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Zhang X, Nurxat N, Aili J, Yasen Y, Wang Q, Liu Q. The characteristics of microbiome in the upper respiratory tract of COVID-19 patients. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:138. [PMID: 38658823 PMCID: PMC11040800 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03281-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Co-infection with other pathogens in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients exacerbates disease severity and impacts patient prognosis. Clarifying the exact pathogens co-infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is premise of the precise treatment for COVID-19 patients. METHODS Sputum samples were collected from 17 patients in the COVID-19 positive group and 18 patients in the COVID-19 negative group. DNA extraction was performed to obtain the total DNA. Sequencing analysis using 16S and ITS rRNA gene was carried out to analyze the composition of bacterial and fungal communities. Meanwhile, all the samples were inoculated for culture. RESULTS We did not observe significant differences in bacterial composition between the COVID-19 positive and negative groups. However, a significantly higher abundance of Candida albicans was observed in the upper respiratory tract samples from the COVID-19 positive group compared to the COVID-19 negative group. Moreover, the Candida albicans strains isolated from COVID-19 positive group exhibited impaired secretion of aspartyl proteinases. CONCLUSION COVID-19 positive patients demonstrate a notable increase in the abundance of Candida albicans, along with a decrease in the levels of aspartyl proteinases, indicating the alteration of microbiota composition of upper respiratory tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xilong Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
- College of Health Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Nadira Nurxat
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jueraiti Aili
- College of Health Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yakupu Yasen
- College of Health Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Qichen Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China.
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Gonçalves SM, Pereira I, Feys S, Cunha C, Chamilos G, Hoenigl M, Wauters J, van de Veerdonk FL, Carvalho A. Integrating genetic and immune factors to uncover pathogenetic mechanisms of viral-associated pulmonary aspergillosis. mBio 2024:e0198223. [PMID: 38651925 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01982-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a severe fungal infection primarily affecting immunocompromised patients. Individuals with severe viral infections have recently been identified as vulnerable to developing invasive fungal infections. Both influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) and COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) are linked to high mortality rates, emphasizing the urgent need for an improved understanding of disease pathogenesis to unveil new molecular targets with diagnostic and therapeutic potential. The recent establishment of animal models replicating the co-infection context has offered crucial insights into the mechanisms that underlie susceptibility to disease. However, the development and progression of human viral-fungal co-infections exhibit a significant degree of interindividual variability, even among patients with similar clinical conditions. This observation implies a significant role for host genetics, but information regarding the genetic basis for viral-fungal co-infections is currently limited. In this review, we discuss how genetic factors known to affect either antiviral or antifungal immunity could potentially reveal pathogenetic mechanisms that predispose to IAPA or CAPA and influence the overall disease course. These insights are anticipated to foster further research in both pre-clinical models and human patients, aiming to elucidate the complex pathophysiology of viral-associated pulmonary aspergillosis and contributing to the identification of new diagnostic and therapeutic targets to improve the management of these co-infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel M Gonçalves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - Inês Pereira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - Simon Feys
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cristina Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - Georgios Chamilos
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Martin Hoenigl
- Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed, Graz, Austria
| | - Joost Wauters
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frank L van de Veerdonk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases (RCI), Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Agostinho Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
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Iacovelli A, Oliva A, Mirabelli FM, Giannone S, Laguardia M, Morviducci M, Nicolardi ML, Repaci E, Sanzari MT, Leanza C, Raponi G, Mastroianni C, Palange P. Risk factors for COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis and outcomes in patients with acute respiratory failure in a respiratory sub-intensive care unit. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:392. [PMID: 38605300 PMCID: PMC11007928 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09283-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) is burdened by high mortality. Data are lacking about non-ICU patients. Aims of this study were to: (i) assess the incidence and prevalence of CAPA in a respiratory sub-intensive care unit, (ii) evaluate its risk factors and (iii) impact on in-hospital mortality. Secondary aims were to: (i) assess factors associated to mortality, and (ii) evaluate significant features in hematological patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a single-center, retrospective study of COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure. A cohort of CAPA patients was compared to a non-CAPA cohort. Among patients with CAPA, a cohort of hematological patients was further compared to another of non-hematological patients. RESULTS Three hundred fifty patients were included in the study. Median P/F ratio at the admission to sub-intensive unit was 225 mmHg (IQR 155-314). 55 (15.7%) developed CAPA (incidence of 5.5%). Eighteen had probable CAPA (37.3%), 37 (67.3%) possible CAPA and none proven CAPA. Diagnosis of CAPA occurred at a median of 17 days (IQR 12-31) from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Independent risk factors for CAPA were hematological malignancy [OR 1.74 (95%CI 0.75-4.37), p = 0.0003], lymphocytopenia [OR 2.29 (95%CI 1.12-4.86), p = 0.02], and COPD [OR 2.74 (95%CI 1.19-5.08), p = 0.014]. Mortality rate was higher in CAPA cohort (61.8% vs 22.7%, p < 0.0001). CAPA resulted an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality [OR 2.92 (95%CI 1.47-5.89), p = 0.0024]. Among CAPA patients, age > 65 years resulted a predictor of mortality [OR 5.09 (95% CI 1.20-26.92), p = 0.035]. No differences were observed in hematological cohort. CONCLUSION CAPA is a life-threatening condition with high mortality rates. It should be promptly suspected, especially in case of hematological malignancy, COPD and lymphocytopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Iacovelli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome Italy Pulmonology Respiratory and Critical Care Unit, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Oliva
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavio Marco Mirabelli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome Italy Pulmonology Respiratory and Critical Care Unit, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Giannone
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome Italy Pulmonology Respiratory and Critical Care Unit, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marianna Laguardia
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome Italy Pulmonology Respiratory and Critical Care Unit, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Morviducci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome Italy Pulmonology Respiratory and Critical Care Unit, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Nicolardi
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome Italy Pulmonology Respiratory and Critical Care Unit, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Emma Repaci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome Italy Pulmonology Respiratory and Critical Care Unit, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Sanzari
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome Italy Pulmonology Respiratory and Critical Care Unit, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiana Leanza
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giammarco Raponi
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Mastroianni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Palange
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome Italy Pulmonology Respiratory and Critical Care Unit, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital Rome, Rome, Italy
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Mjokane N, Akintemi EO, Sabiu S, Gcilitshana OMN, Albertyn J, Pohl CH, Sebolai OM. Aspergillus fumigatus secretes a protease(s) that displays in silico binding affinity towards the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and mediates SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirion entry into HEK-293T cells. Virol J 2024; 21:58. [PMID: 38448991 PMCID: PMC10919004 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02331-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The novel coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Data from the COVID-19 clinical control case studies showed that this disease could also manifest in patients with underlying microbial infections such as aspergillosis. The current study aimed to determine if the Aspergillus (A.) fumigatus culture media (i.e., supernatant) possessed protease activity that was sufficient to activate the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. METHODS The supernatant was first analysed for protease activity. Thereafter, it was assessed to determine if it possessed proteolytic activity to cleave a fluorogenic mimetic peptide of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that contained the S1/S2 site and a full-length spike protein contained in a SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirion. To complement this, a computer-based tool, HADDOCK, was used to predict if A. fumigatus alkaline protease 1 could bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. RESULTS We show that the supernatant possessed proteolytic activity, and analyses of the molecular docking parameters revealed that A. fumigatus alkaline protease 1 could bind to the spike protein. To confirm the in silico data, it was imperative to provide experimental evidence for enzymatic activity. Here, it was noted that the A. fumigatus supernatant cleaved the mimetic peptide as well as transduced the HEK-293T cells with SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirions. CONCLUSION These results suggest that A. fumigatus secretes a protease(s) that activates the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Importantly, should these two infectious agents co-occur, there is the potential for A. fumigatus to activate the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, thus aggravating COVID-19 development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozethu Mjokane
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Park West, 9301, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Eric O Akintemi
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Park West, 9301, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Saheed Sabiu
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Applied Science, Durban University of Technology, 4000, Durban, P.O. Box 1334, South Africa
| | - Onele M N Gcilitshana
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Park West, 9301, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Jacobus Albertyn
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Park West, 9301, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Carolina H Pohl
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Park West, 9301, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Olihile M Sebolai
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Park West, 9301, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
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López-Herrero R, Sánchez-de Prada L, Tamayo-Velasco A, Heredia-Rodríguez M, Bardají Carrillo M, Jorge Monjas P, de la Varga-Martínez O, Resino S, Sarmentero-López de Quintana G, Gómez-Sánchez E, Tamayo E. Epidemiology of fungal infection in COVID 19 in Spain during 2020 and 2021: a nationwide study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5203. [PMID: 38433130 PMCID: PMC10909879 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54340-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
We realize a nationwide population-based retrospective study to analyze the characteristics and risk factors of fungal co-infections in COVID-19 hospitalized patients as well as describe their causative agents in the Spanish population in 2020 and 2021. Data were obtained from records in the Minimum Basic Data Set of the National Surveillance System for Hospital Data in Spain, provided by the Ministry of Health, and annually published with two years lag. The assessment of the risk associated with the development of healthcare-associated fungal co-infections was assessed using an adjusted logistic regression model. The incidence of fungal co-infection in COVID-19 hospitalized patients was 1.41%. The main risk factors associated were surgery, sepsis, age, male gender, obesity, and COPD. Co-infection was associated with worse outcomes including higher in-hospital and in ICU mortality, and higher length of stay. Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. were the microorganisms more frequent. This is the first study analyzing fungal coinfection at a national level in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Spanish population and one of the few studies available that demonstrate that surgery was an independent risk factor of Aspergillosis coinfection in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- R López-Herrero
- BioCritic, Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005, Valladolid, Spain
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003, Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Valladolid, 47005, Valladolid, Spain
| | - L Sánchez-de Prada
- BioCritic, Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005, Valladolid, Spain
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitario Río Hortega, 47012, Valladolid, Spain
| | - A Tamayo-Velasco
- BioCritic, Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005, Valladolid, Spain.
