Treatment failure – mycolab.ai

A case report of disseminated histoplasmosis not responding to primary treatment by itraconazole

mycolabadmin

A 28-year-old woman developed a fungal infection called histoplasmosis after having a tooth extracted, with the infection spreading to her lungs and sinuses. She was initially given a common antifungal medication called itraconazole, but her condition continued to worsen despite increasing the dose. When doctors switched her to a stronger medication called liposomal amphotericin B given intravenously, she improved dramatically and recovered fully. This case shows the importance of recognizing when a standard fungal treatment is not working and switching to more aggressive therapy.

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

mycolabadmin

A fungal infection called Trichophyton indotineae, which originated in Asia, is rapidly spreading throughout the United Kingdom and becoming resistant to common antifungal treatments. The infection typically starts in the groin area and can spread to other parts of the body, and many cases fail to respond to standard antifungal drugs like terbinafine. Researchers tracked 157 cases over seven years and found the fungus now accounts for over a third of all dermatophyte infections sent to the UK reference laboratory. Doctors and laboratory professionals are being urged to recognize this emerging threat and consider better diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Antifungal persistence: Clinical relevance and mechanisms

mycolabadmin

Some fungal infections don’t respond well to antifungal medications even though the fungi aren’t drug-resistant. This happens because a small percentage of fungal cells enter a dormant, low-energy state that protects them from being killed by the drugs. Understanding how these persistent cells survive and finding ways to target them could help prevent recurring fungal infections and improve treatment outcomes.

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

mycolabadmin

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.

A case report of disseminated histoplasmosis not responding to primary treatment by itraconazole

mycolabadmin

A healthy 28-year-old woman developed a serious fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum after dental surgery. The standard antifungal medication (itraconazole) did not work for her, even at high doses. Doctors successfully treated her with a more powerful antifungal drug called liposomal amphotericin B, which cleared the infection completely. This case shows the importance of adjusting treatment when patients don’t respond to initial therapy.

A case report of disseminated histoplasmosis not responding to primary treatment by itraconazole

mycolabadmin

A 28-year-old woman developed a serious fungal infection (histoplasmosis) after dental surgery that was initially misdiagnosed as a bacterial infection. Although she was treated with an antifungal medication called itraconazole, her condition worsened with larger lung lesions appearing. When switched to a stronger intravenous antifungal called liposomal amphotericin B, she rapidly improved and fully recovered, demonstrating the importance of adjusting treatment when patients don’t respond as expected.

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

mycolabadmin

A highly resistant fungal infection called Trichophyton indotineae is rapidly spreading throughout the United Kingdom. Originally from southern Asia, this fungus causes difficult-to-treat skin infections, particularly in the groin area, and resists standard antifungal medications in about three-quarters of cases. Since 2023, cases have spread from London to other parts of the UK and Ireland, and experts predict it will soon become the leading cause of ringworm in the country.

Treatment and diagnostic challenges associated with the novel and rapidly emerging antifungal-resistant dermatophyte, Trichophyton indotineae

mycolabadmin

A new type of fungal infection called Trichophyton indotineae has emerged and spread globally, particularly from India. It causes widespread skin infections that are difficult to treat because the fungus resists common antifungal medications. Doctors and laboratories need to be aware of this infection to properly identify it and choose effective treatments, especially for patients with travel history to affected regions.

Candida albicans bloodstream infections are comprised of diverse populations of strains, including antifungal tolerant strains that emerge during treatment failure

mycolabadmin

Researchers found that Candida albicans bloodstream infections contain multiple different strains, not just one strain as previously thought. Some strains are more tolerant to antifungal medications like micafungin, and when treatment is started, the drug-tolerant strains can be eliminated while drug-sensitive strains increase in number. This discovery suggests that treatment failures may occur because pre-existing drug-resistant strains are selected for during treatment.

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.

Research Keyword: Treatment failure