therapeutic action: Itraconazole

Disseminated sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis with testicular involvement

A 35-year-old homeless man with HIV developed a serious fungal infection caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis that spread throughout his body, including to his brain and testicles. A testicle lump was initially thought to be cancer and surgically removed, but it was actually a fungal infection. This is only the fifth case ever reported of this fungus infecting testicles. The patient was successfully treated with antifungal medications and remains healthy one year later.

Read More »

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

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.

Read More »

A rare case of invasive necrotizing myositis of the thigh caused by Basidiobolus ranarum: a multi-pronged approach to successfully managing a near-fatal polybacterial mycotic infection

A 46-year-old man developed a severe, spreading infection of his thigh muscle caused by a rare fungus called Basidiobolus ranarum, likely from an insect bite years earlier that was neglected. The infection became life-threatening when bacteria also invaded the tissue, causing widespread muscle death and bloodstream infection. Doctors treated him with multiple antifungal medications, antibiotics, surgery, and eventually had to amputate his leg to save his life. After six weeks of intensive care combining several medications including potassium iodide and extended oral antifungal therapy, the wound finally healed.

Read More »

Climate Change, Natural Disasters, and Cutaneous Fungal Infections

Climate change and natural disasters are creating conditions that allow fungal infections to spread more easily and affect people in new ways. Warmer temperatures help fungi adapt to infect humans, while floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes expose people to fungal spores and create wounds through which infections can enter. Doctors need to be alert for unusual fungal infections after disasters, especially since some of these infections can cause serious complications and resist common treatments.

Read More »

Dermatophytosis in a Chilean fox: first case of Nannizzia gypsea in Lycalopex griseus and the need for a one health approach

A wild South American grey fox found near Santiago, Chile was treated for a skin infection caused by a fungus called Nannizzia gypsea. This is the first time this particular fungus has been documented in foxes, raising concerns about how increasing contact between domestic animals, wildlife, and humans due to urbanization may spread fungal diseases. The fox was successfully treated with topical antifungal cream, and the fungus was found to be susceptible to all tested antifungal medications.

Read More »

Evaluation of Antifungal Activity Against Candida albicans Isolates From HIV-Positive Patients with Oral Candidiasis in a Major Referral Hospital, West Java, Indonesia

This study examined fungal infections in HIV-positive patients suffering from oral candidiasis (mouth thrush) in Indonesia. Researchers identified the types of Candida fungi present and tested their resistance to four common antifungal medications. Most patients had Candida albicans, and while these fungi generally responded well to newer antifungal drugs like voriconazole and fluconazole, some showed resistance, particularly to fluconazole, suggesting the need for careful testing before prescribing treatment.

Read More »

Disseminated Scytalidium philadelphianum infection in a Belgian Malinois

A Belgian Malinois dog developed a serious fungal infection caused by Scytalidium philadelphianum, a rare mold, that affected the spine and eventually the brain. The infection was diagnosed through imaging, fluid samples, and fungal culture from the dog’s urine and spine tissue. Despite treatment with multiple antifungal medications over seven months, the dog’s condition worsened with seizures and nerve damage, leading to euthanasia. This case marks the first documented instance of this particular fungal species causing widespread disease in animals.

Read More »

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

This 10-year study from Serbia examined vaginal yeast infections in nearly 2,200 pregnant women. Researchers found that yeast infections occurred in about 48% of symptomatic pregnant women, with Candida albicans being the most common cause. Importantly, the study discovered that other yeast species are increasingly important in these infections, and new identification methods (MALDI-TOF MS) revealed these species are often misidentified by traditional laboratory methods. The findings suggest that accurate yeast identification is essential for choosing the right treatment during pregnancy.

Read More »

The 2024 International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM)-ABPA working group guidelines: Transforming diagnosis and management of ABPA

ABPA is a serious lung disease that develops when the body overreacts to a common fungus called Aspergillus. New international guidelines help doctors better diagnose and treat this condition, which affects many people with asthma and cystic fibrosis. The guidelines make diagnosis easier by using simpler tests and lowering the thresholds for detecting the disease, and they provide clear treatment plans depending on how severe each patient’s disease is. These updated standards are especially important in countries like India where ABPA is very common.

Read More »
Scroll to Top