Research Topic: Medicinal

A Rare Case of Methyldopa-Induced Hepatitis

A 31-year-old woman developed severe liver inflammation (hepatitis) six weeks after starting methyldopa, a common blood pressure medication. After stopping the drug, her liver function returned to normal without needing steroids or other intensive treatments. This case reminds doctors that even commonly used, safe medications can rarely cause serious liver problems and should be considered when patients develop unexplained liver inflammation.

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Chronic cavitary pulmonary histoplasmosis treated with isavuconazole after a hypersensitivity reaction to itraconazole

A 68-year-old patient with a serious lung infection caused by Histoplasma fungus initially developed an allergic skin reaction to the standard medication itraconazole. Unable to use the typical treatment, doctors switched him to a newer antifungal drug called isavuconazole using a carefully controlled graded dose approach. The patient successfully tolerated the new medication and achieved complete resolution of his infection with sustained improvement, suggesting isavuconazole could be a viable alternative for similar patients.

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The rise of Stropharia rugosoannulata industry in China: current state and prospects

The wine-cap mushroom (Stropharia rugosoannulata) is becoming a major agricultural industry in China with over 494,000 tons produced annually. This large, meaty mushroom is rich in proteins, minerals, and healing compounds that may help fight diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. It grows easily on agricultural waste materials, making it an environmentally friendly crop that’s being used to help rural communities and reduce farming pollution.

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Study on Optimization of Liquid Fermentation Medium and Antitumor Activity of the Mycelium on Phyllopora lonicerae

Researchers improved the production of a medicinal fungus called Phylloporia lonicerae that grows on honeysuckle plants. They developed a better growing medium that produced more fungus in less time. They then discovered that components from this fungus can kill cancer cells, particularly lung and esophageal cancer cells, by triggering a natural cell death process called apoptosis. This work suggests the fungus could be developed into an anti-cancer functional food.

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Deep Fungal Infection of the Skin with Two Rare Fungi in a Dog Being Treated with Immunosuppressant Therapy: A Case Report

An 8-year-old dog receiving long-term immunosuppressive medication for brain inflammation developed rare fungal skin infections caused by two unusual fungi not previously reported together in veterinary medicine. Diagnosis required multiple tests including tissue samples, staining techniques, and genetic testing. Despite treatment with antifungal medications and careful adjustment of immunosuppressive drugs, the infections did not improve, highlighting the difficult balance between fighting infections and controlling the underlying immune disease.

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Favorable outcome of Lasiodiplodia theobromae keratomycosis: a clinical case and systematic review

A 74-year-old farmer developed a serious fungal eye infection caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae, a rare tropical fungus. Instead of requiring eye surgery, the patient was successfully treated with a combination of two antifungal medications applied as eye drops and taken orally for eight weeks. This case is significant because it’s the first documented successful medical treatment of this particular fungal infection, highlighting the importance of quick diagnosis and avoiding corticosteroid eye drops that can worsen fungal infections.

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Deep learning application to hyphae and spores identification in fungal fluorescence images

Researchers developed an artificial intelligence system that can automatically identify fungal infections in microscope images as accurately as experienced doctors. The system uses two different AI models working together to spot fungal spores, thread-like hyphae, and mycelium in fluorescence images. This technology could significantly reduce the time doctors spend analyzing samples and help ensure more accurate diagnoses, especially in hospitals with fewer experienced specialists.

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Invasive Fungal Disease is Rare in Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated with BCMA CAR-T Therapy

Researchers studied patients with multiple myeloma who received a new type of cancer treatment called BCMA CAR-T cell therapy. While this powerful therapy can sometimes increase infection risk, the study found that serious fungal infections occurred in only a small percentage of patients (1.7%). However, when these fungal infections did occur, they were often severe and potentially life-threatening, particularly in patients who experienced significant side effects from the therapy.

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

A 74-year-old woman had a purulent nasal discharge for 1.5 years caused by two different infections occurring simultaneously in her maxillary sinus: aspergillosis (a fungal infection) and actinomycosis (a bacterial infection). Imaging initially suggested only a fungal ball, but pathological examination revealed both organisms were present. The patient was successfully treated with surgical removal of the infected material followed by antibiotic therapy.

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Virulence factors of Candida spp. isolated from COVID-19 patients: hydrolytic enzyme activity and biofilm formation

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitalized patients developed fungal infections caused by Candida yeasts alongside their coronavirus infection. Researchers studied 71 Candida samples from COVID-19 patients to understand how these fungi cause disease by examining three damaging enzymes they produce and their ability to form protective biofilm layers. The findings showed that these fungi are highly virulent, producing strong enzyme activity that helps them invade tissues and resist treatment, which helps explain why these infections are particularly dangerous in COVID-19 patients.

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