Quantitative MRI of a Cerebral Cryptococcoma Mouse Model for In Vivo Distinction between Different Cryptococcal Molecular Types

TY - JOUR

T1 - Quantitative MRI of a Cerebral Cryptococcoma Mouse Model for In Vivo Distinction between Different Cryptococcal Molecular Types

AU - Musetta, Luigi

AU - Helsper, Shannon

AU - Roosen, Lara

AU - Maes, Dries

AU - Croitor Sava, Anca

AU - Vanherp, Liesbeth

AU - Gsell, Willy

AU - Vande Velde, Greetje

AU - Lagrou, Katrien

AU - Meyer, Wieland

AU - Himmelreich, Uwe

PY - 2024/8/22

Y1 - 2024/8/22

N2 - The controversially discussed taxonomy of the Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complex encompasses at least eight major molecular types. Cerebral cryptococcomas are a common manifestation of cryptococcal neurological disease. In this study, we compared neurotypical symptoms and differential neurovirulence induced by one representative isolate for each of the eight molecular types studied. We compared single focal lesions caused by the different isolates and evaluated the potential relationships between the fungal burden and properties obtained with quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) techniques such as diffusion MRI, T2 relaxometry and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). We observed an inverse correlation between parametric data and lesion density, and we were able to monitor longitudinally biophysical properties of cryptococcomas induced by different molecular types. Because the MRI/MRS techniques are also clinically available, the same approach could be used to assess image-based biophysical properties that correlate with fungal cell density in lesions in patients to determine personalized treatments.

AB - The controversially discussed taxonomy of the Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complex encompasses at least eight major molecular types. Cerebral cryptococcomas are a common manifestation of cryptococcal neurological disease. In this study, we compared neurotypical symptoms and differential neurovirulence induced by one representative isolate for each of the eight molecular types studied. We compared single focal lesions caused by the different isolates and evaluated the potential relationships between the fungal burden and properties obtained with quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) techniques such as diffusion MRI, T2 relaxometry and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). We observed an inverse correlation between parametric data and lesion density, and we were able to monitor longitudinally biophysical properties of cryptococcomas induced by different molecular types. Because the MRI/MRS techniques are also clinically available, the same approach could be used to assess image-based biophysical properties that correlate with fungal cell density in lesions in patients to determine personalized treatments.

U2 - 10.3390/jof10080593

DO - 10.3390/jof10080593

M3 - Article

C2 - 39194918

SN - 2309-608X

VL - 10

JO - Journal of Fungi

JF - Journal of Fungi

IS - 8

ER -