Interaction of pathogenic fungi with host cells: Molecular and cellular approaches

This review provides an overview of several molecular and cellular approaches that are likely to supply insights into the host-fungus interaction. Fungi present intra- and/or extracellular host-parasite interfaces, the parasitism phenomenon being dependent on complementary surface molecules. The entry of the pathogen into the host cell is initiated by the fungus adhering to the cell surface, which generates an uptake signal that may induce its cytoplasmatic internalization. Furthermore, microbial pathogens use a variety of their surface molecules to bind to host extracellular matrix (ECM) components to establish an effective infection. On the other hand, integrins mediate the tight adhesion of cells to the ECM at sites referred to as focal adhesions and also play a role in cell signaling. The phosphorylation process is an important mechanism of cell signaling and regulation; it has been implicated recently in defense strategies against a variety of pathogens that alter host-signaling pathways in order to facilitate their invasion and survival within host cells. The study of signal transduction pathways in virulent fungi is especially important in view of their putative role in the regulation of pathogenicity. This review discusses fungal adherence, changes in cytoskeletal organization and signal transduction in relation to host-fungus interaction.     

蕈样肉芽肿与扁平苔藓、慢性皮炎湿疹浸润细胞的免疫组化比较研究

目的探讨免疫表型对蕈样肉芽肿与扁平苔藓、慢性皮炎湿疹鉴别诊断的意义。方法本研究应用ABC免疫组化技术检测15例蕈样肉芽肿,17例慢性皮炎湿疹,17例扁平苔藓,6例正常皮肤的CD1a、CD8、ICAM-1和CD7的表达情况。结果1.蕈样肉芽肿表皮CD1a,CD8,ICAM-1的阳性细胞密度明显高于扁平苔藓、皮炎湿疹和正常皮肤。2.蕈样肉芽肿真皮中CD1a阳性细胞的线性密度高于扁平苔藓、慢性皮炎湿疹和正常皮肤,蕈样肉芽肿真皮内CD8阳性细胞百分比较慢性皮炎湿疹增多,蕈样肉芽肿真皮表达ICAM-1抗原的细胞百分比高于扁平苔癣和慢性皮炎湿疹。3.慢性皮炎湿疹、扁平苔藓真皮内CD7阳性细胞百分比高于蕈样肉芽肿和正常皮肤。结论CD1a、CD8、ICAM-1、CD7免疫表型的研究可能为蕈样肉芽肿和扁平苔藓、慢性皮炎湿疹等一些炎症性皮肤病的鉴别诊断提供一定的线索。     

Cost-effectiveness of posaconazole in private and public Brazilian hospitals

Background

Posaconazole is used for the prophylaxis of invasive fungal disease (IFD). Previous studies have shown it to be cost-effective compared to fluconazole/itraconazole. However, posaconazole has never been economically evaluated in developing countries.

Endophthalmitis of probable endogenous origin caused by Scedosporium boydii: A case report

BackgroundMycotic ocular infections caused by the Scedosporium apiospermum species complex are challenging to treat because of the delayed diagnoses and poor responses to antifungal drugs and surgical treatment.Case reportA case of a 69-year-old male patient with a history of diabetes mellitus type 2 and prior surgery on the right femur is described. In the 10 days prior to the ophthalmic consultation he started with ocular pain, adding to a previous and progressive loss of visual acuity in his right eye. The diagnosis of endophthalmitis of probable endogenous origin was established. Despite medical treatment, the patient's condition worsened and, due to the imminent risks, an enucleation was performed. Smears of the enucleation tissue revealed fungal cells, and the cultures yielded a fungus belonging to the S. apiospermum species complex, which was identified as Scedosporium boydii by morphological characteristics and sequencing of a PCR amplicon.ConclusionsA diagnosis of endophthalmitis of probable endogenous origin in the right eye was based on a previous right femur surgery. Potential risk to the patient led to enucleation.     

Institutional experience with a rotational total skin electron irradiation (RTSEI) technique—A three decade review (1981–2012)

Total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) for patients with cutaneous lymphomas is technically challenging, and numerous approaches have been developed to overcome the many field matching problems associated with such a large and complex treatment volume. Since 1981 we have delivered TSEI using a rotational total skin electron irradiation (RTSEI) technique in conjunction with patch, treat and boost fields in order to provide complete skin and dose coverage. Initially we used a 6 MeV electron beam at an extended source-skin distance (SSD) on a modified linear accelerator. More recently we began using a high dose rate electron mode on a commercially available linear accelerator. The RTSEI technique allows the delivery of a seamless surface dose to the majority of the patient''s skin surface in a single treatment. In this review paper we present our three-decade experience with the technical development, dosimetry, treatment delivery and clinical outcomes of our RTSEI technique.     

