invasive pulmonary aspergillosis – Page 2

Knowledge framework and emerging trends of invasive pulmonary fungal infection: A bibliometric analysis (2003–2023)

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This study examined 20 years of scientific research on invasive lung fungal infections using bibliometric analysis. The research found that the United States leads in fungal infection research, with emerging focus areas including COVID-19-associated fungal infections and new diagnostic methods like metagenomic sequencing. The findings show that diagnosis remains challenging and requires improved detection methods, while treatment typically involves antifungal medications like voriconazole and amphotericin-B.

Global status and trends of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis: A bibliometric study

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This study analyzes 24 years of research on invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, a serious fungal infection in immunocompromised patients. Using bibliometric tools, researchers mapped out how the field has evolved, identifying leading countries (USA, Germany, China), key experts like David Denning and Thomas Walsh, and shifting research focus from transplant-related infections to COVID-19-associated cases. The analysis shows the field is rapidly growing with increasing emphasis on rapid diagnostic methods and antifungal therapies.

Insights into Persian Gulf Beach Sand Mycobiomes: Promises and Challenges in Fungal Diversity

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Researchers studied fungi living in beach sand and seawater along Iran’s Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman coastlines to understand potential health risks. They found that dangerous fungi, particularly Aspergillus species, were present at levels exceeding safe thresholds for swimmers and beach visitors. Many of these fungi showed resistance to common antifungal medications, which is concerning for people with weakened immune systems. The study suggests that beaches need better monitoring and sanitation programs to protect public health.

The cyclase-associated protein contributes to antifungal susceptibility and virulence in Aspergillus fumigatus

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Researchers found that removing a specific protein called CAP from a dangerous mold called Aspergillus fumigatus makes it much weaker and easier to kill with antifungal drugs. This mold normally causes serious lung infections in people with weak immune systems. The study showed that CAP helps the mold grow and resist medicines, and blocking it could be a new way to treat these dangerous infections.

COVID-19-associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Mechanically Ventilated Patients at 7 US Hospitals: Epidemiology and Estimated Likelihood of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis—Results of the Prospective MSG-017 Study

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A fungal infection caused by Aspergillus commonly occurs in COVID-19 patients on ventilators, affecting about 7% of cases. The study found that having this infection was linked to high death rates, but it was unclear whether the fungal infection itself or the severe COVID-19 caused the deaths. Single positive test results for the fungus are not reliable for diagnosis, and antifungal drugs did not improve survival rates.

Fungal Δ9-fatty acid desaturase: a unique enzyme at the core of lipid metabolism in Aspergillus fumigatus and a promising target for the search for antifungal strategies

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Certain dangerous fungal infections like aspergillosis are difficult to treat because current antifungal drugs have significant side effects or the fungi are developing resistance. Scientists have discovered that a specific enzyme called Δ9-fatty acid desaturase, which fungi need to make fats for their cell membranes, has a unique structure different from human cells. This structural difference offers a new opportunity to design antifungal drugs that could kill fungi without harming human cells, potentially providing safer and more effective treatments for serious fungal infections.

Recognizing the Importance of Public Health Mycology

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This editorial highlights how fungal infections are a growing but overlooked global health crisis, killing about 2.5 million people annually. The paper brings together seven research articles studying different fungal diseases, from lung infections to skin conditions, showing how these diseases spread differently in different populations and how resistance to antifungal medications is increasing. The authors emphasize that better testing, treatment access, and worldwide disease tracking are urgently needed, especially in poorer countries where the burden of fungal disease is highest.

Time- and temperature-dependent Pentraxin 3 stability in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples

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This study investigated how stable Pentraxin 3 (Ptx3), a protein used to detect fungal infections, remains when stored at different temperatures. Researchers found that Ptx3 stays reliable for up to 8 months in freezer storage at −20°C and even longer at −80°C, making it a dependable biomarker for diagnosing serious fungal infections. However, storing samples at room temperature (37°C) causes the protein to break down quickly, so proper cold storage is essential for accurate test results.

Identification of a fungal antibacterial endopeptidase that cleaves peptidoglycan

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Scientists discovered a new antibacterial protein called CwhA produced by the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus that acts like molecular scissors, cutting apart the cell walls of harmful bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus. This protein is produced by the fungus when it encounters bacteria in the lungs during infection and helps the fungus fight off bacterial competitors. When CwhA cuts up bacterial cell walls, it creates fragments that alert the immune system, potentially boosting the body’s defense response against infection.

Comparison of galactomannan lateral flow assay and enzyme immunoassay to identify Aspergillus spp. in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid

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Researchers compared two rapid tests for detecting a fungal infection called aspergillosis in lung fluid samples. One test uses a simple lateral flow format (like a COVID test), while the other is a more traditional enzyme immunoassay. Both tests had good agreement, with the lateral flow assay showing high accuracy and the advantage of being faster and requiring fewer laboratory resources, making it especially useful for hospitals with limited equipment.

Disease: invasive pulmonary aspergillosis