Considerations for the use of inhaled antibiotics for Pseudomonas aeruginosa in people with cystic fibrosis receiving CFTR modulator therapy.

The major cause of mortality in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) is progressive lung disease characterised by acute and chronic infections, the accumulation of mucus, airway inflammation, structural damage and pulmonary exacerbations. The prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa rises rapidly in the teenage years, and this organism is the most common cause of chronic lung infection in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). It is associated with an accelerated decline in lung function and premature death. New P. aeruginosa infections are treated with antibiotics to eradicate the organism, while chronic infections require long-term inhaled antibiotic therapy. The prevalence of P. aeruginosa infections has decreased in CF registries since the introduction of CF transmembrane conductance regulator modulators (CFTRm), but clinical observations suggest that chronic P. aeruginosa infections usually persist in patients receiving CFTRm. This indicates that pwCF may still need inhaled antibiotics in the CFTRm era to maintain long-term control of P. aeruginosa infections. Here, we provide an overview of the changing perceptions of P. aeruginosa infection management, including considerations on detection and treatment, the therapy burden associated with inhaled antibiotics and the potential effects of CFTRm on the lung microbiome. We conclude that updated guidance is required on the diagnosis and management of P. aeruginosa infection. In particular, we highlight a need for prospective studies to evaluate the consequences of stopping inhaled antibiotic therapy in pwCF who have chronic P. aeruginosa infection and are receiving CFTRm. This will help inform new guidelines on the use of antibiotics alongside CFTRm.

Maternal and fetal outcomes in multiparous women with Cystic Fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life and survival in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) have improved dramatically, making family planning a feasible option. Maternal and perinatal outcomes in women with CF (wwCF) are similar to those seen in the general population. However, the effect of undergoing multiple pregnancies is unknown. METHODS: A multinational-multicenter retrospective cohort study. Data was obtained from 18 centers worldwide, anonymously, on wwCF 18-45 years old, including disease severity and outcome, as well as obstetric and newborn complications. Data were analyzed, within each individual patient to compare the outcomes of an initial pregnancy (1st or 2nd) with a multigravid pregnancy (≥3) as well as secondary analysis of grouped data to identify risk factors for disease progression or adverse neonatal outcomes. Three time periods were assessed - before, during, and after pregnancy. RESULTS: The study population included 141 wwCF of whom 41 (29%) had ≥3 pregnancies, "multiparous". Data were collected on 246 pregnancies, between 1973 and 2020, 69 (28%) were multiparous. A greater decline in ppFEV1 was seen in multiparous women, primarily in pancreatic insufficient (PI) wwCF and those with two severe (class I-III) mutations. Multigravid pregnancies were shorter, especially in wwCF over 30 years old, who had high rates of prematurity and newborn complications. There was no effect on pulmonary exacerbations or disease-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple pregnancies in wwCF are associated with accelerated respiratory deterioration and higher rates of preterm births. Therefore, strict follow-up by a multidisciplinary CF and obstetric team is needed in women who desire to carry multiple pregnancies.

Gene knock-out in Mycobacterium abscessus using Streptococcus thermophilus CRISPR/Cas.

The CRISPRi system using dCas9Sth1 from Streptococcus thermophilus developed for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. smegmatis was modified to allow gene knock-out in M. abscessus. Efficacy of the knock-out system was evaluated by applying deletions and insertions to the mps1 gene. A comparative genomic analysis of mutants and wild type validated the target specificity.

[CF Lung Disease - a German S3 Guideline: Pseudomonas aeruginosa]. / S3-Leitlinie: Lungenerkrankung bei Mukoviszidose ­ Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common autosomal recessive genetic multisystemic disease. In Germany, it affects at least 8000 people. The disease is caused by mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene leading to dysfunction of CFTR, a transmembrane chloride channel. This defect causes insufficient hydration of the airway epithelial lining fluid which leads to reduction of the mucociliary clearance.Even if highly effective, CFTR modulator therapy has been available for some years and people with CF are getting much older than before, recurrent and chronic infections of the airways as well as pulmonary exacerbations still occur. In adult CF life, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is the most relevant pathogen in colonisation and chronic infection of the lung, leading to further loss of lung function. There are many possibilities to treat PA-infection.This is a S3-clinical guideline which implements a definition for chronic PA-infection and demonstrates evidence-based diagnostic methods and medical treatment in order to give guidance for individual treatment options.