- Haematology and Hemotherapy Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003, Valladolid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - M Heredia-Rodríguez
- BioCritic, Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005, Valladolid, Spain
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - M Bardají Carrillo
- BioCritic, Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005, Valladolid, Spain
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003, Valladolid, Spain
| | - P Jorge Monjas
- BioCritic, Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005, Valladolid, Spain
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003, Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Valladolid, 47005, Valladolid, Spain
| | - O de la Varga-Martínez
- BioCritic, Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005, Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, 28031, Madrid, Spain
| | - S Resino
- Unidad de Infección Viral e Inmunidad, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - G Sarmentero-López de Quintana
- BioCritic, Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005, Valladolid, Spain
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003, Valladolid, Spain
| | - E Gómez-Sánchez
- BioCritic, Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005, Valladolid, Spain
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003, Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Valladolid, 47005, Valladolid, Spain
| | - E Tamayo
- BioCritic, Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005, Valladolid, Spain
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003, Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Valladolid, 47005, Valladolid, Spain
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Sadeh Tehrani R, Mohammadjafari H, Alizadeh S, Naseroleslami M, Karbalaie Niya MH. The prevalence of 17 common respiratory viruses in patients with respiratory illness but negative for COVID-19: A cross-sectional study. Health Sci Rep 2024; 7:e1986. [PMID: 38524773 PMCID: PMC10957717 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Second to COVID-19 pandemic, other viral respiratory infections are still important causes of human diseases or co-infections. Hence, the present study was carried out to investigate the common respiratory viruses in patients with respiratory illness diagnosed negative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 in primary screening. Methods In a cross-sectional study, a real-time PCR was carried out using HiTeq. 17 Viro Respiratory pathogen One Step RT-PCR Kit (Genova, Bonda Faravar, Bioluence, Tehran, Iran). Results A total of 311 individuals (mean age ± SD: 48.2 ± 21.7 years, range: 1-97 years) underwent second PCR. Among these, 161 (51.7%) were female. In total, 55 (17.6%) cases (mean age ± SD: 45.7 ± 18.1 years) were found positive for respiratory viruses panel in the second PCR. The HCoV-OC43/HKU1 was in 5.4% (17/311), Flu A in 4.5% (14/311), HCoV-229E/NL63 in 2.8% (9/311), HMPV in 1.9% (6/311), HPiV 1, 2, 3 in 1.2% (4/311), HRSV in 0.9% (3/311), and HAdV in 0.6% (2/311) of the cases studies. Also, co-infection was detected in 4 samples (1.2%). In addition, sore throat (0.028), headache (p = 0.016), and body pain (p = 0.0001) were statistically the most significant symptoms in studied cases. Conclusion According to the findings of our study, respiratory virus infections and co-infections were 17.6% and 1.2% frequent, respectively. Interestingly, nearly half of our positive cases (47.2%) were identified by coronaviruses (ОС43, Е229, NL63, and HKUI), followed by influenza A virus (25.4%). However, for more comprehensive results, we recommend using greater sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reyhaneh Sadeh Tehrani
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical SciencesIslamic Azad UniversityTehranIran
| | - Hanieh Mohammadjafari
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical SciencesIslamic Azad UniversityTehranIran
| | - Sheida Alizadeh
- Department of Bacteriology and VirologyShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research CenterIran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Maryam Naseroleslami
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical SciencesIslamic Azad UniversityTehranIran
| | - Mohammad Hadi Karbalaie Niya
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research CenterIran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Department of Virology, School of MedicineIran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
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7
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Aerts R, Autier B, Gornicec M, Prattes J, Lagrou K, Gangneux JP, Hoenigl M. Point-of-care testing for viral-associated pulmonary aspergillosis. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2024; 24:231-243. [PMID: 37688631 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2023.2257597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over the last years, severe respiratory viral infections, particularly those caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the influenza virus, have emerged as risk factor for viral-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (VAPA) among critically ill patients. Delays in diagnosis of VAPA are associated with increased mortality. Point-of-care-tests may play an important role in earlier diagnosis of VAPA and thus improve patient outcomes. AREAS COVERED The following review will give an update on point-of-care tests for VAPA, analyzing performances in respiratory and blood specimens. EXPERT OPINION Point-of-care tests have emerged, and particularly the IMMY Aspergillus galactomannan lateral flow assay (LFA) shows performances comparable to the galactomannan ELISA for diagnosis of VAPA. Notably, nearly all evaluations of POC tests for VAPA have been performed in COVID-19 patients, with very limited data in influenza patients. For early diagnosis of COVID associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA), the LFA has shown promising performances in respiratory samples, particularly in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and may thereby help in improving patient outcomes. In contrast, serum LFA testing may not be useful for early diagnosis of disease, except in cases with invasive tracheobronchial aspergillosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robina Aerts
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Brice Autier
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail), UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, European Excellence Center in Medical Mycology (ECMM-EC), National Reference Center on mycology and antifungals (LA-AspC Chronic aspergillosis and A. fumigatus resistance), Rennes, France
| | - Maximilian Gornicec
- Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Juergen Prattes
- Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Translational Medical Mycology Research Unit, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Center for Mycosis, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Pierre Gangneux
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail), UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, European Excellence Center in Medical Mycology (ECMM-EC), National Reference Center on mycology and antifungals (LA-AspC Chronic aspergillosis and A. fumigatus resistance), Rennes, France
| | - Martin Hoenigl
- Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Translational Medical Mycology Research Unit, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed, Graz, Austria
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8
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Xin Y, Xiong S, Zhou L, Lin X. Activation of leukotriene B 4 receptor 1 is a prerequisite for complement receptor 3-mediated antifungal responses of neutrophils. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:245-259. [PMID: 38297112 PMCID: PMC10901876 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01130-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are life-threatening, and neutrophils are vital cells of the innate immune system that defend against them. The role of LTA4H-LTB4-BLT1 axis in regulation of neutrophil responses to fungal infection remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrated that the LTA4H-LTB4-BLT1 axis protects the host against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus, but not Cryptococcus neoformans infection, by regulating the antifungal activity of neutrophils. Our results show that deleting Lta4h or Blt1 substantially impairs the fungal-specific phagocytic capacity of neutrophils. Moreover, defective activation of the spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) and extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK1/2) pathways in neutrophils accompanies this impairment. Mechanistically, BLT1 regulates CR3-mediated, β-1,3-glucan-induced neutrophil phagocytosis, while a physical interaction with CR3 with slight influence on its dynamics is observed. Our findings thus demonstrate that the LTA4H-LTB4-BLT1 axis is essential for the phagocytic function of neutrophils in host antifungal immune response against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xin
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua University-Peking University Center for Life Sciences, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Sihan Xiong
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Linghong Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Xin Lin
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China.
- Tsinghua University-Peking University Center for Life Sciences, 100084, Beijing, China.
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Shekhova E, Salazar F, Da Silva Dantas A, Chakraborty T, Wooding EL, White PL, Warris A. Age difference of patients with and without invasive aspergillosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:220. [PMID: 38373908 PMCID: PMC10875810 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09109-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive Aspergillosis (IA) is a life-threatening fungal disease with significant mortality rates. Timely diagnosis and treatment greatly enhance patient outcomes. This study aimed to explore the association between patient age and the development of IA, as well as the potential implications for risk stratification strategies. METHODS We searched National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) databases for publications until October 2023 containing age characteristics of patients with and without IA. A random-effects model with the application of inverse-variance weighting was used to pool reported estimates from each study, and meta-regression and subgroup analyses were utilized to assess sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS A systematic review was conducted, resulting in the inclusion of 55 retrospective observational studies with a total of 13,983 patients. Meta-analysis revealed that, on average, patients with IA were approximately two and a half years older (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.84-3.31 years; I2 = 26.1%) than those without the disease (p < 0.0001). No significant moderators could explain the observed heterogeneity in age difference. However, subgroup analysis revealed that age differences were more pronounced within particular patient groups compared to others. For example, patients with and without IA who had primary severe lung infections exhibited a greater difference in mean age than other patient cohorts. CONCLUSIONS Further research, such as individual patient data meta-analysis, is necessary to better understand the potential relationship between increasing age and the likelihood of IA. Improved risk stratification strategies based on patient age could potentially enhance the early detection and treatment of IA, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Shekhova
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK.
| | - Fabián Salazar
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | | | - Tanmoy Chakraborty
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Eva L Wooding
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
- Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter, EX2 5DW, UK
| | - P Lewis White
- Public Health Wales Microbiology Cardiff, Cardiff University, UHW, Cardiff, UK
- Centre for Trials Research, Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University, UHW, Cardiff, UK
| | - Adilia Warris
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
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10
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Mjokane N, Sabiu S, Folorunso OS, Gcilitshana OMN, Albertyn J, Pohl CH, Sebolai OM. Cryptococcal proteases exhibit the potential to activate the latent SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. J Infect Public Health 2024; 17:263-270. [PMID: 38128410 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than 650 million people and resulted in over 6.8 million deaths. Notably, the disease could co-manifest with microbial infections, like cryptococcosis, which also presents as a primary lung infection. OBJECTIVE In this contribution, we sought to determine if cryptococcal supernatant (which contains secreted furin-like proteases) could activate the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. METHODS Molecular docking of the crystal structures of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (target) and selected cryptococcal proteases (ligands) was executed using the high ambiguity driven protein-protein docking (HADDOCK) server, with the furin protease serving as a reference ligand. The furin protease is found in human cells and typically activates the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Importantly, in order to provide experimental evidence for enzymatic activity, we also assessed the biochemical efficiency of cryptococcal proteases to initiate viral entry into HEK-293 T cells by SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudotyped Lentivirus. RESULTS We show that the selected cryptococcal proteases could interact with the spike protein, and some had a better or comparable binding affinity for the spike protein than furin protease following an in silico comparative analysis of the molecular docking parameters. Furthermore, it was noted that the biochemical efficiency of the cryptococcal supernatant to transduce HEK-293 T cells with SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirions was comparable (p > 0.05) to that of recombinant furin. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these data show that cryptococcal proteases could activate the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. In practice, it may be critical to determine if patients have an underlying cryptococcal infection, as this microbe could secrete proteases that may further activate the SARS-CoV-2 viral particles, thus undermining COVID-19 intervention measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozethu Mjokane
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Park West, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
| | - Saheed Sabiu
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Durban University of Technology, 121 Steve Biko Road, Berea Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Olufemi S Folorunso
- Harvard Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Onele M N Gcilitshana
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Park West, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
| | - Jacobus Albertyn
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Park West, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
| | - Carolina H Pohl
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Park West, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
| | - Olihile M Sebolai
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Park West, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa.
