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Hsu AP. The Known and Unknown "Knowns" of Human Susceptibility to Coccidioidomycosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:256. [PMID: 38667927 PMCID: PMC11051025 DOI: 10.3390/jof10040256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis occurs after inhalation of airborne spores of the endemic, dimorphic fungus, Coccidioides. While the majority of individuals resolve the infection without coming to medical attention, the fungus is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia in the endemic region, and chronic pulmonary and extrapulmonary disease poses significant personal and economic burdens. This review explores the literature surrounding human susceptibility to coccidioidomycosis, including chronic pulmonary and extrapulmonary dissemination. Over the past century of study, themes have emerged surrounding factors impacting human susceptibility to severe disease or dissemination, including immune suppression, genetic susceptibility, sex, pregnancy, and genetic ancestry. Early studies were observational, frequently with small numbers of cases; several of these early studies are highly cited in review papers, becoming part of the coccidioidomycosis "canon". Specific genetic variants, sex, and immune suppression by TNF inhibitors have been validated in later cohort studies, confirming the original hypotheses. By contrast, some risk factors, such as ABO blood group, Filipino ancestry, or lack of erythema nodosum among black individuals, are repeated in the literature despite the lack of supporting studies or biologic plausibility. Using examination of historical reports coupled with recent cohort and epidemiology studies, evidence for commonly reported risk factors is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy P Hsu
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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2
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Tangye SG, Mackie J, Pathmanandavel K, Ma CS. The trajectory of human B-cell function, immune deficiency, and allergy revealed by inborn errors of immunity. Immunol Rev 2024; 322:212-232. [PMID: 37983844 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The essential role of B cells is to produce protective immunoglobulins (Ig) that recognize, neutralize, and clear invading pathogens. This results from the integration of signals provided by pathogens or vaccines and the stimulatory microenvironment within sites of immune activation, such as secondary lymphoid tissues, that drive mature B cells to differentiate into memory B cells and antibody (Ab)-secreting plasma cells. In this context, B cells undergo several molecular events including Ig class switching and somatic hypermutation that results in the production of high-affinity Ag-specific Abs of different classes, enabling effective pathogen neutralization and long-lived humoral immunity. However, perturbations to these key signaling pathways underpin immune dyscrasias including immune deficiency and autoimmunity or allergy. Inborn errors of immunity that disrupt critical immune pathways have identified non-redundant requirements for eliciting and maintaining humoral immune memory but concomitantly prevent immune dysregulation. Here, we will discuss our studies on human B cells, and how our investigation of cytokine signaling in B cells have identified fundamental requirements for memory B-cell formation, Ab production as well as regulating Ig class switching in the context of protective versus allergic immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart G Tangye
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joseph Mackie
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Karrnan Pathmanandavel
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cindy S Ma
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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3
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Vinh DC. From Mendel to mycoses: Immuno-genomic warfare at the human-fungus interface. Immunol Rev 2024; 322:28-52. [PMID: 38069482 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Fungi are opportunists: They particularly require a defect of immunity to cause severe or disseminated disease. While often secondary to an apparent iatrogenic cause, fungal diseases do occur in the absence of one, albeit infrequently. These rare cases may be due to an underlying genetic immunodeficiency that can present variably in age of onset, severity, or other infections, and in the absence of a family history of disease. They may also be due to anti-cytokine autoantibodies. This review provides a background on how human genetics or autoantibodies underlie cases of susceptibility to severe or disseminated fungal disease. Subsequently, the lessons learned from these inborn errors of immunity marked by fungal disease (IEI-FD) provide a framework to begin to mechanistically decipher fungal syndromes, potentially paving the way for precision therapy of the mycoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald C Vinh
- Infectious Diseases - Hematology/Oncology/Transplant Clinical Program, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre of Excellence for Genetic Research in Infection and Immunity, Research Institute - McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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4
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Galgiani JN, Kauffman CA. Coccidioidomycosis and Histoplasmosis in Immunocompetent Persons. N Engl J Med 2024; 390:536-547. [PMID: 38324487 DOI: 10.1056/nejmra2306821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- John N Galgiani
- From the Valley Fever Center for Excellence, the Departments of Medicine and Immunobiology, College of Medicine-Tucson, and the BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson (J.N.G.); and the Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor (C.A.K.)
| | - Carol A Kauffman
- From the Valley Fever Center for Excellence, the Departments of Medicine and Immunobiology, College of Medicine-Tucson, and the BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson (J.N.G.); and the Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor (C.A.K.)
