Disseminated cryptococcosis and anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor autoantibodies: An underappreciated association

George M. Viola, Alexandre E. Malek, Lindsey B. Rosen, Andrew R. DiNardo, Tomoki Nishiguchi, Pablo C. Okhuysen, Steven M. Holland, Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

The development of disseminated cryptococcosis has historically occurred in patients living with advanced human immunodeficiency virus or other immunosuppressive conditions affecting T-cell function. Recently, patients with anti-cytokine neutralising autoantibodies have been recognised to be at risk for disseminated infections by opportunistic intracellular pathogens, including Cryptococcus species. Herein, we present a previously healthy 26-year-old man who was evaluated with disseminated cryptococcosis involving the bone, lung, mediastinum and brain. The patient's serum cryptococcal antigen titres were >1:1,100,000, and evaluation for an underlying immunodeficiency revealed high titres for anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) autoantibodies. We also review the literature of all published cases of disseminated cryptococcosis associated with the presence of anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies. Clinicians should have a heightened awareness of anti-cytokine autoantibodies in patients without a known immunodeficiency and development disseminated infections by opportunistic intracellular pathogens.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)576-582
Number of pages7
JournalMycoses
Volume64
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2021

Keywords

  • Cryptococcus
  • autoantibodies
  • cytokines
  • fungus
  • immunodeficiency
  • meningitis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases

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