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11
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Janssens I, Lambrecht BN, Van Braeckel E. Aspergillus and the Lung. Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2024; 45:3-20. [PMID: 38286136 PMCID: PMC10857890 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
The filamentous fungus Aspergillus causes a wide spectrum of diseases in the human lung, with Aspergillus fumigatus being the most pathogenic and allergenic subspecies. The broad range of clinical syndromes that can develop from the presence of Aspergillus in the respiratory tract is determined by the interaction between host and pathogen. In this review, an oversight of the different clinical entities of pulmonary aspergillosis is given, categorized by their main pathophysiological mechanisms. The underlying immune processes are discussed, and the main clinical, radiological, biochemical, microbiological, and histopathological findings are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Janssens
- Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart N. Lambrecht
- Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, ErasmusMC; Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eva Van Braeckel
- Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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12
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Ramírez-Sánchez IC, Diaz-Sanabria RA, Alza-Arcila J. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis following human metapneumovirus infection in solid-organ transplant recipients: Another virus to add to the list. Transpl Infect Dis 2024; 26:e14188. [PMID: 37938791 DOI: 10.1111/tid.14188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing recognition that respiratory viral infections such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, and SARS-CoV-2 can promote the development of invasive fungal pulmonary coinfections, particularly invasive aspergillosis, both in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. To date, there are no case reports exploring the role of human metapneumovirus as a risk factor for fungal coinfection. Below, we describe the case of a 63-year-old woman who received a kidney transplant and developed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis after a human metapneumovirus infection and discuss the possible phenomena that could favor this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Cristina Ramírez-Sánchez
- Infectious Diseases Section, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe, Medical School, Medellín, Colombia
- Infectious Diseases Section, Internal Medicine Department, Universidad de Antioquia, Medical School, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Ricardo Augusto Diaz-Sanabria
- Infectious Diseases Section, Internal Medicine Department, Universidad de Antioquia, Medical School, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Jhongert Alza-Arcila
- Infectious Diseases Section, Internal Medicine Department, Universidad de Antioquia, Medical School, Medellín, Colombia
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13
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Liu C, Zhang L, Zhang J, Wang M, You S, Su R, Qi W. Rational design of antibodies and development of a novel method for (1-3)-β-D glucan detection as an alternative to Limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1322264. [PMID: 38328671 PMCID: PMC10847287 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1322264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
With advances in medicine, increasing medical interventions have increased the risk of invasive fungal disease development. (1-3)-β-D glucan (BDG) is a common fungal biomarker in serological tests. However, the scarcity of Limulus resources for BDG detection poses a challenge. This study addresses the need for an alternative to Limulus amebocyte lysate by using BDG mutant antibody for chemiluminescence detection. The wild-type BDG antibody was obtained by immunizing rabbits. An optimal V52HI/N34L Y mutant antibody, which has increased 3.7-fold of the testing efficiency compared to the wild-type antibody, was first achieved by mutating "hot-spot" residues that contribute to strong non-covalent bonds, as determined by alanine scanning and molecular dynamics simulation. The mutant was then applied to develop the magnetic particle chemiluminescence method. 574 clinical samples were tested using the developed method, with a cutoff value of 95 pg/mL set by Limulus amebocyte lysate. The receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.905 (95% CI: 0.880-0.929). Chemiluminescence detected an antigen concentration of 89.98 pg/mL, exhibiting a sensitivity of 83.33% and specificity of 89.76%. In conclusion, the results showed a good agreement with Limulus amebocyte lysate and demonstrated the feasibility of using BDG mutant antibodies for invasive fungal disease diagnosis. The new method based on chemiluminescence for detecting BDG could shorten the sample-to-result time to approximately 30 min, rescue Limulus from being endangered and is resource efficient in terms of equipment and the non-use of a skilled technician.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlong Liu
- Chemical Engineering Research Center, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- R&D Department, Dynamiker Biotechnology (Tianjin) Co., Ltd, Tianjin, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Chemical Engineering Research Center, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- Chemical Engineering Research Center, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mengfan Wang
- Chemical Engineering Research Center, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shengping You
- Chemical Engineering Research Center, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Rongxin Su
- Chemical Engineering Research Center, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Qi
- Chemical Engineering Research Center, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, China
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14
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Cauwenberghs E, De Boeck I, Spacova I, Van Tente I, Bastiaenssen J, Lammertyn E, Verhulst S, Van Hoorenbeeck K, Lebeer S. Positioning the preventive potential of microbiome treatments for cystic fibrosis in the context of current therapies. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101371. [PMID: 38232705 PMCID: PMC10829789 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotics and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators play a pivotal role in cystic fibrosis (CF) treatment, but both have limitations. Antibiotics are linked to antibiotic resistance and disruption of the airway microbiome, while CFTR modulators are not widely accessible, and structural lung damage and pathogen overgrowth still occur. Complementary strategies that can beneficially modulate the airway microbiome in a preventive way are highly needed. This could be mediated via oral probiotics, which have shown some improvement of lung function and reduction of airway infections and exacerbations, as a cost-effective approach. However, recent data suggest that specific and locally administered probiotics in the respiratory tract might be a more targeted approach to prevent pathogen outgrowth in the lower airways. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the CF airway microbiome and possibilities of microbiome treatments to prevent bacterial and/or viral infections and position them in the context of current CF therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Cauwenberghs
- University of Antwerp, Department of Bioscience Engineering, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ilke De Boeck
- University of Antwerp, Department of Bioscience Engineering, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Irina Spacova
- University of Antwerp, Department of Bioscience Engineering, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ilke Van Tente
- University of Antwerp, Department of Bioscience Engineering, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Joke Bastiaenssen
- University of Antwerp, Department of Bioscience Engineering, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Elise Lammertyn
- Belgian CF Association, Driebruggenstraat 124, 1160 Brussels, Belgium; Cystic Fibrosis Europe, Driebruggenstraat 124, 1160 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stijn Verhulst
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Antwerp University Hospital, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Kim Van Hoorenbeeck
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Antwerp University Hospital, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Sarah Lebeer
- University of Antwerp, Department of Bioscience Engineering, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
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15
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Wang M, Hao MC, Huangfu Y, Yang KZ, Zhang XQ, Zhang Y, Chen J, Zhang ZL. A Universal Aptamer for Influenza A Viruses: Selection, Recognition, and Infection Inhibition. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:249-258. [PMID: 38230279 PMCID: PMC10789145 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
It is crucial to develop universal inhibitors for viral inhibition due to the rapid mutation of viruses. Herein, a universal aptamer inhibitor was developed that enabled a single DNA molecule to recognize several hemeagglutinin (HA) protein subtypes, inducing broad neutralization against influenza A viruses (IAVs). Through a multi-channel enrichment (MCE) strategy, a high-affinity aptamer named UHA-2 was obtained, with its dissociation constants (Kd) for three different HA proteins being 1.5 ± 0.2 nM (H5N1), 3.7 ± 0.4 nM (H7N9), and 10.1 ± 1.1 nM (H9N2). The UHA-2 aptamer had a universal inhibition effect, by which it could broadly neutralize influenza A H5N1, H7N9, H9N2, H1N1, and H3N2 viruses. Universal aptamer inhibitors have the advantages of acquisition in vitro, stability, simple structure, small size, etc. This study not only develops a novel universal aptamer to achieve a broad inhibition effect on various IAVs, but also opens up an efficient strategy for the development of universal inhibitors against viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- College
of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan
University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Meng-Chan Hao
- Key
Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of
Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yueyue Huangfu
- College
of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan
University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Ke-Zhu Yang
- College
of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan
University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Zhang
- Key
Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of
Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Key
Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of
Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Key
Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of
Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhi-Ling Zhang
- College
of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan
University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
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16
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Ahmadi M, Shahbahrami R, Khajeh F, Khodaeivandi S, Kakavandi E, Raziabad RH, Ghanati K. Aflatoxin B1 and viruses' combined pathogenesis: A mini systematics review of invitro and invivo studies. Acta Histochem 2024; 126:152116. [PMID: 38101290 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2023.152116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The combined pathogenesis of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and several viruses such as HBV, EBV and influenza virus have been investigated yet the molecular mechanism of their interaction and possible synergistic effects is not fully understood. OBJECTIVES The aim of the current systematic review was to review in-vitro and in-vivo studies investigating the combined pathogenesis of aflatoxins and viruses. METHODS This systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PECO (Population, Exposure, Comparator, and Outcome) criteria for invitro and invivo studies were used to evaluate the eligibility of the studies for systematic review. RESULTS 21 studies were eligible for qualitative analysis based on the inclusion criteria. Of all the included studies, 9 (42.9 %) were invivo, 7 (33.3 %) were invitro-invivo and 5(23.8) articles conducted only invitro assay. Furthermore 14 (66.6 %) article explored hepatitis B virus (HBV) combination with AFB1, 4 (19 %) studied influenza A virus (SIV), 2 (9.7 %) were about Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and only 1 (4.7 %) included hepatitis C virus (HCV). CONCLUSION The limited collected evidence suggests that AFB1 enhanced EBV and influenza virus pathogenesis. AFB1 also operated as a cofactor for HBV and EBV-mediated carcinogenesis. On the other hand HBV and HCV also induced AFB-1 carcinogenesis. Due to the limited amount of included studies and the inconsistency of their results further studies especially on HBV and SIV are essential for better understanding of their combined mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Ahmadi
- Student Research Committee, (Department and Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramin Shahbahrami
- Department of Medical Virology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Khajeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Khodaeivandi
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Afagh Higher Education institute, Urmia, Iran
| | - Ehsan Kakavandi
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Hazrati Raziabad
- Student Research Committee, (Department and Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kiandokht Ghanati
- Student Research Committee, (Department and Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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17
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Hurt W, Youngs J, Ball J, Edgeworth J, Hopkins P, Jenkins DR, Leaver S, Mazzella A, Molloy SF, Schelenz S, Wise MP, White PL, Yusuff H, Wyncoll D, Bicanic T. COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis in mechanically ventilated patients: a prospective, multicentre UK study. Thorax 2023; 79:75-82. [PMID: 37657925 PMCID: PMC10804023 DOI: 10.1136/thorax-2023-220002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a complication of severe COVID-19, with regional variation in reported incidence and mortality. We describe the incidence, risk factors and mortality associated with COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) in a prospective, multicentre UK cohort. METHODS From March 2020 to March 2021, 266 mechanically ventilated adults with COVID-19 were enrolled across 5 UK hospital intensive care units (ICUs). CAPA was defined using European Confederation for Medical Mycology and the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology criteria and fungal diagnostics performed on respiratory and serum samples. RESULTS Twenty-nine of 266 patients (10.9%) had probable CAPA, 14 (5.2%) possible CAPA and none proven CAPA. Probable CAPA was diagnosed a median of 9 (IQR 7-16) days after ICU admission. Factors associated with probable CAPA after multivariable logistic regression were cumulative steroid dose given within 28 days prior to ICU admission (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.16; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.43 per 100 mg prednisolone-equivalent), receipt of an interleukin (IL)-6 inhibitor (aOR 2.79; 95% CI 1.22 to 6.48) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (aOR 4.78; 95% CI 1.13 to 18.13). Mortality in patients with probable CAPA was 55%, vs 46% in those without. After adjustment for immortal time bias, CAPA was associated with an increased risk of 90-day mortality (HR 1.85; 95% CI 1.07 to 3.19); however, this association did not remain statistically significant after further adjustment for confounders (adjusted HR 1.57; 95% CI 0.88 to 2.80). There was no difference in mortality between patients with CAPA prescribed antifungals (9 of 17; 53%) and those who were not (7 of 12; 58%) (p=0.77). INTERPRETATION In this first prospective UK study, probable CAPA was associated with corticosteroid use, receipt of IL-6 inhibitors and pre-existing COPD. CAPA did not impact mortality following adjustment for prognostic variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Hurt
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
- Clinical Infection Unit, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jonathan Youngs
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
- Clinical Infection Unit, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jonathan Ball
- Adult Critical Care, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jonathan Edgeworth
- Clinical Infection and Microbiology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Philip Hopkins
- Adult Critical Care, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - David R Jenkins
- Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Susannah Leaver
- Adult Critical Care, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Andrea Mazzella
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Síle F Molloy
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Silke Schelenz
- Medical Microbiology, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Matt P Wise
- Adult Critical Care, University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Hakeem Yusuff
- Adult Critical Care, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Duncan Wyncoll
- Adult Critical Care, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Tihana Bicanic
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
- Clinical Infection Unit, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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18
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König C, Göpfert M, Kluge S, Wichmann D. Posaconazole exposure in critically ill ICU patients: a need for action. Infection 2023; 51:1767-1772. [PMID: 37498488 PMCID: PMC10665255 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-023-02078-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Posaconazole is an antifungal drug currently being used for prophylaxis and treatment of invasive fungal infections such as aspergillosis. To date, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of posaconazole is recommended with the use of oral suspension, but the potential need of TDM with the use of IV formulations is rising. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of IV posaconazole in critically ill patients. METHODS In a prospective study, we analysed 168 consecutivelly collected posaconazole levels from 10 critically ill patients drawn during a 7 day curse. Posaconazole concentrations were measured using a chromatographic method. Demographic and laboratory data were collected, and the data was analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS We included 168 posaconazole levels, resulting in a median trough of 0.62 [0.29-1.05] mg/L with 58% not reaching the suggested target of 0.5 mg/L for fungal prophylaxis. Moreover, 74% of the trough levels were under the target of 1 mg/L which is proposed for the treatment of aspergillosis. CONCLUSION Posaconazole exposure is highly variable in critically ill patients resulting in potentially insufficient drug concentrations in many cases. TDM is highly recommended to identify and avoid underexposure. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05275179, March 11, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina König
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 42, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Göpfert
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 42, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Kluge
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 42, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dominic Wichmann
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 42, 20251, Hamburg, Germany.
