antifungal resistance – Page 11

Healthcare-associated fungal infections and emerging pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic

mycolabadmin

During the COVID-19 pandemic, fungal infections became a major health concern, especially in hospitalized patients. Treatments for COVID-19, such as steroids and immunosuppressive drugs, weakened patients’ immune systems, making them vulnerable to serious fungal infections like those caused by Candida auris. Current antifungal medications have significant side effects and many fungi are developing resistance, so scientists are urgently seeking safer and more effective antifungal treatments.

Genotypic and Phenotypic Investigation of Clinical Aspergillus isolates from Iran Indicates Nosocomial Transmission Events of Aspergillus flavus

mycolabadmin

Researchers studied fungal infections caused by Aspergillus species in Iranian hospitals from 2020 to 2023. They found that Aspergillus flavus was the most common cause of infection and discovered evidence of several hospital-related outbreaks through genetic analysis. All isolates tested were susceptible to current antifungal medications, but the discovery of hospital transmission suggests the need for better infection control measures like improved air filtration in hospitals.

Characterization of Biofilm Formation by the Dermatophyte Nannizzia gypsea

mycolabadmin

This research studies how a fungus called Nannizzia gypsea forms protective biofilms on skin and hair, making infections harder to treat. Scientists grew the fungus in the lab and on real human hair, discovering it creates thick slime-like protective layers containing proteins, sugars, and DNA. The fungus also produces enzymes that break down keratin (the main protein in skin and hair) and activates drug-pumping proteins that help it resist antifungal medications. Understanding these defense mechanisms could help develop better treatments for fungal skin infections that are currently difficult to cure.

Endogenous Endophthalmitis: An underestimated serious complication in patients with disseminated fusariosis

mycolabadmin

An 18-year-old boy with acute leukemia developed a serious fungal infection caused by Fusarium mold that spread throughout his body, including to both eyes. Despite receiving intensive antifungal medications injected directly into his eyes along with systemic treatment, he lost his vision. However, through aggressive combined therapy, doctors were able to save both eyes and continue his cancer treatment successfully.

The association of Yarrowia lipolytica with onychomycosis

mycolabadmin

A 20-year-old woman had a persistent toenail infection that did not respond to multiple antifungal treatments. Researchers identified the cause as Yarrowia lipolytica, an unusual yeast that had never been found causing nail infections before. The yeast was resistant to several common antifungal medications, explaining why previous treatments failed. This case shows the importance of identifying the exact fungus causing an infection to develop effective treatment strategies.

Geographical distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans in Iran, pathogenic factors, and antifungal susceptibility profile

mycolabadmin

Researchers tested pigeon droppings from across Iran to find a dangerous fungus called Cryptococcus neoformans that can cause serious lung infections. They found this fungus in about 8.6% of samples, with more present in some provinces than others. The fungus showed concerning resistance to some common antifungal medications but remained sensitive to others like voriconazole, which could help guide treatment decisions.

The refractory nailbed ulceration caused by Candida parapsilosis after nail extraction

mycolabadmin

An 82-year-old woman developed a stubborn wound on her toenail bed after having her nail surgically removed to treat an infection. When the wound did not heal for six months, doctors discovered it was caused by a fungus called Candida parapsilosis, which is normally found on skin but can cause infections when given the opportunity through wounds. After identifying the fungus, doctors treated her with an antifungal medication called fluconazole for three months, and her wound completely healed. This case shows the importance of testing chronic nail infections for their specific cause before performing surgery.

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

mycolabadmin

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.

Antifungal Agents in the 21st Century: Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

mycolabadmin

This review examines how doctors treat serious fungal infections and the growing problem of fungi becoming resistant to medications. The authors discuss different antifungal drugs, how they work, and why some fungi are becoming harder to treat. They emphasize that controlling fungal resistance requires coordinated efforts across hospitals, farms, and communities, especially since some agricultural pesticides are creating resistant strains that spread to sick patients.

Prevalence and antifungal susceptibility profiles of Candida isolates among patients with candiduria: a multiplex PCR assay

mycolabadmin

Researchers studied yeast infections in urine from hospitalized patients using advanced molecular testing. They found that while Candida albicans was most common, other yeast species were becoming more resistant to antifungal medications. The study used a 21-tube PCR test to identify different yeast species and tested which medications worked best against them. Results showed that newer yeast species were much more likely to resist commonly used antifungal drugs like fluconazole.

Research Keyword: antifungal resistance