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Characterization of the Spatiotemporal Localization of a Pan-Mucorales–Specific Antigen During Germination and Immunohistochemistry

Summary

Researchers developed a test using a special antibody (TG11) that can specifically identify dangerous mold infections (mucormycosis) in tissue samples. The antibody glows when it finds the molds at early stages of growth, even when they first start germinating. Unlike other diagnostic methods, this antibody can tell the difference between dangerous Mucorales molds and other common molds like Aspergillus, which is important for doctors to give the right treatment quickly.

Background

Mucormycosis is an aggressive invasive fungal infection caused by molds in the order Mucorales with high mortality rates. Early diagnosis is challenging and relies on insensitive culture or nonspecific histopathology. A pan-Mucorales–specific monoclonal antibody (mAb TG11) was recently developed, but the spatiotemporal expression and in vivo relevance of this antigen remained unknown.

Objective

To investigate the spatiotemporal localization of the TG11 antigen during fungal germination and growth, and to assess the specificity of mAb TG11 for immunohistochemistry in differentiating Mucorales from Aspergillus infections.

Results

TG11 antigen was detected at emerging hyphal tips and along growing hyphae in all Mucorales species except Saksenaea. Time-lapse imaging revealed early antigen exposure during spore germination. Immunogold microscopy confirmed TG11 binding to the hyphal cell wall. TG11 mAb successfully stained Mucorales but not Aspergillus hyphae in infected murine lung tissue.

Conclusion

TG11 detects early hyphal growth and has significant potential for diagnosing mucormycosis by enabling discriminatory detection of Mucorales in tissue samples. The antibody can differentiate invasive Mucorales infections from invasive Aspergillus infections, improving diagnostic specificity.
  • Published in:Journal of Infectious Diseases,
  • Study Type:Experimental Laboratory Study,
  • Source: 10.1093/infdis/jiae375, 39126323
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