Invasive fungal infections – Page 9

Fungal infections in burn patients: The rise of Fusarium as the most prevalent in a burn center in Mexico City

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Burn patients are at high risk for serious fungal infections that can cause death. This study from a Mexican burn hospital found that a fungus called Fusarium was the most common cause of these infections, affecting over half of patients with fungal infections. This finding differs from other parts of the world where Aspergillus is usually most common, suggesting that Mexican burn patients face unique fungal threats that doctors should watch for carefully.

Fungi under fire: diagnostic capacities and antifungal availability in Peruvian healthcare facilities

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This study examined how well Peruvian hospitals can diagnose and treat serious fungal infections across the country. Researchers surveyed 54 healthcare centers and found that while basic fungal tests are available everywhere, advanced diagnostic tools and certain antifungal medications are mostly limited to the capital city of Lima. The research identifies major gaps in care that need to be addressed to help more patients survive these serious infections.

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

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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.

Staurosporine as an Antifungal Agent

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Staurosporine is a natural compound produced by soil bacteria that can kill fungi. Scientists originally discovered it in 1977 and found it works by blocking proteins called kinases that fungi need to survive. Recent research shows it could be useful against drug-resistant fungal infections, especially when combined with other antifungal medicines. However, it needs to be modified to make it safer for human use.

Identification of Non-fumigatus Aspergillus Species in Clinical Samples from Southern California

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Researchers studied fungal infections caused by Aspergillus in Southern California from 2012 to 2023, examining over 10,000 patients. They found that species other than the commonly known A. fumigatus were actually more prevalent in clinical samples, particularly A. niger from skin and nail infections. Importantly, these non-fumigatus species showed seasonal patterns and some carry resistance to standard antifungal medications, suggesting doctors may need to adjust their treatment approaches for fungal infections.

Invasive fungal infections caused by rare yeast-like fungi in adult patients: results of a prospective study

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This study examined rare fungal infections in 30 critically ill adult patients over 18 years, finding that infections caused by uncommon yeasts like Trichosporon and Rhodotorula affected mainly long-term ICU patients with central lines. Despite treatment with antifungal medications, about 37% of patients died, highlighting the serious nature of these infections. The research emphasizes the importance of quickly identifying the specific fungus causing infection and using appropriate medications, along with removing infected catheters, to improve patient survival.

Analytical Validation of a Next-Generation Sequencing Assay for the Detection of Microbial Pathogens in Human Plasma

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Researchers developed a new blood test that can detect hundreds of different fungal and bacterial infections using advanced sequencing technology. The test works by searching for pathogen DNA in blood samples and is much faster than traditional culture methods. This could help doctors quickly identify what infection a patient has and start the right treatment sooner, which is especially important for patients with weakened immune systems.

Things you wanted to know about fungal extracellular vesicles (but were afraid to ask)

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Fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) are tiny packages released by fungal cells that play important roles in fungal infections and how our immune system responds to them. Scientists have confirmed these EVs are real biological structures, not laboratory artifacts, and discovered they are produced by many different fungal species. Interestingly, these EVs can have opposite effects on the immune system depending on the fungus involved—sometimes helping our bodies fight infection and sometimes making infections worse, making them both potential vaccines and virulence factors.

Consecutive non-Aspergillus Fungal Invasive Infections in Chronic Granulomatous Disease: Data from the French National Reference Center for Primary ImmunoDeficiencies and literature review

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This study examines rare but serious fungal infections in patients with chronic granulomatous disease, a genetic immune disorder. Researchers analyzed 122 cases of non-Aspergillus fungal infections from French hospitals and published literature, finding that these infections often occur despite preventive antifungal medications and are challenging to diagnose. The infections were found in the lungs most commonly but could spread to bones, brain, and other organs, with treatments including antifungal drugs, surgery, and in some cases bone marrow transplants.

Breaking down the wall: Solid-state NMR illuminates how fungi build and remodel diverse cell walls

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Scientists have developed a new technique called solid-state NMR that can examine fungal cell walls without damaging them, revealing how these structures are built and reorganized. This research shows that different fungi have different wall architectures made of sugar-like molecules including chitin and various glucans, and that fungi can quickly adapt their walls when exposed to antifungal drugs. These findings could help develop better antifungal treatments by targeting the specific structural features that different fungi rely on for survival.

Disease: Invasive fungal infections