Cryptococcal meningitis – Page 4

Emerging Infections Network Survey of Screening for Cryptococcal Antigenemia, United States, 2024

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Researchers surveyed infectious disease doctors across the United States about how often they screen HIV patients for cryptococcal infections using a simple blood test. They found that only about one-third to two-thirds of doctors regularly perform this screening despite guidelines recommending it. Many doctors expressed uncertainty about whether the screening is beneficial or weren’t sure about the official recommendations, suggesting a need for better education about this potentially life-saving test.

Antifungal Agents in the 21st Century: Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

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This review examines how doctors treat serious fungal infections and the growing problem of fungi becoming resistant to medications. The authors discuss different antifungal drugs, how they work, and why some fungi are becoming harder to treat. They emphasize that controlling fungal resistance requires coordinated efforts across hospitals, farms, and communities, especially since some agricultural pesticides are creating resistant strains that spread to sick patients.

John Perfect Shares Insights on Infectious Diseases, Antifungal Therapy, and Drug Resistance

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Dr. John Perfect shares decades of experience treating fungal infections and developing antifungal medications. He discusses how treatments have evolved from highly toxic drugs to more effective options, but notes that fungal infections remain challenging, especially when patients develop resistance or have serious underlying diseases. He emphasizes the importance of combining drugs with immune therapies and shorter, more potent treatments rather than lengthy medication courses. Despite challenges, Dr. Perfect is optimistic about the future of medicine and encourages young scientists to pursue careers in this field.

Recent innovations and challenges in the treatment of fungal infections

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Fungal infections are becoming more common and harder to treat due to drug resistance, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Current antifungal medications are becoming less effective because fungi are adapting to resist them, and these drugs can cause serious side effects. Scientists are developing new treatment strategies using combinations of existing drugs, engineered biological approaches, and specially designed delivery systems to overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes.

Diagnostic Capacity for Fungal Infections in Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria and Ghana – An Onsite Baseline Audit of 9 Sites

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Researchers audited nine hospital laboratories in Nigeria and Ghana to assess their ability to diagnose fungal infections. They found that most laboratories lack basic equipment like microscopes and trained staff for fungal testing. The study revealed critical gaps in infrastructure and resources needed to identify serious fungal diseases, highlighting the need for investment in laboratory capacity building in African healthcare systems.

John Perfect Shares Insights on Infectious Diseases, Antifungal Therapy, and Drug Resistance

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Dr. John Perfect, a leading infectious disease expert, discusses his 48-year career studying fungal infections, particularly cryptococcal meningitis. He reflects on the dramatic transformation of HIV/AIDS from a fatal disease to a manageable chronic condition and emphasizes that antifungal resistance is less concerning than the underlying diseases that complicate treatment. Perfect advocates for developing more potent antifungal drugs that work faster, and discusses promising approaches like molecular diagnostics and immune-based therapies to improve patient outcomes.

Increasing postgraduate medical mycology research dissertations at Uganda’s higher institution of learning

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This study shows how providing research funding helped increase medical mycology studies at a Ugandan university. Over just two years, the percentage of graduate student research focused on fungal diseases jumped from 16% to 40%. Students studied important fungal infections like cryptococcal meningitis and candida, using modern laboratory techniques. The research group’s collaborative learning approach and financial support enabled students to complete their studies on time and advance understanding of fungal diseases that significantly impact public health.

Enhancing antifungal stewardship: The educational and healthcare benefits of involving pharmacy students in audits

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This study involved pharmacy students in reviewing fluconazole prescriptions at two Sydney hospitals to improve antifungal medication use. The researchers found that many fluconazole prescriptions were not being used appropriately, and some patients had dangerous drug interactions. The pharmacy students gained valuable real-world experience while helping the hospitals improve their antifungal stewardship practices.

Acidic pH Reduces Fluconazole Susceptibility in Cryptococcus neoformans by Altering Iron Uptake and Enhancing Ergosterol Biosynthesis

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This research shows that acidic environments, like those found in inflamed tissues and inside immune cells, make the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans more resistant to the antifungal drug fluconazole. The fungus adapts to acidic conditions by using an alternative iron uptake system that increases the production of protective compounds (ergosterol) in its cell membrane. Understanding this pH-dependent resistance mechanism could help develop better treatment strategies for cryptococcal infections in patients with compromised immune systems.

Shared Vision for Improving Outcomes for Serious Fungal Diseases: Report of a Patient, Caregiver, and Clinician Summit

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Patients with serious fungal infections face significant challenges including long delays before diagnosis, substantial emotional and financial burden, and lasting effects on quality of life. A summit brought together patients, their caregivers, and fungal disease experts to share experiences and identify priorities for improving care. The group identified needs for better diagnostic tools, new treatments, improved medical education about fungal diseases, and patient support programs to help future patients and their families navigate fungal infections more effectively.

Disease: Cryptococcal meningitis