invasive fungal infection – Page 6

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.

Analytical Validation of a Next-Generation Sequencing Assay for the Detection of Microbial Pathogens in Human Plasma

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Researchers developed a new blood test that can detect hundreds of different fungal and bacterial infections using advanced sequencing technology. The test works by searching for pathogen DNA in blood samples and is much faster than traditional culture methods. This could help doctors quickly identify what infection a patient has and start the right treatment sooner, which is especially important for patients with weakened immune systems.

Consecutive non-Aspergillus Fungal Invasive Infections in Chronic Granulomatous Disease: Data from the French National Reference Center for Primary ImmunoDeficiencies and literature review

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This study examines rare but serious fungal infections in patients with chronic granulomatous disease, a genetic immune disorder. Researchers analyzed 122 cases of non-Aspergillus fungal infections from French hospitals and published literature, finding that these infections often occur despite preventive antifungal medications and are challenging to diagnose. The infections were found in the lungs most commonly but could spread to bones, brain, and other organs, with treatments including antifungal drugs, surgery, and in some cases bone marrow transplants.

Invasive Saprochaete capitata Infection in an Immunocompromised Patient With Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Case Report

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A 46-year-old man with blood cancer developed a serious fungal infection caused by Saprochaete capitata during chemotherapy. This rare but dangerous fungus was found in his blood and lungs, causing fever and breathing problems. The patient was successfully treated with a combination of two antifungal medications and fully recovered, though this infection typically has a high death rate.

Fungal sepsis in a 7-month-old female: diagnosis through peripheral blood smear

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A 7-month-old girl with persistent fever that did not respond to antibiotics was found to have a yeast infection in her blood through examination of a blood sample under a microscope. This discovery was unusual because such infections are typically difficult to spot without special culture tests. After treatment with the antifungal medication fluconazole, the child recovered completely. This case shows how simple microscopy can help diagnose serious fungal infections in areas where advanced laboratory testing is not available.

Fungal Δ9-fatty acid desaturase: a unique enzyme at the core of lipid metabolism in Aspergillus fumigatus and a promising target for the search for antifungal strategies

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Certain dangerous fungal infections like aspergillosis are difficult to treat because current antifungal drugs have significant side effects or the fungi are developing resistance. Scientists have discovered that a specific enzyme called Δ9-fatty acid desaturase, which fungi need to make fats for their cell membranes, has a unique structure different from human cells. This structural difference offers a new opportunity to design antifungal drugs that could kill fungi without harming human cells, potentially providing safer and more effective treatments for serious fungal infections.

Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis in diabetic ketoacidosis: A classic clinical presentation still unknown in Senegal

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A young woman in Senegal with uncontrolled diabetes developed a serious fungal infection affecting her eye and brain caused by Rhizopus oryzae. Despite showing classic warning signs like swelling and tissue death, the infection was not diagnosed quickly enough, and the necessary antifungal medication (amphotericin B) was not available, resulting in her death within three days. This case highlights how invasive fungal infections are underrecognized and undertreated in Africa due to limited laboratory capacity and drug availability.

A Case of Pulmonary Infection Due to Magnusiomyces capitatus in a Non-Immunocompromised Patient with Cerebral Palsy

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A young man with cerebral palsy developed a rare lung infection caused by Magnusiomyces capitatus, a fungus that usually only affects people with weakened immune systems. Doctors diagnosed the infection by analyzing fluid from his lungs and identified the fungus using advanced laboratory techniques. The patient improved after being treated with an antifungal medication called voriconazole. This case highlights that this rare fungal infection can occur in otherwise healthy people, especially those with conditions affecting their ability to clear lung secretions.

Clinical Outcomes of Micafungin for Invasive Fungal Infections in the Obese and Nonobese

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This study examined whether obese patients treated with the antifungal drug micafungin for serious fungal infections had different outcomes compared to non-obese patients. Researchers reviewed 378 patient cases and found that both groups had similar success rates of about 50%, suggesting that the standard dose of micafungin works equally well in obese and non-obese patients. These findings suggest that doctors do not need to prescribe higher doses of micafungin specifically for obese patients, though more research is needed to fully understand how obesity affects antifungal treatment.

Neonatal Invasive Candidiasis: Current Concepts

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Serious fungal infections (candidiasis) in newborns have become increasingly difficult to treat, especially in developing countries. The types of fungi causing these infections have changed dramatically, with many now resisting the standard fluconazole treatment. Modern medical care, like proper handwashing, environmental cleaning, and careful line care, is actually more effective at preventing these infections than giving preventive antifungal drugs. Healthcare providers need better tools for quickly identifying which fungal species is causing infection and which drugs will work against it.

Research Keyword: invasive fungal infection