Invasive fungal infection

Fungal Pneumonia and Severe Neutropenia: Risk Factors for Increased 90 Day Mortality

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This study examined 39 cancer patients with severe fungal lung infections treated at a major cancer center. Patients who received antifungal treatment within 7 days and started with a specific drug called liposomal amphotericin B had better survival rates at 90 days. The research suggests that quick diagnosis and prompt treatment initiation are critical for improving survival in immunocompromised patients with fungal pneumonia.

Neosartorya udagawae pulmonary infection requiring a surgical treatment in a paediatric haematopoietic progenitor cell recipient

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A three-year-old boy with leukemia received a bone marrow transplant and developed a serious fungal lung infection caused by Neosartorya udagawae, a rare fungal pathogen. Despite receiving multiple antifungal medications at appropriate doses, the infection continued to worsen and spread in his lungs. Doctors ultimately had to surgically remove the infected portion of his lung (left upper lobe) to successfully treat the infection, and the child recovered completely without recurrence after three years of follow-up.

Pathogenic mucorales: Deciphering their cell wall polysaccharidome and immunostimulatory potential

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Scientists studied three types of dangerous fungi that cause serious infections in people with weak immune systems. They looked at the outer coating of these fungi cells, which is what the body’s immune system first encounters during infection. They found that this coating contains multiple types of sugar-like substances that trigger strong inflammatory responses in immune cells. Understanding these fungi better could help develop better treatments for these serious infections.

Rasamsonia argillacea brain abscess in a lung transplant recipient: an unexpected infection by an unusual fungal pathogen

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A 65-year-old woman who received a lung transplant developed a serious brain infection caused by a rare fungus called Rasamsonia argillacea. Doctors initially struggled to identify this unusual fungus and treated her with multiple antifungal medications, but the infection proved difficult to control because the fungus was resistant to common antifungal drugs. Investigations revealed that the patient had an undiagnosed immune system disorder called chronic granulomatous disease, which made her vulnerable to this rare infection. Despite aggressive treatment including surgery and powerful antifungal medications, the patient’s condition worsened and she eventually passed away.

Severe Saprochaete capitata fungemia presenting as micafungin breakthrough hepatosplenic lesions in an immunocompromised patient: case report

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A 70-year-old woman with blood cancer developed a serious fungal blood infection caused by Saprochaete capitata, a rare soil fungus, despite taking preventive antifungal medication. The infection spread to her liver and spleen, creating multiple lesions and a dangerous aneurysm. Doctors successfully treated her with a combination of three antifungal drugs, particularly voriconazole, which proved more effective than the initial preventive medication. This case highlights how rare fungi can cause severe infections in cancer patients and the importance of recognizing when standard preventive treatments are not working.

Pulmonary Mucormycosis in Diabetic Patients: A Case Series From a Tertiary Respiratory Center in Sri Lanka

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This case study describes three diabetic patients in Sri Lanka who developed a serious lung infection caused by a fungus called mucormycosis. The infection caused cavities in the lungs and symptoms like fever, cough, and weight loss. Two patients recovered with antifungal medication (amphotericin B) and surgery, while one patient sadly died despite receiving treatment. The study emphasizes that doctors should consider this infection in diabetic patients with unusual lung symptoms to catch it early.

Magnusiomyces capitatus bloodstream infection in a patient with acute monocytic leukemia: A rare case report

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A 26-year-old patient with acute leukemia developed a serious fungal blood infection caused by Magnusiomyces capitatus, a rare organism found in environmental sources. The infection was confirmed using advanced molecular techniques and showed resistance to common antifungal drugs but responded to amphotericin B treatment. This case highlights how important it is for doctors to consider unusual fungi in severely immunocompromised patients and to use modern diagnostic methods for accurate identification and tailored treatment.

Aspergillus fumigatus dsRNA virus promotes fungal fitness and pathogenicity in the mammalian host

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A virus that infects the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus (which causes serious lung infections in humans) actually makes the fungus more dangerous by improving its ability to survive stress and spread disease. Scientists found that removing this virus from the fungus made infections less severe in mice. They also discovered that antiviral drugs like ribavirin could potentially be used to weaken these virus-infected fungi and improve patient survival.

Prevalence and antifungal susceptibility profiles of Candida isolates among patients with candiduria: a multiplex PCR assay

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Researchers studied yeast infections in urine from hospitalized patients using advanced molecular testing. They found that while Candida albicans was most common, other yeast species were becoming more resistant to antifungal medications. The study used a 21-tube PCR test to identify different yeast species and tested which medications worked best against them. Results showed that newer yeast species were much more likely to resist commonly used antifungal drugs like fluconazole.

The Burden of Neonatal Invasive Candidiasis in Low- and Middle-income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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This study examined fungal blood infections in newborns across low- and middle-income countries, analyzing data from nearly 11,000 cases. Researchers found these infections occur more frequently and have higher death rates in poorer countries compared to wealthy nations. They identified that most infections are caused by Candida fungus species, and many of these fungi have become resistant to fluconazole, the most commonly used treatment drug.

Disease: Invasive fungal infection