Standards for the care of people with cystic fibrosis (CF); recognising and addressing CF health issues.

This is the third in a series of four papers updating the European Cystic Fibrosis Society (ECFS) standards for the care of people with CF. This paper focuses on recognising and addressing CF health issues. The guidance was produced with wide stakeholder engagement, including people from the CF community, using an evidence-based framework. Authors contributed sections, and summary statements which were reviewed by a Delphi consultation. Monitoring and treating airway infection, inflammation and pulmonary exacerbations remains important, despite the widespread availability of CFTR modulators and their accompanying health improvements. Extrapulmonary CF-specific health issues persist, such as diabetes, liver disease, bone disease, stones and other renal issues, and intestinal obstruction. These health issues require multidisciplinary care with input from the relevant specialists. Cancer is more common in people with CF compared to the general population, and requires regular screening. The CF life journey requires mental and emotional adaptation to psychosocial and physical challenges, with support from the CF team and the CF psychologist. This is particularly important when life gets challenging, with disease progression requiring increased treatments, breathing support and potentially transplantation. Planning for end of life remains a necessary aspect of care and should be discussed openly, honestly, with sensitivity and compassion for the person with CF and their family. CF teams should proactively recognise and address CF-specific health issues, and support mental and emotional wellbeing while accompanying people with CF and their families on their life journey.

Impact of Mycobacteroides abscessus colony morphology on biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance.

Mycobacteroides abscessus is one of the most resistant bacteria so far known and causes severe and hard to treat lung infections in predisposed patients such as those with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Further, it causes nosocomial infections by forming biofilms on medical devices or water reservoirs. An eye-catching feature of M. abscessus is the growth in two colony morphotypes. Depending on the presence or absence of glycopeptidolipids on the cell surface, it forms smooth or rough colonies. In this study, a porous glass bead biofilm model was used to compare biofilm formation, biofilm organization and biofilm matrix composition in addition to the antimicrobial susceptibility of M. abscessus biofilms versus suspensions of isogenic (smooth and rough) patient isolates. Both morphotypes reached the same cell densities in biofilms. The biofilm architecture, however, was dramatically different with evenly distributed oligo-layered biofilms in smooth isolates, compared to tightly packed, voluminous biofilm clusters in rough morphotypes. Biofilms of both morphotypes contained more total biomass of the matrix components protein, lipid plus DNA than was seen in corresponding suspensions. The biofilm mode of growth of M. abscessus substantially increased resistance to the antibiotics amikacin and tigecycline. Tolerance to the disinfectant peracetic acid of both morphotypes was increased when grown as biofilm, while tolerance to glutaraldehyde was significantly increased in biofilm of smooth isolates only. Overall, smooth colony morphotypes had more pronounced antimicrobial resistance benefit when growing as biofilm than M. abscessus showing rough colony morphotypes.

Dynamics of abdominal symptoms during the start of a new therapy with elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor using the novel CFAbd-day2day questionnaire.

Background: Elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI) is a novel, highly effective CFTR modulator combination proven to enhance lung function and body weight in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) carrying a F508del mutation. Recently, we revealed significant reductions in abdominal symptoms (AS) in German, British, and Irish pwCF after 24-26 weeks of ETI using the CFAbd-Score, the first patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) specifically developed and validated for pwCF following FDA guidelines. Notably, many pwCF reported marked changes in their AS during the first days of the new treatment. To capture these immediate effects, we developed the CFAbd-day2day, a CF-specific GI-diary, following FDA and COSMIN guidelines. Aim: To prospectively capture the immediate dynamics of AS using the CFAbd-day2day 14 days before and 14-28 days after ETI initiation. In addition, we aim to provide validation steps of the novel PROM concerning sensitivity to changes. Methods: To develop the CFAbd-day2day, focus groups (community voice = pwCF and their proxies and CF specialists from different fields) were repeatedly consulted. Before and during the new ETI therapy, pwCF prospectively scored AS on a daily basis with the CFAbd-day2day. Results: Altogether, 45 pwCF attended in five CF centers prospectively completed the CFAbd-day2day before (mean ± sd:14 ± 7 days) and after (mean ± sd: 28 ± 23 days) ETI initiation. On the one hand, cumulative scores significantly decreased during the 3-4-week time frame after ETI initiation, compared to 2 weeks prior to therapy. On the other hand, many patients who revealed a relatively stable level of AS before ETI reported changes during the first days of treatment with the highly effective CFTR modulators. Factors like pain and flatulence increased in up to 21% of patients during the first 14 days of therapy, but they improved during days 15-27. Conclusion: The CFAbd-day2day, specifically developed and in the process of validation to prospectively capture GI symptoms in pwCF, provides new substantial insights into the dynamics of AS in pwCF receiving a new treatment with ETI. This novel tool is also helpful in prospectively monitoring patients with specific GI problems. International implementation and further validation steps of the diary are ongoing.

