Persisting Cryptococcus Yeast Species Vishniacozyma victoriae and Cryptococcus neoformans Elicit Unique Airway Inflammation in Mice Following Repeated Exposure

Allergic airway diseases are a growing concern in industrialized nations and can be influenced by fungal exposures. Pathogenic yeast species such as Cryptococcus neoformans are known to exacerbate allergic airway disease. Recent indoor assessments have identified Basidiomycota yeasts, including non-pathogenic species such as Vishniacozyma victoriae (syn. Cryptococcus victoriae), to be prevalent and potentially associated with asthma. However, the pulmonary immune response to repeated V. victoriae exposure was previously unexplored. This study aimed to compare the immunological impact of repeated pulmonary exposure to pathogenic and non-pathogenic Cryptococcus yeasts. Mice were repeatedly exposed to either C. neoformans, V. victoriae, or PBS control, and the immune responses were analyzed by measuring histopathological scores, and quantifications of immune cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or lung via flow cytometry, and cytokine concentrations in the lung. These findings highlight the importance of in vivo characterizations of exposures to frequently detected fungal organisms.