diagnostic criteria – mycolab.ai

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.

Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii and Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum infections on tissue sections: Diagnostic pitfalls and relevance of an integrated histomolecular diagnosis

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This research addresses the challenge of identifying two common fungal infections (cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis) when examining tissue samples under a microscope. The study found that these infections often look similar and can be confusing for pathologists. The researchers discovered that looking for specific fungal features, particularly ‘dented-looking’ yeasts, can help differentiate cryptococcosis from histoplasmosis. When standard laboratory tests on fresh tissue aren’t available, using molecular testing (genetic analysis) on preserved tissue samples can successfully identify the fungus in about 75% of cases.

The 2024 International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM)-ABPA working group guidelines: Transforming diagnosis and management of ABPA

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ABPA is a serious lung disease that develops when the body overreacts to a common fungus called Aspergillus. New international guidelines help doctors better diagnose and treat this condition, which affects many people with asthma and cystic fibrosis. The guidelines make diagnosis easier by using simpler tests and lowering the thresholds for detecting the disease, and they provide clear treatment plans depending on how severe each patient’s disease is. These updated standards are especially important in countries like India where ABPA is very common.

ABPA in post-tuberculosis lung disease: A diagnostic pitfall or genuine entity?

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After tuberculosis treatment, some patients develop fungal lung infections that can look very similar to an allergic fungal disease called ABPA. This editorial warns doctors that they need to be careful about diagnosing ABPA in tuberculosis patients because treating it with the wrong medications could make the fungal infection worse. The key difference is that true ABPA causes wheezing and asthma-like symptoms, while post-TB fungal infections cause cavities and scarring in the lungs.

The 2024 International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM)-ABPA working group guidelines: Transforming diagnosis and management of ABPA

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Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a serious lung condition that develops when people with asthma have an allergic reaction to Aspergillus fungus. New international guidelines now provide better ways to diagnose and treat this condition, making it easier for doctors to identify ABPA early and prescribe the right treatment to prevent serious lung damage like bronchiectasis.

COVID-19-associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Mechanically Ventilated Patients at 7 US Hospitals: Epidemiology and Estimated Likelihood of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis—Results of the Prospective MSG-017 Study

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A fungal infection caused by Aspergillus commonly occurs in COVID-19 patients on ventilators, affecting about 7% of cases. The study found that having this infection was linked to high death rates, but it was unclear whether the fungal infection itself or the severe COVID-19 caused the deaths. Single positive test results for the fungus are not reliable for diagnosis, and antifungal drugs did not improve survival rates.

A Case of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis Caused by Cordyceps farinosa, a Species of Caterpillar Fungi

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A woman developed a serious respiratory condition called allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis caused by Cordyceps farinosa, a fungus that normally infects insect larvae. She worked in a laboratory breeding mice in a mountainous area and developed persistent cough and congestion. Doctors identified the fungus using DNA testing and treated her by removing the fungal material from her airways and removing her from the workplace, which led to complete recovery.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Due to COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis with Rare Extensive Tracheobronchial Pseudomembranous Involvement: A Case Report

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An elderly COVID-19 patient developed a rare and severe fungal infection caused by Aspergillus fungus in the airways, creating yellowish-white membrane-like deposits that blocked breathing. Despite identification of the fungus through examination and modern genetic testing, and treatment with antifungal medications, the patient’s condition worsened rapidly leading to organ failure and death. This case highlights how fungal infections can complicate COVID-19, especially in elderly patients on multiple medications, and stresses the importance of early recognition and immediate antifungal treatment.

Clinical characterization of immunocompetent patients with Scedosporium detected in respiratory samples: A case series

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This study examined eight elderly patients without compromised immune systems who had Scedosporium fungus detected in their lungs. All patients had a condition called bronchiectasis and most had previously suffered from a lung infection called MAC disease. The researchers found that in most cases, the fungus was simply living in the lungs without causing active infection, though distinguishing between these two situations proved difficult. Only one patient was diagnosed with an active Scedosporium infection and required antifungal treatment with a drug called voriconazole.

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