Research Keyword: clinical diagnosis

Identification of Challenging Dermatophyte Species Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

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This study shows that a specialized technique called MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry can accurately identify fungal skin infections by analyzing protein patterns. Researchers created a customized library of local fungal species that, when combined with commercial databases, improved identification accuracy from 16% to 91%. This advancement helps doctors quickly identify the exact type of fungal infection patients have, enabling faster and more appropriate treatment decisions.

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Mucor germinans, a novel dimorphic species resembling Paracoccidioides in a clinical sample: questions on ecological strategy

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Researchers discovered a new fungus called Mucor germinans that infected a cancer patient’s lungs and appeared as yeast cells rather than the typical thread-like fungal structures. This is unusual because Mucor infections normally show filamentous hyphae, and the yeast-like appearance made it look like a different fungus, potentially delaying correct diagnosis and treatment. The study shows that this fungus can change forms depending on temperature and other conditions, and identifying it requires checking for multiple nuclei in the cells to distinguish it from other similar-looking yeasts.

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Ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by a new-found opportunistic fungal pathogen—Myceliophthora heterothallica: a case report

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A 67-year-old woman suffered cardiac arrest and required a breathing machine to survive. While on the ventilator, doctors discovered an unusual fungal infection in her lungs caused by Myceliophthora heterothallica, which had never been documented as a human pathogen before. With standard bacterial antibiotics and supportive care, the patient recovered and was discharged after four weeks, suggesting this fungus may be less dangerous than related species.

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Trichosporon Urinary Tract Infections: A Hidden Menace Revealed

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Trichosporon is a fungus that causes urinary tract infections primarily in hospitalized patients and those with weakened immune systems. This review found that Trichosporon asahii is the most common species responsible for these infections, especially in patients with prolonged hospital stays or using immunosuppressive medications. The drug voriconazole works best against this fungus, while some common antifungal medications like amphotericin B are less effective. Accurate identification using modern laboratory techniques is crucial for proper treatment.

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Cracks in the Curriculum: The Hidden Deficiencies in Fungal Disease Coverage in Medical Books

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This study examined how well major medical textbooks teach doctors and medical students about fungal infections. Researchers found that books focused on infectious diseases do a much better job than general medicine textbooks in covering important information about fungal diseases. Many textbooks lack sufficient information about preventing fungal infections and diagnosing them correctly, which could lead to delayed treatment and poor patient outcomes.

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Molecular epidemiology, diversity, and antifungal susceptibility profiles of clinical and environmental mucorales: a five-year multicenter study in Iran (2018–2023)

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This study examined dangerous mold infections called mucormycosis that became more common during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in Iran. Researchers tested over 180 fungal samples from patients and soil to understand which types of molds cause infections and which antifungal medicines work best against them. They found that two medicines, amphotericin B and posaconazole, were most effective, while fungi from soil samples were often more resistant to treatment than those from infected patients. This research helps doctors choose the right treatments for patients with these serious infections.

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Utility of MALDI-ToF MS for Recognition and Antifungal Susceptibility of Nannizzia, an Underestimated Group of Dermatophytes

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Nannizzia species are soil-dwelling fungi that increasingly cause stubborn skin, nail, and hair infections in humans and animals. This study tested two laboratory methods for identifying these fungi and measured their sensitivity to eight antifungal drugs. The faster liquid-based method was slightly more accurate (67%) than the traditional culture method (62%), though neither method could identify six very rare species. Terbinafine emerged as the most effective antifungal treatment in laboratory tests.

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