Aspergillosis: an Update on Clinical Spectrum, Diagnostic Schemes, and Management
Abstract Purpose of ReviewThis review gives an overview of the diseases caused byAspergillus, including a description of the species involved and the infected clinical systems. We provide insight into the various diagnostic methods available for diagnosing aspergillosis, particularly invasive aspergillosis (IA), including the role of radiology, bronchoscopy, culture, and non-culture-based microbiological methods. We also discuss the available diagnostic algorithms for the different disease conditions. This review also summarizes the main aspects of managing infections due toAspergillus spp., such as antifungal resistan...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - May 4, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Epidemiology of COVID-19 –Associated Mucormycosis
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewTo describe the epidemiology and risk factors for Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) –associated mucormycosis (CAM) based on current published literature.Recent FindingsCOVID-19 is associated with an increased risk of secondary infections. Mucormycosis is an uncommon invasive fungal infection that typically affects people with immunocompromising conditions and uncontrolled diabetes. Treatment of mucormycosis is challenging and is associated with high mortality even with standard care. During the second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic, an abnormally high number of CAM cases were seen particularly...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - May 3, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Diagnostic Efficacy of LAMP Assay for Human Fungal Pathogens: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
AbstractPurposeHuman fungal infections particularly caused byCandida andAspergillus have emerged as major public health burden. Long turnaround time and poor sensitivity of the conventional diagnostics are the major impediments for faster diagnosis of human fungal pathogens.Recent FindingsTo overcome these issues, molecular-based diagnostics have been developed. They offer enhanced sensitivity but require sophisticated infrastructure, skilled manpower, and remained expensive. In that context, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay represents a promising alternative that facilitates visual read outs. However, t...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - May 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Developments in Fungal Serology
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe true incidence of fungal disease is hampered by conventionally poor diagnostic tests, limited access to advanced diagnostics, and limited surveillance. The availability of serological testing has been available for over two decades and generally underpins the modern diagnosis of the most common forms of fungal disease. This review will focus on technical developments of serological tests for the diagnosis of fungal disease, describing advances in clinical performance when available.Recent FindingsDespite their longevity, technical, clinical, and performance limitations remain, and tests specifi...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - April 13, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Management of HIV-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCryptococcal meningitis remains a significant cause of mortality among people living with HIV. This review summarizes current practices and recent advances in the management of cryptococcal meningitis.Recent FindingsResults from recent clinical trials have improved understanding of optimal induction therapy for cryptococcal meningitis, with the most recent data supporting the use of a single high dose of liposomal amphotericin B followed by two weeks of flucytosine and fluconazole. Studies have also demonstrated significantly reduced mortality with therapeutic lumbar punctures in patients with cryp...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - March 27, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Prevalence of Onychomycosis in Patients with Psoriasis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo study the prevalence of onychomycosis in patients with psoriasis. Fifty patients older than 18 years diagnosed with psoriasis were included. Direct examination with KOH and mycological culture were performed to diagnose onychomycosis.Recent FindingsNails with alterations caused by psoriasis may be vulnerable to onychomycosis since clinical abnormalities such as onycholysis and hyperkeratosis are factors that disrupt this barrier and predispose to nail invasion. It has been reported that the prevalence of onychomycosis in patients with psoriasis varies from 4.6 to 63.1%.SummaryWe found nail cha...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - March 27, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Fungal Infections Associated with CD19-Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy
Abstract Purpose of ReviewThis review focuses on the epidemiology of fungal infections after CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy and associated risk factors for their development and describes infectious disease screenings and antifungal prophylactic strategies.Recent FindingsEpidemiologic studies characterizing fungal infections in patients with hematologic malignancies treated with CD19-targeted CAR T cell therapy are scarce. Fungal infections occur in approximately 2 –13% of CAR T cell recipients, both early and late after infusion.Candida,Aspergillus, andPneumocystis are the most common cul...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - March 18, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Invasive Aspergillosis and the Impact of Azole-resistance
Abstract Purpose of ReviewIA (invasive aspergillosis) caused by azole-resistant strains has been associated with higher clinical burden and mortality rates. We review the current epidemiology, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies of this clinical entity, with a special focus on patients with hematologic malignancies.Recent FindingsThere is an increase of azole resistance inAspergillus spp. worldwide, probably due to environmental pressure and the increase of long-term azole prophylaxis and treatment in immunocompromised patients (e.g., in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients). The therapeutic approaches are ...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - March 18, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
