Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis, an infectious fungal disease, is extensively researched due to its epidemiological significance in public health, given the high rates of morbidity and mortality linked to this invasive fungal infection. Our company is well-equipped to address your drug and therapy development requirements in Cryptococcosis.
Introduction to Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection primarily caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, affecting the lungs and central nervous system. It poses a significant health threat, particularly to immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS. Globally, there are an estimated 152,000 cases of cryptococcal meningitis annually among people living with HIV, resulting in approximately 112,000 deaths, with the majority occurring in sub-Saharan Africa due to limited access to antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Molecular Diagnosis Development of Cryptococcosis
Nucleic Acid Sequence-Based Amplification (NASBA): NASBA is a promising molecular diagnostic method developed to address the need for efficient, rapid, and accurate diagnosis of cryptococcosis. NASBA has shown higher amplification efficiency than PCR, producing more amplicons in a shorter time. The sensitivity of NASBA is comparable to the colloidal gold method, making it a valuable tool for detecting Cryptococcus RNA in clinical samples, particularly blood.
Antifungal Agents and Their Cellular Targets
- Polyenes: These drugs (e.g., amphotericin B) directly target and bind to ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane, disrupting membrane integrity, leading to leakage of cell contents and cell death.
- Azoles: These drugs (e.g., fluconazole) disrupt the synthesis of ergosterol by inhibiting the enzyme lanosterol 14α-demethylase (Erg11), which compromises the integrity of the fungal cell membrane.
- Echinocandins target and inhibit β-1,3-glucan synthase (Fks1), disrupting fungal cell wall integrity.
- Pyrimidine Analogues: For example, flucytosine functions by interfering with DNA and RNA synthesis.
Fig. 1 Mechanisms governing resistance to current antifungal agents in Cryptococcus spp. (Iyer, K.R., et al., 2021)
Vaccine Development of Cryptococcosis
| Type | Vaccine | Background | Mechanism | Development Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole cell vaccines (live-attenuated or killed cells) | H99γ | Live Cryptococcus neoformans strain expressing human IFN-γ | T cell response | Preclinical |
| Cda123 | Live or heat-killed C.neoformans strain lacking Chitin deacetylase activity | T cell response | Preclinical | |
| Znf2OE | C.neoformans strain overexpressing transcription factor Znf2 | T cell response | Preclinical | |
| Recombinant vaccines or subunit vaccines | GXM-TT | C.neoformans GXM conjugated with tetanus toxoid | Antibody response | Preclinical |
| Glucan particles | Glucan particles packaged with C.neoformans alkaline extracts | Antibody and Tcell responses | Preclinical | |
| Antibody-based vaccines | GXM antibody 18B7 | C.neoformans GXM monoclonal antibody | Therapeutic antibody | Phase1 |
| P13 | A peptide mimic of C.neoformans GXM | Antibody response | Preclinical | |
| β-Glucan antibody | β-Glucan monoclonal antibody | Therapeutic antibody | Preclinical |
Our Services
Our company adopts a collaborative approach, partnering closely with clients to create tailored and innovative therapy strategies for Cryptococcosis. We offer comprehensive support throughout the entire development process, ensuring effective and customized solutions.
Platforms of Cryptococcosis Therapy Development
Animal Models of Cryptococcosis
We have extensive experience in creating and utilizing animal models that faithfully mimic the disease traits and therapeutic reactions of Cryptococcosis. These models enable us to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of prospective treatments with precision.
| Non-Genetically Engineering Models | ||
|---|---|---|
| We provide an array of models designed to meet specific research requirements for Cryptococcosis. These models allow researchers to replicate and study the intricate biological processes associated with the disease. | ||
| Optional Models |
|
|
| Genetically Engineered Models | ||
| Our expertise in genetic engineering techniques, such as CRISPR/Cas9 enables us to create precise and reliable models that replicate the genetic alterations seen in Cryptococcosis. | ||
| Optional Models |
|
|
| Optional Species | Mice, Rats, Non-human primates, Others | |
In addition, we offer a range of comprehensive animal model services that concentrate on specific signaling pathways and molecular targets.
If you are interested in our services, please contact us as soon as possible for more information.
References
- Iyer, K.R., et al., "Treatment strategies for cryptococcal infection: challenges, advances and future outlook." Nat Rev Microbiol, (2021). 19(7): p. 454-466.
- Wang, Y., et al., "Application and evaluation of nucleic acid sequence-based amplification, PCR and cryptococcal antigen test for diagnosis of cryptococcosis." BMC Infect Dis, (2021). 21(1): p. 1020.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.