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19
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Lin YH, Chang TC, Yu WL, Chou W, Chen CM. Aspergillus coinfection in critically Ill patients with severe dengue. J Infect Public Health 2023; 16:1893-1897. [PMID: 37866267 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2014-2015, a significant outbreak of dengue fever occurred in southern Taiwan, with a subsequent decline in dengue incidence. Despite this, there is emerging concern about virus-associated aspergillosis, yet limited research has explored coinfections involving dengue and aspergillosis. We conducted a retrospective study at a single center in Southern Taiwan, specifically focusing on dengue patients admitted to the intensive care unit during the period between July and November 2015. Among the 142 dengue patients studied, only 8.06 % (10/142) underwent serum galactomannan testing, with a single patient undergoing bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) galactomannan assay. Out of those tested, 20 % (2/10) returned positive serum galactomannan results. Herein, we present two consecutive cases of coinfection involving dengue and pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompetent patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Han Lin
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
| | - Ting-Chia Chang
- Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
| | - Wen-Liang Yu
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
| | - Willy Chou
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chi Mei Medical Center, Chiali, Taiwan.
| | - Chin-Ming Chen
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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20
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Liang B, Song W, Xing R, Liu S, Yu H, Li P. The source, activity influencing factors and biological activities for future development of chitin deacetylase. Carbohydr Polym 2023; 321:121335. [PMID: 37739548 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Chitin deacetylase (CDA), a prominent member of the carbohydrate esterase enzyme family 4 (CE4), is found ubiquitously in bacteria, fungi, insects, and crustaceans. This metalloenzyme plays a pivotal role in recognizing and selectively removing acetyl groups from chitin, thus offering an environmentally friendly and biologically-driven preparation method for chitosan with immense industrial potential. Due to its diverse origins, CDAs sourced from different organisms exhibit unique functions, optimal pH ranges, and temperature preferences. Furthermore, certain organic reagents can induce structural changes in CDAs, influencing their catalytic activity. Leveraging CDA's capabilities extends beyond chitosan biocatalysis, as it demonstrates promising application value in agricultural pest control. In this paper, the source, reaction mechanism, influencing factors, the fermentation methods and applications of CDA are reviewed, which provides theoretical help for the research and application of CDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bicheng Liang
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100000, China
| | - Wen Song
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100000, China
| | - Ronge Xing
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), No. 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266000, China.
| | - Song Liu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), No. 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Huahua Yu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), No. 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Pengcheng Li
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), No. 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266000, China
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21
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Riegler AN, Benson P, Long K, Leal SM. Differential activation of programmed cell death in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:420. [PMID: 37985756 PMCID: PMC10662024 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01715-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes severe lower airway disease and death in a subset of patients. Knowledge on the relative contribution of programmed cell death (PCD) to lung pathology is limited to few human autopsy studies with small sample size/scope, in vitro cell culture, and experimental model systems. In this study, we sought to identify, localize, and quantify activation of apoptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis in FFPE lung tissues from patients that died from severe SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 28) relative to uninfected controls (n = 13). Immunofluorescence (IF) staining, whole-slide imaging, and Image J software was used to localize and quantify expression of SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein and the following PCD protein markers: cleaved Caspase-3, pMLKL, cleaved Gasdermin D, and CD71, respectively. IF showed differential activation of each PCD pathway in infected lungs and dichotomous staining for SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein enabling distinction between high (n = 9) vs low viral burden (n = 19). No differences were observed in apoptosis and ferroptosis in SARS-CoV-2 infected lungs relative to uninfected controls. However, both pyroptosis and necroptosis were significantly increased in SARS-CoV-2-infected lungs. Increased pyroptosis was observed in SARS-CoV-2 infected lungs, irrespective of viral burden, suggesting an inflammation-driven mechanism. In contrast, necroptosis exhibited a very strong positive correlation with viral burden (R2 = 0.9925), suggesting a direct SARS-CoV-2 mediated effect. These data indicate a possible novel mechanism for viral-mediated necroptosis and a potential role for both lytic programmed cell death pathways, necroptosis and pyroptosis, in mediating infection outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh N Riegler
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Paul Benson
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kenneth Long
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Sixto M Leal
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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22
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Burzio C, Balzani E, Corcione S, Montrucchio G, Trompeo AC, Brazzi L. Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia after Heart Transplantation: Two Case Reports and a Review of the Literature. Pathogens 2023; 12:1265. [PMID: 37887781 PMCID: PMC10610317 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-transplant Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PcP) is an uncommon but increasingly reported disease among solid organ transplantation (SOT) recipients, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although the introduction of PcP prophylaxis has reduced its overall incidence, its prevalence continues to be high, especially during the second year after transplant, the period following prophylaxis discontinuation. We recently described two cases of PcP occurring more than one year after heart transplantation (HT) in patients who were no longer receiving PcP prophylaxis according to the local protocol. In both cases, the disease was diagnosed following the diagnosis of a viral illness, resulting in a significantly increased risk for PcP. While current heart transplantation guidelines recommend Pneumocystis jirovecii prophylaxis for up to 6-12 months after transplantation, after that period they only suggest an extended prophylaxis regimen in high-risk patients. Recent studies have identified several new risk factors that may be linked to an increased risk of PcP infection, including medication regimens and patient characteristics. Similarly, the indication for PcP prophylaxis in non-HIV patients has been expanded in relation to the introduction of new medications and therapeutic regimens for immune-mediated diseases. In our experience, the first patient was successfully treated with non-invasive ventilation, while the second required tracheal intubation, invasive ventilation, and extracorporeal CO2 removal due to severe respiratory failure. The aim of this double case report is to review the current timing of PcP prophylaxis after HT, the specific potential risk factors for PcP after HT, and the determinants of a prompt diagnosis and therapeutic approach in critically ill patients. We will also present a possible proposal for future investigations on indications for long-term prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Burzio
- Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Emergency, Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino Hospital, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.B.); (G.M.); (A.C.T.); (L.B.)
| | - Eleonora Balzani
- Department of Surgical Science, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy
| | - Silvia Corcione
- Department of Medical Sciences, Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy;
- School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Giorgia Montrucchio
- Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Emergency, Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino Hospital, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.B.); (G.M.); (A.C.T.); (L.B.)
- Department of Surgical Science, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy
| | - Anna Chiara Trompeo
- Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Emergency, Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino Hospital, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.B.); (G.M.); (A.C.T.); (L.B.)
| | - Luca Brazzi
- Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Emergency, Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino Hospital, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.B.); (G.M.); (A.C.T.); (L.B.)
- Department of Surgical Science, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy
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23
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Roe K. Increased Fungal Infection Mortality Induced by Concurrent Viral Cellular Manipulations. Lung 2023; 201:467-476. [PMID: 37670187 DOI: 10.1007/s00408-023-00642-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Certain respiratory fungal pathogen mono-infections can cause high mortality rates. Several viral pathogen mono-infections, including influenza viruses and coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, can also cause high mortality rates. Concurrent infections by fungal pathogens and highly manipulative viral pathogens can synergistically interact in the respiratory tract to substantially increase their mortality rates. There are at least five viral manipulations which can assist secondary fungal infections. These viral manipulations include the following: (1) inhibiting transcription factors and cytokine expressions, (2) impairing defensive protein expressions, (3) inhibiting defenses by manipulating cellular sensors and signaling pathways, (4) inhibiting defenses by secreting exosomes, and (5) stimulating glucocorticoid synthesis to suppress immune defenses by inhibiting cytokine, chemokine, and adhesion molecule production. The highest mortality respiratory viral pandemics up to now have had substantially boosted mortalities by inducing secondary bacterial pneumonias. However, numerous animal species besides humans are also carriers of endemic infections by viral and multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens. The vast multi-species scope of endemic infection opportunities make it plausible that the pro-fungal manipulations of a respiratory virus can someday evolve to enable a very high mortality rate viral pandemic inducing multidrug-resistant secondary fungal pathogen infections. Since such pandemics can quickly spread world-wide and outrun existing treatments, it would be worthwhile to develop new antifungal treatments well before such a high mortality event occurs.
