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Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo
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Published on: July 20, 2019

Tumor necrosis factor inhibition and invasive fungal infections

Scott G Filler1, Michael R Yeaman, Donald C Sheppard

  • 1St. Johns Cardiovascular Research Center, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA. sfiller@ucla.edu

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|June 29, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists, used for autoimmune diseases, increase the risk of fatal fungal infections like Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus in immunocompromised patients. Understanding TNF

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus are common fungi, typically harmless to healthy individuals.
  • Immunocompromised patients are susceptible to severe, life-threatening infections caused by these fungi.
  • Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists are increasingly used for autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the critical role of TNF in host defense against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus.
  • To understand how TNF antagonism impacts susceptibility to these opportunistic fungal infections.
  • To inform strategies for reducing morbidity and mortality associated with these infections in patients on TNF antagonists.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on TNF, Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and TNF antagonist therapies.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data linking TNF antagonist use to opportunistic fungal infections.
  • Exploration of immunological mechanisms underlying TNF's role in fungal defense.

Main Results:

  • TNF plays a crucial role in controlling infections caused by Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus.
  • Antagonism of TNF significantly impairs host defense, leading to increased incidence of these fungal infections.
  • Patients treated with TNF antagonists exhibit a higher risk of invasive candidiasis and aspergillosis.

Conclusions:

  • TNF is essential for effective immunity against common opportunistic fungi.
  • The increasing use of TNF antagonists necessitates a deeper understanding of their impact on fungal immunity.
  • Proactive monitoring and management strategies are crucial for immunocompromised patients receiving TNF antagonists to prevent severe fungal infections.

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