epidemiology – Page 4

Identification of fungal agents isolated from burn lesions using mycological and molecular methods in patients admitted to Velayat burn hospital in Rasht city during 2022–2023

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Researchers studied fungal infections in burn patients at a hospital in Iran and found that non-albicans Candida fungi, particularly a species called Candida parapsilosis, were the most common culprits. Using laboratory cultures and genetic testing, they identified 101 fungal infections out of 380 burn patients. Understanding which fungi cause these infections is important for doctors to choose the right treatment and improve patient outcomes.

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

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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.

Standardization of challenge inoculation protocols for artificial infection of Fusarium acutatum and Fusarium falciforme causing basal rot of onion

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This research develops standardized methods for infecting onion bulbs with fungal diseases in laboratory settings to test which onion varieties can resist the infection. Two Fusarium fungi species that cause onion basal rot were tested using five different inoculation techniques. The cotton swab method proved most effective and practical for screening large numbers of onion plants. These findings will help farmers and plant breeders develop onion varieties resistant to these economically important diseases.

Frequency, Interval, and Patient Factors Associated With Recurrence of Disseminated Cutaneous Coccidioidomycosis

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This study looked at how often a serious fungal skin infection called coccidioidomycosis comes back after treatment. Researchers found that about 25% of patients experienced at least one recurrence after stopping antifungal medications, with the average time before it returned being 14 months. Some patients had multiple recurrences, and most of the time the infection returned to the same location on the body.

Superficial Fungal Infections in Children—What Do We Know?

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Superficial fungal infections like ringworm and athlete’s foot are common in children and are caused by fungi, yeasts, or molds that spread through contact with infected people, animals, or contaminated surfaces. These infections primarily affect the scalp, skin, and nails, with scalp infections being most common in young children. Treatment typically uses topical creams for mild cases or oral medications for more severe infections, particularly those affecting nails or the scalp. Proper hygiene, avoiding contaminated areas, and limiting contact with infected individuals or animals are key to prevention.

Prevalence of Candida and Other Yeasts in Vulvovaginal Infections during Pregnancy: A 10-Year Serbian Survey

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This 10-year study from Serbia examined vaginal yeast infections in nearly 2,200 pregnant women. Researchers found that yeast infections occurred in about 48% of symptomatic pregnant women, with Candida albicans being the most common cause. Importantly, the study discovered that other yeast species are increasingly important in these infections, and new identification methods (MALDI-TOF MS) revealed these species are often misidentified by traditional laboratory methods. The findings suggest that accurate yeast identification is essential for choosing the right treatment during pregnancy.

Spread of Antifungal-Resistant Trichophyton indotineae, United Kingdom, 2017–2024

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A dangerous fungal infection called Trichophyton indotineae is rapidly spreading across the United Kingdom, particularly among people with connections to South Asia. This infection causes stubborn skin rashes that don’t respond well to common antifungal treatments like terbinafine. The number of cases has skyrocketed, making up 38% of all dermatophyte infections by 2024, and doctors need to be aware of this emerging threat.

New epidemiological routes of Coccidioidomycosis in Mexico – the extension of this pathogen to new areas

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Coccidioidomycosis, a fungal lung disease traditionally found in desert regions of Mexico and the southwestern United States, is spreading to new areas where it was never seen before. Researchers tracked 122 cases between 1991 and 2023 and found that nearly half of the patients had no history of travel to known high-risk areas, suggesting the disease is becoming established in new locations. Climate change and drought conditions are likely helping the fungus expand its range, making it important for doctors everywhere to consider this disease when diagnosing respiratory infections.

Estimated burden of serious mycoses in Poland

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This study reveals that Poland has a significant but underreported problem with serious fungal infections affecting thousands of people annually. The most common fungal infections are yeast infections like candidosis, while mold infections like aspergillosis are the most serious in immunocompromised patients. The research shows that current reporting systems severely underestimate the true burden of these infections, highlighting the need for better surveillance and diagnostic practices.

Data analysis of patients with positive mould or dimorphic fungal cultures from sterile sites

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This study examined 48 patients with serious mould and fungal infections at a South African hospital between 2014-2017. Most infections occurred in people with weak immune systems, especially those with HIV. The most common fungal type was Aspergillus. Even with appropriate antifungal medicines, one-quarter of patients died, highlighting how serious these infections can be.

Research Keyword: epidemiology