This Article Full Text (PDF) Other Versions of this Article: CVI.00242-07v1 14/12/1550    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Saha, D C Articles by Singh, N Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Saha, D C Articles by Singh, N

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Clin. Vaccine Immunol. doi:10.1128/CVI.00242-07
Copyright (c) 2007, American Society for Microbiology and/or the Listed Authors/Institutions. All Rights Reserved.

Serologic Evidence For Reactivation Cryptococcosis In Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

All India Institute of Medicine, New Delhi, India, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx NY, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Washington, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, University of Chicago School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

	Abstract

Background: Cryptococcosis is a significant infection with a high mortality in solid organ transplant recipients. Nonetheless, the pathogenesis of this disease is poorly understood. It has been hypothesized that cryptococcosis may result from either primary infection or reactivation of a latent infection.

Methods: Sera were obtained from transplant recipients prior to transplantation and at the time they developed cryptococcosis. Control sera were obtained before and after transplant from patients who did not develop cryptococcosis. Sera were tested for antibodies against C. neoformans using an immunoblot assay. Antibody responses were also compared with those observed in rats with experimental pulmonary cryptococcosis

Findings: In all 52% of the transplant recipients who developed cryptococcosis exhibited serologic evidence of cryptococcal infection before transplantation. These patients developed cryptococcosis significantly earlier after transplant when compared to patients without pre-existing reactivity (5.6 ± 3.4 vs 40.6± 63.8 months p=0.0011).

Interpretation: The results from our study suggest that a substantial proportion of transplant associated cryptococcosis results from the reactivation of a latent infection. These findings also highlight the potential utility of serologic studies in identifying those patients at risk for the development of cryptococcosis after transplantation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Datta, K., Lees, A., Pirofski, L.-a. (2008). Therapeutic Efficacy of a Conjugate Vaccine Containing a Peptide Mimotope of Cryptococcal Capsular Polysaccharide Glucuronoxylomannan. CVI 15: 1176-1187 [Abstract] [Full Text]