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5
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Ferguson AJ, Thompson GR, Bruyette D, Sykes JE. The dog as a sentinel and animal model for coccidioidomycosis. Med Mycol 2024; 62:myad139. [PMID: 38148116 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis is a potentially fatal fungal disease of humans and animals that follows inhalation of Coccidioides spp. arthroconidia in the environment. The disease in dogs resembles that in people, and because dogs may be at increased risk of exposure due to their proximity to the ground and digging behavior, they are valuable models for the disease in humans. Dogs have been sentinels for identification of new regions of endemicity in Washington and Texas. Canine serosurveillance has also been used to predict variables associated with environmental presence of Coccidioides spp. Expansion of the endemic region of coccidioidomycosis with climate change-along with predicted population increases and increased development in the southwest United States-may result in 45.4 million additional people at risk of infection by 2090. Here we provide an overview of the value of dogs as sentinels for the disease and encourage the routine reporting of coccidioidomycosis cases in dogs to public health agencies. We also highlight the value of dogs as naturally occurring models for studying novel treatment options and preventatives, such as a novel live avirulent coccidioidomycosis vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Ferguson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - George R Thompson
- Department of Internal Medicine - Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California-Davis, Davis, USA
| | | | - Jane E Sykes
- Department of Medicine & Epidemiology, University of California-Davis, Davis, USA
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6
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Baysac K, Sun G, Nakano H, Schmitz EG, Cruz AC, Fisher C, Bailey AC, Mace E, Milner JD, Ombrello MJ. PLCG2-associated immune dysregulation (PLAID) comprises broad and distinct clinical presentations related to functional classes of genetic variants. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 153:230-242. [PMID: 37769878 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.08.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogenic variants of phospholipase C gamma 2 (PLCG2) cause 2 related forms of autosomal-dominant immune dysregulation (ID), PLCγ2-associated antibody deficiency and immune dysregulation (PLAID) and autoinflammatory PLAID (APLAID). Since describing these conditions, many PLCG2 variants of uncertain significance have been identified by clinical sequencing of patients with diverse features of ID. OBJECTIVE We sought to functionally classify PLCG2 variants and explore known and novel genotype-function-phenotype relationships. METHODS Clinical data from patients with PLCG2 variants were obtained via standardized questionnaire. PLCG2 variants were generated by mutagenesis of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-PLCG2 plasmid, which was overexpressed in Plcg2-deficient DT-40 B cells. B-cell receptor-induced calcium flux and extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation were assayed by flow cytometry. In some cases, stimulation-induced calcium flux was also measured in primary patient cells. RESULTS Three-fourths of PLCG2 variants produced functional alteration of B-cell activation, in vitro. Thirteen variants led to gain of function (GOF); however, most functional variants defined a new class of PLCG2 mutation, monoallelic loss of function (LOF). Susceptibility to infection and autoinflammation were common with both GOF and LOF variants, whereas a new phenotypic cluster consisting of humoral immune deficiency, autoinflammation, susceptibility to herpesvirus infection, and natural killer cell dysfunction was observed in association with multiple heterozygous LOF variants detected in both familial and sporadic cases. In some cases, PLCG2 variants produced greater effects in natural killer cells than in B cells. CONCLUSIONS This work expands the genotypic and phenotypic associations with functional variation in PLCG2, including a novel form of ID in carriers of heterozygous loss of PLCG2 function. It also demonstrates the need for more diverse assays for assessing the impact of PLCG2 variants on human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Baysac
- Translational Genetics and Genomics Section, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Guangping Sun
- Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Hiroto Nakano
- Translational Genetics and Genomics Section, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Elizabeth G Schmitz
- Translational Genetics and Genomics Section, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Anthony C Cruz
- Translational Genetics and Genomics Section, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Charles Fisher
- Translational Genetics and Genomics Section, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Alexis C Bailey
- Translational Genetics and Genomics Section, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Emily Mace
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY
| | - Joshua D Milner
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY
| | - Michael J Ombrello
- Translational Genetics and Genomics Section, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.
