Disease: pneumonia

The effectiveness of interventions to reduce the transmission of acute respiratory infections in care homes: a systematic review

This systematic review examined effective ways to prevent respiratory infections like flu and COVID-19 in care homes where elderly residents live. The researchers found that antiviral medications like oseltamivir can halve the risk of influenza even in vaccinated residents if given within 7 days of detecting a case. High-dose vitamin D supplementation (100,000 IU monthly) reduced respiratory infection risk by 40%. Educational programs to improve staff hygiene practices showed mixed results, while other supplements like probiotics did not significantly help.

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The impact of osteoarticular invasion by Coccidioides Sp disseminated infection

A 48-year-old man from Mexico developed a serious fungal infection caused by Coccidioides, which spread from his lungs to his skin, bones, and joints, causing pain and swelling. Despite having a normally functioning immune system, he developed progressive disease that was initially misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis. After switching to the antifungal medication fluconazole, his condition improved dramatically, with symptoms resolving within several months of treatment.

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Fatal Pneumonia Caused by Beauveria bassiana in a Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii, Garman, 1880) on the Portuguese Coast: Case Report and Review of Beauveria spp. Infections in Reptiles

A young Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, one of the world’s most endangered turtle species, was found off the coast of Portugal and brought to a rehabilitation center. Despite intensive care, the turtle died after 11 days due to a severe fungal lung infection caused by Beauveria bassiana, a fungus that normally infects insects. This case highlights how endangered animals in poor health are vulnerable to opportunistic infections and emphasizes the importance of including fungal disease screening in wildlife rehabilitation programs.

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Introduction to Traditional Medicine and Their Role in Prevention and Treatment of Emerging and Re-Emerging Diseases

This article explores how traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine can help prevent and treat infectious diseases, including COVID-19. These ancient healing systems use natural herbs and lifestyle changes to boost immunity and fight infections more holistically. Scientific evidence shows that natural compounds like curcumin from turmeric have real antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. By combining traditional knowledge with modern research, we may develop better treatments for emerging diseases.

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Candida blankii: The Difficult Capture of a Fungus With Pathogenic Potential

Candida blankii is a rare fungal pathogen that is increasingly being found in hospital patients’ bloodstreams and respiratory tracts. The organism is difficult to identify using standard laboratory tests, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. This case report describes two adult patients with C. blankii infections and highlights the challenges in identifying this emerging pathogen and its resistance to common antifungal medications.

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Fungal Infections – a Stealthy Enemy in Patients with Chronic Granulomatous Disease: a 28-years’ Experience from North India

Patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), a rare immune system disorder, are highly susceptible to serious fungal infections. This study of 99 patients over 28 years found that 40% developed fungal infections, mostly caused by Aspergillus fungi affecting the lungs. These infections were life-threatening, with over half the infected patients dying despite aggressive treatment with antifungal medications. Doctors need to screen for fungal infections early, even in patients without obvious symptoms, and treat infants and males more aggressively.

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Case Report: Aspergillosis and Cyathostoma americana co-infection in the lower respiratory tract of a Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)

A 12-year-old Harris’s Hawk died from a rare combination of two serious infections affecting its lungs and air sacs: a fungal infection (Aspergillus fumigatus) and a parasitic worm infection (Cyathostoma americana). This is the first documented case of these two infections occurring together in a hawk. The worms and fungus caused severe inflammation and tissue damage, ultimately leading to the bird’s death. This case highlights how multiple infections can work together to make disease more severe in captive birds of prey.

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Inappropriate treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus flavus in susceptible pediatric patients: a case series

This case series describes three children in Iran who developed serious lung infections caused by a fungal organism called Aspergillus flavus. Tragically, two of the three children died because their infections were diagnosed too late and they did not receive appropriate antifungal medications. The study emphasizes that children with weakened immune systems need quick diagnosis and proper antifungal treatment to survive these dangerous fungal infections.

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Sarocladium implicatum: an unusual agent of opportunistic infection in a COVID-19 patient

A 64-year-old man hospitalized with COVID-19 developed a serious fungal infection from Sarocladium implicatum, an unusual fungus rarely found in humans. The infection appeared in his bloodstream and lungs while his immune system was severely weakened by the virus and medications. Doctors identified the fungus using genetic testing and successfully treated him with voriconazole antifungal medication. This case highlights how COVID-19 patients in intensive care are vulnerable to rare opportunistic infections that require specialized laboratory testing to identify and treat.

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