Autoantibodies Neutralizing GM-CSF in HIV-Negative Colombian Patients Infected with Cryptococcus gattii and C....

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Mycology

Background:

• Cryptococcosis is a serious fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans or C. gattii.
• Neutralizing autoantibodies against granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) have been identified in adults with cryptococcal meningitis.
• The prevalence of these autoantibodies in non-HIV-associated cryptococcosis in Colombia was previously unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence of neutralizing autoantibodies against GM-CSF in Colombian patients with non-HIV-associated cryptococcosis.
• To determine if there is a difference in autoantibody prevalence between C. gattii and C. neoformans infections.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective national cohort study was conducted from 1997 to 2016.
• Sera from 30 HIV-negative adults diagnosed with cryptococcosis were analyzed.
• Clinical and laboratory records were reviewed, and neutralizing autoantibodies against GM-CSF were assessed.

Main Results:

• Neutralizing autoantibodies against GM-CSF were detected in 10 out of 13 (77%) patients infected with C. gattii.
• One out of 17 (6%) patients infected with C. neoformans tested positive for these autoantibodies.
• A total of eleven Colombian patients with cryptococcosis and neutralizing auto-Abs against GM-CSF were identified.

Conclusions:

• Neutralizing autoantibodies against GM-CSF are present in Colombian patients with cryptococcosis.
• These autoantibodies are significantly more common in C. gattii infections compared to C. neoformans infections.
• The findings suggest a potential role for GM-CSF autoantibodies in the pathogenesis or clinical presentation of C. gattii cryptococcosis.