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Elalouf A, Elalouf H, Rosenfeld A. Modulatory immune responses in fungal infection associated with organ transplant - advancements, management, and challenges. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1292625. [PMID: 38143753 PMCID: PMC10748506 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1292625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ transplantation stands as a pivotal achievement in modern medicine, offering hope to individuals with end-stage organ diseases. Advancements in immunology led to improved organ transplant survival through the development of immunosuppressants, but this heightened susceptibility to fungal infections with nonspecific symptoms in recipients. This review aims to establish an intricate balance between immune responses and fungal infections in organ transplant recipients. It explores the fundamental immune mechanisms, recent advances in immune response dynamics, and strategies for immune modulation, encompassing responses to fungal infections, immunomodulatory approaches, diagnostics, treatment challenges, and management. Early diagnosis of fungal infections in transplant patients is emphasized with the understanding that innate immune responses could potentially reduce immunosuppression and promise efficient and safe immuno-modulating treatments. Advances in fungal research and genetic influences on immune-fungal interactions are underscored, as well as the potential of single-cell technologies integrated with machine learning for biomarker discovery. This review provides a snapshot of the complex interplay between immune responses and fungal infections in organ transplantation and underscores key research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Elalouf
- Department of Management, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Hadas Elalouf
- Information Science Department, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ariel Rosenfeld
- Information Science Department, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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8
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Krogstad P, Thompson GR, Heidari A, Kuran R, Stephens AV, Butte MJ, Johnson R. A Clinicopathological Categorization System for Clinical Research in Coccidioidomycosis. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad597. [PMID: 38156047 PMCID: PMC10753911 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A wide array of clinical manifestations follow infection with Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii, ranging from asymptomatic infection to life-threatening pulmonary disease or extrapulmonary dissemination and meningitis. Epidemiological studies require consistent definitions of cases and their comparative clinical features. Understanding host and pathogen determinants of the severity of coccidioidomycosis also requires that specific clinical features (such as coccidioidal meningitis) and their overlap be precisely defined and quantified. Here we propose a system for categorization of outcomes of coccidioidomycosis in individuals who are not overtly immunocompromised that harmonizes clinical assessments during translational research of this increasingly common disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Krogstad
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - George R Thompson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento California, USA
| | - Arash Heidari
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Dignity Health, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, Bakersfield, California, USA
| | - Rasha Kuran
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, Kern Medical, Bakersfield, California, USA
| | - Alexis V Stephens
- Institute of Precision Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Manish J Butte
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Royce Johnson
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, Kern Medical, Bakersfield, California, USA
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9
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Moni BM, Wise BL, Loots GG, Weilhammer DR. Coccidioidomycosis Osteoarticular Dissemination. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1002. [PMID: 37888258 PMCID: PMC10607509 DOI: 10.3390/jof9101002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Valley fever or coccidioidomycosis is a pulmonary infection caused by species of Coccidioides fungi that are endemic to California and Arizona. Skeletal coccidioidomycosis accounts for about half of disseminated infections, with the vertebral spine being the preferred site of dissemination. Most cases of skeletal coccidioidomycosis progress to bone destruction or spread to adjacent structures such as joints, tendons, and other soft tissues, causing significant pain and restricting mobility. Manifestations of such cases are usually nonspecific, making diagnosis very challenging, especially in non-endemic areas. The lack of basic knowledge and research data on the mechanisms defining susceptibility to extrapulmonary infection, especially when it involves bones and joints, prompted us to survey available clinical and animal data to establish specific research questions that remain to be investigated. In this review, we explore published literature reviews, case reports, and case series on the dissemination of coccidioidomycosis to bones and/or joints. We highlight key differential features with other conditions and opportunities for mechanistic and basic research studies that can help develop novel diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedicte M. Moni
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Barton L. Wise
- Lawrence J. Ellison Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California Davis Health, 2700 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (B.L.W.)
| | - Gabriela G. Loots
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
- Lawrence J. Ellison Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California Davis Health, 2700 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (B.L.W.)
