immunocompromised patients – Page 5

Multicenter performance evaluation of the “quanty TOXO (RH region)” kit (Clonit) for molecular diagnosis of toxoplasmosis

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Researchers from seven French hospitals tested a commercial DNA test kit called “quanty TOXO” that detects Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite causing serious infections in pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. The kit performed well overall, correctly identifying infection in nearly 95% of positive cases and showing no false positives. However, the test sometimes missed infections when parasite levels were very low, suggesting doctors should run tests twice to increase detection chances.

Invasive Saprochaete capitata Infection in an Immunocompromised Patient With Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Case Report

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A 46-year-old man with blood cancer developed a serious fungal infection caused by Saprochaete capitata during chemotherapy. This rare but dangerous fungus was found in his blood and lungs, causing fever and breathing problems. The patient was successfully treated with a combination of two antifungal medications and fully recovered, though this infection typically has a high death rate.

Co-Infection of Pulmonary Aspergillosis and Cryptococcal Meningitis in an HIV-Positive Patient: A Case Report

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This case describes a 46-year-old man with advanced HIV who developed two serious fungal infections simultaneously: a lung infection caused by Aspergillus fungus and meningitis caused by Cryptococcus fungus. Despite receiving appropriate antifungal medications, his condition worsened and he unfortunately died. The case highlights how people with very low immune cell counts are at high risk for multiple life-threatening fungal infections and emphasizes the importance of early HIV testing and screening for fungal infections.

Candidemia due to Candida lambica in a neutropenic oncology patient: A rare case report

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A 56-year-old cancer patient developed a rare blood infection caused by an unusual yeast called Candida lambica while receiving chemotherapy. Despite taking antifungal medication for prevention, the patient developed a serious fever and low white blood cell count. Doctors identified the infection through genetic testing and treated it with a different antifungal drug called voriconazole, which successfully cleared the infection.

Photo Quiz: A cutaneous fungal infection with discordant biomarker results—a diagnostic challenge

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A woman with advanced HIV disease presented with unusual skin lesions that were initially suspected to be from a virus, but laboratory testing revealed a rare fungal infection called histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. The case was challenging because some standard fungal tests came back negative even though the patient had the infection, showing why doctors need to rely on culture and examination under the microscope. She was treated with antifungal medications and her diagnosis highlights the importance of considering fungal infections in severely immunocompromised patients even when initial tests seem negative.

Cryptococcus albidus (Naganishia albida) meningitis in a young patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

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A 16-year-old boy with blood cancer (T-ALL) developed a brain infection caused by a rare fungus called Cryptococcus albidus. Doctors initially thought he had a viral infection caused by herpes, but tests on his spinal fluid revealed the true fungal culprit. He was treated with antifungal medications that led to his recovery, emphasizing the importance of thorough testing when immunocompromised patients develop serious infections.

Geotrichosis Due to Magnusiomyces capitatus: A Severe Emerging Invasive Fungal Disease

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A 71-year-old cancer patient receiving chemotherapy developed a severe blood infection caused by a rare fungus called Magnusiomyces capitatus. This emerging fungal infection caused septic shock and multiple organ failure despite treatment with antifungal medications. The case highlights how these rare fungi can be deadly in patients with weakened immune systems and emphasizes the importance of quick, accurate identification using advanced laboratory techniques to guide treatment decisions.

The Brief Case: Cutaneous ulceration associated with acalabrutinib treatment

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A 72-year-old patient being treated with acalabrutinib for blood cancer developed a slowly growing skin ulcer on the thigh. Testing identified a fungal infection caused by Alternaria alternata, a mold found in soil and air. The patient was successfully treated with an antifungal medication called posaconazole, with the ulcer healing over one month. This case highlights that doctors should check for fungal infections in chronic skin wounds of patients taking BTK inhibitor medications.

Clinical, Laboratory, and Biomarker Predictors of 90-Day Mortality in Non-HIV, Non-Transplant Pneumocystis Pneumonia

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This study examined pneumocystis pneumonia in immunocompromised patients who do not have HIV or transplants. Researchers found that older patients with other health conditions were at higher risk of death within 90 days. High levels of fungal markers and low immune cell counts were better predictors of poor outcomes than traditional inflammation markers, suggesting doctors should focus on early identification and personalized treatment approaches.

Cryptococcal endophthalmitis in a patient with malignancy: A case report and literature review

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A 50-year-old woman with advanced lung cancer developed a rare fungal eye infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, resulting in blurred vision. Doctors diagnosed this through eye surgery and fluid analysis, then treated her with strong antifungal medications both injected into the eye and given systemically. After 10 months of treatment, her vision significantly improved, showing that early detection and aggressive antifungal therapy are critical for preventing blindness from this rare infection.

Research Topic: immunocompromised patients