Every CFTR variant counts - Target-capture based next-generation-sequencing for molecular diagnosis in the German CF Registry.

BACKGROUND: In times of genotype guided therapy options, a total of 3.2 % of people with CF (pwCF) in the German CF Registry[1] only have one or no CFTR-variant detected after genetic analysis. Additionally, genetic data in the Registry can be documented as free text and can therefore be prone to error. In order to allow the greatest possible amount of pwCF access to modern therapies, we conducted a re-evaluation of free text entries and established a custom-whole-CFTR-locus NGS-approach for all pwCF who remained without genetic confirmation afterwards. METHODS: To this end, we assembled 731 free text variants of 655 pwCF in the German CF Registry. All variants were evaluated using ClinVar, HGMD and CFTR1/2, corrected in the Registries' database and uploaded to ClinVar. PwCF whose diagnosis remained uncertain as well as additional pwCF or pwCFTR-RD that were assembled through a nationwide call for testing of unclear cases were offered genetic analysis. Samples were analysed using a target-capture based NGS-custom-design-panel covering the entire CFTR-locus. RESULTS: Evaluation of free text variants led to the discovery of 43 variants not formerly reported in the context of CF. The Registries' dropdown list was extended by 497 variants and over 500 pwCF were provided with their most up-to-date genotype. Samples of 47 pwCF/pwCFTR-RD were sequenced via NGS with an overall success rate of 61.7 %, resulting in implementation of entire CFTR-genotyping into routine diagnostics. CONCLUSION: Entire CFTR-genotyping can greatly increase the genetic diagnostic rate of pwCF/pwCFTR-RD and should be considered after inconspicuous CFTR screening panels in CFTR-diagnostics.

The Weariness of Hoping: Synchronizing Affect While Awaiting Organ Transplantation for Cystic Fibrosis in Germany.

We describe the challenges in synchronizing affect during the lengthy lead-up to organ transplantation. Our analysis draws on ethnographic fieldwork in Eastern Germany among medical staff caring for patients with cystic fibrosis, a progressive, genetic illness. Patient and practitioners must together endure an uncertain wait for a donor organ, while simultaneously living and working toward living as well as possible. The organizing affective principle in this setting is hoping, which is a socio-material practice that must be continuously and interactively re-produced. Too little or too much hoping must be managed by adjusting affective intensities. A failure to strike this balance can lead to what we designate as the weariness of hoping.

Impact of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor on lung function, nutritional status, pulmonary exacerbation frequency and sweat chloride in people with cystic fibrosis: real-world evidence from the German CF Registry.

Background: Treatment with elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) improves multiple clinical outcomes in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) with at least one F508del allele. This study evaluated the real-world impact of ETI on lung function, nutritional status, pulmonary exacerbation frequency, and sweat chloride concentrations in a large group of pwCF. Methods: This observational cohort study used data from the German CF Registry for pwCF who received ETI therapy and were followed up for a period of 12 months. Findings: The study included 2645 pwCF from 67 centres in Germany (mean age 28.0 ± 11.5 years). Over the first year after ETI was initiated, percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppFEV1) increased by 11.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.8-11.8, p < 0.0001), body mass index (BMI) z-score increased by 0.3 (95% CI 0.3-0.4, p < 0.0001) in individuals aged 12 to <18 years and BMI in adults increased by 1.4 kg/m2 (95% CI 1.3-1.4, p < 0.0001), pulmonary exacerbations decreased by 75.9% (p < 0.0001) and mean sweat chloride concentration decreased by 50.9 mmol/L (95% CI -52.6, -49.3, p < 0.0001). Improvements in ppFEV1 over the first year of therapy were greater in pwCF who had not previously received cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapy (12.6% [95% CI 11.9-13.4] vs. 9.7% [95% CI 9.0-10.5] in those with prior CFTR modulator treatment. Interpretation: These real-world data are consistent with the findings of randomised clinical trials, and support the use of ETI as a highly effective treatment option for pwCF who have at least one F508del allele. Funding: None.