| | - Dina R. Weilhammer
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
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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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11
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Miranda N, Hoyer KK. Coccidioidomycosis Granulomas Informed by Other Diseases: Advancements, Gaps, and Challenges. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:650. [PMID: 37367586 DOI: 10.3390/jof9060650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Valley fever is a respiratory disease caused by a soil fungus, Coccidioides, that is inhaled upon soil disruption. One mechanism by which the host immune system attempts to control and eliminate Coccidioides is through granuloma formation. However, very little is known about granulomas during Coccidioides infection. Granulomas were first identified in tuberculosis (TB) lungs as early as 1679, and yet many gaps in our understanding of granuloma formation, maintenance, and regulation remain. Granulomas are best defined in TB, providing clues that may be leveraged to understand Coccidioides infections. Granulomas also form during several other infectious and spontaneous diseases including sarcoidosis, chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), and others. This review explores our current understanding of granulomas, as well as potential mechanisms, and applies this knowledge to unraveling coccidioidomycosis granulomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Miranda
- Quantitative Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Katrina K Hoyer
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
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12
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Sivasubramanian G, Kadakia S, Kim JM, Pervaiz S, Yan Y, Libke R. Challenges in the Long-term Management of Patients With Coccidioidal Meningitis: A Retrospective Analysis of Treatment and Outcomes. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad243. [PMID: 37333722 PMCID: PMC10270562 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Coccidioidal meningitis (CM) is the most severe form of disseminated coccidioidomycosis. Despite years of clinical experience, it remains a difficult condition to treat, often requiring surgical procedures, such as placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, in addition to lifelong antifungal therapy. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with CM seen in a large referral center in Central Valley, California, from 2010 to 2020. Data pertinent to CM were collected and analyzed. Results Among 133 patients with CM identified in the 10-year period, nonadherence to antifungal therapy was noted in 43% of patients. Of the 80 patients who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement for management of intracranial pressure, shunt failure requiring revision surgery occurred in 42 (52.5%). Rehospitalizations due to CM-related reasons occurred in 78 of 133 patients (59%). Twenty-three percent of patients (n = 29) died due to complications from CM, on an average 22 months after the diagnosis of CM. Encephalopathy at presentation was associated with a significantly higher risk of death. Conclusions Patients with CM in central California are predominantly rural agricultural workers with elevated levels of poverty and low health literacy and many barriers to care, leading to high rates of medication nonadherence and loss to follow-up outpatient care. Management challenges are frequent, such as failure of antifungal therapy, high rates of rehospitalization, and the need for repeated shunt revision surgeries. In addition to the development of curative new antifungal agents, understanding the barriers to patient adherence to care and antifungal therapy and identifying means to overcome such barriers are of paramount importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetha Sivasubramanian
- Correspondence: Geetha Sivasubramanian, MD, FIDSA, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco at Fresno, 155 N Fresno St, Suite 307, Fresno, CA 93701 (); Robert Libke, MD, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco at Fresno, 155 N Fresno St, Suite 307, Fresno, CA 93701 ()
| | - Saurin Kadakia
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Fresno, California, USA
| | - Jani M Kim
- Division of Infectious Disease, University of California, San Francisco, Fresno, California, USA
| | - Sarah Pervaiz
- Division of Infectious Disease, University of California, San Francisco, Fresno, California, USA
| | - Yueqi Yan
- HSRI Biostatistics and Data Support Core, University of California, Merced, California, USA
| | - Robert Libke
- Correspondence: Geetha Sivasubramanian, MD, FIDSA, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco at Fresno, 155 N Fresno St, Suite 307, Fresno, CA 93701 (); Robert Libke, MD, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco at Fresno, 155 N Fresno St, Suite 307, Fresno, CA 93701 ()
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13
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Galgiani JN, Hsu AP, Powell DA, Vyas JM, Holland SM. Genetic and Other Determinants for the Severity of Coccidioidomycosis: A Clinician's Perspective. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9050554. [PMID: 37233265 DOI: 10.3390/jof9050554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The endemic fungal infection, coccidioidomycosis, occurs after inhalation of one or very few Coccidioides spp. spores. Infections produce diverse clinical manifestations, ranging from insignificant to extremely destructive, even fatal. Approaches to understanding this range of consequences have traditionally categorized patients into a small number of groups (asymptomatic, uncomplicated self-limited, fibro-cavitary, and extra-thoracic disseminated) and then looked for immunologic differences among them. Recently, variants within genes of innate pathways have been found to account, in part, for infections that result in disseminated disease. This discovery raises the very attractive theory that, in patients without severe immunosuppression, much of the disease spectrum can be accounted for by various combinations of such deleterious variants in innate pathways. In this review, we summarize what is known about genetic determinants that are responsible for the severity of coccidioidal infections and how complex innate genetic differences among different people might account for the spectrum of disease observed clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- John N Galgiani
