Research Topic: infectious diseases

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

A 12-month-old girl developed a serious immune system disorder called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis triggered by Epstein-Barr virus infection. Despite aggressive treatment, she developed a life-threatening fungal infection caused by mucormycosis that spread throughout her digestive system. The case illustrates how fungal infections can rapidly progress and become fatal in children with severely weakened immune systems, emphasizing the need for doctors to recognize early warning signs like tissue darkening on the skin.

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Invasive nasal and paranasal mucormycosis in a patient with severe dengue fever and multiple risk factors: A case report and literature review

A 50-year-old woman in Vietnam developed a rare and deadly fungal infection called mucormycosis while recovering from dengue fever. She had weakened immunity from taking steroids for other conditions and from the dengue virus itself. The infection caused black, dead tissue to rapidly spread in her nose and around her eye. Despite treatment with antifungal medications, the infection progressed, and she died within days. The case shows how important it is to watch for dangerous opportunistic infections in dengue patients, especially those already dealing with weakened immune systems.

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Impact of glycemic control on coccidioidomycosis outcomes in patients with underlying diabetes mellitus in central California

This study examined how blood sugar control affects outcomes in patients with both diabetes and coccidioidomycosis, a fungal infection common in central California. Researchers found that patients with poorly controlled diabetes (higher HbA1c levels) had higher rates of serious lung disease with cavities and were less likely to recover from the infection. The study highlights that managing blood sugar levels may be just as important as taking antifungal medications when treating this dual condition.

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Cracks in the Curriculum: The Hidden Deficiencies in Fungal Disease Coverage in Medical Books

Medical textbooks used to train doctors contain significant gaps in their coverage of fungal infections, which cause millions of deaths annually. While infectious disease textbooks provide better information than general internal medicine textbooks, all of them fall short in covering important topics like diagnosis methods and prevention strategies. The study found that doctors and students relying solely on these textbooks may not have adequate knowledge to properly diagnose and treat fungal infections, which could impact patient care outcomes.

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Eikenella corrodens isolated from pleural effusion: A case report

A 67-year-old patient developed a severe lung infection called empyema caused by a rare bacterium called Eikenella corrodens. Doctors drained infected fluid from the patient’s lungs and identified the bacterium through laboratory testing using special culture techniques and chemical tests. The patient received antibiotics but unfortunately died after 22 days despite treatment. This case highlights the importance of extended laboratory testing and improved diagnostic capabilities in hospitals to identify rare bacteria.

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Mixed Infection With Aspergillosis and Actinomycosis in the Maxillary Sinus: A Case Report

A 74-year-old woman with diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis developed a rare dual infection in her maxillary sinus (a cavity above the teeth) caused by both a fungus (Aspergillus) and bacteria (Actinomyces). Imaging tests initially suggested only fungal infection, but surgery and tissue examination revealed both organisms were present. The patient was successfully treated with surgical removal of the infected material combined with antibiotics, leading to complete recovery.

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Fungal infections in burn patients: The rise of Fusarium as the most prevalent in a burn center in Mexico City

Burn patients are at high risk for serious fungal infections that can cause death. This study from a Mexican burn hospital found that a fungus called Fusarium was the most common cause of these infections, affecting over half of patients with fungal infections. This finding differs from other parts of the world where Aspergillus is usually most common, suggesting that Mexican burn patients face unique fungal threats that doctors should watch for carefully.

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Cracks in the Curriculum: The Hidden Deficiencies in Fungal Disease Coverage in Medical Books

This study examined how well major medical textbooks teach doctors and medical students about fungal infections. Researchers found that books focused on infectious diseases do a much better job than general medicine textbooks in covering important information about fungal diseases. Many textbooks lack sufficient information about preventing fungal infections and diagnosing them correctly, which could lead to delayed treatment and poor patient outcomes.

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

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.

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Dermatophyte Treatment Failure: A Rapid Global Response to an Emerging Global Health Issue

Fungal skin infections affect nearly a billion people worldwide and are becoming increasingly difficult to treat due to growing resistance to common antifungal medications. A new species of fungus called T. indotineae, particularly resistant to the popular antifungal drug terbinafine, is spreading globally from India. To combat this emerging health crisis, doctors and health organizations are working together to create global registries and surveillance programs to track resistant infections and develop better treatment strategies.

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