Proliferative activity of antigen-specific CD154+ T cells against bacterial and fungal respiratory pathogens in cystic fibrosis decreases after initiation of highly effective CFTR modulator therapy.

Background: Together with impaired mucociliary clearance, lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) is driven by dysregulation of innate and adaptive immunity caused by dysfunctional CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator), leading to airway infection and hyperinflamma-tion. The highly effective CFTR modulator therapy (HEMT) elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) generates substantial improvements in clinical outcomes of people with CF (pwCF) by restoration of CFTR activity. Aberrant immune responses of lymphocytes due to CFTR dysfunction has been described in the past, but not the effects of CFTR restoration by HEMT on these cells. We aimed to examine the effect of ETI on the proliferative activity of antigen-specific CD154 (+) T cells against bacterial and fungal species relevant in CF and on total IgG and IgE as markers of B cell adaptive immunity. Methods: We performed ex vivo analyses of Ki-67 expression in antigen-specific CD154 (+) T cells against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Scedosporium apiospermum and Candida albicans from 21 pwCF by cytometric assay based on antigen-reactive T cell enrichment (ARTE), and analysis of total serum IgE and IgG before and after initiation of ETI. Results: Mean Ki-67 expression in antigen-specific CD154 (+) T cells against P. aeruginosa, A. fumigatus, S. apiospermum and C. albicans, but not S. aureus, mean total serum IgG and mean total serum IgE decreased significantly after initiation of ETI. No correlation was found to change in sputum microbiology of the examined pathogens. Mean BMI and FEV1 increased significantly. Conclusion: HEMT is associated with decreased antigen-specific CD154 (+) T cell proliferation activity in our cohort, independent of findings in sputum microbiology of the examined pathogens. Together with the observed clinical improvement and the decrease in total IgE and IgG, this indicates effects due to CFTR restoration on CD154 (+) T cells by ETI and a reduction of B cell activation with subsequent lower immunoglobulin synthesis under HEMT therapy. These results endorse earlier evidence of CFTR dysfunction in T and B cells leading directly to aberrant immune responses with hyperinflammation.

Microbiota and fungal-bacterial interactions in the cystic fibrosis lung.

The most common genetic hereditary disease affecting Caucasians is cystic fibrosis (CF), which is caused by autosomal recessive mutations in the CFTR gene. The most serious consequence is the production of a thick and sticky mucus in the respiratory tract, which entraps airborne microorganisms and facilitates colonization, inflammation and infection. Therefore, the present article compiles the information about the microbiota and, particularly, the inter-kingdom fungal-bacterial interactions in the CF lung, the molecules involved and the potential effects that these interactions may have on the course of the disease. Among the bacterial compounds, quorum sensing-regulated molecules such as homoserine lactones, phenazines, rhamnolipids, quinolones and siderophores (pyoverdine and pyochelin) stand out, but volatile organic compounds, maltophilin and CF-related bacteriophages are also explained. These molecules exhibit diverse antifungal mechanisms, including iron starvation and induction of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species production. The fungal compounds are less studied, but they include cell wall components, siderophores, patulin and farnesol. Despite the apparent competition between microorganisms, the persistence of significant rates of bacterial-fungal co-colonization in CF suggests that numerous variables influence it. In conclusion, it is crucial to increase scientific and economic efforts to intensify studies on the bacterial-fungal inter-kingdom interactions in the CF lung.

Corrigendum: Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor treatment reduces abdominal symptoms in cystic fibrosis-early results obtained with the CF-specific CFAbd-Score.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.877118.].

A prospective phase IIA multicenter double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of inhaled Tobramycin in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (iToVAP).

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of ventilated pneumonia is often unsuccessful, even when patients are treated according to current guidelines. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of the adjunctive inhaled Tobramycin in patients with pneumonia caused by Gram-negative pathogens in addition to the standard systemic treatment. DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: 26 patients in medical and surgical ICUs. PATIENTS: Patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by Gram-negative pathogens. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Fourteen patients were assigned to the Tobramycin Inhal group and 12 patients to the control group. The microbiological eradication of the Gram-negative pathogens was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (p < 0.001). The probability of eradication was 100% in the intervention group [95% Confidence Interval: 0.78-1.0] and 25% in the control group [95% CI: 0.09-0.53]. The increased eradication frequency was not associated with increased patient survival. CONCLUSION: Inhaled aerosolized Tobramycin demonstrated clinically meaningful efficacy in patients with Gram-negative ventilator-associated pneumonia. The probability of eradication in the intervention group was 100%. However, the successful eradication was not associated with a reduction in systemic anti-infective therapy, a shorter ICU stay, or even a survival benefit. In the presence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens that are sensitive only to colistin and/or aminoglycosides, supplemental inhaled therapy with nebulizers suitable for this purpose should be considered in addition to systemic antibiotic therapy.

