takashi Umeyama, Satoshi Yamagoe, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Sho Ogura, Takashi Sakoh, Takashi Mitsuki, Kyosuke Yamaguchi, Mitsuhiro Yuasa, Daisuke Kaji, Kosei Kageyama, Aya Nishida, Yuki Taya, Kazuya Ishiwata, Shinsuke Takagi, Hisashi Yamamoto, Go Yamamoto, Naoyuki Uchida, Atsushi Wake, Shuichi Taniguchi, Hideki Araoka
Summary: There are limited studies on the clinical course of rare/cryptic species-induced invasive aspergillosis (IA) in allo-HSCT recipients. In this retrospective study, it was found that more than half of the proven IA cases were caused by rare/cryptic species. Surgical treatment could be an important option for the management of IA caused by these rare/cryptic species.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Takuro Koshikawa, Masahiro Abe, Minoru Nagi, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Hiromu Takemura
Summary: This study investigates the biofilm-forming capabilities of Candida species under different oxygen conditions. The results show that C. albicans favors aerobic conditions to form biofilms, while C. tropicalis demonstrates higher biofilm formation ability and promotes hyphal growth under microaerobic conditions.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Marie Yamashita, Mahoko Ikeda, Ito Kato, Yuki Ohama, Mizuo Ando, Masako Ikemura, Daisuke Jubishi, Yoshiaki Kanno, Koh Okamoto, Takashi Umeyama, Shigeki Nakamura, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Shu Okugawa, Kyoji Moriya
Summary: Prototheca wickerhamii infection in the pharyngeal mucosa of a 53-year-old immunocompetent female was reported. The initial misdiagnosis as cryptococcosis was corrected after DNA sequencing identified P. wickerhamii. The infection did not worsen during antifungal treatment.
ANNALS OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND ANTIMICROBIALS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Author Name Is Multiple Tagging
Summary: Filamentous fungi, such as Aspergillus fumigatus, form multicellular hyphae that are difficult to monitor quantitatively in liquid cultures. In this study, we successfully developed a method to quantitatively monitor hyphal growth in A. fumigatus by measuring optical density. This method can be used to establish a standard for hyphal quantification and to screen for novel antifungal agents against Aspergillus species.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Shinya Yamamoto, Mahoko Ikeda, Yuki Ohama, Tomohiro Sunouchi, Yasutaka Hoshino, Hiroshi Ito, Marie Yamashita, Yoshiaki Kanno, Koh Okamoto, Satoshi Yamagoe, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Shu Okugawa, Jun Fujishiro, Kyoji Moriya
Summary: This case report presents a bloodstream infection of Aureobasidium melanigenum in a patient with long-term catheter use. The identification of A. melanigenum proved challenging through routine microbiological testing. The patient recovered with antifungal therapy and catheter removal.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Michiyo Okamoto, Azusa Takahashi-Nakaguchi, Kengo Tejima, Kaname Sasamoto, Masashi Yamaguchi, Toshihiro Aoyama, Minoru Nagi, Kohichi Tanabe, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Hironobu Nakayama, Chihiro Sasakawa, Susumu Kajiwara, Alistair J. P. Brown, Miguel C. Teixeira, Hiroji Chibana
Summary: The study demonstrates the essential role of the Candida glabrata ERG25 gene in cholesterol uptake from the host, leading to decreased lethality in infected mice. ERG25 knockdown impairs plasma membrane localization of the sterol importer Aus1p, suggesting a potential target for antifungal therapy. These findings highlight the importance of ERG25 in stabilizing sterol-rich lipid domains during infection.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Shigeru Kohno, Koichi Izumikawa, Takahiro Takazono, Taiga Miyazaki, Minoru Yoshida, Katsuhiko Kamei, Kenji Ogawa, Shuichi Taniguchi, Koichi Akashi, Kazuhiro Tateda, Hiroshi Mukae, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Fumito Okada, Yoshinobu Kanda, Hiroshi Kakeya, Junko Suzuki, Shun-ichi Kimura, Mitsukazu Kishida, Miyuki Matsuda, Yoshihito Niki
Summary: The study showed that isavuconazole demonstrated good efficacy and safety in treating Japanese patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and cryptococcosis, which are currently not indicated for the drug.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Toshiki Kajihara, Koji Yahara, Minoru Nagi, Norikazu Kitamura, Aki Hirabayashi, Yumiko Hosaka, Masahiro Abe, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Motoyuki Sugai
Summary: This study shows that the proportion of Candida species in Japan remained stable from 2010-2019. However, certain species, such as C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei, exhibited higher resistance to azoles and micafungin. The increasing incidence of candidemia and the emergence of drug-resistant Candida species highlight the need for long-term surveillance studies.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yoshio Takesue, Yuki Hanai, Kazutaka Oda, Yukihiro Hamada, Takashi Ueda, Toshihiko Mayumi, Kazuaki Matsumoto, Satoshi Fujii, Yoshiko Takahashi, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Toshimi Kimura
Summary: Increased adverse effects of Voriconazole, an antifungal drug, are observed in Asians due to the high rate of poor metabolizers. This therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) guideline provides recommendations according to ethnic group.