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24
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Faiyazuddin M, Sophia A, Ashique S, Gholap AD, Gowri S, Mohanto S, Karthikeyan C, Nag S, Hussain A, Akhtar MS, Bakht MA, Ahmed MG, Rustagi S, Rodriguez-Morales AJ, Salas-Matta LA, Mohanty A, Bonilla-Aldana DK, Sah R. Virulence traits and novel drug delivery strategies for mucormycosis post-COVID-19: a comprehensive review. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1264502. [PMID: 37818370 PMCID: PMC10561264 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1264502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of a fatal black fungus infection after the resurgence of the cadaverous COVID-19 has exhorted scientists worldwide to develop a nutshell by repurposing or designing new formulations to address the crisis. Patients expressing COVID-19 are more susceptible to Mucormycosis (MCR) and thus fall easy prey to decease accounting for this global threat. Their mortality rates range around 32-70% depending on the organs affected and grow even higher despite the treatment. The many contemporary recommendations strongly advise using liposomal amphotericin B and surgery as first-line therapy whenever practicable. MCR is a dangerous infection that requires an antifungal drug administration on appropriate prescription, typically one of the following: Amphotericin B, Posaconazole, or Isavuconazole since the fungi that cause MCR are resistant to other medications like fluconazole, voriconazole, and echinocandins. Amphotericin B and Posaconazole are administered through veins (intravenously), and isavuconazole by mouth (orally). From last several years so many compounds are developed against invasive fungal disease but only few of them are able to induce effective treatment against the micorals. Adjuvant medicines, more particularly, are difficult to assess without prospective randomized controlled investigations, which are challenging to conduct given the lower incidence and higher mortality from Mucormycosis. The present analysis provides insight into pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, underlying fungal virulence, and growth mechanisms. In addition, current therapy for MCR in Post Covid-19 individuals includes conventional and novel nano-based advanced management systems for procuring against deadly fungal infection. The study urges involving nanomedicine to prevent fungal growth at the commencement of infection, delay the progression, and mitigate fatality risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Faiyazuddin
- School of Pharmacy, Al – Karim University, Katihar, Bihar, India
- Nano Drug Delivery®, Raleigh-Durham, NC, United States
| | - A. Sophia
- PG & Research Department of Physics, Cauvery College for Women (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sumel Ashique
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Pandaveswar School of Pharmacy, Pandaveswar, West Bengal, India
| | - Amol D. Gholap
- Department of Pharmaceutics, St. John Institute of Pharmacy and Research, Palghar, Maharashtra, India
| | - S. Gowri
- PG & Research Department of Physics, Cauvery College for Women (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sourav Mohanto
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Yenepoya Pharmacy College & Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - C. Karthikeyan
- Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, Dongguk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sagnik Nag
- Department of Bio-Sciences, School of Biosciences & Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Arif Hussain
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammad Shabib Akhtar
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md. Afroz Bakht
- Chemistry Department, College of Science and Humanity Studies, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Gulzar Ahmed
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Yenepoya Pharmacy College & Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Sarvesh Rustagi
- School of Applied and Life Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales
- Grupo de Investigación Biomedicina, Faculty of Medicine, Fundación Universitaria Autónoma de las Américas—Institución Universitaria Visión de las Américas, Pereira, Colombia
- Faculties of Health Sciences and Environmental Sciences, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Luis Andres Salas-Matta
- Faculties of Health Sciences and Environmental Sciences, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru
| | - Aroop Mohanty
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Gorakhpur, India
| | | | - Ranjit Sah
- Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, DY Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Wardha, India
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25
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Ainsworth J, Sewell P, Eggert S, Morris K, Pillai S. Fungal Infections Are Not Associated with Increased Mortality in COVID-19 Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Crit Care Res Pract 2023; 2023:4037915. [PMID: 37720488 PMCID: PMC10505078 DOI: 10.1155/2023/4037915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Fungal infection is a cause of increased morbidity and mortality in intensive care patients. Critically unwell patients are at increased risk of developing invasive fungal infections. COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) may be at a particularly high risk. The primary aim of this study was to establish the incidence of secondary fungal infections in patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19. Secondary aims were to investigate factors that may contribute to an increased risk of fungal infections and to calculate the mortality between fungal and nonfungal groups. Methods We undertook a retrospective observational study in a tertiary ICU in Wales, United Kingdom. 174 patients admitted with COVID-19 infection from March 2020 until May 2021 were included. Data were collected through a retrospective review of patient's clinical notes and microbiology investigation results obtained from the online clinical portal. Results 81/174 (47%) COVID-19 patients developed fungal infections, 93% of which were Candida species, including Candida albicans (88%), and 6% had an Aspergillus infection. Age and smoking history did not appear to be contributing factors. The nonfungal group had a significantly higher body mass index (33 ± 8 vs. 31 ± 7, p=0.01). The ICU length of stay (23 (1-116) vs. 8 (1-60), p < 0.001), hospital length of stay (30 (3-183) vs. 15 (1-174) ± 7, p < 0.001), steroid days (10 (1-116) vs. 4 (0-28), p=0.02), and ventilation days (18 (0-120) vs. 2 (0-55), p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the fungal group. The mortality rate in both groups was similar (51% vs. 52%). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the fungal group survived more than the nonfungal group (log rank (Mantel-Cox), p < 0.001). Conclusion Secondary fungal infections are common in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. Longer treatment with corticosteroids, increased length of hospital and ICU stay, and greater length of mechanical ventilation significantly increase the risk of fungal infections. Fungal infection, however, was not associated with an increase in mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Ainsworth
- Ed Major Intensive Care Unit, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, UK
| | - Peter Sewell
- Ed Major Intensive Care Unit, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, UK
| | - Sabine Eggert
- Ed Major Intensive Care Unit, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, UK
| | | | - Suresh Pillai
- Ed Major Intensive Care Unit, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, UK
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26
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Aboutalebian S, Erami M, Ahsaniarani AH, Momen-Heravi M, Sharif A, Hadipour M, Mirhendi H. Diagnosis of mucormycosis using a simple duplex PCR assay: Analysis of 160 clinical samples from COVID-19 patients. Med Mycol 2023; 61:myad091. [PMID: 37715309 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Early diagnosis of mucormycosis, a severe and potentially fatal complication in immunocompromised and COVID-19 patients, is crucial for initiating timely antifungal therapy and reducing infection mortality. In this study, the diagnostic performance of a duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was evaluated to detect Mucorales-specific and Rhizopus oryzae-specific targets in 160 clinical samples collected from 112 COVID-19 patients suspected of invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (IFRS). During potassium hydroxide (KOH) direct microscopy, non-septate hyphae were observed in 73 out of 160 samples (45.63%); however, using duplex PCR, 82 out of 160 specimens (51.25%) tested positive. Among the positive PCR samples, 67 (81.71%) exhibited a double band (both 175 and 450 base pairs [bp]) indicating the presence of R. oryzae, and 15 (18.29%) showed only a single band (175 bp), suggesting the presence of non-R. oryzae Mucorales. DNAs from 10 microscopically negative samples and 4 samples with septate hyphae in microscopy were successfully amplified in PCR. Considering Calcofluor white fluorescence microscopy as the gold standard for laboratory diagnosis of mucormycosis, the duplex PCR assay utilized in this study exhibited a sensitivity of 93.88%, a specificity of 100%, a negative predictive value of 91.18%, and a positive predictive value of 100% for detecting mucormycosis in IFRS specimens. The duplex PCR assay demonstrated higher sensitivity compared to direct examination with KOH (82 vs. 73) and culture (82 vs. 41), enabling rapid detection/identification of Mucorales even in samples with negative culture or in biopsies with only a few hyphal elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shima Aboutalebian
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, Research Core Facilities, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahzad Erami
- Department of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Ahsaniarani
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, Matini Hospital, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mansooreh Momen-Heravi
- Department of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Alireza Sharif
- Department of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mahboubeh Hadipour
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hossein Mirhendi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, Research Core Facilities, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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27
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Lionakis MS, Drummond RA, Hohl TM. Immune responses to human fungal pathogens and therapeutic prospects. Nat Rev Immunol 2023; 23:433-452. [PMID: 36600071 PMCID: PMC9812358 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-022-00826-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Pathogenic fungi have emerged as significant causes of infectious morbidity and death in patients with acquired immunodeficiency conditions such as HIV/AIDS and following receipt of chemotherapy, immunosuppressive agents or targeted biologics for neoplastic or autoimmune diseases, or transplants for end organ failure. Furthermore, in recent years, the spread of multidrug-resistant Candida auris has caused life-threatening outbreaks in health-care facilities worldwide and raised serious concerns for global public health. Rapid progress in the discovery and functional characterization of inborn errors of immunity that predispose to fungal disease and the development of clinically relevant animal models have enhanced our understanding of fungal recognition and effector pathways and adaptive immune responses. In this Review, we synthesize our current understanding of the cellular and molecular determinants of mammalian antifungal immunity, focusing on observations that show promise for informing risk stratification, prognosis, prophylaxis and therapies to combat life-threatening fungal infections in vulnerable patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michail S Lionakis
- Fungal Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Rebecca A Drummond
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tobias M Hohl
- Infectious Disease Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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28
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Riegler A, Benson P, Long K, Leal S. Differential Activation of Programmed Cell Death in Patients with Severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3059466. [PMID: 37461686 PMCID: PMC10350212 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3059466/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-2) causes severe lower airway disease and death in a subset of patients. Knowledge on the relative contribution of programmed cell death (PCD) to lung pathology is limited to few human autopsy studies with small sample size/scope, in vitro cell culture, and experimental model systems. In this study, we sought to identify, localize, and quantify activation of apoptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis in FFPE lung tissues from patients that died from severe SARS-2 infection (n=28) relative to uninfected controls (n=13). Immunofluorescence (IF) staining, whole-slide imaging, and Image J software was used to localize and quantify expression of SARS-2 nucleoprotein and the following PCD protein markers: cleaved Caspase-3, pMLKL, cleaved Gasdermin D, and CD71, respectively. IF showed differential activation of each PCD pathway in SARS-2 infected lungs and dichotomous staining for SARS-2 nucleoprotein enabling distinction between high (n=9) vs low viral burden (n= 19). No differences were observed in apoptosis and ferroptosis in SARS-2 infected lungs relative to uninfected controls. However, both pyroptosis and necroptosis were significantly increased in SARS-2 infected lungs. Increased pyroptosis was observed in SARS-2 infected lungs, irrespective of viral burden, suggesting an inflammation-driven mechanism. In contrast, necroptosis exhibited a very strong positive correlation with viral burden (R2=0.9925), suggesting a direct SARS-2 mediated effect. These data indicate a possible novel mechanism for viral-mediated necroptosis and a potential role for both lytic programmed cell death pathways, necroptosis and pyroptosis, in mediating infection outcome.
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Wang F, Han R, Chen S. An Overlooked and Underrated Endemic Mycosis-Talaromycosis and the Pathogenic Fungus Talaromyces marneffei. Clin Microbiol Rev 2023; 36:e0005122. [PMID: 36648228 PMCID: PMC10035316 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00051-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Talaromycosis is an invasive mycosis endemic in tropical and subtropical Asia and is caused by the pathogenic fungus Talaromyces marneffei. Approximately 17,300 cases of T. marneffei infection are diagnosed annually, and the reported mortality rate is extremely high (~1/3). Despite the devastating impact of talaromycosis on immunocompromised individuals, particularly HIV-positive persons, and the increase in reported occurrences in HIV-uninfected persons, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for talaromycosis have received far too little attention worldwide. In 2021, scientists living in countries where talaromycosis is endemic raised a global demand for it to be recognized as a neglected tropical disease. Therefore, T. marneffei and the infectious disease induced by this fungus must be treated with concern. T. marneffei is a thermally dimorphic saprophytic fungus with a complicated mycological growth process that may produce various cell types in its life cycle, including conidia, hyphae, and yeast, all of which are associated with its pathogenicity. However, understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of T. marneffei has been limited until recently. To achieve a holistic view of T. marneffei and talaromycosis, the current knowledge about talaromycosis and research breakthroughs regarding T. marneffei growth biology are discussed in this review, along with the interaction of the fungus with environmental stimuli and the host immune response to fungal infection. Importantly, the future research directions required for understanding this serious infection and its causative pathogenic fungus are also emphasized to identify solutions that will alleviate the suffering of susceptible individuals worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Intensive Care Unit, Biomedical Research Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - RunHua Han
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Shi Chen
- Intensive Care Unit, Biomedical Research Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Biomedical Research Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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Gangneux JP, Hoenigl M, Papon N. How to lose resistance to Aspergillus infections. Trends Microbiol 2023; 31:222-224. [PMID: 36754763 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The distinct risk factors to deadly infections by Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients are well known; however, so far, the mechanistic link between these predisposing conditions has been unknown. Sarden et al. recently unraveled a shared B1a lymphocyte-natural antibody-neutrophil defense pathway to Af, opening new perspectives in diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pierre Gangneux
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France; Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, LA-AspC Centre National de Référence des Mycoses et Antifongiques, European Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Centre hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Martin Hoenigl
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria; Translational Medical Mycology Research Unit, European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) Excellence Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Nicolas Papon
- Univ Angers, Univ Brest, IRF, SFR ICAT, F-49000 Angers, France
