Research Keyword: immunocompromised

Disseminated sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis with testicular involvement

A 35-year-old homeless man with HIV developed a serious fungal infection caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis that spread throughout his body, including to his brain and testicles. A testicle lump was initially thought to be cancer and surgically removed, but it was actually a fungal infection. This is only the fifth case ever reported of this fungus infecting testicles. The patient was successfully treated with antifungal medications and remains healthy one year later.

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Endogenous Endophthalmitis: An underestimated serious complication in patients with disseminated fusariosis

An 18-year-old cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy developed a serious infection with Fusarium, a mold that spread throughout his body including to his eyes, causing vision problems. Doctors treated him with a combination of antifungal medications given both systemically and directly injected into his eyes. Although the infection was controlled and his life was saved, he lost most of his vision in both eyes but was able to keep them rather than requiring removal.

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Pathogenic potential of polyextremotolerant fungi in a warming world

Certain fungi can survive extremely harsh conditions like extreme temperatures and dry environments, and many of these same species can cause infections in humans. As the planet warms due to climate change, these fungi are becoming better adapted to higher temperatures, which makes them more dangerous as human pathogens. Scientists are working to better understand these fungi and develop new treatments and vaccines to protect people from fungal infections.

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Risk factors for invasive fungal infections in adult patients with hematological malignancies and/or stem cell transplant: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This comprehensive study analyzed multiple research papers to identify which patients with blood cancers or stem cell transplants are most likely to develop serious fungal infections. The researchers found that patients who previously had a stem cell transplant, those taking corticosteroids, and those with low white blood cell counts face the highest risks. Importantly, the study showed that using antifungal medications as a preventive treatment significantly reduces infection risk in these vulnerable patients.

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Recognizing the Importance of Public Health Mycology

Fungal infections are becoming a major global health problem, causing millions of cases and deaths each year, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Different types of fungal infections like aspergillosis and candidiasis are becoming harder to treat because fungi are developing resistance to antifungal medications. The editorial emphasizes that better diagnosis, treatment access, and disease tracking are needed worldwide to combat this growing threat.

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

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.

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Successful Management of Spondylodiscitis Caused by Aspergillus nidulans: A Case Report and Literature Review

A 59-year-old patient with lymphoma developed a serious fungal spine infection caused by Aspergillus nidulans, a rare mold. The infection was diagnosed using imaging, fungal cultures, and laboratory testing. The patient was successfully treated with a 6-month course of the antifungal drug voriconazole without requiring surgery. This case is notable because it represents the first successful treatment of this extremely rare infection in a cancer patient.

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Differential composition of the pulmonary microbiome in HIV-positive versus HIV-negative patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii

This study compared lung infections in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients who both had Pneumocystis jirovecii. Researchers found that HIV-positive patients had more diverse microorganisms in their lungs, particularly viruses, yet generally did better. HIV-negative patients had fewer types of microorganisms but worse outcomes. The findings suggest that the way a person’s immune system is weakened matters more than just having many germs present.

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Continuous debridement combined with short-term posaconazole therapy for cutaneous mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus oryzae infection secondary to acute myeloid leukemia: a case report

An 80-year-old patient with acute myeloid leukemia developed a serious fungal skin infection caused by Rhizopus oryzae on his lower leg. Doctors treated the infection by repeatedly cleaning out the infected tissue and giving him an antifungal medication called posaconazole for just one week. Despite the short treatment duration due to cost concerns, the patient’s wound gradually healed over four months through continued surgical care, showing that sometimes focused surgical treatment can be as effective as long-term medication.

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A Case Report of Candidiasis Cellulitis in Long-Term Corticosteroid Use

A 54-year-old man developed a serious skin infection on his hand caused by Candida, a normally harmless fungus, because he had been taking corticosteroid injections for 15 years for breathing problems. Despite antibiotic treatment, the swelling and pain continued. Doctors discovered it was a fungal infection through lab tests and treated it with antifungal medication (fluconazole) after draining the infection, which completely healed within two weeks.

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