Academia Open
Vol. 10 No. 2 (2025): December

Fungal Infections and Their Impact on Cytokine Dysregulation: Biomarkers of Inflammation in Histoplasma capsulatum Infections

Rasheed, Sadam Hameed (Unknown)
Zaid, Haneen Kadhim (Unknown)
Hassan, Mustafa Kareem (Unknown)
Mohsein, Osama A. (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
24 Oct 2025

Abstract

General Background: Fungal infections remain a global health concern, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, due to their high morbidity and mortality rates. Specific Background: Among these, Histoplasma capsulatum causes histoplasmosis, a systemic mycosis marked by immune dysregulation and oxidative stress, yet the precise mechanisms linking cytokine imbalance and disease severity remain insufficiently understood. Knowledge Gap: Limited data exist on the concurrent assessment of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress biomarkers in histoplasmosis, especially in non-endemic regions. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate cytokine and oxidative stress profiles in patients with H. capsulatum infection and determine their association with disease severity. Results: Compared to controls, patients exhibited elevated TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-10, TGF-β, CRP, and MDA levels, alongside reduced total antioxidant capacity (TAC), with biomarker levels increasing proportionally with disease severity (P < 0.001). Novelty: This is the first study to integrate immunological and oxidative biomarkers in H. capsulatum infection, revealing their interdependent role in pathogenesis. Implications: Findings highlight that simultaneous cytokine and oxidative stress dysregulation underpins disease progression, suggesting that biomarker monitoring could improve prognostic evaluation and guide targeted immunomodulatory therapies.Highlight : The study evaluates cytokine and oxidative stress biomarkers in histoplasmosis patients. Results show increased inflammatory markers correlated with disease severity. Biomarker monitoring may guide prognosis and improve therapeutic strategies. Keywords : Histoplasma capsulatum, cytokines, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10

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Journal Info

Abbrev

acopen

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Arts Humanities Chemistry Computer Science & IT Earth & Planetary Sciences Economics, Econometrics & Finance Environmental Science Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Library & Information Science Medicine & Pharmacology Physics Social Sciences Other

Description

Academia Open is published by Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo published 2 (two) issues per year (June and December). This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. This ...