antifungal treatment

Three cases of easy to be misdiagnosed tinea of vellus hair

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This case report describes three patients (ages 2-24) who had skin infections caused by a fungus called Microsporum canis that initially was misdiagnosed as eczema or other simple skin conditions. The infections involved fine vellus hair and required prolonged combined treatment with both oral and topical antifungal medications to fully resolve. The key lesson is that proper fungal testing and extended treatment similar to scalp ringworm protocols are necessary for treating these easily-missed infections.

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

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A 59-year-old man with a weakened immune system developed a serious fungal infection of his spine caused by Aspergillus nidulans, a type of mold. The infection was diagnosed through imaging tests and laboratory cultures from a biopsy of the affected vertebrae. Treatment with an antifungal medication called voriconazole for six months successfully cleared the infection without requiring surgery, offering hope for managing this rare and previously often-fatal condition.

A Case of Superficial Mycoses in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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A 52-year-old woman with lupus developed a widespread fungal skin infection that was initially mistaken for worsening lupus symptoms. The infection affected her scalp, face, and nails with two different types of fungi. After six months of treatment with antifungal medications, her symptoms resolved completely with no return of the infection during follow-up.

Refractory fungal infection: Three case reports highlighting good practice

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This case series examines three patients with serious fungal infections that did not respond well to standard antifungal treatments. The cases demonstrate how fungi can develop resistance to common antifungal drugs like azoles, making infections harder to treat. The authors emphasize that accurate identification of the fungus, testing its sensitivity to drugs, monitoring drug levels in the blood, and careful use of antifungal medications are essential for successfully treating these difficult infections.

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

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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.

Prevalence of Candida and Other Yeasts in Vulvovaginal Infections during Pregnancy: A 10-Year Serbian Survey

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This study examined yeast infections in pregnant Serbian women over 10 years, finding that nearly half had positive tests. While Candida albicans was most common, many other yeast species were also identified, some of which are resistant to common antifungal medications. Using advanced laboratory techniques (MALDI-TOF MS), researchers found more accurate identification was possible, which is important since different yeasts require different treatments, especially during pregnancy when some medications can harm the baby.

The dimorphic fungus Talaromyces marneffei: An opportunistic killer in Southeast Asia

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Talaromyces marneffei is a dangerous fungus found in Southeast Asian soil that people inhale, causing a serious disease called talaromycosis. The fungus is particularly deadly for people with weakened immune systems like those with advanced HIV. The fungus has evolved clever tricks to hide from and manipulate the body’s immune system, allowing it to multiply inside immune cells called macrophages.

Approaches to Invasive Fungal Diseases in Paediatric Cancer Centres: An Analysis of Current Practices and Challenges in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

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This study examined how 62 children’s cancer hospitals in Germany, Austria and Switzerland manage fungal infections in young cancer patients. Researchers found that hospitals use different methods to prevent and treat these serious infections, with some having special fungal infection experts and others not. The study revealed that larger hospitals tend to have better resources and expertise, while smaller hospitals face challenges like drug interactions and delays in getting test results.

Informing the World Health Organization Fungal Priority Pathogens List (WHO-FPPL): A collection of systematic reviews

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The World Health Organization created a priority list of dangerous fungal infections affecting millions of people globally each year. Experts reviewed 19 different fungal pathogens and ranked them by how dangerous they are and how much they need research and treatment development. The list identifies which fungal infections should get the most attention from doctors, researchers, and public health officials to improve patient outcomes and reduce deaths.

Single-center retrospective analysis of 454 culture-positive patients with tinea capitis and measurement of pathogens regarding thermal tolerance at 37°C

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Tinea capitis, commonly known as scalp ringworm, is a fungal infection that primarily affects children but can also occur in adults, especially postmenopausal women. This study of 454 patients in Hangzhou, China found that the most common cause is Microsporum canis (a fungus from cats and dogs), representing a shift from previous decades when different fungi were dominant. Researchers tested how well these fungi grow at human body temperature (37°C) versus room temperature, finding that most fungi adapt well to the warmer temperature, particularly Nannizzia gypsea, which grew equally well at both temperatures. Treatment typically involves oral antifungal medications like terbinafine or itraconazole, sometimes combined with topical treatments or steroids for inflammatory cases.

therapeutic action: antifungal treatment