Voriconazole – Page 2

Aspergillus latus: A cryptic causative agent of aspergillosis emerging in Japan

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Researchers in Japan discovered that a dangerous fungus called Aspergillus latus, previously unknown in the country, has been causing infections since at least 2013. This fungus is difficult to identify because it looks similar to other related species and is actually a hybrid created from two different Aspergillus species. The study found seven cases of this fungus in clinical samples and discovered that it is resistant to some common antifungal medications, making accurate identification crucial for proper patient treatment.

Clinico-mycological study of superficial mycoses and correlation with anti-fungal susceptibility among the Candida isolates in a teaching institution of Western India

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This study examined fungal skin infections in 330 patients in Western India, identifying which fungi cause these infections and which antifungal drugs work best. Researchers found that Candida yeasts were especially common in nail infections while Trichophyton fungi were more common in skin infections. The antifungal drug caspofungin was most effective against Candida, while the commonly used drug fluconazole showed increasing resistance.

Data analysis of patients with positive mould or dimorphic fungal cultures from sterile sites

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This study examined 48 patients with serious mould and fungal infections at a South African hospital between 2014-2017. Most infections occurred in people with weak immune systems, especially those with HIV. The most common fungal type was Aspergillus. Even with appropriate antifungal medicines, one-quarter of patients died, highlighting how serious these infections can be.

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

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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.

Recalcitrant dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton indotineae: A case series from Sarawak, Malaysia

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Three patients in Malaysia had persistent skin fungal infections caused by Trichophyton indotineae that did not respond to standard antifungal treatments. Genetic testing revealed these fungal strains carried a specific mutation making them resistant to terbinafine, the typical first-line treatment. While azole-based antifungals showed variable effectiveness depending on the specific drug and dose used, one patient achieved complete cure with voriconazole therapy. The study highlights the growing problem of drug-resistant fungal infections and the importance of targeted treatment based on laboratory testing.

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 research examined how pediatric cancer hospitals in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland manage fungal infections, which are a serious risk for children undergoing cancer treatment. The survey found that while most hospitals have infection specialists and antifungal prevention strategies, there are significant differences in how they diagnose and treat these infections. The study identified key challenges like drug interactions and delays in testing, and suggests that better networks between cancer and infection specialists could improve patient care.

Genotypic and Phenotypic Investigation of Clinical Aspergillus isolates from Iran Indicates Nosocomial Transmission Events of Aspergillus flavus

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Researchers studied fungal infections caused by Aspergillus species in Iranian hospitals from 2020 to 2023. They found that Aspergillus flavus was the most common cause of infection and discovered evidence of several hospital-related outbreaks through genetic analysis. All isolates tested were susceptible to current antifungal medications, but the discovery of hospital transmission suggests the need for better infection control measures like improved air filtration in hospitals.

Clinical profiling, antifungal drug susceptibility, and biofilm formation ability in pulmonary mucormycosis

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This study examined 26 patients with a serious lung fungal infection called mucormycosis in a Beijing hospital. Most patients were older with health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure, and sadly about 4 in 10 died. Interestingly, most patients had other infections (viral or fungal) before developing mucormycosis. The researchers tested which antifungal drugs worked best against the fungus, finding that amphotericin B was most effective, though it can damage kidneys. They also discovered that most of the fungal strains could form protective biofilm structures, making treatment more difficult.

Global status and trends of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis: A bibliometric study

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This study analyzes 24 years of research on invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, a serious fungal infection in immunocompromised patients. Using bibliometric tools, researchers mapped out how the field has evolved, identifying leading countries (USA, Germany, China), key experts like David Denning and Thomas Walsh, and shifting research focus from transplant-related infections to COVID-19-associated cases. The analysis shows the field is rapidly growing with increasing emphasis on rapid diagnostic methods and antifungal therapies.

Brown locusts, Locustana pardalina, host fluconazole-resistant Candidozyma (Candida) auris, closely related to Clade III clinical strains

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Scientists found that brown locusts in South Africa carry a dangerous yeast called Candida auris that is resistant to the antifungal drug fluconazole. This yeast is similar to strains that infect hospital patients and is highly adaptable, surviving extreme temperatures and salt levels found in locust guts. This discovery suggests that insects like locusts could play a role in spreading this emerging fungal pathogen in nature, which has important implications for understanding how dangerous microbes spread between animals and humans.

therapeutic action: Voriconazole