Mucormycosis – Page 10

Brazilian task force for the management of mucormycosis

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Mucormycosis is a rare but deadly fungal infection that has been increasingly reported in Brazil, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Brazilian medical task force developed practical guidelines for diagnosing and treating this serious infection, which primarily affects people with uncontrolled diabetes or weakened immune systems. The key to survival is early diagnosis combined with aggressive surgery and specific antifungal medications, along with controlling blood sugar and immune system suppression.

Efficacy and safety of isavuconazole for invasive fungal infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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This study reviewed clinical trials comparing a newer antifungal drug called isavuconazole with other commonly used antifungal medications for treating serious fungal infections, particularly in patients with weakened immune systems. The research found that isavuconazole works just as well as other antifungal drugs but may have fewer side effects, especially liver problems. When compared directly with voriconazole, isavuconazole showed fewer drug-related side effects overall, making it a good alternative option for patients who cannot tolerate other antifungal treatments.

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 first report of rhinosinusitis by Rhizopus delemar in a patient with severe COVID-19 in Iran: a case report

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A 63-year-old man hospitalized with COVID-19 developed a serious fungal sinus infection caused by a rare mold called Rhizopus delemar. Despite surgery to remove infected tissue and treatment with antifungal medication amphotericin B, the infection spread and the patient died after five weeks. This was the first documented case of this particular mold causing sinus infection in a COVID-19 patient in Iran, highlighting how severe fungal infections can occur as dangerous complications of COVID-19.

Disseminated Lichtheimia ramosa infection in a Japanese Black calf

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A young beef calf developed severe diarrhea and fever that did not respond to multiple antibiotics. The calf had an underdeveloped immune system (missing thymus gland) and was treated with many antibiotics and steroids, which weakened its immune system further. After death, examination revealed the calf had a widespread fungal infection caused by Lichtheimia ramosa in the liver and digestive tract, representing the first documented case of this type in Japanese Black cattle.

Necrotizing orbital infections: A comprehensive review

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Necrotizing orbital infections are serious, fast-spreading infections around the eye caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. These infections can cause vision loss and can be life-threatening, especially for people with weakened immune systems. Quick diagnosis and aggressive treatment with antibiotics or antifungal medications, combined with surgery to remove infected tissue, are essential to save sight and prevent death.

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.

Disseminated Lichtheimia ramosa infection in a Japanese Black calf

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A young calf developed a serious fungal infection caused by Lichtheimia ramosa despite treatment with multiple antibiotics. The calf had an underdeveloped thymus gland, making it vulnerable to infections. The fungus spread throughout the calf’s body, affecting the liver and digestive system. This case highlights how prolonged antibiotic use and weakened immunity can allow dangerous fungi to flourish.

A human-relevant alternative infection model for mucormycosis using the silkworm Bombyx mori

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Scientists developed a new way to test antifungal drugs using silkworms instead of expensive and ethically problematic mammal studies. They infected silkworms with mucormycosis-causing fungi and found that the infections behaved similarly to human cases, especially when they simulated human risk factors like steroid use and iron overload. The silkworm model successfully demonstrated that existing antifungal drugs work, while also revealing differences in fungal virulence that were linked to specific surface proteins.

Invasive Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis Is a Rare Complication in Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Patient

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A 5-year-old girl with a serious joint disease called systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis developed a dangerous fungal infection in her nasal cavity and brain area. The fungal infection, caused by a mold organism called Lichtheimia, occurred because her immune system was severely weakened by medications used to treat her arthritis. Doctors treated the infection with antifungal drugs and surgery, and the patient eventually recovered by switching to a different arthritis medication. This case highlights how the strong medications needed to control some childhood arthritis can unexpectedly cause serious fungal infections.

Disease: Mucormycosis