Disease: HIV/AIDS

Gastrointestinal and Intra-Abdominal Mucormycosis in Non-Haematological Patients—A Comprehensive Review

This review examines a serious but rare fungal infection called mucormycosis that affects the stomach and intestines. The infection most commonly occurs in patients with diabetes, those who have received organ transplants, or those in intensive care units. Diagnosis can be difficult because symptoms are non-specific, but prompt treatment with antifungal medications and surgery when possible significantly improves survival rates. Early recognition and rapid diagnosis are critical for patients to have the best outcomes.

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Photo Quiz: A cutaneous fungal infection with discordant biomarker results—a diagnostic challenge

A woman with advanced HIV disease presented with unusual skin lesions that were initially suspected to be from a virus, but laboratory testing revealed a rare fungal infection called histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. The case was challenging because some standard fungal tests came back negative even though the patient had the infection, showing why doctors need to rely on culture and examination under the microscope. She was treated with antifungal medications and her diagnosis highlights the importance of considering fungal infections in severely immunocompromised patients even when initial tests seem negative.

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Antifungal Activity of Selected Naphthoquinones and Their Synergistic Combination with Amphotericin B Against Cryptococcus neoformans H99

Scientists tested five synthetic compounds called naphthoquinones to see if they could fight a serious fungal infection called cryptococcosis. They found that one compound called 2-MNQ worked well against the fungus and was even more effective when combined with a standard antifungal drug (amphotericin B). The combination was strong enough to potentially allow lower doses of the existing drug, which could reduce side effects while improving treatment outcomes.

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

This study examined fungal infections in HIV-positive patients’ mouths at an Indonesian hospital. Researchers identified which Candida species caused the infections and tested how well common antifungal medications worked against them. They found that while a specific antifungal drug (fluconazole) was effective in most cases, some infections showed resistance, suggesting the need for careful monitoring and personalized treatment approaches.

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Usefulness of Serum as a Non-Invasive Sample for the Detection of Histoplasma capsulatum Infections: Retrospective Comparative Analysis of Different Diagnostic Techniques and Quantification of Host Biomarkers

This study evaluated how well different blood tests can detect histoplasmosis, a serious fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. Researchers compared three types of tests: those detecting fungal antigens, those detecting antibodies the body produces against the fungus, and DNA-based tests. They found that the best test depends on whether the patient’s immune system is functioning normally or is weakened by HIV, and using a combination of tests provides the most reliable diagnosis. The study also identified specific immune markers in the blood that are elevated in infected patients, which could help predict disease severity.

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

This comprehensive review examines candida fungal infections in conflict-affected areas of Latin America and the Caribbean, where wars, violence, and displacement create dangerous conditions that make infections more likely and harder to treat. In these regions, mortality from candida bloodstream infections reaches 65% or higher among displaced populations, compared to about 45-60% in regular hospitals. The main problems are lack of proper diagnostic equipment, limited access to effective antifungal medications, malnutrition, overcrowding in shelters, and the emergence of drug-resistant fungal strains.

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