antifungal susceptibility testing

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.

Establishment of epidemiological cutoff values for Fonsecaea pedrosoi, the primary etiologic agent of chromoblastomycosis, and eight antifungal medications

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Chromoblastomycosis is a serious fungal skin infection caused by a fungus called Fonsecaea pedrosoi, particularly affecting people in tropical regions and those in poverty. Researchers from multiple countries tested 148 samples of this fungus against eight different antifungal medications to determine how well each drug works. They established baseline measurements that doctors can use to determine if a patient’s fungal infection might not respond well to standard treatments, helping guide better treatment decisions.

Identification and antifungal susceptibility patterns of reference yeast strains to novel and conventional agents: a comparative study using CLSI, EUCAST and Sensititre YeastOne methods

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Researchers compared three different laboratory methods for testing how well antifungal drugs work against common yeast infections. They tested 22 different yeast strains including Candida species using CLSI, EUCAST, and Sensititre YeastOne methods. The methods showed strong agreement overall, but some newer antifungal drugs like ibrexafungerp showed more variation between methods. The findings suggest these methods are reliable for guiding treatment decisions, but further standardization is needed for newer drugs.

ESCMID-EFISG Survey on Diagnostic and Therapeutic Capacity for Invasive Fungal Infections in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg: A Focus on High Azole Resistance

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This survey examined how well hospitals in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg can diagnose and treat serious fungal infections, which are particularly dangerous for people with weakened immune systems. The researchers found that while most hospitals can test fungal samples, not all have access to all necessary diagnostic tools, especially tests for detecting resistant fungi and identifying fungal co-infections. Many hospitals outsource their testing to other facilities, which can delay diagnosis and treatment, and some hospitals lack access to all recommended antifungal medications.

Prevalence and antifungal susceptibility profiles of Candida isolates among patients with candiduria: a multiplex PCR assay

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Researchers studied yeast infections in urine from hospitalized patients using advanced molecular testing. They found that while Candida albicans was most common, other yeast species were becoming more resistant to antifungal medications. The study used a 21-tube PCR test to identify different yeast species and tested which medications worked best against them. Results showed that newer yeast species were much more likely to resist commonly used antifungal drugs like fluconazole.

The In vitro Effect of Nanoliposomal Amphotericin B Against Rhizopus arrhizus Isolated From COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis Patients

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Scientists tested a new nano-formulation of the antifungal drug amphotericin B against a dangerous fungus (Rhizopus arrhizus) that infected COVID-19 patients with mucormycosis. The nanoliposomal version of the drug worked much better than regular amphotericin B and other antifungal medications currently used, showing much lower concentrations needed to kill the fungus. This research suggests the new nano-formulation could be a more effective treatment option for patients with this serious COVID-19 related fungal infection.

Assessing Diagnostic Capabilities and Treatment Accessibility for Invasive Fungal Infections in the Balkan Region

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Researchers surveyed medical centers across 12 Balkan countries to understand how well-equipped they are to diagnose and treat serious fungal infections. They found that while most centers have basic laboratory tools like microscopes and cultures, advanced molecular tests for identifying fungal species are less common. Antifungal medications like triazoles are widely available, but other important treatment options are harder to find in the region.

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

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Researchers in West Java, Indonesia studied fungal infections in the mouths of HIV-positive patients to understand which antifungals work best. They found that a common fungal species called Candida albicans was present in all patients tested, though some resistant strains were discovered. The study showed that certain antifungal medications like voriconazole worked better than others, highlighting the importance of testing which specific medications will be effective for each patient rather than guessing.

The in vitro Activity of Echinocandins Against Clinical Trichophyton rubrum Isolates and Review of the Susceptibility of T. rubrum to Echinocandins Worldwide

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Researchers tested how well three antifungal drugs (micafungin, anidulafungin, and caspofungin) work against a common fungus that causes skin infections. They found that two of these drugs were more effective than the third, suggesting they could be helpful alternatives when standard treatments fail due to drug-resistant fungal strains. The study also reviewed similar research worldwide and found consistent results across different testing methods.

ESCMID-EFISG Survey on Diagnostic and Therapeutic Capacity for Invasive Fungal Infections in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg: A Focus on High Azole Resistance

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This survey examined how well hospitals in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg can diagnose and treat serious fungal infections, especially in patients whose immune systems are weakened. The researchers found that while most hospitals have good access to testing and antifungal medications, some important tests are still missing, and many hospitals send samples to other facilities for testing, which can delay treatment. Since this region has unusually high rates of fungal infections that resist common antifungal drugs, improving access to advanced diagnostic tests is crucial for patient survival.

Research Topic: antifungal susceptibility testing