Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis: Genomic Variant Analysis and Protein Dysfunction Susceptibility in a Brazilian Cohort.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVES

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a debilitating condition often affecting immunocompetent patients with underlying structural lung diseases, particularly pulmonary tuberculosis. This study investigates single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in immunogenetic-related genes among a Brazilian cohort with CPA.

METHODS

Twelve patients with confirmed CPA, based on ESCMID/ERS criteria, were sequenced using custom multigenic panel sequencing. Variants were annotated, classified using ACMG guidelines, and analyzed for potential impact on protein interactions and immune pathways.

RESULTS

A set of SNVs in CX3CR1, IL12B, IL4R, PTX3, CCR5, and IFNG genes were classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS), but protein-protein interaction analysis suggests a potential role in immune evasion and dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to apply a custom multigenic panel for CPA susceptibility in a Brazilian cohort, contributing to future functional and clinical studies in fungal immunogenetics.