The Impact of Corticosteroids on the Outcome of Fungal Disease: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCorticosteroids have a complex relationship with fungal disease — risk for many, benefit for others. This systematic review aims to address the effect of corticosteroids on mortality and visual outcome in different fungal diseases.Recent FindingsCorticosteroids are a risk factor of aspergillosis for patients who have COVID-19, and they also led to a worse outcome. Similarity, corticosteroids are a risk factor for candidemia and mucormycosis. Some researchers reported that using topical corticosteroid in keratitis was associated with worse visual outcome if fungal keratitis. Some studies showed th...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - February 23, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
A Critical Review of Diagnostic Methods for Disseminated Histoplasmosis with Special Focus on Resource-Limited Settings
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis remains a challenge particularly in developing countries chiefly due to the low number of required skilled personnel and poor accessibility to diagnostic tools. While culture remains the gold standard in the diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis, it requires a period of 1 to 6 weeks of incubation to achieve growth, thus delaying the initiation of treatment.Histoplasma antigen detection is an alternative diagnostic method but has not gained routine utility in resource-limited settings probably due to high cost. Molecular techniques have also been sho...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - February 22, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Management of Fungal Osteoarticular Infections
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes our current understanding of the medical and surgical management of fungal osteoarticular infections (FOAI). These infections are uncommon, heterogenous, and often severe; management is often highly dependent on expert opinion with a dearth of high-quality evidence.Recent FindingsFOAI can be broadly categorized into three groups: native infections with endemic fungi, hematogenous infections among patients with underlying immunodeficiency, and complications of orthopedic surgery. Management of this diverse set of infections relies on careful coordination with orthopedic surger...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - February 15, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Malassezia Folliculitis in the Setting of COVID-19
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo review recent literature onMalassezia folliculitis and explore its association with COVID-19.Recent FindingsReports ofMalassezia folliculitis in the setting of COVID-19 are scarce. Shared characteristics between affected individuals include male sex, obesity, intensive care, and administration of systemic antibiotics and systemic steroids. Dexamethasone can potentially stimulate sebum production and therefore lead toMalassezia proliferation. The clinical picture ofMalassezia folliculitis accompanying COVID-19 is similar to classic descriptions but tends to spare the face and predominates in occl...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - January 31, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Candidiasis and Other Emerging Yeasts
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe review presents a comprehensive and updated information on the contemporary status of invasive candidiasis (IC), other emerging yeast infections, and the challenges they present in terms of at-risk population, specific virulence attributes, and antifungal susceptibility profile.Recent FindingsWith the advancement in medical field, there has been parallel expansion of vulnerable populations over the past two decades. This had led to the emergence of a variety of rare yeasts in healthcare settings, bothCandida and non-Candida yeast causing sporadic cases and outbreaks. The advancements in diagnos...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - January 31, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Coccidioidomycosis in Pregnancy: an Update on Contributions to the Literature in the Past 5 Years
AbstractPurposeof ReviewThis review summarizes the epidemiology, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes of coccidioidomycosis in pregnancy currently available in the literature. The review provides an important update highlighting data published in the last 5 years.Recent FindingsAside from case reports and cohort studies, dedicated studies of coccidioidomycosis in pregnancy are limited. Recent research into the immunological modifications that occur during pregnancy shed light on the etiology for increased risk of symptomatic and disseminated disease.SummaryAs the endemicity ofCoccidioides expands with contribut...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - January 26, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Strategies to Prevent Transmission of Candida auris in Healthcare Settings
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCandida auris, a recently recognized yeast pathogen, has become a major public health threat due to the problems associated with its accurate identification, intrinsic and acquired resistance to antifungal drugs, and its potential to easily contaminate the environment causing clonal outbreaks in healthcare facilities. These outbreaks are associated with high mortality rates particularly among older patients with multiple comorbidities under intensive care settings. The purpose of this review is to highlight strategies that are being adapted to prevent transmission ofC. auris in healthcare settings....
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - January 26, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
