Mucormycosis – Page 4

Informing the World Health Organization Fungal Priority Pathogens List (WHO-FPPL): A collection of systematic reviews

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The World Health Organization created a priority list of dangerous fungal infections affecting millions of people globally each year. Experts reviewed 19 different fungal pathogens and ranked them by how dangerous they are and how much they need research and treatment development. The list identifies which fungal infections should get the most attention from doctors, researchers, and public health officials to improve patient outcomes and reduce deaths.

Musculoskeletal Manifestations of Disseminated Fungal Infections

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Fungal infections can spread to bones and joints, causing serious complications especially in people with weakened immune systems. These infections are tricky to diagnose because their symptoms are similar to bacterial infections or other diseases. Treatment typically involves antifungal medications and sometimes surgery to remove infected tissue. Early detection and aggressive treatment are crucial for better patient outcomes.

Disseminated Lichtheimia ramosa infection in a Japanese Black calf

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A young cow developed a severe fungal infection caused by Lichtheimia ramosa, a rare type of mold. The infection spread throughout the cow’s body, affecting the liver and digestive system. The cow had an underdeveloped immune system (thymus hypoplasia) and was given multiple antibiotics for weeks, which actually made the fungal infection worse by killing normal protective bacteria. Despite various treatments, the cow’s condition worsened and it had to be euthanized.

Diagnostic Capacity for Fungal Infections in Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria and Ghana – An Onsite Baseline Audit of 9 Sites

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Researchers audited laboratory facilities in 9 major hospitals (8 in Nigeria, 1 in Ghana) to see how well they could test for fungal infections. They found that most hospitals lacked basic equipment, trained staff, and proper procedures for fungal testing. This is a serious problem because fungal infections can be deadly if not caught early and treated quickly.

Monoclonal Antibodies Can Aid in the Culture-Based Detection and Differentiation of Mucorales Fungi—The Flesh-Eating Pathogens Apophysomyces and Saksenaea as an Exemplar

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This research developed a special antibody test to quickly identify deadly flesh-eating fungi called Apophysomyces and Saksenaea, which cause serious skin and soft tissue infections. These fungi are difficult to identify because they don’t form spores on standard laboratory media. The new test uses a simple method combining antibody detection with a rapid lateral-flow test, similar to a COVID-19 test, making diagnosis faster and more reliable in hospitals that don’t have access to expensive equipment.

The Impact of the Fungal Priority Pathogens List on Medical Mycology: A Northern European Perspective

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Fungal infections affect over a billion people worldwide but are often overlooked in healthcare. The World Health Organization recently created a priority list of dangerous fungi to help doctors and researchers focus their efforts. This review discusses how this list can improve diagnosis, testing, and treatment of fungal infections across Europe, while also highlighting the need for better training and awareness among healthcare workers.

Pathogenic mucorales: Deciphering their cell wall polysaccharidome and immunostimulatory potential

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Researchers studied three dangerous fungi that cause serious infections called mucormycosis. They examined the outer coating of these fungi, called the cell wall, which is made of sugar-like molecules called polysaccharides. When these fungi were exposed to human immune cells, they triggered strong inflammatory responses. Understanding these fungal components could help develop better treatments and vaccines for this life-threatening infection.

Epidemiology of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients in northwest Iran: Rhizopus arrhizus as the predominant species

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, a dangerous fungal infection called mucormycosis was found in 63 patients in northwestern Iran. The infection was caused mainly by a fungus called Rhizopus arrhizus and most commonly affected the sinuses and brain. Most patients had been given high-dose steroids to treat their COVID-19, which weakened their immune systems and increased their risk of this serious fungal infection, especially those with diabetes.

Strengthening Fungal Infection Diagnosis and Treatment: An In-depth Analysis of Capabilities in Honduras

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This study examined how well healthcare facilities in Honduras can diagnose and treat serious fungal infections. Researchers surveyed laboratories and hospitals to find out what diagnostic tools and antifungal medications were available. The findings showed that while basic tests like microscopy were common, advanced techniques were rare, and many important antifungal drugs were difficult to access. The study recommends improving training, building better laboratories, and making essential medications more available.

Performance of the VITEK® MS system for the identification of filamentous fungi in a microbiological laboratory in Chile

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Researchers tested a fast machine called VITEK® MS for identifying dangerous mold infections in patients. The machine correctly identified over 91% of fungal samples, which is much better than waiting weeks for traditional laboratory methods. This technology could help doctors start treatment much faster for patients with serious mold infections, potentially saving lives.

Disease: Mucormycosis