The current management of mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome and the role of radiotherapy: Principles and indications

Aim

To evaluate the current treatment of mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) focusing on the role of radiotherapy (RT), its principles and indications, and the perspectives of the novel irradiation technologies.

Background

MF and SS are rare lymphoproliferative diseases whose incidence is increasing. For a long time RT has been used as a single modality or in integrated treatment programs for these diseases.

Materials and methods

The latest systematic reviews, primary studies and new diagnostic and treatment guidelines on MF and SS were analyzed. Clinical outcomes together with the technical aspects and the role of RT were also evaluated.

Results

New data are available on pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria, classification and staging procedures for MF and SS and several local and systemic therapies are proposed. Localized RT can cure “minimal stage” MF while total skin electron beam irradiation (TSEI) may cure initial-stage disease and may offer important symptom relief (itch, erythroderma) in a more advanced setting. Despite its efficacy, RT is not largely used, mainly because of some technical difficulties but new RT technologies may be proposed to treat large skin surfaces.

Conclusions

New treatment programs offer good results, with median survival of more than 12 years in early-stage MF, but the median survival of 2.5 years or less in advanced stages is still a challenge. RT remains an option for all stages with a good cost/effectiveness ratio in a curative or palliative setting. New RT technologies can overcome some technical problems of treating large skin surfaces.     

蕈样肉芽肿和湿疹中p53, Cox-2 的表达分析

目的:探讨蕈样肉芽肿、湿疹、正常皮肤中p53、Cox-2蛋白的表达差异性及其临床意义。方法:运用免疫组织化学法检测30例蕈样肉芽肿、20例湿疹及15例正常人皮肤组织中p53、Cox-2蛋白的表达情况。结果:蕈样肉芽肿表皮中及真皮中p53、Cox-2的阳性表达率显著高于湿疹及正常皮肤,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。各时期蕈样肉芽肿表皮、真皮中p53、Cox-2的表达比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:p53、Cox-2在蕈样肉芽肿和湿疹、正常皮肤的表达有显著差异,提示p53和Cox-2的表达异常在蕈样肉芽肿的发生中起着重要作用,p53、Cox-2可能作为鉴别诊断MF、皮肤炎症性疾病有价值的参考指标。     

Susceptibility of preimaginal western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis indifferens (Diptera: Tephritidae) to Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin Clavicipitaceae (Hypocreales)

Last-instar larvae of the western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis indifferens, were subjected to Beauveria bassiana GHA incorporated into sterile sand and non-sterile orchard soil. Mycosis in the pupal stage was observed in >20% of buried R. indifferens pupae and >80% of larvae entering sand treated with either of two B. bassiana isolates. When pre-pupal larvae burrowed into conidium-treated non-sterile cherry orchard soil, the incidence of mycosis, on both the puparia and internally developing pupae, increased with dose. Internal pupal tissues were found to contain B. bassiana. Increasing the soil moisture level from 20% to 35% water holding capacity did not have an effect on the percentage of mycosed pupae. This is the first evidence that the preimaginal stages of R. indifferens are susceptible to infection by B. bassiana.     

Subtypes of genotype A Candida albicans isolates determined by restriction endonuclease and sequence analyses

Systemic yeast infections are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in immunocompromized patients. Candida albicans, being the most frequently isolated fungal pathogen in these patients, can be divided into three genotypes (genotypes A, B and C) by 25S intron analysis. In our study, we found that molecular sizes of genotype A C. albicans isolates were heterogeneous. In order to determine the molecular basis of this difference, HaeIII digestion was applied, and strains forming different band patterns were analyzed by automated sequence analysis. As a result of sequence analysis, eight different subtypes (a→h) were found among genotype A C. albicans strains and an easy differentiation scheme consisting of HaeIII and MspI digestions was constructed.     

Deregulation in STAT signaling is important for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) pathogenesis and cancer progression

Deregulation of STAT signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis for a variety of cancers, including CTCL. Constitutive activation of STAT5 and STAT3 was observed in early and late stages of CTCL, respectively. In early stages, IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15 signaling via JAK1 and JAK3 kinases is believed to be responsible for activating STAT5, while in advanced stages development of IL-21 autocrine signaling is thought to be important for STAT3 activation. Recent molecular evidence further suggests that upregulation of STAT5 in early disease stages results in increased expression of oncogenic miR-155 microRNA that subsequently targets STAT4 expression on mRNA level. STAT4 signaling is known to be critical for T helper (Th) 1 phenotype differentiation and its loss results in a switch from Th1 to Th2 phenotype in malignant T cells. During this switch the expression of STAT6 is often upregulated in CTCL. In advanced stages, activation of STAT3 and STAT5 may become completely cytokine-independent and be driven only via constitutively active JAK1 and JAK3 kinases. Further research into the molecular pathogenesis of JAK/STAT signaling in this cancer may enable us to develop effective therapies for our patients.