Pulmonary tuberculosis

Diagnostic performance of Aspergillus-specific immunoglobulin G immunochromatographic and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: comparative analysis across subtypes and influencing factors

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This study compared two blood tests for diagnosing chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), a chronic fungal lung infection caused by Aspergillus. The rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT) performed better overall than the traditional ELISA laboratory test, making it more useful as a quick diagnostic tool, especially in areas without advanced laboratory facilities. However, both tests were less accurate in patients who had recently taken antifungal or steroid medications.

ABPA in post-tuberculosis lung disease: A diagnostic pitfall or genuine entity?

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This article addresses confusion between two Aspergillus lung infections that commonly occur after tuberculosis: ABPA and CPA. While they have overlapping symptoms and test results, they require different treatments—ABPA responds to short-term steroids while CPA needs prolonged antifungal drugs. Importantly, giving steroids for misdiagnosed CPA can be harmful, so doctors should be cautious about diagnosing ABPA in tuberculosis survivors and consider CPA instead.

Candida glabrata meningitis in a patient with newly diagnosed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome from Sikkim, India

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A middle-aged woman in India was admitted with severe headaches and was found to have a rare fungal infection of the brain (meningitis) caused by Candida glabrata, a type of yeast. She had recently been diagnosed with AIDS and had very low immune cell counts. Although doctors tried multiple antifungal medications, the yeast showed resistance to these drugs and the patient’s condition worsened, ultimately leading to her death. This case highlights how dangerous fungal infections can be in people with severely weakened immune systems.

ABPA in post-tuberculosis lung disease: A diagnostic pitfall or genuine entity?

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After tuberculosis treatment, some patients develop fungal lung infections that can look very similar to an allergic fungal disease called ABPA. This editorial warns doctors that they need to be careful about diagnosing ABPA in tuberculosis patients because treating it with the wrong medications could make the fungal infection worse. The key difference is that true ABPA causes wheezing and asthma-like symptoms, while post-TB fungal infections cause cavities and scarring in the lungs.

Diagnostic performance of Aspergillus-specific immunoglobulin G immunochromatographic and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: comparative analysis across subtypes and influencing factors

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Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis is a serious fungal lung infection that often develops after tuberculosis. This study compared two blood tests for diagnosing this disease: a quick point-of-care test and a traditional lab test. The quick test performed better overall and could be used in areas without advanced laboratory equipment, though previous antifungal or steroid medications can reduce its effectiveness.

Evaluation of Antifungal Activity Against Candida albicans Isolates From HIV-Positive Patients with Oral Candidiasis in a Major Referral Hospital, West Java, Indonesia

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This study examined fungal infections of the mouth in HIV-positive patients in Indonesia. Researchers identified different types of Candida fungi and tested how well common antifungal medications worked against them. While most medications were effective, they found some cases of drug resistance, suggesting the importance of proper testing to choose the best treatment for each patient.

Mediastinal cryptococcoma as part of disseminated cryptococcosis in HIV-negative pregnant woman with Myasthenia Gravis: Autopsy case report

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A 29-year-old pregnant woman with myasthenia gravis died from a widespread fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus, which formed a large mass in her chest. Although she tested negative for HIV, her use of immunosuppressive medications to treat her muscle disease, combined with pregnancy’s natural effects on immune function, made her vulnerable to this serious fungal infection. The infection was initially misdiagnosed as tuberculosis, and the diagnosis was only confirmed after her death during autopsy, highlighting the importance of testing for fungal infections even in patients without HIV.

Distribution of fungal agents in the respiratory system of patients with underlying lung diseases; molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility profiles

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This research examined fungal infections in hospitalized patients with lung diseases in Iran, identifying which fungi were most common and which antifungal medications worked best against them. Researchers found that Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus were the most prevalent fungi, particularly in COPD patients. Notably, some Candida isolates showed resistance to certain antifungal drugs, particularly voriconazole. The study emphasizes the importance of proper fungal identification and susceptibility testing for effective treatment.

Diagnostic performance of Aspergillus-specific immunoglobulin G immunochromatographic and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: comparative analysis across subtypes and influencing factors

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Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a serious fungal lung infection that primarily affects people with existing lung conditions. This study compared two methods to detect the disease: a fast, portable test (ICT) and a traditional laboratory test (ELISA). The faster ICT test was more accurate overall and can provide results quickly in areas without advanced laboratory facilities. However, patients already taking antifungal medications had lower test accuracy with both methods.

Clinical characterization of immunocompetent patients with Scedosporium detected in respiratory samples: A case series

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This study examined eight elderly patients without compromised immune systems who had Scedosporium fungus detected in their lungs. All patients had a condition called bronchiectasis and most had previously suffered from a lung infection called MAC disease. The researchers found that in most cases, the fungus was simply living in the lungs without causing active infection, though distinguishing between these two situations proved difficult. Only one patient was diagnosed with an active Scedosporium infection and required antifungal treatment with a drug called voriconazole.

Disease: Pulmonary tuberculosis