Research Keyword: Corticosteroids

The 2025 EQUAL Pneumocystis Score—an ECMM tool to measure QUALity in Pneumocystis pneumonia management

Pneumocystis pneumonia is a serious lung infection that affects people with weakened immune systems, including those with HIV and transplant patients. Doctors use different guidelines to diagnose and treat this infection, but these guidelines are complex and can be hard to follow consistently. Researchers created a new scoring system called the EQUAL Pneumocystis Score that helps doctors follow the best treatment recommendations by assigning points for different diagnostic tests, medications, and follow-up strategies.

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Epidemiology of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients in northwest Iran: Rhizopus arrhizus as the predominant species

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a dangerous fungal infection called mucormycosis was found in 63 patients in northwestern Iran. The infection was caused mainly by a fungus called Rhizopus arrhizus and most commonly affected the sinuses and brain. Most patients had been given high-dose steroids to treat their COVID-19, which weakened their immune systems and increased their risk of this serious fungal infection, especially those with diabetes.

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Invasive Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis Is a Rare Complication in Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Patient

A 5-year-old girl with systemic juvenile arthritis being treated with immunosuppressive medications developed a rare and serious fungal infection in her nose and sinuses caused by a mold called Lichtheimia. The infection caused tissue death and spread toward her brain, but was successfully treated with combination antifungal drugs and surgery. This case highlights how powerful immunosuppressive treatments for severe arthritis can increase the risk of life-threatening fungal infections.

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A characteristic rash caused by Shiitake mushrooms – An emerging concern?

Eating raw or undercooked Shiitake mushrooms can cause a distinctive whip-like rash in some people called Shiitake mushroom dermatitis. This dramatic rash appears 2-5 days after consumption but is not dangerous and goes away on its own in 10-14 days. The condition is caused by a compound called Lentinan that breaks down when mushrooms are cooked at higher temperatures, so properly cooking Shiitake mushrooms prevents the reaction.

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Clinical Challenges and Predictive Risk Factors for Outcomes in COVID-19–Associated Mucormycosis

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a dangerous fungal infection called mucormycosis has become a serious complication, especially for patients with uncontrolled diabetes or those taking certain medications. Researchers studied 180 patients with this condition and found that the infection can spread from the sinuses to the eyes and brain, leading to severe outcomes. The most important factors in surviving this infection are early detection, keeping blood sugar controlled, careful use of steroids, and aggressive treatment with antifungal medications and sometimes surgery.

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Epidemiology of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients in northwest Iran: Rhizopus arrhizus as the predominant species

This study found that COVID-19 patients in northwestern Iran who received high-dose steroid treatment developed serious fungal infections called mucormycosis. The infection was caused primarily by a fungus called Rhizopus arrhizus and affected mainly the sinuses and brain. The steroids used to treat COVID-19 weakened patients’ immune systems and triggered diabetes, both of which made them vulnerable to this dangerous fungal infection.

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