Paracoccidioidomycosis Associated With a Heterozygous STAT4 Mutation and Impaired IFN-γ Immunity.

Background: Mutations in genes affecting interferon-γ (IFN-γ) immunity have contributed to understand the role of IFN-γ in protection against intracellular pathogens. However, inborn errors in STAT4, which controls interleukin-12 (IL-12) responses, have not yet been reported. Our objective was to determine the genetic defect in a family with a history of paracoccidioidomycosis. Methods: Genetic analysis was performed by whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing. STAT4 phosphorylation (pSTAT4) and translocation to the nucleus, IFN-γ release by patient lymphocytes, and microbicidal activity of patient monocytes/macrophages were assessed. The effect on STAT4 function was evaluated by site-directed mutagenesis using a lymphoblastoid B cell line (B-LCL) and U3A cells. Results: A heterozygous missense mutation, c.1952 A>T (p.E651V) in STAT4 was identified in the index patient and her father. Patient's and father's lymphocytes showed reduced pSTAT4, nuclear translocation, and impaired IFN-γ production. Mutant B-LCL and U3A cells also displayed reduced pSTAT4. Patient's and father's peripheral blood mononuclear cells and macrophages demonstrated impaired fungicidal activity compared with those from healthy controls that improved in the presence of recombinant human IFN-γ, but not rhIL-12. Conclusion: Our data suggest autosomal dominant STAT4 deficiency as a novel inborn error of IL-12-dependent IFN-γ immunity associated with susceptibility to paracoccidioidomycosis.

Accuracy of serological tests for diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a slow and progressive disease that develops in preexisting lung cavities of patients with tuberculosis sequelae, and it is associated with a high mortality rate. Serological tests such as double agar gel immunodiffusion test (DID) or counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) test have been routinely used for CPA diagnosis in the absence of positive cultures. However, these tests have been replaced with enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and, a variety of methods. This systematic review compares ELISA accuracy to reference test (DID and/or CIE) accuracy in CPA diagnosis. It was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The study was registered in PROSPERO under the registration number CRD42016046057. We searched the electronic databases MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE (Elsevier), LILACS (VHL), Cochrane library, and ISI Web of Science. Gray literature was researched using Google Scholar and conference abstracts. We included articles with patients or serum samples from patients with CPA who underwent two serological tests: ELISA (index test) and IDD and/or CIE (reference test). We used the test accuracy as a result. Original articles were considered without a restriction of date or language. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and summary receiver operating characteristic curves were estimated. We included 14 studies in the review, but only four were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivities and specificities were 0.93 and 0.97 for the ELISA test. These values were 0.64 and 0.99 for the reference test (DID and/or CIE). Analyses of summary receiver operating characteristic curves yielded 0.99 for ELISA and 0.99 for the reference test (DID and/or CIE). Our meta-analysis suggests that the diagnostic accuracy of ELISA is greater than the reference tests (DID and/or CIE) for early CPA detection.