Genetic Vaccination as a Flexible Tool to Overcome the Immunological Complexity of Invasive Fungal Infections

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted genetic vaccination as a powerful and cost-effective tool to counteract infectious diseases. Invasive fungal infections (IFI) remain a major challenge among immune compromised patients, particularly those undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic bone marrow transplantation (HSCT) or solid organ transplant (SOT) both presenting high morbidity and mortality rates. Candidiasis and Aspergillosis are the major fungal infections among these patients and the failure of current antifungal therapies call for new therapeutic aids. Vaccination represents a valid alternative, and proof of concept of the efficacy of this approach has been provided at clinical level. This review will analyze current understanding of antifungal immunology, with a particular focus on genetic vaccination as a suitable strategy to counteract these diseases.

Download Full-text

Invasive Fungal Infections in Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Patients: Epidemiology and Management

Current Fungal Infection Reports ◽

10.1007/s12281-015-0217-2 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 57-64 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Aspasia Katragkou ◽

Thomas J. Walsh ◽

Emmanuel Roilides

Keyword(s):

Fungal Infections ◽

Organ Transplant ◽

Solid Organ Transplant ◽

Invasive Fungal Infections ◽

Solid Organ ◽

Transplant Patients

Download Full-text

Posaconazole as Salvage Therapy in Patients With Invasive Fungal Infections After Solid Organ Transplant

Transplantation Journal ◽

10.1097/tp.0b013e3181837585 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 86 (6) ◽

pp. 791-796 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

Barbara D. Alexander ◽

John R. Perfect ◽

Jennifer S. Daly ◽

Angela Restrepo ◽

Angela M. Tobón ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Salvage Therapy ◽

Fungal Infections ◽

Organ Transplant ◽

Solid Organ Transplant ◽

Invasive Fungal Infections ◽

Solid Organ

Download Full-text

Assessment of the Role of 1,3-β-d-Glucan Testing for the Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Infections in Adults

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciaa1943 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 72 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. S102-S108

Author(s):

F Lamoth ◽

H Akan ◽

D Andes ◽

M Cruciani ◽

O Marchetti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fungal Infections ◽

Organ Transplant ◽

Invasive Fungal Infections ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Solid Organ ◽

Transplant Recipients ◽

Hematologic Cancer ◽

Pretest Likelihood ◽

Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Abstract Detection of 1,3-β-d-glucan (BDG) in serum has been evaluated for its inclusion as a mycological criterion of invasive fungal infections (IFI) according to EORTC and Mycoses Study Group (MSG) definitions. BDG testing may be useful for the diagnosis of both invasive aspergillosis and invasive candidiasis, when interpreted in conjunction with other clinical/radiological signs and microbiological markers of IFI. However, its performance and utility vary according to patient population (hematologic cancer patients, solid-organ transplant recipients, intensive care unit patients) and pretest likelihood of IFI. The objectives of this article are to provide a systematic review of the performance of BDG testing and to assess recommendations for its use and interpretation in different clinical settings.

Download Full-text