medical mycology – Page 2

Impact of glycemic control on coccidioidomycosis outcomes in patients with underlying diabetes mellitus in central California

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This study examined how blood sugar control affects outcomes in patients with both diabetes and coccidioidomycosis, a fungal infection common in central California. Researchers found that patients with poorly controlled diabetes (higher HbA1c levels) had higher rates of serious lung disease with cavities and were less likely to recover from the infection. The study highlights that managing blood sugar levels may be just as important as taking antifungal medications when treating this dual condition.

Increasing postgraduate medical mycology research dissertations at Uganda’s higher institution of learning

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This study shows how providing research funding helped increase medical mycology studies at a Ugandan university. Over just two years, the percentage of graduate student research focused on fungal diseases jumped from 16% to 40%. Students studied important fungal infections like cryptococcal meningitis and candida, using modern laboratory techniques. The research group’s collaborative learning approach and financial support enabled students to complete their studies on time and advance understanding of fungal diseases that significantly impact public health.

Shared Vision for Improving Outcomes for Serious Fungal Diseases: Report of a Patient, Caregiver, and Clinician Summit

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Patients with serious fungal infections face significant challenges including long delays before diagnosis, substantial emotional and financial burden, and lasting effects on quality of life. A summit brought together patients, their caregivers, and fungal disease experts to share experiences and identify priorities for improving care. The group identified needs for better diagnostic tools, new treatments, improved medical education about fungal diseases, and patient support programs to help future patients and their families navigate fungal infections more effectively.

Past, present and future of antifungals: Advancements in mechanisms of action and resistance

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Fungal infections are a growing global health problem, particularly for people with weakened immune systems, causing millions of deaths annually. Current antifungal medications are limited and increasingly ineffective due to drug-resistant fungi. This special issue explores new treatment strategies including novel drugs, combination therapies, and innovative approaches like nanoparticles and antimicrobial peptides to combat these serious infections.

Professor Emel Tümbay (1941–2025): A Pioneer of Medical Mycology in Türkiye

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Professor Emel Tümbay was a pioneering scientist who transformed medical mycology in Türkiye from 1941 to 2025. She established the country’s first diagnostic mycology laboratory, wrote important reference books, and trained many specialists who spread her knowledge throughout the nation. Her work helped doctors better understand and treat fungal diseases, and she is remembered as a dedicated educator and passionate scientist.

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

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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.

Cracks in the Curriculum: The Hidden Deficiencies in Fungal Disease Coverage in Medical Books

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This study examined how well major medical textbooks teach doctors and medical students about fungal infections. Researchers found that books focused on infectious diseases do a much better job than general medicine textbooks in covering important information about fungal diseases. Many textbooks lack sufficient information about preventing fungal infections and diagnosing them correctly, which could lead to delayed treatment and poor patient outcomes.

Renaming Candida glabrata—A case of taxonomic purity over clinical and public health pragmatism

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Candida glabrata is a common yeast infection that causes serious illnesses in humans, affecting millions of people worldwide. Scientists have recently proposed renaming it to Nakaseomyces glabrata for technical taxonomic reasons. However, this article argues against the change because it would create confusion for doctors, complicate treatment instructions on medications, disrupt disease tracking systems, and make it harder for patients to understand their conditions. Keeping the familiar name Candida glabrata is more practical and helpful for patient care and public health than strict adherence to taxonomic classification rules.

Increasing postgraduate medical mycology research dissertations at Uganda’s higher institution of learning

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A study from Makerere University in Uganda found that funding has significantly boosted research on fungal diseases among graduate students. The number of students focusing on medical mycology jumped from 16% to 40% between 2023 and 2024, with more advanced laboratory techniques being used. The research focused on serious fungal infections like cryptococcal meningitis, which particularly affects people with HIV/AIDS. The university’s creation of a collaborative research group helped students work together and complete their projects on time.

Persistent Candidemia: Predictors and Outcomes in a Multicenter Matched Analysis

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This study examined cases where fungal infections caused by Candida persisted in the bloodstream even after starting antifungal treatment. Researchers compared 46 patients with persistent infections to 92 control patients without persistent infections across three major medical centers. Patients with persistent candidemia were younger, more likely to be female, had more health complications, and sadly had much higher death rates (54% vs 31%) within 90 days. The findings suggest that certain patient characteristics and fungal species types may help identify those at higher risk of persistent infections.

Research Keyword: medical mycology