Research Topic: Rare pathogens

Naganishia albidus Causing Perioral Cutaneous Infection: A Rare Case Easily Misdiagnosed

A 37-year-old man developed an unusual fungal skin infection around his mouth caused by Naganishia albidus, a rare yeast. He was initially misdiagnosed with eczema and his condition worsened with wrong treatment. Advanced fungal testing techniques helped identify the correct organism, and after six weeks of antifungal medication (both oral and topical), his skin completely cleared. This case shows why doctors need to consider rare fungal infections when skin problems don’t respond to typical treatments.

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Rasamsonia argillacea brain abscess in a lung transplant recipient: an unexpected infection by an unusual fungal pathogen

A 65-year-old woman who received a lung transplant developed a serious brain infection caused by a rare fungus called Rasamsonia argillacea. Doctors initially struggled to identify this unusual fungus and treated her with multiple antifungal medications, but the infection proved difficult to control because the fungus was resistant to common antifungal drugs. Investigations revealed that the patient had an undiagnosed immune system disorder called chronic granulomatous disease, which made her vulnerable to this rare infection. Despite aggressive treatment including surgery and powerful antifungal medications, the patient’s condition worsened and she eventually passed away.

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A case of refractory onychomycosis caused by Kloeckera apiculata: Successful treatment with itraconazole

A 32-year-old man had a stubborn fungal nail infection caused by an extremely rare yeast called Kloeckera apiculata that didn’t respond to three different antifungal treatments over several years. After being identified through specialized laboratory testing including genetic sequencing, the infection was successfully cured with a 3-month course of the oral antifungal medication itraconazole. This case is notable because it is only the fourth known case of this rare fungal infection in humans and the first one to achieve complete cure with itraconazole treatment.

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Schizophyllum commune infection following chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in a patient with lymphoma

A 71-year-old woman receiving CAR T-cell therapy for lymphoma developed a rare fungal lung infection caused by Schizophyllum commune six months after treatment. The infection presented similarly to other fungal diseases affecting the lungs and was diagnosed through bronchoscopy and fungal culture despite negative blood antibody tests. Standard antifungal medication (voriconazole) taken by mouth for four months completely resolved the infection, highlighting the need to consider rare fungi in patients receiving advanced cancer immunotherapies.

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Naganishia albidus Causing Perioral Cutaneous Infection: A Rare Case Easily Misdiagnosed

A 37-year-old construction worker developed unusual scaling and itchy sores around his mouth that worsened despite treatment for eczema. Doctors eventually discovered the infection was caused by a rare yeast fungus called Naganishia albidus, which is almost never seen in healthy people. Using advanced laboratory tests and antifungal medications taken by mouth and applied to the skin, the infection completely cleared within six weeks.

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Fungal peritonitis in a patient on peritoneal dialysis caused by Hyphopichia burtonii: A rare pathogen in human infection

A woman undergoing peritoneal dialysis for kidney failure developed a serious fungal infection caused by a rare yeast called Hyphopichia burtonii. Doctors identified the infection using advanced laboratory techniques and treated her with antifungal medication after removing her dialysis catheter. She recovered well and switched to a different type of dialysis. This case highlights how unusual fungi can cause infections in patients with weakened kidney function.

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