Zygomycete Fungi Infection in Colombia: Literature Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes the reports of Zygomycete fungi infection in Colombia, as well as include the geographical distribution, species identification, and treatment of those clinical cases.Recent FindingsZygomycosis is not a new disease. However, the use of molecular tools has allowed the identification of some recently described species as their causal agents.SummaryIn Colombia, the prevalence of zygomycosis is unclear because reporting is not mandatory and because in many cases the etiological agent was not identified. It is important to establish the mandatory reporting of cases, to know the ci...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - October 22, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Association of Malassezia to Atopic Dermatitis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic, inherited, relapsing, inflammatory skin condition. A multifactorial etiology has been postulated, including genetic and immunological factors, impaired skin barrier function and environmental triggers, all of them are relevant in the pathogenesis.Malassezia spp. is the most common fungi of the skin microbiome. Most of the studies comparing the skin colonization withMalassezia spp. in healthy people and AD patients did not show difference between both groups. This review aims to show the studies carried out in this regard and the reported evidence about th...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - October 22, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Emergence of Resistance to Fluconazole in Candida albicans Isolated From Vaginal Discharge
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo provide information about the emergence of fluconazole resistance inCandida albicans isolated from vaginal discharge, in a global context, and to update the in vitro susceptibility profile of this species from Argentina.Recent FindingsVulvovaginal candidiasis is the second most common vaginal infection after vaginal bacteriosis.C. albicans remains the prevalent etiological yeast species, and despite antifungal treatment, the rate of recurrence remains high, which may be associated to antifungal resistance.SummaryData here presented were obtained from the study ofC. albicans strains isolated from...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - October 18, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Invasive Mold Infections in Patients with Chronic Lymphoproliferative Disorders
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewThis review summarizes data about epidemiology, treatment, and risk factors for invasive fungal infections (IFI) in patients affected by chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma (MM), and indolent non Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL).Recent FindingsDespite advances in the prognosis and treatment of hematological malignancies in recent years, susceptibility to infection remains a significant challenge to patient care. A large amount of data regarding patients with acute leukemias have been published while little information is available on incidence of IFI in chronic lymphoproliferative disor...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - October 13, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
The Southern Endemic Zone of Paracoccidioidomycosis: Epidemiological Approach in Northeast Argentina
AbstractPurpose of ReviewParacoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is one of the most prevalent systemic endemic mycosis in Latin America caused by species of an environmental fungus of the genusParacoccidioides. In Argentina, the endemic area with the highest incidence is located in the Northeast. This review presents the current aspects of PCM epidemiology influenced by global and particular climatic anomalies.Recent FindingsAn increase of cases with particularly features, in the diagnosis and clinical manifestations, delaying the diagnosis was observed. Two genotypes ofParacoccidioides are circulating and, probably, are related to a...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - October 6, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Fungal Keratitis: Epidemiological Profile in Argentina
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to describe the epidemiology and species distribution of fungi-causing keratitis in Argentina during the past 10 years.Recent FindingsIn Argentina, reports of distribution and frequency of fungal keratitis are scarce and little is known about its current epidemiology.In the present study, a review of the published data on fungal keratitis was done according to the global context focusing on the current situation in our country.SummaryData presented here were obtained in a reference ophthalmological hospital in the Autonomous city of Buenos Aires from 2007 to 2017 and...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - October 6, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Patients with Primary Immunodeficiencies: How Are They at Risk for Fungal Disease?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn this review, we focus on the inborn errors of immunity known to render the host susceptible to fungal infections, including candidias, aspergillosis, dermatophytosis, phaeohyphomycosis, pneumocystosis, fusariosis, cryptococcosis, and endemic mycoses.Recent FindingsClassically, the burden of fungal disease in humans is believed to be carried by patients with a secondary immunodeficiency, either due to malignancy, to chemotherapy, to an immunocompromised state post hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, or to treatment with anti-cytokine therapies. However, in the last decade, the study of patie...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - September 19, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Diagnosing Invasive Mold Infections: What Is Next
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCurrently, microbiological diagnosis of invasive mold infections is based largely on culture, direct microscopy, PCR, or antigen (such as β-D-glucan or galactomannan)-based tests. In this review, we look at novel and experimental diagnostic tests for invasive mold infections.Recent FindingsSeveral new techniques have been proposed, and are in different stages of development. The JF5-antibody-based lateral flow device has recently been commercialized, and is closest to uptake in routine care. Other tests, such as the MAb476-antibody-based urine lateral flow device, gliotoxin or bis(methylthio)gliot...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - September 17, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Role of Serological Tests in the Diagnosis of Mold Infections
This article reviews the current antibody detection systems (serological tests) for the diagnosis of mold infections associated with pulmonary disease and introduces new developments. Classic and more recently developed serological techniques and their performance characteristics, including immunodiffusion, complement fixation, and ELISA.SummaryThe diseases covered are allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, invasive aspergillosis, mucormycosis, diseases caused by filamentous basidiomycetes, infection caused byTalaromyces marneffei and pythiosis. Serology remains a cornerstone for fungal d...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - September 5, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Tinea Capitis: Current Review of the Literature
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes the fungal literature currently available for tinea capitis (TC), as well as providing data for clinical utility.Recent FindingsAvailable studies in TC are scarce; however, they provide important information about efficacy and outcome in clinical practice.SummaryTreatment of TC is effective; however, it requires a minimum of 1 month. Systemic treatment is often required to favor enhance drug penetration into the deep part of the hair follicle. The newest oral antifungal has higher efficacy rates than conventional therapy, as well as much shorter duration of treatment but at...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - September 1, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Onychomycosis Due to Aspergillus spp.: a Current Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe incidence of onychomycosis byAspergillus has shown an increase in recent years, representing 34 –60% of onychomycosis due to non-dermatophyte molds. At least 26 species ofAspergillus causing onychomycosis have been reported, some of which may be morphologically indistinguishable but genetically distinct, even in their susceptibility profile to antifungals. So in the diagnosis of this pathology, it is necessary to use both conventional and molecular methods to get to the identification of the fungus at the species level and thus establish the appropriate treatment.Recent FindingsThe current ta...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - September 1, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
A Call to Action for Mycetoma
AbstractPurpose of ReviewHere, we discuss the current needs and priorities for mycetoma control and prevention, highlight lessons learned from leprosy and podoconiosis, and motivate an urgent need to accelerate progress toward reducing the burden of mycetoma in endemic areas.Recent FindingsIn 2015, the World Health Assembly (WHA) added mycetoma, a progressively debilitating disease caused by fungi and bacteria, to the World Health Organization (WHO) list of priority neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Designation of other diseases as NTDs has raised awareness, enabled global partnerships, and advanced the capacity to comba...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - September 1, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
