candidemia – Page 6

Caspofungin therapy in prosthetic valve endocarditis and candidemia due to itraconazole-resistant Candida glabrata (Nakaseomyces glabratus): A case report

mycolabadmin

A 13-year-old boy developed a serious fungal infection of his heart valve after surgery. The infection was caused by a resistant yeast that didn’t respond to initial antifungal treatment. Doctors used molecular testing to identify the exact fungal species and tested how it responded to different medications. After switching to a different antifungal drug called caspofungin, the patient recovered completely and remained healthy.

Glycan microarray analysis of Candida-related antibodies in human and mice sera guides biomarker discovery and vaccine development

mycolabadmin

Researchers used a special microarray technology to identify immune responses in blood samples from people infected with Candida yeast. They found that early infections trigger antibodies against certain sugar structures, while later infections produce different antibodies. Three specific sugar molecules showed promise as markers for diagnostic tests and vaccine development against dangerous yeast infections.

Invasive Candidiasis in Contexts of Armed Conflict, High Violence, and Forced Displacement in Latin America and the Caribbean (2005–2025)

mycolabadmin

Invasive candidiasis, a serious fungal blood infection caused by Candida species, is a major health crisis in Latin America and the Caribbean with death rates reaching 60% in vulnerable populations. The disease is worsening in areas affected by armed conflict, violence, and displacement where poor living conditions, overcrowding, malnutrition, and lack of healthcare create ideal conditions for the infection to develop and spread. Antifungal drugs are often unavailable or too expensive, and drug-resistant strains of Candida are becoming increasingly common, making treatment extremely challenging in these regions.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Invasive Fungal Infection in Patients with Hematological Malignancies at a Tertiary Hospital in Malaysia

mycolabadmin

This study examined fungal infections in cancer patients with blood disorders in a Malaysian hospital. Researchers found that about 7.6% of patients developed serious fungal infections, mainly from Candida species. Using antifungal medications to prevent infection significantly reduced the risk, though some patients still developed infections while taking preventive medications. The findings highlight the importance of appropriate antifungal treatment strategies in managing these vulnerable patients.

The in vitro activity of iron chelator deferiprone against Candida (Candidozyma) auris in combination with antifungal agents

mycolabadmin

Researchers studied how an iron-chelating medication called deferiprone could improve the effectiveness of antifungal drugs against Candida auris, a dangerous drug-resistant fungus. They tested deferiprone combined with several common antifungal medications on different strains of the fungus from around the world. They found that deferiprone worked best when combined with echinocandin drugs, especially against certain regional variants of the fungus, potentially offering a new therapeutic approach for these difficult-to-treat infections.

Changing Climate, Changing Candida: Environmental and Social Pressures on Invasive Candidiasis and Antifungal Resistance in Latin America

mycolabadmin

Invasive fungal infections caused by Candida species are becoming increasingly common and dangerous in Latin American hospitals, with newer strains showing resistance to multiple antifungal drugs. Rising temperatures from climate change and widespread use of fungicides in agriculture appear to be selecting for these resistant fungi. Most hospitals in the region lack advanced diagnostic tools to quickly identify which fungal strain is causing infection, leading to delayed and sometimes inappropriate treatment. Implementing better diagnostic access, stricter antifungal use policies, and coordinated surveillance programs across the region could help control this growing public health problem.

Caspofungin therapy in prosthetic valve endocarditis and candidemia due to itraconazole-resistant Candida glabrata (Nakaseomyces glabratus): A case report

mycolabadmin

A 13-year-old boy developed a serious fungal infection of his heart valve after receiving an artificial valve replacement. The initial antibiotic (itraconazole) did not work because the fungus became resistant, likely by forming a protective biofilm. After identifying the resistant fungus through specialized testing, doctors switched to a different medication called caspofungin. The patient fully recovered with this new treatment and remained healthy during follow-up, showing that combination of precise identification and targeted treatment can overcome antibiotic resistance.

Inconsistencies within the proposed framework for stabilizing fungal nomenclature risk further confusion

mycolabadmin

Scientists who study fungi have been working to update how fungal species are named to match modern genetic understanding. A recent proposal tried to create rules for how clinical laboratories should report fungal names, but experts are concerned that the new framework has inconsistencies and may actually cause more confusion rather than clarify things. The authors of this letter point out that some fungi get special naming considerations while others don’t, and worry that allowing multiple names for the same organism contradicts years of effort to use one standard name per species.

Fungal sepsis in a 7-month-old female: diagnosis through peripheral blood smear

mycolabadmin

A 7-month-old girl with persistent fever that did not respond to antibiotics was found to have a yeast infection in her blood through examination of a blood sample under a microscope. This discovery was unusual because such infections are typically difficult to spot without special culture tests. After treatment with the antifungal medication fluconazole, the child recovered completely. This case shows how simple microscopy can help diagnose serious fungal infections in areas where advanced laboratory testing is not available.

First report of infections due to Candidozyma (formerly Candida) auris in Botswana, 2022–2024

mycolabadmin

Researchers in Botswana discovered the first documented cases of a dangerous fungal infection called Candidozyma auris in their country. This yeast was found in 10 patients at a major hospital, mostly in intensive care units, between 2022 and 2024. The fungus was resistant to common antifungal drugs like fluconazole but could still be treated with other medications. The findings highlight how this emerging pathogen is spreading across Africa and stress the importance of improved laboratory testing and disease monitoring in developing countries.

Disease: candidemia