Disease: Lomentospora prolificans infection

Microbe Profile: Streptomyces formicae KY5: an ANT-ibiotic factory

Scientists discovered a special bacterium called Streptomyces formicae living with plant-ants in Africa that produces powerful antibiotics. This bacterium can kill dangerous drug-resistant bacteria and fungi that are hard to treat with current medicines. By using genetic tools, researchers are unlocking the bacterium’s hidden potential to create many more new antibiotics that could help fight infections.

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Masquerading Yeast: A Case Report of Lomentospora prolificans Fungemia With a Diagnostic Twist

This case describes a patient with blood cancer who developed a rare and deadly mold infection called Lomentospora prolificans while receiving cancer treatment. The infection was difficult to diagnose initially because the fungal structures looked similar to yeast under the microscope, and a molecular test gave a false positive result for a different fungus. Unfortunately, the infection was resistant to all available antifungal medications and the patient died.

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Case Commentary: Successful use of olorofim for the treatment of multi-drug-resistant Lomentospora prolificans infection in a child

A young girl contracted a dangerous drug-resistant fungal infection in her knee after an injury, which failed to respond to standard antifungal treatments. Doctors obtained special access to an experimental antifungal drug called olorofim through a compassionate use program. The child showed improvement within two weeks and was completely cured after six months of treatment with no signs of the infection returning two years later, making this the first successful case of this new drug being used in a child.

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Successful management of Lomentospora prolificans septic arthritis and osteomyelitis in an immunocompetent child: A case report

A 3-year-old healthy child developed a serious fungal bone and joint infection in the elbow after surgery to repair a broken arm bone. The fungus, called Lomentospora prolificans, is extremely resistant to most medications and can lead to limb amputation. Doctors saved the child’s arm by combining multiple approaches: repeated surgeries to clean out infected tissue, three different antifungal medications taken together, special antibiotic-loaded bone cement placed in the elbow, and antiseptic wound washing. After six months of treatment, the infection was cured and the child could use their arm again.

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