HIV/AIDS – Page 4 – mycolab.ai

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 to understand how often they test HIV patients for cryptococcal antigen, a fungal infection that can be serious. The study found that doctors don’t consistently follow recommended screening guidelines, with many uncertain about the benefits of testing. Key barriers included confusion about testing recommendations and concerns about delaying HIV treatment, suggesting that doctors need better education about the importance of early detection.

Mechanisms of Talaromyces marneffei induced CNS injury: Synergistic roles of tauopathy, pyroptosis, and microglial inflammation

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A dangerous fungus called Talaromyces marneffei can invade the brain and cause serious damage in people with weakened immune systems. The study shows the fungus harms brain cells through two pathways: direct damage to neurons and indirect damage through activation of brain immune cells that release harmful inflammatory chemicals. Understanding these mechanisms could help develop better treatments for this life-threatening infection.

Disseminated sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis with testicular involvement

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This case report describes a rare fungal infection caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis in a 35-year-old man living with HIV/AIDS. The infection spread throughout his body, affecting his skin, lungs, brain, and testicles. Doctors initially thought the testicular involvement was cancer and removed the testicle, but lab tests confirmed it was a fungal infection. The patient was successfully treated with antifungal medications and remains disease-free one year later.

Low Antigen Titre Disseminated Cryptococcosis in Immunocompromised Hosts: Two Challenging Case Reports

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Two patients with weakened immune systems developed serious fungal blood infections from Cryptococcus despite having unusually low levels of fungal markers in their blood. One was a kidney transplant patient and the other had HIV. Neither showed signs of brain infection, which is unusual for this disease. Both were successfully treated with aggressive antifungal medications once blood cultures confirmed the disseminated infection.

Evaluation of Antifungal Activity Against Candida albicans Isolates From HIV-Positive Patients with Oral Candidiasis in a Major Referral Hospital, West Java, Indonesia

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Researchers in West Java, Indonesia studied fungal infections in the mouths of HIV-positive patients to understand which antifungals work best. They found that a common fungal species called Candida albicans was present in all patients tested, though some resistant strains were discovered. The study showed that certain antifungal medications like voriconazole worked better than others, highlighting the importance of testing which specific medications will be effective for each patient rather than guessing.

Disseminated cryptococcosis in an HIV patient with hepatitis C as the associated risk factor

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A 29-year-old patient with HIV and hepatitis C developed a serious fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans that spread to the brain. The infection was diagnosed through blood and spinal fluid tests and treated successfully with antifungal medications. This case shows why it is important to recognize and treat fungal infections quickly in people with weakened immune systems and multiple health conditions.

Co-Infection of Pulmonary Aspergillosis and Cryptococcal Meningitis in an HIV-Positive Patient: A Case Report

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This case describes a man with undiagnosed HIV who developed two serious fungal infections at the same time: a lung infection caused by Aspergillus fungus and a brain infection caused by Cryptococcus fungus. His extremely low immune system (CD4 count of 41) made him vulnerable to multiple opportunistic infections. Despite treatment with antifungal medications, his condition worsened and he passed away, highlighting the dangers of late HIV diagnosis.

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

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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.

Immunomodulatory activity of Pleurotus pulmonarius crude extract to human monocyte against Cryptococcus neoformans

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This research shows that an extract from the Phoenix oyster mushroom (Pleurotus pulmonarius) can boost the body’s immune cells to fight dangerous fungal infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. When immune cells are pre-exposed to this mushroom extract and then encounter the fungus, they become more effective at killing it through increased production of immune-signaling molecules and reactive oxygen species. This natural supplement approach offers a promising alternative to traditional antifungal drugs, which often have significant side effects and can lead to drug resistance.

Co-Infection of Pulmonary Aspergillosis and Cryptococcal Meningitis in an HIV-Positive Patient: A Case Report

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This case describes a 46-year-old man with advanced HIV who developed two serious fungal infections simultaneously: a lung infection caused by Aspergillus fungus and meningitis caused by Cryptococcus fungus. Despite receiving appropriate antifungal medications, his condition worsened and he unfortunately died. The case highlights how people with very low immune cell counts are at high risk for multiple life-threatening fungal infections and emphasizes the importance of early HIV testing and screening for fungal infections.

Disease: HIV/AIDS