{"title":"Fungal Infections Associated With the Use of Novel Immunotherapeutic Agents.","authors":"Marilia Bernardes, Tobias M Hohl","doi":"10.1007/s40588-020-00154-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40588-020-00154-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of the review: </strong>Recent concerns have emerged regarding the potential of immunotherapy to cause infection. In this review, we summarize the current literature on invasive fungal infections that occur during treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Fungal infections are uncommon with the use of checkpoint inhibitors. Most cases are caused by invasive aspergillosis and pneumocystis pneumonia and occur in patients requiring high dose corticosteroids for the management of immune-related adverse events. Conversely, fungal infections are commonly reported during therapy with CAR T cells. Most cases are caused by invasive aspergillosis and candidiasis and are likely the result of prolonged neutropenia following the conditioning regimen or immunosuppressant use for the management of cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Treatment-related toxicities that require prolonged immunosuppressive agents appear to play a key role in the development of fungal infections during immunotherapy. Ongoing surveillance is needed to fully address the risks of fungal infections with these novel agents.</p>","PeriodicalId":45506,"journal":{"name":"Current Clinical Microbiology Reports","volume":"7 4","pages":"142-149"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2020-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8320460/pdf/nihms-1670800.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39266303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Role of Non-coding RNAs in Fungal Pathogenesis and Antifungal Drug Responses","authors":"S. Dhingra","doi":"10.1007/s40588-020-00151-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40588-020-00151-7","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45506,"journal":{"name":"Current Clinical Microbiology Reports","volume":"7 1","pages":"133 - 141"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2020-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1007/s40588-020-00151-7","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42729604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"<i>Candida auris</i> infection and biofilm formation: going beyond the surface.","authors":"Mark V Horton, Jeniel E Nett","doi":"10.1007/s40588-020-00143-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40588-020-00143-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Emergent fungal pathogen <i>C. auris</i> is spreading in hospitals throughout the world and mortality rates for patients with invasive disease approach 60%. This species exhibits a heightened capacity to colonize skin, persist on hospital surfaces, rapidly disseminate in healthcare settings, and resist antifungal therapy.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Current investigations show that <i>C. auris</i> produces biofilms, surface-adherent communities that resist antifungals and withstand desiccation. These biofilms form when <i>C. auris</i> is growing on skin or in conditions expected in the hospital environment and on implanted medical devices.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Here we will highlight the topic of biofilm formation by <i>C. auris</i>. We illustrate how this process influences resistance to antimicrobials and promotes nosocomial transmission.</p>","PeriodicalId":45506,"journal":{"name":"Current Clinical Microbiology Reports","volume":"7 3","pages":"51-56"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2020-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7654955/pdf/nihms-1625528.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38592152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"<i>Mycobacterium avium</i>: an Emerging Pathogen for Dog Breeds with Hereditary Immunodeficiencies.","authors":"Giovanni Ghielmetti, Urs Giger","doi":"10.1007/s40588-020-00145-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40588-020-00145-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Among the nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), <i>Mycobacterium avium</i> complex (MAC) is the leading cause of pulmonary disease in humans. Innate and acquired immunodeficiencies have been associated with an increased host susceptibility to NTM infections. The underlying mechanisms predisposing humans and dogs to MAC infections is being elucidated.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Although MAC infection is infrequently diagnosed in dogs, a strong breed predisposition particularly for Miniature Schnauzer and Basset Hound dogs is evident. A recessively inherited defect of the adaptor protein CARD9 has recently been documented to be responsible for the increased susceptibility to MAC in the Miniature Schnauzer breed.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Given the zoonotic potential of a MAC infected dog particularly to immunocompromised human patients, diseased dogs pose a public health risk. While not a reportable disease, treatment of systemic mycobacteriosis is generally not effective and discouraged in dogs. The collaborative efforts by microbiologists, veterinary clinicians, dog breeders, primary care physicians, and infectious disease specialists applying the One Health approach is therefore crucial for the best management and prevention of MAC infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":45506,"journal":{"name":"Current Clinical Microbiology Reports","volume":"7 3","pages":"67-80"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2020-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1007/s40588-020-00145-5","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25591205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Persistence in Livestock Mycoplasmas—a Key Role in Infection and Pathogenesis","authors":"K. Hoelzle, Julia Ade, L. Hoelzle","doi":"10.1007/s40588-020-00149-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40588-020-00149-1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45506,"journal":{"name":"Current Clinical Microbiology Reports","volume":"7 1","pages":"81 - 89"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2020-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1007/s40588-020-00149-1","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"52839526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Picornavirus Cellular Remodeling: Doubling Down in Response to Viral-Induced Inflammation.","authors":"Alexis Bouin, Bert L Semler","doi":"10.1007/s40588-020-00138-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40588-020-00138-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>To highlight recent findings on how picornavirus infections of the airways and cardiac tissues impact cellular inflammation and remodeling events.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent published work has revealed that although many picornavirus infections appear to be initially asymptomatic, there are significant disease sequelae that result from chronic or persistent infections and the long-term, pathogenic effects on host tissues.