Research Topic: Infectious Disease

Emerging Infections Network Survey of Screening for Cryptococcal Antigenemia, United States, 2024

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Researchers surveyed infectious disease doctors across the United States to understand how often they test HIV patients for cryptococcal antigen, a fungal infection that can be serious. The study found that doctors don’t consistently follow recommended screening guidelines, with many uncertain about the benefits of testing. Key barriers included confusion about testing recommendations and concerns about delaying HIV treatment, suggesting that doctors need better education about the importance of early detection.

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Disseminated subcutaneous sporotrichosis in an immunocompetent patient: A case report and a systematic literature review

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A 74-year-old man developed painful red masses on his arm and hand after being stuck by a tree branch. Tests identified the infection was caused by a fungus called Sporothrix schenckii. Despite having a normal immune system, the infection had spread across his arm in an unusual pattern. Treatment with an antifungal medication called itraconazole completely healed the lesions within four months without any scarring.

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PTP1B deficiency in myeloid cells increases susceptibility to Candida albicans systemic infection by modulating antifungal immunity

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This research shows that a protein called PTP1B plays an important role in protecting the body against dangerous yeast infections caused by Candida albicans. When this protein is missing from immune cells, mice become much more susceptible to severe fungal infections. The study found that PTP1B helps immune cells called macrophages and neutrophils kill fungi effectively, and when it’s absent, these immune cells work poorly. This discovery suggests that targeting PTP1B could be a new way to help patients fight off serious fungal infections.

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A Case of Sphenoid Sinusitis With Epidural Abscess due to Fungal Infection and Mixed Infection With Eikenella corrodens and Aggregatibacter segnis

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A 60-year-old woman developed a severe headache caused by a fungal and bacterial infection in her sphenoid sinus (located deep in the skull). The infection spread intracranially, creating an abscess. Doctors used imaging scans to diagnose the problem, performed surgery to drain the infection and remove the fungal material, and treated the patient with antibiotics. The patient recovered completely with no recurrence after four years.

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The tell-tale hearts: Donor-derived invasive fungal infections among orthotopic heart transplant recipients

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This case report describes two rare instances where fungal infections were transmitted from organ donors to heart transplant recipients. One involved a Candida infection and the other involved Aspergillus fungus, both causing serious bloodstream and heart infections. The patients required extensive antifungal medications and multiple surgeries to survive their infections, though they experienced significant complications. These cases highlight the importance of careful screening of organ donors for undetected infections.

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