Antibiotic Therapy for Pulmonary Exacerbations in Cystic Fibrosis-A Single-Centre Prospective Observational Study.

People with cystic fibrosis experience bronchopulmonary exacerbations, leading to lung damage, lung function decline, increased mortality, and a poor health-related quality of life. To date, there are still open questions regarding the rationale for antibiotic use and the optimal duration of antibiotic therapy. This prospective single-center study (DRKS00012924) analyzes exacerbation treatment over 28 days in 96 pediatric and adult people with cystic fibrosis who started oral and/or intravenous antibiotic therapy in an inpatient or outpatient setting after clinician diagnosis of bronchopulmonary exacerbation. Biomarkers of exacerbation were examined in terms of their ability to predict response to treatment and the need for antibiotic therapy. The mean duration of antibiotic therapy was 14 days. Inpatient treatment was associated with a poorer health status, but no significant difference was found in the modified Fuchs exacerbation score between inpatients and outpatients. A significant increase of in-hospital FEV1, home spirometry FEV1, and body-mass index and a significant decrease of the modified Fuchs symptom score, C-reactive protein, and 8 out of the 12 domain scores of the revised cystic fibrosis questionnaire were demonstrated after 28 days. However, a trend towards a FEV1 decline in the inpatient group on day 28 could be demonstrated, while FEV1 was maintained in the outpatient group. Correlation analyses of changes between baseline and day 28 show a strong positive correlation between home spirometry and in-hospital FEV1, strong negative correlations between FEV1 and the modified Fuchs exacerbation score and between FEV1 and C-reactive protein, and a moderately negative correlation between FEV1 and the three domains of the revised cystic fibrosis questionnaire. Responders and non-responders to antibiotic therapy were defined in terms of FEV1 improvement after therapy. A higher baseline C-reactive protein, a greater decrease in C-reactive protein, a higher baseline modified Fuchs exacerbation score, and a greater decrease in the score after 28 days could be found in the responder group, while other baseline and follow-up parameters like FEV1 showed no significant differences. Our data show that the modified Fuchs exacerbation score is applicable in a clinical setting and can detect acute exacerbations regardless of health status. Home spirometry is a useful tool for outpatient exacerbation management. A change in C-reactive protein and a modified Fuchs score change are suitable follow-up markers of exacerbation due to their strong correlation with FEV1. Further studies are needed to assess which patients would benefit from a longer duration of antibiotic therapy. C-reactive protein at exacerbation onset and C-reactive protein decline during and after therapy better predict antibiotic therapy success than FEV1 at therapy onset, while the modified Fuchs score indicates exacerbation regardless of the need for antibiotic therapy, suggesting that antibiotic therapy is only part of exacerbation management.

Standards of care for CFTR variant-specific therapy (including modulators) for people with cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) has entered the era of variant-specific therapy, tailored to the genetic variants in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene. CFTR modulators, the first variant-specific therapy available, have transformed the management of CF. The latest standards of care from the European CF Society (2018) did not include guidance on variant-specific therapy, as CFTR modulators were becoming established as a novel therapy. We have produced interim standards to guide healthcare professionals in the provision of variant-specific therapy for people with CF. Here we provide evidence-based guidance covering the spectrum of care, established using evidence from systematic reviews and expert opinion. Statements were reviewed by key stakeholders using Delphi methodology, with agreement (≥80%) achieved for all statements after one round of consultation. Issues around accessibility are discussed and there is clear consensus that all eligible people with CF should have access to variant-specific therapy.

Clinical Relevance of Fungi in Cystic Fibrosis.

