invasive fungal infection – Page 5

Saksenaea oblongispora Rhinosinusitis in Advanced HIV: A Rare and Lethal Mucormycosis

mycolabadmin

A 32-year-old man with advanced HIV developed a severe fungal infection of his sinuses caused by a rare fungus called Saksenaea oblongispora, which typically doesn’t affect people with HIV. The patient presented with severe facial swelling that rapidly worsened, and despite doctors identifying the fungus through biopsies and lab tests, he did not receive antifungal treatment or surgery before his condition became critical. This is the first case of this particular fungal infection documented in sub-Saharan Africa and in HIV patients, highlighting how dangerous this rare infection can be and how challenging it is to diagnose quickly enough to save lives.

Detection of Mucorales antigen in bronchoalveolar lavage samples using a newly developed lateral-flow device

mycolabadmin

Researchers developed and tested a new rapid test (TG11-LFD) for detecting mucormycosis, a dangerous fungal infection, using a simple device similar to a COVID rapid test. The test detects a specific protein marker released by Mucorales fungi in lung fluid samples. In testing with 62 clinical samples, the new test correctly identified about 77% of actual infections and was negative in about 76% of non-infected samples. This affordable, simple test could help doctors quickly diagnose mucormycosis and start life-saving treatment faster, especially in countries with limited laboratory resources.

Clinical Mycology Today: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities

mycolabadmin

Fungal infections are becoming more common due to new cancer treatments and other medical advances, while some fungal species are developing resistance to standard antifungal medications. The good news is that several new antifungal drugs are in development with better safety profiles and novel mechanisms to fight these infections. However, the field faces challenges including limited specialized mycologists and difficulty designing clinical trials to properly test new treatments.

Case Commentary: Successful use of olorofim for the treatment of multi-drug-resistant Lomentospora prolificans infection in a child

mycolabadmin

A young girl contracted a dangerous drug-resistant fungal infection in her knee after an injury, which failed to respond to standard antifungal treatments. Doctors obtained special access to an experimental antifungal drug called olorofim through a compassionate use program. The child showed improvement within two weeks and was completely cured after six months of treatment with no signs of the infection returning two years later, making this the first successful case of this new drug being used in a child.

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

mycolabadmin

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some patients developed a severe fungal infection called mucormycosis alongside their coronavirus infection. This study found that 63 COVID-19 patients in Iran developed mucormycosis, which primarily affected the sinuses and brain. The researchers identified that a fungus called Rhizopus arrhizus caused most infections, and patients who received corticosteroids (used to treat severe COVID-19) had a higher risk, especially those who developed diabetes from the steroids.

Brazilian task force for the management of mucormycosis

mycolabadmin

Mucormycosis is a rare but deadly fungal infection that has been increasingly reported in Brazil, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Brazilian medical task force developed practical guidelines for diagnosing and treating this serious infection, which primarily affects people with uncontrolled diabetes or weakened immune systems. The key to survival is early diagnosis combined with aggressive surgery and specific antifungal medications, along with controlling blood sugar and immune system suppression.

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

mycolabadmin

An 87-year-old man with COVID-19 developed a rare and severe fungal infection in his airways caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. Doctors used a camera tube (bronchoscope) to see thick, yellowish-white membrane-like material coating his entire windpipe and airways, which is an extremely rare complication. Despite starting antifungal medications, his condition rapidly worsened leading to organ failure and death. This case highlights how COVID-19 can leave patients vulnerable to serious secondary fungal infections that require immediate recognition and treatment.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Invasive Fungal Infection in Patients with Hematological Malignancies at a Tertiary Hospital in Malaysia

mycolabadmin

This study examined fungal infections in cancer patients with blood disorders in a Malaysian hospital. Researchers found that about 7.6% of patients developed serious fungal infections, mainly from Candida species. Using antifungal medications to prevent infection significantly reduced the risk, though some patients still developed infections while taking preventive medications. The findings highlight the importance of appropriate antifungal treatment strategies in managing these vulnerable patients.

Fungal infections in burn patients: The rise of Fusarium as the most prevalent in a burn center in Mexico City

mycolabadmin

Burn patients are at high risk for serious fungal infections that can cause death. This study from a Mexican burn hospital found that a fungus called Fusarium was the most common cause of these infections, affecting over half of patients with fungal infections. This finding differs from other parts of the world where Aspergillus is usually most common, suggesting that Mexican burn patients face unique fungal threats that doctors should watch for carefully.

The first report of rhinosinusitis by Rhizopus delemar in a patient with severe COVID-19 in Iran: a case report

mycolabadmin

A 63-year-old man hospitalized with COVID-19 developed a serious fungal sinus infection caused by a rare mold called Rhizopus delemar. Despite surgery to remove infected tissue and treatment with antifungal medication amphotericin B, the infection spread and the patient died after five weeks. This was the first documented case of this particular mold causing sinus infection in a COVID-19 patient in Iran, highlighting how severe fungal infections can occur as dangerous complications of COVID-19.

Research Keyword: invasive fungal infection