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Because many acute picornavirus infections are asymptomatic, it is difficult to diagnose these pathologies at the early stages of disease. As a result, we must rely on preventative measures (i.e., vaccination) or discover novel treatments to reverse tissue damage and remodeling in affected individuals. Both of these strategies will require a comprehensive knowledge of virus-and cell-specific replication determinants and how these processes induce pathogenic effects in infected cells and tissues.</p>","PeriodicalId":45506,"journal":{"name":"Current Clinical Microbiology Reports","volume":"7 2","pages":"31-37"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7377643/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38186840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Biology and function of exo-polysaccharides from human fungal pathogens.","authors":"Krystal Y Chung, Jessica C S Brown","doi":"10.1007/s40588-020-00137-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40588-020-00137-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Environmental fungi such as <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i> and <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> must survive many different and changing environments as they transition from their environmental niches to human lungs and other organs. Fungi alter their cell surfaces and secreted macromolecules to respond to and manipulate their surroundings.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>This review focuses on exo-polysaccharides, chains of sugars that transported out of the cell and spread to the local environment. Major exo-polysaccharides for <i>C. neoformans</i> and <i>A. fumigatus</i> are glucuronylxylomannan (GXM) and galactosaminogalactan (GAG), respectively, which accumulate at high concentrations in growth medium and infected patients.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Here we discuss GXM and GAG synthesis and export, their immunomodulatory properties, and their roles in biofilm formation. We also propose areas of future research to address outstanding questions in the field that could facilitate development of new disease treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":45506,"journal":{"name":"Current Clinical Microbiology Reports","volume":"7 1","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2020-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1007/s40588-020-00137-5","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38479697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correction to: Herpesvirus DNA Polymerase Mutants—How Important Is Faithful Genome Replication?","authors":"J. Trimpert, N. Osterrieder","doi":"10.1007/s40588-019-00136-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40588-019-00136-1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45506,"journal":{"name":"Current Clinical Microbiology Reports","volume":"7 1","pages":"12"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2020-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1007/s40588-019-00136-1","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48529481","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ibtissam Bentaleb, Kawther Ben Abdelghani, Samira Rostom, Bouchra Amine, Ahmed Laatar, Rachid Bahiri
{"title":"Reactive Arthritis: Update.","authors":"Ibtissam Bentaleb, Kawther Ben Abdelghani, Samira Rostom, Bouchra Amine, Ahmed Laatar, Rachid Bahiri","doi":"10.1007/s40588-020-00152-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40588-020-00152-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The aim of this paper is to provide an overview about reactive arthritis, with an update regarding pathophysiology and therapeutic approach of the disease, outlining the clinical features and diagnostic approach, based on recent literature review.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Reactive arthritis is considered to be part of the spectrum of the spondyloarthritis. Its epidemiology is changing worldwide due to several reasons, among them are as follows: different diagnosis approach and clinical presentations, different grades of infection, microbiome changes, etc. The understanding of pathophysiological models is challenging, but recent studies contribute to elucidate the major factors involved in the development of the disease. The management of ReA depends on the triggering agent and the phase of disease, whether it is acute or chronic.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The association between the microbiome changes and spondyloarthropathies (ReA) is becoming increasingly evident. The results regarding the biologic treatment on refectory ReA are promising.</p>","PeriodicalId":45506,"journal":{"name":"Current Clinical Microbiology Reports","volume":"7 4","pages":"124-132"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1007/s40588-020-00152-6","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38453057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Depriving Iron Supply to the Virus Represents a Promising Adjuvant Therapeutic Against Viral Survival.","authors":"Wei Liu, Shuping Zhang, Sergei Nekhai, Sijin Liu","doi":"10.1007/s40588-020-00140-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40588-020-00140-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of the review: </strong>The ongoing outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in China is lifting widespread concerns. Thus, therapeutic options are urgently needed, and will be discussed in this review.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Iron-containing enzymes are required for viruses most likely including coronaviruses (CoVs) to complete their replication process. Moreover, poor prognosis occurred in the conditions of iron overload for patients upon infections of viruses. Thus, limiting iron represents a promising adjuvant strategy in treating viral infection through oral uptake or venous injection of iron chelators, or through the manipulation of the key iron regulators. For example, treatment with iron chelator deferiprone has been shown to prolong the survival of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Increasing intracellular iron efflux via increasing iron exporter ferroportin expression also exhibits antiviral effect on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The implications of other metals besides iron are also briefly discussed.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>For even though we know little about iron regulation in COVID-19 patients thus far, it could be deduced from other viral infections that iron chelation might be an alternative beneficial adjuvant in treating COVID-19.</p>","PeriodicalId":45506,"journal":{"name":"Current Clinical Microbiology Reports","volume":"7 2","pages":"13-19"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7169647/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37857556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}