ABSTRACT
Jorge Lobo's Disease (JLD) is a cutaneous chronic granulomatous disease caused by the pathogenic fungus Lacazia loboi. It is characterized by a granulomatous reaction with multinucleated giant cells and high number of fungal cells. In order to contribute to the comprehension of immune mechanisms in JLD human lesions, we studied the cytotoxic immune response, focusing on TCD8+ and NK cells, and granzyme B. Forty skin biopsies of lower limbs were selected and an immunohistochemistry protocol was developed to detect CD8+ T cells, NK cells and Granzyme B. In order to compare the cellular populations, we also performed a protocol to visualize TCD4+ cells. Immunolabeled cells were quantified in nine randomized fields in the dermis. Lesions were characterized by inflammatory infiltrate of macrophages, lymphocytes, epithelioid and multinucleated giant cells with intense number of fungal forms. There was a prevalence of CD8 over CD4 cells, followed by NK cells. Our results suggest that in JLD the cytotoxic immune response could represent another important mechanism to control Lacazia loboi infection. We may suggest that, although CD4+ T cells are essential for host defense in JLD, CD8+ T cells could play a role in the elimination of the fungus.
Subject(s)
Lacazia/immunology , Lobomycosis/pathology , Skin/pathology , T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Biopsy , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Female , Giant Cells/immunology , Granzymes/analysis , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Killer Cells, Natural/immunology , Lacazia/growth & development , Macrophages/immunology , Male , Microscopy , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Lobomycosis (lacaziosis) is a chronic, granulomatous, fungal infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues of humans and dolphins. To date, the causative agent, the yeast-like organism Lacazia loboi, has not been grown in the laboratory, and there have been no recent reports describing attempts to culture the organism. As a result, studies on the efficacy of therapeutics and potential environmental reservoirs have not been conducted. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to utilize both classical and novel microbiological methods in order to stimulate growth of Lacazia cells collected from dolphin lesions. This included the experimental inoculation of novel media, cell culture, and the use of artificial skin matrices. Although unsuccessful, the methods and results of this study provide important insight into new approaches that could be utilized in future investigations of this elusive organism.
Subject(s)
Bottle-Nosed Dolphin/microbiology , Lacazia/growth & development , Lacazia/isolation & purification , Lobomycosis/veterinary , Microbiological Techniques/methods , Animals , Atlantic Ocean , Granuloma/pathology , Histocytochemistry , Lobomycosis/microbiology , Lobomycosis/pathology , MicroscopyABSTRACT
Jorge Lobo's Disease is a rare, chronic granulomatous cutaneous mycosis, which is typical of tropical and subtropical regions. It is caused by the traumatic implantation of the fungus Lacazia loboi into the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The disease was first described in 1931 by Jorge Lobo, in Recife (PE), Brazil. It is common in Central and South America, and predominates in the Amazon region. We report a case of Jorge Lobo's Disease, which had been initially referred as being paracoccidioidomycosis. We emphasize clinical and diagnostic features of the disease.
Subject(s)
Lacazia/growth & development , Lobomycosis/microbiology , Lobomycosis/pathology , Brazil , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Rare Diseases/microbiology , Rare Diseases/pathology , Skin/microbiology , Skin/pathologyABSTRACT
AbstractJorge Lobo's Disease is a rare, chronic granulomatous cutaneous mycosis, which is typical of tropical and subtropical regions. It is caused by the traumatic implantation of the fungus Lacazia loboi into the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The disease was first described in 1931 by Jorge Lobo, in Recife (PE), Brazil. It is common in Central and South America, and predominates in the Amazon region. We report a case of Jorge Lobo's Disease, which had been initially referred as being paracoccidioidomycosis. We emphasize clinical and diagnostic features of the disease.
