antifungal stewardship

Clinical aspects and recent advances in fungal diseases impacting human health

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Fungal infections are increasingly common health threats affecting over a billion people worldwide, ranging from minor allergies to serious life-threatening infections. The biggest problems are that fungi are becoming resistant to current medications, diagnosis can be difficult and slow, and treatment options are limited. Recent developments include new antifungal drugs like ibrexafungerp and rezafungin that work differently from older medications, offering hope for treating resistant infections. Better awareness among doctors and patients, faster diagnostic methods, and responsible use of antifungals are essential to combat this growing public health challenge.

Clinical aspects and recent advances in fungal diseases impacting human health

mycolabadmin

Fungal infections affect over a billion people worldwide and are becoming harder to treat due to growing resistance to antifungal medications. The review discusses major challenges in detecting and treating these infections, including difficulty in diagnosis and limited awareness among healthcare providers. New antifungal drugs are being developed and approved to address these challenges, but a comprehensive approach involving better awareness, improved testing, and responsible medication use is needed.

Approaches to Invasive Fungal Diseases in Paediatric Cancer Centres: An Analysis of Current Practices and Challenges in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

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This study examined how 62 children’s cancer hospitals in Germany, Austria and Switzerland manage fungal infections in young cancer patients. Researchers found that hospitals use different methods to prevent and treat these serious infections, with some having special fungal infection experts and others not. The study revealed that larger hospitals tend to have better resources and expertise, while smaller hospitals face challenges like drug interactions and delays in getting test results.

ESCMID-EFISG Survey on Diagnostic and Therapeutic Capacity for Invasive Fungal Infections in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg: A Focus on High Azole Resistance

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This survey examined how well hospitals in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg can diagnose and treat serious fungal infections, which are particularly dangerous for people with weakened immune systems. The researchers found that while most hospitals can test fungal samples, not all have access to all necessary diagnostic tools, especially tests for detecting resistant fungi and identifying fungal co-infections. Many hospitals outsource their testing to other facilities, which can delay diagnosis and treatment, and some hospitals lack access to all recommended antifungal medications.

Enhancing antifungal stewardship: The educational and healthcare benefits of involving pharmacy students in audits

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This study examined how pharmacy students could help improve the use of fluconazole, a common antifungal medication, in hospitals. Researchers found that nearly one-third of fluconazole prescriptions were not being used appropriately. By having pharmacy students participate in reviewing prescriptions under expert supervision, hospitals could better identify problems and educate future pharmacists, while the students gained valuable real-world experience in patient care.

Antifungal stewardship in the UK: where are we now?

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Fungal infections are becoming more common and dangerous because some fungi are developing resistance to antifungal medicines. UK hospitals struggle to manage these infections due to lack of funding, staffing, and limited access to fungal testing services. The paper recommends creating regional fungal expertise centers and setting national standards to improve how antifungal medications are used and monitored across the country.

Evaluation of Clinical, Microbiological Profiles and Management Patterns with Outcomes of Patients with Fungal Isolates in An Intensive Care Unit of A Tertiary Care Center: A Prospective Observational Study

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This study examined fungal infections in intensive care unit patients at a major hospital in India. Researchers found that diabetes was the most common risk factor, and most infections were caused by Candida species found in urine samples. Many fungal isolates were resistant to common antifungal drugs like fluconazole, suggesting doctors need to be more careful about which medications they use to treat these infections.

Recalcitrant dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton indotineae: A case series from Sarawak, Malaysia

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Three patients in Malaysia had persistent skin fungal infections caused by Trichophyton indotineae that did not respond to standard antifungal treatments. Genetic testing revealed these fungal strains carried a specific mutation making them resistant to terbinafine, the typical first-line treatment. While azole-based antifungals showed variable effectiveness depending on the specific drug and dose used, one patient achieved complete cure with voriconazole therapy. The study highlights the growing problem of drug-resistant fungal infections and the importance of targeted treatment based on laboratory testing.

Approaches to Invasive Fungal Diseases in Paediatric Cancer Centres: An Analysis of Current Practices and Challenges in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

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This research examined how pediatric cancer hospitals in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland manage fungal infections, which are a serious risk for children undergoing cancer treatment. The survey found that while most hospitals have infection specialists and antifungal prevention strategies, there are significant differences in how they diagnose and treat these infections. The study identified key challenges like drug interactions and delays in testing, and suggests that better networks between cancer and infection specialists could improve patient care.

Genomic Insights of Candida krusei, an Emerging Fungal Pathogen With Intrinsic Antifungal Resistance

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Candida krusei is a yeast that causes serious bloodstream infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems. Unlike many other fungi, it naturally resists common antifungal drugs like fluconazole, making infections hard to treat. The organism can form protective biofilms and has multiple genetic mechanisms that help it survive antifungal treatment. Researchers are exploring new drugs and treatment strategies to combat this growing health threat, especially in hospitals.

Research Keyword: antifungal stewardship