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Abstract
The respiratory tree maintains sterilizing immunity against human fungal pathogens. Humans inhale ubiquitous filamentous molds and geographically restricted dimorphic fungal pathogens that form small airborne conidia. In addition, pathogenic yeasts, exemplified by encapsulated Cryptococcus species, and Pneumocystis pose significant fungal threats to the lung. Classically, fungal pneumonia occurs in immune compromised individuals, specifically in patients with HIV/AIDS, in patients with hematologic malignancies, in organ transplant recipients, and in patients treated with corticosteroids and targeted biologics that impair fungal immune surveillance in the lung. The emergence of fungal co-infections during severe influenza and COVID-19 underscores the impairment of fungus-specific host defense pathways in the lung by respiratory viruses and by medical therapies to treat viral infections. Beyond life-threatening invasive syndromes, fungal antigen exposure can exacerbate allergenic disease in the lung. In this review, we discuss emerging principles of lung-specific antifungal immunity, integrate the contributions and cooperation of lung epithelial, innate immune, and adaptive immune cells to mucosal barrier immunity, and highlight the pathogenesis of fungal-associated allergenic disease. Improved understanding of fungus-specific immunity in the respiratory tree has paved the way to develop improved diagnostic, pre-emptive, therapeutic, and vaccine approaches for fungal diseases of the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena J Heung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Darin L Wiesner
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Keyi Wang
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Amariliz Rivera
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Tobias M Hohl
- Infectious Disease Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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Desai N, Pradhan V, Chougule D, Tiwari S, Mandke C, Yadav RM, Athvale A, Kawle J, Pai V, Pawaskar S, Kharkar H, Bhosale S, Parab A, Ansari S, Kumar KH, Mhashal S, Redkar N, Madkaikar M. Perturbations of immune landscape in COVID-19 associated mucormycosis. Mycoses 2023; 66:226-236. [PMID: 36380699 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A rise in secondary fungal infections during the COVID-19 pandemic necessitates a deeper understanding of the associated immunological perturbations. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the clinical and immunological characteristics observed in patients with COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) infection. PATIENTS/ METHODS Cases of mucormycosis with or post-COVID-19 infection were compared with cases of acute COVID-19 and convalescent COVID-19. Lymphocyte subsets, cytokines and other laboratory markers were compared between the groups. RESULTS The frequency of proposed risk factors for CAM was diabetes mellitus (77%), recent history of steroid use (69%) and hypoxia during COVID-19 infection (52%). Iron metabolism was dysregulated in CAM patients with low TIBC and total iron. Further, CAM was accompanied with lymphopenia with drastic reduction in B cell counts; however, plasmablasts were not altered. Further, CAM patients had low immunoglobulin levels and antibodies specific to mucor peptide did not increase in CAM suggesting dysfunction in B-cell response. There was increase in activated effector cytotoxic CD8 T cells and NK cells in CAM compared with COVID-19 infection and healthy controls. Among T helper cells, Tregs were reduced and Th-1 frequency was increased in CAM compared with COVID-19 infection. A distinct cytokine signature was evident in CAM with increase in IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-22, IL-17A, IL-10, IL-2, IL-8, IL-7, IL-21 and GM-CSF. CONCLUSION This is the first study on immunophenotyping in CAM suggesting the need for long-term monitoring of B-cell function after SARS-CoV-2 in patients with dysregulated glycaemic control and the possible benefit of therapeutic supplementation with intravenous immunoglobulins in CAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Desai
- Department of Pediatric Immunology and Leukocyte Biology, Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, India
| | - Vandana Pradhan
- Department of Clinical & Experimental Immunology, Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, India
| | - Durga Chougule
- Department of Clinical & Experimental Immunology, Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, India
| | - Smrati Tiwari
- Department of Medicine, G.S. Medical College, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Charuta Mandke
- Department of Ophthalmology, HBT Medical College and Dr R N Cooper Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Reetika Malik Yadav
- Department of Pediatric Immunology and Leukocyte Biology, Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, India
| | - Amita Athvale
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, G.S. Medical College, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Juhi Kawle
- Department of Medicine, G.S. Medical College, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Vinayak Pai
- Department of Medicine, G.S. Medical College, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Swapnal Pawaskar
- Department of Clinical & Experimental Immunology, Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, India
| | - Harshada Kharkar
- Department of Clinical & Experimental Immunology, Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, India
| | - Snehal Bhosale
- Department of Pediatric Immunology and Leukocyte Biology, Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, India
| | - Ankita Parab
- Department of Pediatric Immunology and Leukocyte Biology, Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, India
| | - Shazia Ansari
- Department of Ophthalmology, HBT Medical College and Dr R N Cooper Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Kinnera Harish Kumar
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, HBT Medical College and Dr R N Cooper Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Shashikant Mhashal
- Department of Otolaryngology, HBT Medical College and Dr R N Cooper Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Neelam Redkar
- Department of Medicine, HBT Medical College and Dr R N Cooper Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Manisha Madkaikar
- Department of Pediatric Immunology and Leukocyte Biology, Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, India
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Mochochoko BM, Pohl CH, O’Neill HG. Candida albicans-enteric viral interactions-The prostaglandin E 2 connection and host immune responses. iScience 2022; 26:105870. [PMID: 36647379 PMCID: PMC9839968 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The human microbiome comprises trillions of microorganisms residing within different mucosal cavities and across the body surface. The gut microbiota modulates host susceptibility to viral infections in several ways, and microbial interkingdom interactions increase viral infectivity within the gut. Candida albicans, a frequently encountered fungal species in the gut, produces highly structured biofilms and eicosanoids such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which aid in viral protection and replication. These biofilms encompass viruses and provide a shield from antiviral drugs or the immune system. PGE2 is a key modulator of active inflammation with the potential to regulate interferon signaling upon microbial invasion or viral infections. In this review, we raise the perspective of gut interkingdom interactions involving C. albicans and enteric viruses, with a special focus on biofilms, PGE2, and viral replication. Ultimately, we discuss the possible implications of C. albicans-enteric virus associations on host immune responses, particularly the interferon signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonang M. Mochochoko
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
| | - Carolina H. Pohl
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa,Corresponding author
| | - Hester G. O’Neill
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa,Corresponding author
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de Carvalho Patricio BF, da Silva Lopes Pereira JO, Sarcinelli MA, de Moraes BPT, Rocha HVA, Gonçalves-de-Albuquerque CF. Could the Lung Be a Gateway for Amphotericin B to Attack the Army of Fungi? Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:2707. [PMID: 36559201 PMCID: PMC9784761 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal diseases are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, primarily affecting immunocompromised patients. Aspergillus, Pneumocystis, and Cryptococcus are opportunistic fungi and may cause severe lung disease. They can develop mechanisms to evade the host immune system and colonize or cause lung disease. Current fungal infection treatments constitute a few classes of antifungal drugs with significant fungi resistance development. Amphotericin B (AmB) has a broad-spectrum antifungal effect with a low incidence of resistance. However, AmB is a highly lipophilic antifungal with low solubility and permeability and is unstable in light, heat, and oxygen. Due to the difficulty of achieving adequate concentrations of AmB in the lung by intravenous administration and seeking to minimize adverse effects, nebulized AmB has been used. The pulmonary pathway has advantages such as its rapid onset of action, low metabolic activity at the site of action, ability to avoid first-pass hepatic metabolism, lower risk of adverse effects, and thin thickness of the alveolar epithelium. This paper presented different strategies for pulmonary AmB delivery, detailing the potential of nanoformulation and hoping to foster research in the field. Our finds indicate that despite an optimistic scenario for the pulmonary formulation of AmB based on the encouraging results discussed here, there is still no product registration on the FDA nor any clinical trial undergoing ClinicalTrial.gov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Ferreira de Carvalho Patricio
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of State of Rio de Janeiro, 94 Frei Caneca Street, Rio de Janeiro 20211-010, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of State of Rio de Janeiro, 94 Frei Caneca Street, Rio de Janeiro 20211-010, Brazil
| | | | - Michelle Alvares Sarcinelli
- Laboratory of Micro and Nanotechnology, Institute of Technology of Drugs, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil Av., 4036, Rio de Janeiro 213040-361, Brazil
| | - Bianca Portugal Tavares de Moraes
- Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Rua Prof. Marcos Waldemar de Freitas Reis, Niterói 24210-201, Brazil
- Immunopharmacology Laboratory, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of State of Rio de Janeiro, 94 Frei Caneca Street, Rio de Janeiro 20211-010, Brazil
| | - Helvécio Vinicius Antunes Rocha
- Laboratory of Micro and Nanotechnology, Institute of Technology of Drugs, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil Av., 4036, Rio de Janeiro 213040-361, Brazil
| | - Cassiano Felippe Gonçalves-de-Albuquerque
- Postgraduate Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of State of Rio de Janeiro, 94 Frei Caneca Street, Rio de Janeiro 20211-010, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Rua Prof. Marcos Waldemar de Freitas Reis, Niterói 24210-201, Brazil
- Immunopharmacology Laboratory, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of State of Rio de Janeiro, 94 Frei Caneca Street, Rio de Janeiro 20211-010, Brazil
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Hoenigl M. When disaster strikes fungi take control. THE LANCET. RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2022; 10:1104-1106. [PMID: 36029798 PMCID: PMC9401974 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(22)00268-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Hoenigl
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Medical University of Graz, Graz 8036, Austria,BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria,Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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Gut Microbial Disruption in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8121265. [PMID: 36547598 PMCID: PMC9787122 DOI: 10.3390/jof8121265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES COVID-19 disease can be exacerbated by Aspergillus superinfection (CAPA). However, the causes of CAPA are not yet fully understood. Recently, alterations in the gut microbiome have been associated with a more complicated and severe disease course in COVID-19 patients, most likely due to immunological mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate a potential association between severe CAPA and alterations in the gut and bronchial microbial composition. METHODS We performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of stool and bronchial samples from a total of 16 COVID-19 patients with CAPA and 26 patients without CAPA. All patients were admitted to the intensive care unit. Results were carefully tested for potentially confounding influences on the microbiome during hospitalization. RESULTS We found that late in COVID-19 disease, CAPA patients exhibited a trend towards reduced gut microbial diversity. Furthermore, late-stage patients with CAPA superinfection exhibited an increased abundance of Staphylococcus epidermidis in the gut which was not found in late non-CAPA cases or early in the disease. The analysis of bronchial samples did not yield significant results. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study showing that alterations in the gut microbiome accompany severe CAPA and possibly influence the host's immunological response. In particular, an increase in Staphylococcus epidermidis in the intestine could be of importance.
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Morton CO, Griffiths JS, Loeffler J, Orr S, White PL. Defective antifungal immunity in patients with COVID-19. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1080822. [PMID: 36531987 PMCID: PMC9750792 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1080822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a huge strain on global healthcare and been a significant cause of increased morbidity and mortality, particularly in at-risk populations. This disease attacks the respiratory systems and causes significant immune dysregulation in affected patients creating a perfect opportunity for the development of invasive fungal disease (IFD). COVID-19 infection can instill a significant, poorly regulated pro-inflammatory response. Clinically induced immunosuppression or pro-inflammatory damage to mucosa facilitate the development of IFD and Aspergillus, Mucorales, and Candida infections have been regularly reported throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Corticosteroids and immune modulators are used in the treatment of COVID-19. Corticosteroid use is also a risk factor for IFD, but not the only reason for IFD in COVID -19 patients. Specific dysregulation of the immune system through functional exhaustion of Natural killer (NK) cells and T cells has been observed in COVID-19 through the expression of the exhaustion markers NK-G2A and PD-1. Reduced fungicidal activity of neutrophils from COVID-19 patients indicates that immune dysfunction/imbalance are important risk factors for IFD. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the at-risk population for IFD. Even if the incidence of IFD is relatively low, the size of this new at-risk population will result in a substantial increase in the overall, annual number of IFD cases. It is important to understand how and why certain patients with COVID-19 developed increased susceptibility to IFD, as this will improve our understanding of risk of IFD in the face of future pandemics but also in a clinical era of increased clinical immuno-suppression/modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James S. Griffiths
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Juergen Loeffler
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Selinda Orr
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - P. Lewis White
- Public Health Wales, Microbiology Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: P. Lewis White,
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Antifungal Activity of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) against Aspergilli Causing Aspergillosis: Ultrastructure Study. J Funct Biomater 2022; 13:jfb13040242. [PMID: 36412883 PMCID: PMC9680418 DOI: 10.3390/jfb13040242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, nanoparticles and nanomaterials are widely used for biomedical applications. In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully biosynthesized using a cell-free extract (CFE) of Bacillus thuringiensis MAE 6 through a green and ecofriendly method. The size of the biosynthesized AgNPs was 32.7 nm, and their crystalline nature was confirmed by XRD, according to characterization results. A surface plasmon resonance spectrum of AgNPs was obtained at 420 nm. Nanoparticles were further characterized using DLS and FTIR analyses, which provided information on their size, stability, and functional groups. AgNPs revealed less cytotoxicity against normal Vero cell line [IC50 = 155 μg/mL]. Moreover, the biosynthesized AgNPs exhibited promising antifungal activity against four most common Aspergillus, including Aspergillus niger, A. terreus, A. flavus, and A. fumigatus at concentrations of 500 μg/mL where inhibition zones were 16, 20, 26, and 19 mm, respectively. In addition, MICs of AgNPs against A. niger, A. terreus, A. flavus, and A. fumigatus were 125, 62.5, 15.62, and 62.5 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ultrastructural study confirmed the antifungal effect of AgNPs, where the cell wall's integrity and homogeneity were lost; the cell membrane had separated from the cell wall and had intruded into the cytoplasm. In conclusion, the biosynthesized AgNPs using a CFE of B. thuringiensis can be used as a promising antifungal agent against Aspergillus species causing Aspergillosis.
