Does leukotriene F4 play a major role in the infection mechanism of Candida sp.?

• Published in: Microbial pathogenesis 2020-12, Vol.149, p.104394-104394, Article 104394
• Main Authors: Melo, Carlos Fernando Odir Rodrigues, Bachur, Luis Felipe, Delafiori, Jeany, Dabaja, Mohamed Ziad, de Oliveira, Diogo Noin, Guerreiro, Tatiane Melina, Tararam, Cibele Aparecida, Busso-Lopes, Ariane Fidelis, Moretti, Maria Luiza, Catharino, Rodrigo Ramos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Candida sp; Candidiasis; Fungal infection; Mass spectrometry; Metabolomic
• ISSN: 0882-4010; 1096-1208
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104394

Candidiasis is the most common fungal infection affecting hospitalized patients, especially immunocompromised and critical patients. Limitations regarding the assertive diagnosis of both Candidemia and Candidiasis not only impairs the introduction of effective treatments but also lays a heavy financial burden over the health system. Furthermore, it is still challenging to ascertain whether diagnostic methods are accurate and whether treatment is effective for patients with Candidemia. These constraints come from the uncertainty of the pathophysiological mechanism by which the pathogen establishes the opportunistic infection. Additionally, it is the reason why some patients present positive blood culture results, and others do not, and why it is very difficult during clinical routines to prove Candidemia or invasive candidiasis. Taking into account the current situation, this contribution proposes two markers that may help to understand the mechanisms of infection by the pathogen: Leukotriene F4 and 5,6-dihydroxy-eicosatetraenoic. These two lipids putatively modulate the host's immune response, and the initial data presented in this contribution suggest that these lipids allow the opportunistic infection to be installed. The study was carried out using an omics-based platform using direct-infusion high-resolution mass spectrometry and allied with bioinformatics tools to provide accurate and reliable results for biomarker candidates screening. [Display omitted] •An expeditious method for the direct infusion analysis of patient samples.•Marker in most likely patients to develop Candida spp. infection.•Direct infusion analysis is useful for giving quick and easy prognoses to the attending physician.