The scientific group of antifungal drug discovery in Creative Biolabs has focused on the research of disseminated histoplasmosis. We are confident to provide the high-quality services of antifungal drug discovery and our service portfolio includes target identification and validation, Hit identification, Hit to lead, Lead optimization, and IND enabling.
What is Disseminated Histoplasmosis?
Disseminated histoplasmosis is one of the rare clinical presentations of histoplasmosis that is caused by the dimorphic fungus, H. capsulatum. It is a progressive extrapulmonary infection that probably occurs in most patients with immunosuppression. Patients who have acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), solid organ transplantation, treatment with tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors or are at the extremes of age are more likely to develop disseminated histoplasmosis during the acute infection before cellular immunity develops. In addition, chronic progressive disseminated histoplasmosis occurs uncommonly in older adults with no obvious immunosuppression but their macrophages are not effectively able to kill H. capsulatum. The symptoms of disseminated histoplasmosis include fever, malaise, anorexia, and weight loss. Physical examination often manifests hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, pallor, and petechiae if pancytopenia is present.
Fig.1 Prominent clusters of H. capsulatum are seen disseminated throughout the marrow aspirate (panel A). Serologic testing for Histoplasma antigen is positive. Hemophagocytosis was seen (panel B), in which a histiocyte is engulfing a red blood cell and several Histoplasma organisms. (Huang, 2014)
Diagnosis of Disseminated Histoplasmosis
The diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis is based on visualization of the intracellular organisms in biopsy material or the culture of sputum, blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and liver from a biopsy specimen. Besides, radioimmunoassay for H. capsulatum antigen is also recommended as a useful method to rapidly diagnose disseminated histoplasmosis. Although the serologic testing for the presence of antibodies is used to detect H. capsulatum infection, the method has a high rate of false positive and false negative results and requires a normal immune response in the patients. Hence serologic testing is usually limited.
Treatments of Disseminated Histoplasmosis
Amphotericin B has been proved to be the most effective drug in the treatment of disseminated histoplasmosis so far, but it is also a highly toxic drug. The treatment strategy is very effective but relapse can occur in individuals with severely impaired immunity.
Antifungal Drug Development in Creative Biolabs
Creative Biolabs has long-term expertise and research experience in the field of antifungal drugs discovery. Over the past decade, we have served hundreds of customers with their requirement for antifungal drugs development. Our top-quality and omnidirectional services can help global clients make their research and projects successful. Please contact us for more details or a detailed quote.
Reference
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