Emerging Antifungal Drug Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus and Among Other Species of Aspergillus
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to give an overview of recent findings on antifungal resistance inAspergillus fumigatus (the major causative agent of aspergillosis) and siblingAspergillus species, which can be hidden agents of aspergillosis.Recent FindingsAzole resistance by Cyp51A mutation inA.fumigatus is a growing problem worldwide. The resistance can occur in patients or in the environment. The former occurs by drug selection in the host, inducing mutations in Cyp51A. The latter is characterized by a tandem repeat in the promoter region ofcyp51A gene and mutation(s) in Cyp51A. Environmental resis...
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 - August 17, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Emerging Antifungal Drug Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus and Among Other Species of Aspergillus
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to give an overview of recent findings on antifungal resistance inAspergillus fumigatus (the major causative agent of aspergillosis) and siblingAspergillus species, which can be hidden agents of aspergillosis.Recent FindingsAzole resistance by Cyp51A mutation inA.fumigatus is a growing problem worldwide. The resistance can occur in patients or in the environment. The former occurs by drug selection in the host, inducing mutations in Cyp51A. The latter is characterized by a tandem repeat in the promoter region ofcyp51A gene and mutation(s) in Cyp51A. Environmental resis...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - July 30, 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 - July 20, 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 - July 18, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Antifungal Prophylaxis in Children Receiving Antineoplastic Chemotherapy
AbstractPurpose of the reviewThe purpose of this study was to summarize data on available antifungal prophylaxis of invasive fungal disease (IFD) in children and when it should be administered during antineoplastic chemotherapy.Recent findingsAntifungal prophylaxis should be considered when incidence of IFD is ≥ 10%, as acute myeloblastic leukemia, high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and second-line therapy for any relapsing leukemia. In absence of specific pediatric studies, data from adults indicate that triazoles, especially posaconazole tablets, could represent the most attractive option, even if some troubles ...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
The Black Yeasts: an Update on Species Identification and Diagnosis
AbstractPurpose of reviewBlack yeast-like fungi are capable of causing a wide range of infections, including invasive disease. The diagnosis of infections caused by these species can be problematic. We review the changes in the nomenclature and taxonomy of these fungi, and methods used for detection and species identification that aid in diagnosis.Recent findingsMolecular assays, including DNA barcode analysis and rolling circle amplification, have improved our ability to correctly identify these species. A proteomic approach using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) ...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Candidiasis of the Central Nervous System in Neonates and Children With Primary Immunodeficiencies
AbstractPurpose of reviewCandida infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are a life-threatening complication of invasive infections that most often affect vulnerable groups of patients, including neonates and children with primary immunodeficiency disorders (PID). Here, we review the currently known risk factors for CNS candidiasis, focusing predominantly on the PID caused by biallelic mutations inCARD9.Recent findingsHow the CNS is protected itself against fungal invasion is poorly understood. CARD9 promotes neutrophil recruitment and function, and is the only molecule shown to be critical for protection against CN...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
PCR-Based Methods for the Diagnosis of Invasive Candidiasis: Are They Ready for Use in the Clinic?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe review the performance of Candida PCR and the T2Candida panel (T2Biosystems, Lexington, MA) in diagnosing invasive candidiasis, consider how these tests may be incorporated into patient care, and determine if they are ready to be used in the clinic.Recent FindingsPCR and T2Candida sensitivity/specificity for diagnosing candidemia are ~ 90%/90% and ~ 90%/98%, respectively. Limited data for intra-abdominal candidiasis suggest PCR sensitivity of ~ 85–90%, but specificity has varied from 33 to 97%. T2Candida data are lacking for infections other than candidemia.SummaryPCR and T2Candida will...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Fungal Eye Infections: New Hosts, Novel Emerging Pathogens but No New Treatments?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe sought to explore the current incidence and associated risk factors associated with fungal eye infections. We also reviewed new diagnostic strategies and recent clinical studies exploring the use of topical and oral antifungal agents.Recent FindingsIncidence and associated risks continue to vary with geographic region, and access to timely healthcare. Nosocomial fungal endophthalmitis can result from minor surgical procedures to the eye. Molecular methods offer increasing diagnostic utility. Clinical treatment studies have mainly focussed on the treatment of fungal keratitis and have been conduc...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Prevention of Invasive Candidiasis in Premature Neonates: Administering Fluconazole or Not?
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewFluconazole prophylaxis (FP) for invasive candidiasis (IC) in preterm newborns is still a debated topic. In this review, we describe the most important papers on the topic, and we discuss pros and cons of the use FP in newborns according to these paper ’s findings.Recent FindingsSince 2001, several studies have been published on the use of FP to prevent IC. While most of them agree on the effectiveness of FP in reducing IC, especially in NICUs with high IC rates, the lack of evidence of decrease in overall mortality, and the risks associated with fluconazole administration both concerning neu...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Candidiasis of the Central Nervous System in Neonates and Children With Primary Immunodeficiencies
AbstractPurpose of reviewCandida infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are a life-threatening complication of invasive infections that most often affect vulnerable groups of patients, including neonates and children with primary immunodeficiency disorders (PID). Here, we review the currently known risk factors for CNS candidiasis, focusing predominantly on the PID caused by biallelic mutations inCARD9.Recent findingsHow the CNS is protected itself against fungal invasion is poorly understood. CARD9 promotes neutrophil recruitment and function, and is the only molecule shown to be critical for protection against CN...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - May 8, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
The Black Yeasts: an Update on Species Identification and Diagnosis
AbstractPurpose of reviewBlack yeast-like fungi are capable of causing a wide range of infections, including invasive disease. The diagnosis of infections caused by these species can be problematic. We review the changes in the nomenclature and taxonomy of these fungi, and methods used for detection and species identification that aid in diagnosis.Recent findingsMolecular assays, including DNA barcode analysis and rolling circle amplification, have improved our ability to correctly identify these species. A proteomic approach using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) ...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - April 16, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
PCR-Based Methods for the Diagnosis of Invasive Candidiasis: Are They Ready for Use in the Clinic?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe review the performance of Candida PCR and the T2Candida panel (T2Biosystems, Lexington, MA) in diagnosing invasive candidiasis, consider how these tests may be incorporated into patient care, and determine if they are ready to be used in the clinic.Recent FindingsPCR and T2Candida sensitivity/specificity for diagnosing candidemia are ~ 90%/90% and ~ 90%/98%, respectively. Limited data for intra-abdominal candidiasis suggest PCR sensitivity of ~ 85–90%, but specificity has varied from 33 to 97%. T2Candida data are lacking for infections other than candidemia.SummaryPCR and T2Candida will...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - April 3, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
