Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus terreus diagnosed using virtual bronchoscopic navigation and endobronchial ultrasonography with guide sheath and successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin B
Invasive aspergillosis is a significant cause of mortality in patients with hematological malignancy. Early diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) by bronchoscopy is recommended but is often difficult to perform because of small lesion size and bleeding risk due to thrombocytopenia. A 71-year-old woman had received initial induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia. On day 22 of chemotherapy, she had a high fever, and the chest computed tomography scan revealed a 20-mm-sized nodule with a halo sign. Bronchoscopy assisted by virtual bronchoscopic navigation (VBN) and endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide...
Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - November 12, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Rates of Aspergillus Co-Infection in COVID Patients in ICU Not as High as Previously Reported...White PL, Dhillon R, Cordey A, et al. A national strategy to diagnose coronavirus disease 2019-associated invasive fungal disease in the intensive care un
The article presents the rates of Aspergillus Co-Infection in COVID Patients in ICU Not as High as Previously Reported. Topics discussed include aimed to establish the rates of aspergillus co-infection in COVID19 patients in our ICU; and reviewed both BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage) and Galactomannan Index; and this is indicative of a requirement for a larger multicenter study, with a view to provide stronger evidence on invasive aspergillosis, and guidance on commencement of antifungals. (Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH))
Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - October 15, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Evaluation of a Prototype of a Novel Galactomannan Sandwich Assay Using the VIDAS ® Technology for the Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis
Conclusions: This new VIDAS ® GM prototype assay showed adequate analytical and clinical performance and a good correlation with that of Platelia ™ Aspergillus Ag with 126 sera, although these results need to be confirmed in a larger prospective and multicentric study. As for the other VIDAS ® assays, VIDAS ® GM is a single-sample automated test using a solid reagent strip and receptacle. It is easy to use and suitable for rapid on-demand test results. (Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH))
Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - August 12, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Researchers prepare to send fungi for a ride around the moon
(Naval Research Laboratory) The fungus Aspergillus niger, along with its three mutant strains, are slated to rotate the moon on NASA's Orion Space Capsule in 2021 so researchers can improve their understanding of the fungi's natural and adapted defenses against radiation. (Source: EurekAlert! - Biology)
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - May 28, 2021 Category: Biology Source Type: news
Alarm over white fungus: Here's all you need to know about causes, symptoms and treatment plans
Though no case of white fungal infection in Covid patients has been reported in Patna, white fungus (Candida and Aspergillus) reaching the lungs could pose a new challenge. (Source: The Economic Times)
Source: The Economic Times - May 21, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Alarm over white fungus: All you need to know about causes, symptoms and treatment plans
Though no case of white fungal infection in Covid patients has been reported in Patna, white fungus (Candida and Aspergillus) reaching the lungs could pose a new challenge. (Source: The Economic Times)
Source: The Economic Times - May 21, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Invasive Aspergillosis Due to Aspergillus Section Usti: A Multicenter Retrospective Study, Clinical Infectious Diseases
Conclusions Aspergillus ustus IA mainly occurred in nonneutropenic transplant patients and was frequently associated with extrapulmonary sites of infection. Mortality rate was high and optimal antifungal therapy remains to be defined. (Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH))
Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - May 13, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Digestive enzymes of fungal origin as a relevant cause of false positive Aspergillus antigen testing in intensive care unit patients, Infection
Background: Galactomannan antigen (GM) testing is widely used in the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA). Digestive enzymes play an important role in enzyme substitution therapy in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. As digestive enzymes of fungal origin like Nortase contain enzymes from Aspergillus, a false-positive result of the test might be possible because of cross-reacting antigens of the cell wall of the producing fungi. We, therefore, asked whether the administration of fungal enzymes is a relevant cause of false-positive GM antigen test results. Methods: Patients with a positive GM antigen test between January...
Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - May 13, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Aspergillus Polymerase Chain ReactionAn Update on Technical Recommendations, Clinical Applications, and Justification for Inclusion in the Second Revision of the EORTC/MSGERC Definitions of Invasive Fungal Disease, Clinical Infectious Diseases
Aspergillus polymerase chain reaction testing of blood and respiratory samples has recently been included in the second revision of the EORTC/MSGERC definitions for classifying invasive fungal disease. This is a result of considerable efforts to standardize methodology, the availability of commercial assays and external quality control programs, and additional clinical validation. This supporting article provides both clinical and technical justifications for its inclusion while also summarizing recent advances and likely future developments in the molecular diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. (Source: Current Awareness S...
Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - April 15, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
What Are Toxin-Mediated Diseases?
Discussion
A poison is a generic term for “a substance with an inherent property that tends to destroy life or impair health.” A toxin is more specific and is “any poison produced by an organism, characterized by antigenicity in certain animals and high molecular weight, and including the bacterial toxins that are the causative agents of tetanus, diphtheria, etc., and such plant and animal toxins as ricin and snake venom.” A toxin does not include those substances that are made synthetically produced. Venom is also a toxin that is used by animals and insects for predation or defense which can cause ...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - April 12, 2021 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Pediatric Education Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
New discoveries on deadly fungus - might be a key for treatment
(The University of Bergen) Scientists at the University of Bergen (UiB) have discovered a new enzyme on the deadly fungus Aspergillus fumigatus that might unlock new treatment. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - March 19, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis During COVID-19 Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis During COVID-19
This unusual case highlights the role home isolation can have in the development of Aspergillus-associated respiratory disorders, particularly during the current COVID-19 pandemic.BMC Pulmonary Medicine (Source: Medscape Radiology Headlines)
Source: Medscape Radiology Headlines - January 26, 2021 Category: Radiology Tags: Pulmonary Medicine Journal Article Source Type: news
Research reveals how a fungal infection activates inflammation
(St. Jude Children's Research Hospital) Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have shed light on the mechanisms that underlie how Aspergillus fumigatus activates the inflammasome, with implications for therapeutic development. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - December 2, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
Use of omalizumab in fungal allergic asthma
Conference abstracts (Source: The Aspergillus Website - updates)
Source: The Aspergillus Website - updates - September 2, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: MeganB Source Type: news
Outdoor fungal spore levels, lung function and symptoms in patients with asthma and aspergillus sensitisation
Conference abstracts (Source: The Aspergillus Website - updates)
Source: The Aspergillus Website - updates - September 2, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: MeganB Source Type: news