In cystic fibrosis, a new era has started with the approval and use of highly effective cystic fibrosis transport regulator (CFTR) modulator therapy. As pulmonary function is increasing and exacerbation rate significantly decreases, the current meaning of fungal pulmonary diseases is questioned. During the past couple of decades, several studies have been conducted regarding fungal colonization and infection of the airways in people with cystic fibrosis. Although Aspergillus fumigatus for filamentous fungi and Candida albicans for yeasts remain by far the most common fungal species in patients with cystic fibrosis, the pattern of fungal species associated with cystic fibrosis has considerably diversified recently. Fungi such as Scedosporium apiospermum or Exophiala dermatitidis are recognized as pathogenic in cystic fibrosis and therefore need attention in clinical settings. In this article, current definitions are stated. Important diagnostic steps are described, and their usefulness discussed. Furthermore, clinical treatment strategies and recommendations are named and evaluated. In cystic fibrosis, fungal entities can be divided into different subgroups. Besides colonization, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, bronchitis, sensitization, pneumonia, and aspergilloma can occur as a fungal disease entity. For allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and aspergilloma, clear indications for therapy exist but this is not the case for sensitization or colonization. Different pulmonary fungal disease entities in people with cystic fibrosis will continue to occur also in an era of highly effective CFTR modulator therapy. Whether the percentage will decrease or not will be the task of future evaluations in studies and registry analysis. Using the established definition for different categories of fungal diseases is recommended and should be taken into account if patients are deteriorating without responding to antibiotic treatment. Drug-drug interactions, in particular when using azoles, should be recognized and therapies need to be adjusted accordingly.

Dot Immunobinding Assay for the Rapid Serodetection of Scedosporium/Lomentospora in Cystic Fibrosis Patients.

The detection of Scedosporium/Lomentospora is still based on non-standardized low-sensitivity culture procedures. This fact is particularly worrying in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), where these fungi are the second most common filamentous fungi isolated, because a poor and delayed diagnosis can worsen the prognosis of the disease. To contribute to the discovery of new diagnostic strategies, a rapid serological dot immunobinding assay (DIA) that allows the detection of serum IgG against Scedosporium/Lomentospora in less than 15 min was developed. A crude protein extract from the conidia and hyphae of Scedosporium boydii was employed as a fungal antigen. The DIA was evaluated using 303 CF serum samples (162 patients) grouped according to the detection of Scedosporium/Lomentospora in the respiratory sample by culture, obtaining a sensitivity and specificity of 90.48% and 79.30%, respectively; positive and negative predictive values of 54.81% and 96.77%, and an efficiency of 81.72%. The clinical factors associated with the results were also studied using a univariate and a multivariate analysis, which showed that Scedosporium/Lomentospora positive sputum, elevated anti-Aspergillus serum IgG and chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection were significantly associated with a positive result in DIA, while Staphylococcus aureus positive sputum showed a negative association. In conclusion, the test developed can offer a complementary, rapid, simple and sensitive method to contribute to the diagnosis of Scedosporium/Lomentospora in patients with CF.

Antigen specificity and cross-reactivity drive functionally diverse anti-Aspergillus fumigatus T cell responses in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUNDThe fungus Aspergillus fumigatus causes a variety of clinical phenotypes in patients with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). Th cells orchestrate immune responses against fungi, but the types of A. fumigatus-specific Th cells in pwCF and their contribution to protective immunity or inflammation remain poorly characterized.METHODSWe used antigen-reactive T cell enrichment (ARTE) to investigate fungus-reactive Th cells in peripheral blood of pwCF and healthy controls.RESULTSWe show that clonally expanded, high-avidity A. fumigatus-specific effector Th cells, which were absent in healthy donors, developed in pwCF. Individual patients were characterized by distinct Th1-, Th2-, or Th17-dominated responses that remained stable over several years. These different Th subsets target different A. fumigatus proteins, indicating that differential antigen uptake and presentation directs Th cell subset development. Patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) are characterized by high frequencies of Th2 cells that cross-recognize various filamentous fungi.CONCLUSIONOur data highlight the development of heterogenous Th responses targeting different protein fractions of a single fungal pathogen and identify the development of multispecies cross-reactive Th2 cells as a potential risk factor for ABPA.FUNDINGGerman Research Foundation (DFG), under Germany's Excellence Strategy (EXC 2167-390884018 "Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation" and EXC 2051-390713860 "Balance of the Microverse"); Oskar Helene Heim Stiftung; Christiane Herzog Stiftung; Mukoviszidose Institut gGmb; German Cystic Fibrosis Association Mukoviszidose e.V; German Federal Ministry of Education and Science (BMBF) InfectControl 2020 Projects AnDiPath (BMBF 03ZZ0838A+B).