Fungal infections – Page 18

The first report of rhinosinusitis by Rhizopus delemar in a patient with severe COVID-19 in Iran: a case report

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A 63-year-old man hospitalized with COVID-19 developed a serious fungal sinus infection caused by a rare mold called Rhizopus delemar. Despite surgery to remove infected tissue and treatment with antifungal medication amphotericin B, the infection spread and the patient died after five weeks. This was the first documented case of this particular mold causing sinus infection in a COVID-19 patient in Iran, highlighting how severe fungal infections can occur as dangerous complications of COVID-19.

Acute fungal endometritis in women with abnormal uterine bleeding: Clinical and microbiological insights

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This study examined a rare fungal infection of the uterus called fungal endometritis that causes abnormal bleeding and discomfort in women. Researchers found that about 12% of women with unexplained abnormal bleeding had this fungal infection, which was caused by different species of Candida yeast. A simple test using vaginal swabs was not effective for diagnosis; instead, doctors needed to take samples directly from the uterine lining. Treatment with an antifungal medication called voriconazole combined with surgical cleaning was successful in all cases studied.

Magnusiomyces capitatus bloodstream infection in a patient with acute monocytic leukemia: A rare case report

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A 26-year-old patient with acute leukemia developed a rare fungal bloodstream infection caused by Magnusiomyces capitatus during cancer treatment. The infection was identified through advanced laboratory techniques including DNA sequencing and mass spectrometry. The patient was successfully treated with amphotericin B, highlighting the importance of rapid and accurate fungal identification for better patient outcomes.

Invasive Fusarium rhinosinusitis in COVID-19 patients: report of three cases with successful management

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This study reports three cases of rare fungal sinus infections caused by Fusarium species that developed in COVID-19 patients. All three patients were successfully treated with a combination of surgical removal of infected tissue and antifungal medications. The cases highlight how COVID-19 and the use of steroids to treat it can increase the risk of serious fungal infections, emphasizing the importance of early detection and prompt treatment.

Disseminated Lichtheimia ramosa infection in a Japanese Black calf

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A young beef calf developed severe diarrhea and fever that did not respond to multiple antibiotics. The calf had an underdeveloped immune system (missing thymus gland) and was treated with many antibiotics and steroids, which weakened its immune system further. After death, examination revealed the calf had a widespread fungal infection caused by Lichtheimia ramosa in the liver and digestive tract, representing the first documented case of this type in Japanese Black cattle.

Necrotizing orbital infections: A comprehensive review

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Necrotizing orbital infections are serious, fast-spreading infections around the eye caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. These infections can cause vision loss and can be life-threatening, especially for people with weakened immune systems. Quick diagnosis and aggressive treatment with antibiotics or antifungal medications, combined with surgery to remove infected tissue, are essential to save sight and prevent death.

Identification of Non-fumigatus Aspergillus Species in Clinical Samples from Southern California

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Researchers studied fungal infections caused by Aspergillus in Southern California from 2012 to 2023, examining over 10,000 patients. They found that species other than the commonly known A. fumigatus were actually more prevalent in clinical samples, particularly A. niger from skin and nail infections. Importantly, these non-fumigatus species showed seasonal patterns and some carry resistance to standard antifungal medications, suggesting doctors may need to adjust their treatment approaches for fungal infections.

Chalkbrood Disease Caused by Ascosphaera apis in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)—Morphological and Histological Changes in Infected Larvae

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Chalkbrood is a serious fungal disease that kills honeybee larvae, caused by the fungus Ascosphaera apis. This study examined exactly how the infection progresses by infecting larvae in controlled laboratory conditions and observing them over time under a microscope. The researchers found that once infected, larvae die very quickly within 3-7 days as the fungus spreads throughout their bodies, and the fungus continues to grow even after the larvae are dead, eventually forming visible spores on the dead larvae that spread the disease to other bees in the colony.

Trichosporon Urinary Tract Infections: A Hidden Menace Revealed

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Trichosporon is a fungus that causes urinary tract infections primarily in hospitalized patients and those with weakened immune systems. This review found that Trichosporon asahii is the most common species responsible for these infections, especially in patients with prolonged hospital stays or using immunosuppressive medications. The drug voriconazole works best against this fungus, while some common antifungal medications like amphotericin B are less effective. Accurate identification using modern laboratory techniques is crucial for proper treatment.

COVID-19-associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Mechanically Ventilated Patients at 7 US Hospitals: Epidemiology and Estimated Likelihood of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis—Results of the Prospective MSG-017 Study

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A fungal infection caused by Aspergillus commonly occurs in COVID-19 patients on ventilators, affecting about 7% of cases. The study found that having this infection was linked to high death rates, but it was unclear whether the fungal infection itself or the severe COVID-19 caused the deaths. Single positive test results for the fungus are not reliable for diagnosis, and antifungal drugs did not improve survival rates.

Research Topic: Fungal infections