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Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Invasive Mold Infections: A Challenging Field. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8111127. [DOI: 10.3390/jof8111127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients comprise a highly immunocompromised group due to factors associated either with the treatment or the disease itself. Invasive mold infections (IMIs) are considered to be responsible for higher morbidity and mortality rates in patients with hematologic malignancies, including ALL. Defining the exact incidence of IMIs in ALL patients has been rather complicated. The available literature data report a highly variable incidence of IMIs, ranging from 2.2% to 15.4%. Although predisposing factors for IMIs in the setting of ALL are ill-defined, retrospective studies have indicated that a longer duration of neutropenia, treatment with high-dose corticosteroids, and a lack of antimold prophylaxis are associated with an increased risk of IMIs. Additionally, the influence of novel ALL treatments on the susceptibility to fungal infections remains obscure; however, initial data suggest that these treatments may induce prolonged neutropenia and thus an increased risk of IMIs. Administering primary antimold prophylaxis in these patients has been challenging since incorporating azole antifungal agents is troublesome, considering the drug-to-drug interactions (DDIs) and increased toxicity that may occur when these agents are coadministered with vincristine, a fundamental component of ALL chemotherapy regimens. Isavuconazole, along with several novel antifungal agents such as rezafungin, olorofim, and manogepix, may be appealing as primary antimold prophylaxis, given their broad-spectrum activity and less severe DDI potential. However, their use in ALL patients needs to be investigated through more clinical trials. In summary, this review outlines the epidemiology of IMI and the use of antifungal prophylaxis in ALL patients.
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Castro-Fuentes CA, Reyes-Montes MDR, Frías-De-León MG, Valencia-Ledezma OE, Acosta-Altamirano G, Duarte-Escalante E. Aspergillus-SARS-CoV-2 Coinfection: What Is Known? Pathogens 2022; 11:1227. [PMID: 36364979 PMCID: PMC9694759 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) has had a high incidence. In addition, it has been associated with prolonged hospital stays, as well as several predisposing risk factors, such as fungal factors (nosocomial organism, the size of the conidia, and the ability of the Aspergillus spp. of colonizing the respiratory tract), environmental factors (remodeling in hospitals, use of air conditioning and negative pressure in intensive care units), comorbidities, and immunosuppressive therapies. In addition to these factors, SARS-CoV-2 per se is associated with significant dysfunction of the patient's immune system, involving both innate and acquired immunity, with reduced CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts and cytokine storm. Therefore, this review aims to identify the factors influencing the fungus so that coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 can occur. In addition, we analyze the predisposing factors in the fungus, host, and the immune response alteration due to the pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 that causes the development of CAPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Alberto Castro-Fuentes
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - María del Rocío Reyes-Montes
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - María Guadalupe Frías-De-León
- Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ixtapaluca, Carretera Federal México-Puebla Km. 34.5, Pueblo de Zoquiapan, Ixtapaluca 56530, Mexico
| | - Omar E. Valencia-Ledezma
- Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ixtapaluca, Carretera Federal México-Puebla Km. 34.5, Pueblo de Zoquiapan, Ixtapaluca 56530, Mexico
| | - Gustavo Acosta-Altamirano
- Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ixtapaluca, Carretera Federal México-Puebla Km. 34.5, Pueblo de Zoquiapan, Ixtapaluca 56530, Mexico
| | - Esperanza Duarte-Escalante
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
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Higgins E, Gupta A, Cummins NW. Polymicrobial Infections in the Immunocompromised Host: The COVID-19 Realm and Beyond. Med Sci (Basel) 2022; 10:medsci10040060. [PMID: 36278530 PMCID: PMC9589947 DOI: 10.3390/medsci10040060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunosuppression changes both susceptibility to and presentation of infection. Infection with one pathogen can also alter host response to a different, unrelated pathogen. These interactions have been seen across multiple infection domains where bacteria, viruses or fungi act synergistically with a deleterious impact on the host. This phenomenon has been well described with bacterial and fungal infections complicating influenza and is of particular interest in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Modulation of the immune system is a crucial part of successful solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Herein, we present three cases of polymicrobial infection in transplant recipients. These case examples highlight complex host–pathogen interactions and the resultant clinical syndromes.
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Mina S, Yaakoub H, Annweiler C, Dubée V, Papon N. COVID-19 and Fungal Infections: A Double Debacle. Microbes Infect 2022; 24:105039. [PMID: 36030024 PMCID: PMC9400371 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2022.105039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections remain hardly treatable because of unstandardized diagnostic tests, limited antifungal armamentarium, and more specifically, potential toxic interactions between antifungals and immunosuppressants used during anti-inflammatory therapies, such as those set up in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Taking into account pre-existing difficulties in treating vulnerable COVID-19 patients, any co-occurrence of infectious diseases like fungal infections constitutes a double debacle for patients, healthcare experts, and the public economy. Since the first appearance of SARS-CoV-2, a significant rise in threatening fungal co-infections in COVID-19 patients has been testified in the scientific literature. Better management of fungal infections in COVID-19 patients is, therefore, a priority and requires highlighting common risk factors, relationships with immunosuppression, as well as challenges in fungal diagnosis and treatment. The present review attempts to highlight these aspects in the three most identified causative agents of fungal co-infections in COVID-19 patients: Aspergillus, Candida, and Mucorales species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Mina
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Hajar Yaakoub
- Univ Angers, Univ Brest, IRF, SFR ICAT, F-49000, Angers, France
| | - Cédric Annweiler
- Department of Geriatric Medicine and Memory Clinic, Research Center on Autonomy and Longevity, University Hospital of Angers, Angers, France; Univ Angers, Université de Nantes, LPPL, SFR CONFLUENCES, F-49000 Angers, France
| | - Vincent Dubée
- Univ Angers, Université de Nantes, Inserm, CRCINA, INCIT, SFR ICAT, F-49000 Angers, France; Infectious Diseases Department, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France
| | - Nicolas Papon
- Univ Angers, Univ Brest, IRF, SFR ICAT, F-49000, Angers, France.
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Tappe B, Lauruschkat CD, Strobel L, Pantaleón García J, Kurzai O, Rebhan S, Kraus S, Pfeuffer-Jovic E, Bussemer L, Possler L, Held M, Hünniger K, Kniemeyer O, Schäuble S, Brakhage AA, Panagiotou G, White PL, Einsele H, Löffler J, Wurster S. COVID-19 patients share common, corticosteroid-independent features of impaired host immunity to pathogenic molds. Front Immunol 2022; 13:954985. [PMID: 36052094 PMCID: PMC9427195 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.954985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients suffering from coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) are susceptible to deadly secondary fungal infections such as COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis and COVID-19-associated mucormycosis. Despite this clinical observation, direct experimental evidence for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-driven alterations of antifungal immunity is scarce. Using an ex-vivo whole blood stimulation assay, we challenged blood from twelve COVID-19 patients with Aspergillus fumigatus and Rhizopus arrhizus antigens and studied the expression of activation, maturation, and exhaustion markers, as well as cytokine secretion. Compared to healthy controls, T-helper cells from COVID-19 patients displayed increased expression levels of the exhaustion marker PD-1 and weakened A. fumigatus- and R. arrhizus-induced activation. While baseline secretion of proinflammatory cytokines was massively elevated, whole blood from COVID-19 patients elicited diminished release of T-cellular (e.g., IFN-γ, IL-2) and innate immune cell-derived (e.g., CXCL9, CXCL10) cytokines in response to A. fumigatus and R. arrhizus antigens. Additionally, samples from COVID-19 patients showed deficient granulocyte activation by mold antigens and reduced fungal killing capacity of neutrophils. These features of weakened anti-mold immune responses were largely decoupled from COVID-19 severity, the time elapsed since diagnosis of COVID-19, and recent corticosteroid uptake, suggesting that impaired anti-mold defense is a common denominator of the underlying SARS-CoV-2 infection. Taken together, these results expand our understanding of the immune predisposition to post-viral mold infections and could inform future studies of immunotherapeutic strategies to prevent and treat fungal superinfections in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beeke Tappe
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Chris D. Lauruschkat
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lea Strobel
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jezreel Pantaleón García
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Oliver Kurzai
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology–Hans -Knöll- Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Silke Rebhan
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Kraus
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Elena Pfeuffer-Jovic
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Missionsärztliche Klinik Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lydia Bussemer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lotte Possler
- Department of Internal Medicine, Main-Klinik Ochsenfurt, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Held
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Missionsärztliche Klinik Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Hünniger
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology–Hans -Knöll- Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology–Hans -Knöll- Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sascha Schäuble
- Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology–Hans -Knöll- Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A. Brakhage
- Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology–Hans -Knöll- Institute, Jena, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Gianni Panagiotou
- Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology–Hans -Knöll- Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - P. Lewis White
- Public Health Wales, Microbiology Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Löffler
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Jürgen Löffler, ; Sebastian Wurster,
| | - Sebastian Wurster
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
- *Correspondence: Jürgen Löffler, ; Sebastian Wurster,
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Díaz-Dinamarca DA, Salazar ML, Castillo BN, Manubens A, Vasquez AE, Salazar F, Becker MI. Protein-Based Adjuvants for Vaccines as Immunomodulators of the Innate and Adaptive Immune Response: Current Knowledge, Challenges, and Future Opportunities. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081671. [PMID: 36015297 PMCID: PMC9414397 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
New-generation vaccines, formulated with subunits or nucleic acids, are less immunogenic than classical vaccines formulated with live-attenuated or inactivated pathogens. This difference has led to an intensified search for additional potent vaccine adjuvants that meet safety and efficacy criteria and confer long-term protection. This review provides an overview of protein-based adjuvants (PBAs) obtained from different organisms, including bacteria, mollusks, plants, and humans. Notably, despite structural differences, all PBAs show significant immunostimulatory properties, eliciting B-cell- and T-cell-mediated immune responses to administered antigens, providing advantages over many currently adopted adjuvant approaches. Furthermore, PBAs are natural biocompatible and biodegradable substances that induce minimal reactogenicity and toxicity and interact with innate immune receptors, enhancing their endocytosis and modulating subsequent adaptive immune responses. We propose that PBAs can contribute to the development of vaccines against complex pathogens, including intracellular pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, those with complex life cycles such as Plasmodium falciparum, those that induce host immune dysfunction such as HIV, those that target immunocompromised individuals such as fungi, those with a latent disease phase such as Herpes, those that are antigenically variable such as SARS-CoV-2 and those that undergo continuous evolution, to reduce the likelihood of outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego A. Díaz-Dinamarca
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Sección de Biotecnología, Departamento Agencia Nacional de Dispositivos Médicos, Innovación y Desarrollo, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Michelle L. Salazar
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Byron N. Castillo
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Augusto Manubens
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Biosonda Corporation, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Abel E. Vasquez
- Sección de Biotecnología, Departamento Agencia Nacional de Dispositivos Médicos, Innovación y Desarrollo, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias para el Cuidado de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Providencia, Santiago 8320000, Chile
| | - Fabián Salazar
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- Correspondence: (F.S.); (M.I.B.)
| | - María Inés Becker
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Biosonda Corporation, Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Correspondence: (F.S.); (M.I.B.)
