antifungal susceptibility testing – Page 2

New Strategies to Combat Human Fungal Infections

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Fungal infections are becoming a major global health threat, causing millions of deaths annually. This research collection presents new and improved ways to treat these infections, including natural compounds like chitosan, beneficial bacteria, new drug combinations, and tests to better understand which treatments work best. The papers showcase innovative approaches beyond traditional antifungal medications to help combat resistant infections.

Cryptococcus albidus (Naganishia albida) meningitis in a young patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

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A 16-year-old boy with leukemia developed meningitis caused by a rare fungus called Cryptococcus albidus. Doctors initially thought he had a viral infection and started him on antiviral medication, but specialized fungal tests revealed the true culprit. Treatment with antifungal medications successfully cured the infection, demonstrating the importance of identifying the exact cause of infection to provide the right treatment.

The impact of climate change on the epidemiology of fungal infections: implications for diagnosis, treatment, and public health strategies

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Climate change is making it easier for dangerous fungi to grow and spread to new areas where people have never encountered them before. As temperatures rise and weather becomes more extreme, fungi are becoming resistant to our medicines, especially antifungal drugs used in both farming and hospitals. People living in poverty, displaced by natural disasters, and those without good healthcare access are most vulnerable to these infections. We need to act quickly by developing new treatments, improving diagnosis, reducing agricultural fungicide use, and strengthening healthcare systems in vulnerable communities.

Breakthrough Invasive Mould Infections Under Posaconazole Prophylaxis in Patients With Haematologic Malignancies: A Case–Control Study

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This study examined cases where patients receiving posaconazole to prevent fungal infections still developed serious mould infections despite the medication. Researchers compared 29 patients who developed these breakthrough infections with 46 control patients who did not. They found that over half of patients with breakthrough infections died, compared to only 20% of controls, and that surgical treatment significantly improved survival for certain types of fungal infections.

Diagnostic Approaches to Invasive Candidiasis: Challenges and New Perspectives

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Invasive candidiasis is a serious fungal infection affecting critically ill patients in hospitals. Current testing methods like blood cultures are slow and sometimes miss the infection. Researchers are developing faster diagnostic tests using DNA detection and biomarkers that can identify infections within hours instead of days, allowing doctors to start treatment sooner and save more lives.

Invasive Trichoderma longibrachiatum breakthrough infection in a hematology patient

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A 61-year-old woman with blood cancer developed a severe and unusual double fungal infection caused by two mold species while being treated for a known fungal infection. Despite receiving multiple antifungal medications, her condition worsened and she ultimately died from multiple organ failure. The case is important because it demonstrates how Trichoderma fungi are becoming dangerous pathogens in very sick, immunocompromised patients, and a new drug called olorofim showed promising activity against this infection in laboratory tests.

Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis caused by Scedosporium apiospermum: A case report

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A 61-year-old woman developed a rare fungal infection in her lungs caused by Scedosporium apiospermum while undergoing cancer treatment. The infection caused persistent cough, mucus plugs in the airways, and high levels of immune cells called eosinophils. Doctors used genetic testing to identify the specific fungus and then treated her with corticosteroids and antifungal medications, which improved her condition significantly.

A prospective, multicenter study of invasive fungal disease caused by molds in children and adults in Chile

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Researchers studied serious fungal infections caused by molds in Chilean hospitals and found that aspergillus was the most common culprit, affecting both children and adults. Many patients with these infections were also suffering from COVID-19, showing how serious respiratory viruses can increase the risk of fungal complications. Good news: the study found no resistance to common antifungal medications in Chile yet, though overall survival rates remain concerning at around 60% at three months.

Traumatic implantation keratitis caused by Schizophyllum commune in Central India

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This report describes two patients in India who developed serious fungal eye infections (keratitis) after corneal injuries. The infection was caused by Schizophyllum commune, a mushroom-like fungus found on decaying wood. Despite aggressive treatment with antifungal medications and surgery, both patients lost vision in their affected eyes. The case highlights how difficult it is to identify and treat this rare fungus.

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

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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.

Research Keyword: antifungal susceptibility testing