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, College of Medicine-Tucson, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, College of Medicine-Tucson, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Amy P Hsu
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Daniel A Powell
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, College of Medicine-Tucson, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Jatin M Vyas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Steven M Holland
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Lionakis MS. Exploiting antifungal immunity in the clinical context. Semin Immunol 2023; 67:101752. [PMID: 37001464 PMCID: PMC10192293 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
The continuous expansion of immunocompromised patient populations at-risk for developing life-threatening opportunistic fungal infections in recent decades has helped develop a deeper understanding of antifungal host defenses, which has provided the foundation for eventually devising immune-based targeted interventions in the clinic. This review outlines how genetic variation in certain immune pathway-related genes may contribute to the observed clinical variability in the risk of acquisition and/or severity of fungal infections and how immunogenetic-based patient stratification may enable the eventual development of personalized strategies for antifungal prophylaxis and/or vaccination. Moreover, this review synthesizes the emerging cytokine-based, cell-based, and other immunotherapeutic strategies that have shown promise as adjunctive therapies for boosting or modulating tissue-specific antifungal immune responses in the context of opportunistic fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michail S Lionakis
- From the Fungal Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Gago S, Gresnigt MS, Zelante T. Editorial: Exploring novel experimental systems to study the mechanistic basis of fungal infections. Front Fungal Biol 2023; 4:1195041. [PMID: 37746126 PMCID: PMC10512381 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2023.1195041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Gago
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Mark S. Gresnigt
- Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Teresa Zelante
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Pathology Section, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Gorris ME, Ardon-Dryer K, Campuzano A, Castañón-Olivares LR, Gill TE, Greene A, Hung CY, Kaufeld KA, Lacy M, Sánchez-Paredes E. Advocating for Coccidioidomycosis to Be a Reportable Disease Nationwide in the United States and Encouraging Disease Surveillance across North and South America. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9. [PMID: 36675904 DOI: 10.3390/jof9010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) has been a known health threat in the United States (US) since the 1930s, though not all states are currently required to report disease cases. Texas, one of the non-reporting states, is an example of where both historical and contemporary scientific evidence define the region as endemic, but we don't know disease incidence in the state. Mandating coccidioidomycosis as a reportable disease across more US states would increase disease awareness, improve clinical outcomes, and help antifungal drug and vaccine development. It would also increase our understanding of where the disease is endemic and the relationships between environmental conditions and disease cases. This is true for other nations in North and South America that are also likely endemic for coccidioidomycosis, especially Mexico. This commentary advocates for US state and territory epidemiologists to define coccidioidomycosis as a reportable disease and encourages disease surveillance in other endemic regions across North and South America in order to protect human health and reduce disease burden.
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Sacco KA, Gazzin A, Notarangelo LD, Delmonte OM. Granulomatous inflammation in inborn errors of immunity. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1110115. [PMID: 36891233 PMCID: PMC9986611 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1110115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Granulomas have been defined as inflammatory infiltrates formed by recruitment of macrophages and T cells. The three-dimensional spherical structure typically consists of a central core of tissue resident macrophages which may merge into multinucleated giant cells surrounded by T cells at the periphery. Granulomas may be triggered by infectious and non-infectious antigens. Cutaneous and visceral granulomas are common in inborn errors of immunity (IEI), particularly among patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), combined immunodeficiency (CID), and common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). The estimated prevalence of granulomas in IEI ranges from 1%-4%. Infectious agents causing granulomas such Mycobacteria and Coccidioides presenting atypically may be 'sentinel' presentations for possible underlying immunodeficiency. Deep sequencing of granulomas in IEI has revealed non-classical antigens such as wild-type and RA27/3 vaccine-strain Rubella virus. Granulomas in IEI are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The heterogeneity of granuloma presentation in IEI presents challenges for mechanistic approaches to treatment. In this review, we discuss the main infectious triggers for granulomas in IEI and the major forms of IEI presenting with 'idiopathic' non-infectious granulomas. We also discuss models to study granulomatous inflammation and the impact of deep-sequencing technology while searching for infectious triggers of granulomatous inflammation. We summarize the overarching goals of management and highlight the therapeutic options reported for specific granuloma presentations in IEI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith A Sacco
- Department of Pulmonology, Section of Allergy-Immunology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Andrea Gazzin
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, Immune Deficiency Genetics Section, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Luigi D Notarangelo
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, Immune Deficiency Genetics Section, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Ottavia M Delmonte
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, Immune Deficiency Genetics Section, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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