immunosuppression – mycolab.ai

Disseminated mucormycosis leading to a fatal gastrointestinal perforation in a pediatric case of EBV-associated Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

mycolabadmin

A 12-month-old girl with a severe immune system disorder (HLH) triggered by Epstein-Barr virus developed a life-threatening fungal infection (mucormycosis) that spread throughout her digestive system. Despite aggressive treatment with multiple antifungal medications and emergency surgery, the infection caused her intestines to perforate, leading to her death. The case highlights the difficulty in recognizing fungal infections early in immunocompromised children and the need for heightened clinical awareness.

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

mycolabadmin

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.

Mediastinal cryptococcoma as part of disseminated cryptococcosis in HIV-negative pregnant woman with Myasthenia Gravis: Autopsy case report

mycolabadmin

A 29-year-old pregnant woman with myasthenia gravis, a condition requiring long-term immune-suppressing medications, died from a widespread fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus. Despite being HIV-negative, her weakened immune system made her vulnerable to this serious infection. An autopsy revealed the infection had spread throughout her body, including her heart, brain, lungs, and kidneys. This case highlights how fungal infections like cryptococcosis can affect people without HIV when their immune systems are compromised by other conditions or medications.

Invasive Fungal Infections in Orthotopic Heart Transplant Patients: Incidence and Risk Factors in the Modern Era

mycolabadmin

This study examined fungal infections in heart transplant patients at Cleveland Clinic between 2010-2020. Researchers found that about 5% of heart transplant patients developed serious fungal infections, with Candida being the most common culprit. Patients with previous fungal infections, those who needed additional surgeries after transplant, and those requiring life support machines (ECMO) had the highest risk. Heart transplant patients with fungal infections had much worse survival rates, suggesting the need for better prevention strategies using antifungal medications.

A human-relevant alternative infection model for mucormycosis using the silkworm Bombyx mori

mycolabadmin

Researchers developed a silkworm-based model to study mucormycosis, a deadly fungal infection. The model reproduces the same disease patterns and risk factors seen in humans, including effects of steroids and iron levels. Importantly, it successfully predicted how well antifungal drugs work against the infection, offering a faster and more ethical alternative to mammal testing for developing new treatments.

Disseminated Lichtheimia ramosa infection in a Japanese Black calf

mycolabadmin

A young cow developed a severe fungal infection caused by Lichtheimia ramosa, a rare type of mold. The infection spread throughout the cow’s body, affecting the liver and digestive system. The cow had an underdeveloped immune system (thymus hypoplasia) and was given multiple antibiotics for weeks, which actually made the fungal infection worse by killing normal protective bacteria. Despite various treatments, the cow’s condition worsened and it had to be euthanized.

Aspergillus terreus IFM 65899-THP-1 cells interaction triggers production of the natural product butyrolactone Ia, an immune suppressive compound

mycolabadmin

Scientists discovered that when a dangerous fungus called Aspergillus terreus is grown together with immune cells, it produces a special compound called butyrolactone Ia that helps it hide from the body’s defense system. This compound works by reducing inflammatory signals that immune cells use to fight the fungus. The research shows that direct contact between the fungus and immune cells is needed to trigger this protective compound production, suggesting the fungus responds directly to the threat of immune attack.

Unmasking Tinea Incognito: Case Study, Insights Into the Pathogenesis, and Recommendations

mycolabadmin

A 29-year-old woman was incorrectly treated for psoriasis with steroids, which made her fungal infection worse instead of better. When doctors finally diagnosed her with a fungal infection (tinea incognito), they found it was caused by a common dermatophyte fungus. This case highlights how steroid creams can hide fungal infections and make them spread, and shows why recognizing this condition is important for proper treatment.

Disseminated histoplasmosis with bone marrow infiltration in a newly diagnosed HIV patient

mycolabadmin

A Colombian patient living in Spain developed a serious fungal infection (histoplasmosis) that spread throughout his body and affected his bone marrow, which was discovered during his HIV diagnosis. Doctors identified the infection by examining bone marrow cells under a microscope and confirmed it with fungal culture and genetic testing. The patient was treated with antifungal medication (liposomal amphotericin B) along with HIV medications and recovered well, highlighting the importance of bone marrow testing in severely immunocompromised HIV patients.

Mediastinal cryptococcoma as part of disseminated cryptococcosis in HIV-negative pregnant woman with Myasthenia Gravis: Autopsy case report

mycolabadmin

A 29-year-old pregnant woman with myasthenia gravis died from a widespread fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus, which formed a large mass in her chest. Although she tested negative for HIV, her use of immunosuppressive medications to treat her muscle disease, combined with pregnancy’s natural effects on immune function, made her vulnerable to this serious fungal infection. The infection was initially misdiagnosed as tuberculosis, and the diagnosis was only confirmed after her death during autopsy, highlighting the importance of testing for fungal infections even in patients without HIV.

Research Topic: immunosuppression