CLINICAL THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yuto Suga, Noriyuki Watanabe, Kaima Suzuki, Sachie Koyama, Yoshitada Taji, Hiroto Hirano, Takahiro Hayashi, Masahiro Abe, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Yasutaka Baba, Hiroki Kurita, Kotaro Mitsutake, Yasuhiro Ebihara
Summary: Herein, we present a case of otitis externa caused by Malassezia slooffiae complicated with mastoiditis. The patient had fever and severe otorrhea, and was diagnosed with otitis media and mastoiditis based on clinical manifestations and imaging findings. The infection was successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Keigo Ueno, Soichiro Tsuge, Kiminori Shimizu, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki
Summary: Cryptococcosis is a potentially lethal fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complexes. Currently, there is no commercially available prophylactic vaccine and the protective immunity is still under investigation. Whole-cell vaccines, including modified highly immunostimulating strains, have shown effectiveness in prolonging life and suppressing fungal burden in mice, and cross-reactivity to other fungal pathogens. These findings provide valuable insights for vaccine development. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of whole-cell vaccines against cryptococcosis.
MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Mycology
Naobumi Tochigi, Sota Sadamoto, Shinji Oura, Yasuko Kurose, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Kazutoshi Shibuya
Summary: The study aimed to develop an AI-based histological diagnostic system for automated identification of mucormycosis and aspergillosis. By analyzing the angle of independent hyphae and tortuosity of each hypha, the system successfully distinguished between the two diseases.
MEDICAL MYCOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Mycology
Madoka Tateno, Takashi Umeyama, Tatsuya Inukai, Shogo Takatsuka, Yasutaka Hoshino, Satoshi Yamagoe, Somay Yamagata Murayama, Keiko Ishino, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki
Summary: In this study, the researchers successfully introduced the A. fumigatus cyp51A gene into A. lentulus using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, and found that Cyp51A is involved in the azole resistance of A. lentulus. This finding may contribute to the understanding of the resistance mechanism and the development of new antifungal drugs.
MEDICAL MYCOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Hitoshi Yonezawa, Shingo Tanaka, Makito Tanaka, Ryo Kobayashi, Satoshi Takahashi
Summary: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for false positives in high-sensitivity HBsAg quantitative tests and reduce the need for neutralization tests. The results showed that younger age, female sex, lower HBsAg values, and reagent improvement were independent risk factors for false positives. The false-positive rate was highest in the range of 0.005-0.049 IU/mL.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2024)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nobuaki Kobayashi, Katsushi Tanaka, Suguru Muraoka, Kohei Somekawa, Ayami Kaneko, Sousuke Kubo, Hiromi Matsumoto, Hiroaki Fujii, Keisuke Watanabe, Nobuyuki Horita, Yu Hara, Takeshi Kaneko
Summary: This study identified age, a negative T-SPOT.TB result, elevated CRP levels, and a high NLR as significant independent risk factors for death in hospitalized TB patients. These findings underscore the importance of these parameters in the risk stratification and management of hospitalized TB patients.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2024)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Naokuni Hishiya, Kenji Uno, Akiyo Nakano, Mitsuru Konishi, Seiya Higashi, Shuhei Eguchi, Tadashi Ariyoshi, Asami Matsumoto, Kentaro Oka, Motomichi Takahashi, Yuki Suzuki, Saori Horiuchi, Nobuyasu Hirai, Yoshihiko Ogawa, Taku Ogawa, Ryuichi Nakano, Keiichi Mikasa, Kei Kasahara, Hisakazu Yano
Summary: This study revealed intestinal dysbiosis near a CD4 count of 350 in HIV-infected patients undergoing cART. These findings contribute to the understanding of intestinal damage and systemic inflammation in HIV infection.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2024)