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Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated invasive fungal infections are an important complication in a substantial number of critically ill, hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Three groups of fungal pathogens cause co-infections in COVID-19: Aspergillus, Mucorales and Candida species, including Candida auris. Here we review the incidence of COVID-19-associated invasive fungal infections caused by these fungi in low-, middle- and high-income countries. By evaluating the epidemiology, clinical risk factors, predisposing features of the host environment and immunological mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of these co-infections, we set the scene for future research and development of clinical guidance. Hoenigl and colleagues review the epidemiology, immunology and clinical risk factors contributing to COVID-19-associated fungal infections.
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46
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Davies GE, Thornton CR. Development of a Monoclonal Antibody and a Serodiagnostic Lateral-Flow Device Specific to Rhizopus arrhizus (Syn. R. oryzae), the Principal Global Agent of Mucormycosis in Humans. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8070756. [PMID: 35887511 PMCID: PMC9325280 DOI: 10.3390/jof8070756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucormycosis is a highly aggressive angio-invasive disease of humans caused by fungi in the zygomycete order, Mucorales. Though a number of different species can cause mucormycosis, the principal agent of the disease worldwide is Rhizopus arrhizus, which accounts for the majority of rhino-orbital-cerebral, pulmonary, and disseminated infections in immunocompromised individuals. It is also the main cause of life-threatening infections in patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, and in corticosteroid-treated patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, where it causes the newly described disease, COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM). Diagnosis currently relies on non-specific CT, a lengthy and insensitive culture from invasive biopsy, and a time-consuming histopathology of tissue samples. At present, there are no rapid antigen tests for the disease that detect biomarkers of infection, and which allow point-of-care diagnosis. Here, we report the development of an IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), KC9, which is specific to Rhizopus arrhizus var. arrhizus (syn. Rhizopus oryzae) and Rhizopus arrhizus var. delemar (Rhizopus delemar), and which binds to a 15 kDa extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) antigen secreted during hyphal growth of the pathogen. Using the mAb, we have developed a competitive lateral-flow device (LFD) that allows rapid (30 min) and sensitive (~50 ng/mL running buffer) detection of the EPS biomarker, and which is compatible with human serum (limit of detection of ~500 ng/mL) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (limit of detection of ~100 ng/mL). The LFD, therefore, provides a potential novel opportunity for the non-invasive detection of mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus arrhizus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genna E. Davies
- ISCA Diagnostics Ltd., B12A, Hatherly Laboratories, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter EX4 4PS, UK;
| | - Christopher R. Thornton
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- Correspondence:
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Elbaz M, Korem M, Ayalon O, Wiener-Well Y, Shachor-Meyouhas Y, Cohen R, Bishara J, Atamna A, Brosh-Nissimov T, Maaravi N, Nesher L, Chazan B, Reisfeld S, Zimhony O, Chowers M, Maor Y, Katchman E, Ben-Ami R. Invasive Fungal Diseases in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 in Israel: A Multicenter Cohort Study. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8070721. [PMID: 35887476 PMCID: PMC9317957 DOI: 10.3390/jof8070721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Highly variable estimates of COVID-19-associated fungal diseases (IFDs) have been reported. We aimed to determine the incidence of clinically important fungal diseases in hospitalized COVID-19 patients during the first year of the pandemic. We performed a multicenter survey of IFDs among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in 13 hospitals in Israel between February 2020 and May 2021. COVID-19-associated pulmonary mold disease (PMD) and invasive candidiasis (IC) were defined using ECMM/ISHAM and EORTC/MSG criteria, respectively. Overall rates of IC and PMD among patients with critical COVID-19 were 10.86 and 10.20 per 1000 admissions, respectively, with significant variability among medical centers. PMD rates were significantly lower in centers where galactomannan was a send-out test versus centers with on-site testing (p = 0.035). The 30-day mortality rate was 67.5% for IC and 57.5% for PMD. Treatment with an echinocandin for IC or an extended-spectrum azole for PMD was associated with significantly lower mortality rates (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.26 [0.07–0.91] and 0.23 [0.093–0.57], respectively). In this multicenter national survey, variable rates of PMD were associated with on-site galactomannan testing, suggesting under-detection in sites lacking this capacity. COVID-19-related IFDs were associated with high mortality rates, which were reduced with appropriate antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meital Elbaz
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.E.); (E.K.)
| | - Maya Korem
- Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 9101002, Israel; (M.K.); (O.A.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9101002, Israel; (Y.W.-W.); (O.Z.)
| | - Oshrat Ayalon
- Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 9101002, Israel; (M.K.); (O.A.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9101002, Israel; (Y.W.-W.); (O.Z.)
| | - Yonit Wiener-Well
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9101002, Israel; (Y.W.-W.); (O.Z.)
- Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem 9101002, Israel
| | - Yael Shachor-Meyouhas
- Rambam Medical Center, Haifa 3109601, Israel;
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa 3109601, Israel; (R.C.); (B.C.); (S.R.)
| | - Regev Cohen
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa 3109601, Israel; (R.C.); (B.C.); (S.R.)
- Laniado Medical Center, Netanya 4290200, Israel
| | - Jihad Bishara
- Rabin Medical Medical Center, Petah-Tiqva 4910002, Israel; (J.B.); (A.A.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.C.); (Y.M.)
| | - Alaa Atamna
- Rabin Medical Medical Center, Petah-Tiqva 4910002, Israel; (J.B.); (A.A.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.C.); (Y.M.)
| | - Tal Brosh-Nissimov
- Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital, Ashdod 7747629, Israel; (T.B.-N.); (N.M.)
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University in the Negev, Beer Sheba 8443944, Israel;
| | - Nir Maaravi
- Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital, Ashdod 7747629, Israel; (T.B.-N.); (N.M.)
| | - Lior Nesher
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University in the Negev, Beer Sheba 8443944, Israel;
- Soroka Medical Center, Beer Sheba 8443944, Israel
| | - Bibiana Chazan
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa 3109601, Israel; (R.C.); (B.C.); (S.R.)
- Ha’Emek Medical Center, Afula 1834111, Israel
| | - Sharon Reisfeld
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa 3109601, Israel; (R.C.); (B.C.); (S.R.)
- Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera 3810101, Israel
| | - Oren Zimhony
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9101002, Israel; (Y.W.-W.); (O.Z.)
- Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Michal Chowers
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.C.); (Y.M.)
- Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba 4428164, Israel
| | - Yasmin Maor
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.C.); (Y.M.)
- Wolfson Medical Center, Holon 5822012, Israel
| | - Eugene Katchman
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.E.); (E.K.)
| | - Ronen Ben-Ami
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.E.); (E.K.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.C.); (Y.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-3-6974347
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Yoon YK. Call for evidence mapping in accordance with the changing features of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Korean J Intern Med 2022; 37:742-744. [PMID: 35811364 PMCID: PMC9271729 DOI: 10.3904/kjim.2022.199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Young Kyung Yoon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Russo A, Morrone HL, Rotundo S, Trecarichi EM, Torti C. Cytokine Profile of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Severe COVID-19 and Possible Therapeutic Targets. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12061364. [PMID: 35741174 PMCID: PMC9221957 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12061364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a higher incidence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis was observed in patients affected by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), leading to the delineation of a new entity named COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). A predisposition to invasive infection caused by Aspergillus spp. in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients can be ascribed either to the direct viral-mediated damage of the respiratory epithelium, as already observed in influenza H1N1 virus infections, or to the dysregulated immunity associated with COVID-19. This narrative review focuses on the impact of immune impairment, particularly due to cytokine dysregulation caused by Aspergillus spp. superinfection in COVID-19 for a more in-depth understanding of the molecular pathways implicated in CAPA. As immune competence has proven to be essential in protecting against CAPA onset, a role already threatened by SARS-CoV-2 infection itself, preventive strategies should focus on reducing factors that could further target the host immune system. We also aimed to focus on well-known and less-known risk factors for IPA in COVID-19 patients, related to the main causes of immune suppression, both virus-mediated and iatrogenic, including treatments currently indicated for COVID-19. Lastly, possible preventive strategies aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality due to CAPA could be implemented.
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50
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Er B, Er AG, Gülmez D, Şahin TK, Halaçlı B, Durhan G, Ersoy EO, Alp A, Metan G, Saribas Z, Arikan‐Akdagli S, Hazırolan G, Akıncı SB, Arıyürek M, Topeli A, Uzun Ö. A screening study for
COVID
‐19‐associated pulmonary aspergillosis in critically ill patients during the third wave of the pandemic. Mycoses 2022; 65:724-732. [PMID: 35531631 PMCID: PMC9348343 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background COVID‐19‐associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) has been reported as an important cause of mortality in critically ill patients with an incidence rate ranging from 5% to 35% during the first and second pandemic waves. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors for CAPA by a screening protocol and outcome in the critically ill patients during the third wave of the pandemic. Patients/Methods This prospective cohort study was conducted in two intensive care units (ICU) designated for patients with COVID‐19 in a tertiary care university hospital between 18 November 2020 and 24 April 2021. SARS‐CoV‐2 PCR‐positive adult patients admitted to the ICU with respiratory failure were included in the study. Serum and respiratory samples were collected periodically from ICU admission up to CAPA diagnosis, patient discharge or death. ECMM/ISHAM consensus criteria were used to diagnose and classify CAPA cases. Results A total of 302 patients were admitted to the two ICUs during the study period, and 213 were included in the study. CAPA was diagnosed in 43 (20.1%) patients (12.2% probable, 7.9% possible). In regression analysis, male sex, higher SOFA scores at ICU admission, invasive mechanical ventilation and longer ICU stay were significantly associated with CAPA development. Overall ICU mortality rate was higher significantly in CAPA group compared to those with no CAPA (67.4% vs 29.4%, p < .001). Conclusions One fifth of critically ill patients in COVID‐19 ICUs developed CAPA, and this was associated with a high mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berrin Er
- Division of Intensive Care, Department of Internal Medicine Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
- Ankara City Hospital, Intensive Care Unit Ankara
| | - Ahmet Görkem Er
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
| | - Dolunay Gülmez
- Department of Medical Microbiology Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
| | - Taha Koray Şahin
- Department of Internal Medicine Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
| | - Burçin Halaçlı
- Division of Intensive Care, Department of Internal Medicine Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
| | - Gamze Durhan
- Department of Radiology Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
| | - Ebru Ortaç Ersoy
- Division of Intensive Care, Department of Internal Medicine Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
| | - Alpaslan Alp
- Department of Medical Microbiology Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
| | - Gökhan Metan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
| | - Zeynep Saribas
- Department of Medical Microbiology Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
| | - Sevtap Arikan‐Akdagli
- Department of Medical Microbiology Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
| | - Gülşen Hazırolan
- Department of Medical Microbiology Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
| | - Seda Banu Akıncı
- Division of Intensive Care, Department of Anaestesiology and Reanimation Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
| | - Macit Arıyürek
- Department of Radiology Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
| | - Arzu Topeli
- Division of Intensive Care, Department of Internal Medicine Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
| | - Ömrüm Uzun
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Turkey
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