Cell wall polysaccharides from pathogenic fungi for diagnosis of fungal infectious disease

Abstract

Invasive fungal diseases are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. Despite traditional methods such as microbiological culture, histopathology, radiology and direct microscopy are available, antigen/antibody‐based diagnostics are emerging for diagnosis of invasive fungal infections (IFI). Fungal cell wall is a unique structure composed of polysaccharides that are well correlated with fungal burden during fungal infections. Based on this feature, cell wall polysaccharides have been explored as antigens in IFIs diagnostics such as the galactomannan assay, mannan test, β‐glucan assay and cryptococcal CrAg test. Herein, we provide an overview on the cell wall polysaccharides from three opportunistic pathogens: Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, and their applications for IFIs diagnosis. The clinical outcome of newly developed cell wall polysaccharides‐based diagnostics is also discussed.

Specificity Influences in (1→3)-β-d-Glucan-Supported Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Disease

“…Over the last four decades, increasing numbers of fungal biomarkers have been added to the roster of tests available as aids to the diagnosis of invasive fungal disease (IFD) [1][2][3]. Among these is (1→3)-β-glucan, a cell wall component of almost all pathogenic fungi, with the exception of the Mucorales [4,5]. At this point, analysis of circulating titers of (1→3)-β-D-glucan (BDG) has been practiced for almost three decades, as an adjunct to the diagnosis of IFD [6].…”

An invasive infection caused by the thermophilic mold Talaromyces thermophilus

“…The initial suspicion of IMI was based on a positive GM serology. The GM ELISA is an Aspergillus-specific test known for its high specificity and almost negligible cross reactivity to other fungal pathogens [31]. However, the close phylogenetic relationship of the genera Talaromyces and Aspergillus might be an explanation for this finding [24].…”

Synthesis of an Exhaustive Library of Naturally Occurring Galf-Manp and Galp-Manp Disaccharides. Toward Fingerprinting According to Ring Size by Advanced Mass Spectrometry-Based IM-MS and IRMPD

“…5 Hz, H-6b), 4.55 (td, 1H, J = 10.3, 5.0 Hz, H-5a), 4.12 (dd, 1H, J = 12.2, 3.0 Hz, H-6′b), 3.96 (t, 1H, J = 10. 3 Hz, H-6′a). 13 Phenyl 2,3,5,6-Tetra-O-benzoyl-β-D-galactofuranosyl-(1→2)-3-O-benzoyl-1-thio-α-D-mannopyranoside (11).…”

“…1 They can be also overexpressed by cancer cells 2 or used as markers of some infection diseases. 3 To decipher the complex biological and physicochemical properties of this family of biomolecules, analytical strategies are still being developed. 4 Very recently, low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy allowed direct imaging of different conformers of some oligosaccharides with a subnanometer resolution.…”