Diagnostic Challenges of Coccidioidomycosis in Solid Organ and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe goal of our manuscript is to address the diagnostic challenges in coccidioidomycosis related infections among solid organ transplant (SOT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. We hope to answer the utility of different methods in reaching the diagnosis and tackle each test ’s limitation in SOT and HSCT recipients.Recent FindingsMultiple testing modalities including serology, antigen, PCR, and β-d-glucan (BDG) tests are performed during the evaluation process of SOT/HSCT recipients with coccidioidomycosis. We have highlighted recent literature discussing the sensitivity a...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - January 25, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Current Options in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Monkeypox
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes the current options for human monkeypox virus diagnostic testing, vaccination, and treatment.Recent FindingsInformation on non-lesion monkeypox virus diagnostic testing is limited to small studies with unclear sensitivities and specificities. Early data on the JYNNEOS vaccine has shown a lower incidence of monkeypox infection among vaccinated individuals. Drug options for human monkeypox, which include tecovirimat, cidofovir, brincidofovir, and vaccinia immune globulin intravenous, are limited without an FDA-approved medication and data on drug efficacy pending.SummaryData on...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - November 18, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Two Feet-One Hand Syndrome: Tinea Pedis and Tinea Manuum
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe performed a systematic review of literature from the PubMed database on January 1, 2019, to July 31, 2022. The search criteria were “(tinea manuum ORtinea pedis) AND “two feet-one hand syndrome,” with full text available and English or Spanish language required. This review will focus on the available data supporting the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of the two feet-one hand syndrome.Recent FindingsTwo feet-one hand syndrome is a superficial fungal skin infection involving bilateral plantartinea pedis with coexistent unilateraltinea manuum. Toenails and fi...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - November 17, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Epidemiology of Invasive Fungal Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: an Indian Perspective
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes the available Indian data on epidemiology of invasive fungal infections (IFI) in recipients of solid organ transplants (SOT). The epidemiology is further compared with studies from other parts of the world for each SOT type.Recent FindingsThe available studies on Indian epidemiology of IFI in SOT are scarce, though the number of SOTs performed in India have increased tremendously in recent years. The limited data from India present a distinct spectrum of infection in transplant recipients with high incidence of mucormycosis. During COVID-19 outbreak, IFI rate increased and re...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - October 20, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Cutaneous Trichosporonosis: Review of an Emerging Disease
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewThe purpose of this text is to discuss the risk factors, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches for superficial, invasive, and disseminated trichosporonosis.Recent FindingsTrichosporon infection is now the second most common yeast opportunistic infection in patients with immunosuppression. Plus, there is cumulative evidence that the pathogen can live as a commensal in the skin and cause disease in immunocompetent individuals.SummarySuperficial trichosporonosis has generally a favorable prognosis. Deep-seated infections often culminate in death, mainly due ...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - October 12, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Pathogenesis of Fungal Infections in the Central Nervous System: Host and Pathogen Factors in Neurotropism
AbstractPurposeof ReviewFungal CNS infections (CNS-FIs) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially in immunocompromised individuals: major clinical forms being meningitis, encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, ventriculitis, hydrocephalus, cerebral abscesses, orbito-rhino-cerebral syndrome, and spinal infections. The present review summarizes our current understanding of the mechanisms of neuropathogenesis of the major neurotropic fungi.Recent FindingsBoth pathogen and host factors contribute to CNS pathology associated with dissemination and neuroinvasion. Major fungal factors playing either a direct...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - October 10, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Pathogenesis and Pathology of COVID-Associated Mucormycosis: What Is New and Why
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThere is global increase in the incidence of mucormycosis. However, a sudden increase in the COVID-associated mucormycosis (CAM) was noted, particularly in India, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The interplay of factors involved in the pathogenesis is complex. In this review, the influence of pre-existing disease, exaggerated risk factors, altered milieu due to COVID-19 itself and the consequences of its treatment on the host pathogen interactions leading to the disease and morphology of the fungus will be highlighted.Recent FindingsHyperglycemia, acidosis, available free iron, low...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - September 29, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Epidemiology of Invasive Fungal Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: a North American Perspective
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewInvasive fungal infections (IFI) produce significant morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant recipients, although their overall incidence is poorly defined. This review aims to provide insight into recent developments in the epidemiology of IFI in these patients.Recent FindingsInvasive candidiasis is the most common IFI encountered particularly those with intraabdominal transplants. In contrast, invasive aspergillosis is commonly seen in lung transplants. Voriconazole therapy has certainly increased the survival in invasive aspergillosis. The risk of disseminated cryptococcosis occurs...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - September 17, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Updates on Histoplasmosis in Solid Organ Transplantation
AbstractPurpose of ReviewHistoplasmosis remains a challenging infection in solid organ transplantation. This review provides a topic update with emphasis on the changingHistoplasma epidemiology, along with new diagnostic and treatment innovations.Recent FindingsRecent years have observed expandingHistoplasma geographic distribution due to climate change, environmental disruption, and host factors. Early clinical experience also suggests a relationship between COVID-19 infection and histoplasmosis, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. Advances in diagnostic methods, such as newer enzyme immunoassays and molecul...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - September 8, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Prevalence of Fungal Drug Resistance in COVID-19 Infection: a Global Meta-analysis
ConclusionOur study shows the high prevalence of fungal drug resistance in COVID-19 patients and emphasizes the need to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship programs, close monitoring for treatment failure, and the emergence of resistance upon treatment. (Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports)
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - August 15, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Fungal Infections in Intestinal Transplantation
AbstractPurpose of ReviewInvasive fungal infections (IFIs) remain a cause of morbidity and mortality among solid organ transplant recipients. This review focuses of summarizing key clinical and diagnostics findings of yeast, mold, and endemic fungal infections in intestinal transplant recipients and recent advances in therapies.Recent FindingsThere is limited data on IFIs in intestinal transplant recipients and the majority of infections are due toCandida. Several novel antifungal agents are in development as well as nanotechnology to combat antifungal resistance and emerging pathogens.SummaryLimited data regarding IFIs in...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - August 13, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Mortality-Related Risk Factors for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)-Associated Mucormycosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) can increase the susceptibility of individuals to contracting mucormycosis through several mechanisms. Nowadays, coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-associated mucormycosis (CAM) is a serious public health concern, particularly in developing countries. This meta-analysis aims to identify the risk factors that affect the mortality rate of patients with CAM.Recent FindingsWe systematically searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Cochrane library, and preprint databases using pertinent keywords and the reference lists of the included relevant ar...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - August 11, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Spectrum of Mucormycosis Before and During COVID-19: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Current Therapeutic Interventions
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMore than half a billion people have been infected and 6.2 million killed by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) since the start of the pandemic in 2019. Systemic glucocorticoids are a double-edged sword, on the one hand, life-saving in treating COVID-19 complications while on the other hand, potentially leading to life-and-limb-threatening opportunistic fungal infections. Mucormycosis (MM) is caused by the mucormycetes family. Although rare, it is characterized by high mortality and significant morbidity. The gross similarities observed with other fungal infection...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - August 10, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Dark Mold Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSolid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are a high-risk population for invasive fungal infections. While infections with black molds are rare in SOT recipients, they are important to consider since morbidity and mortality are high, and the treatment may differ substantially from other more common invasive fungal infections.Recent FindingsThe incidence of black molds tends to be increasing. While the backbone of diagnosis remain traditional tools like histopathology and culture, the rapid evolution of non-culture-based methods for molecular detection promises improved identification of these rare fu...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - July 30, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Endemic Mycoses and COVID-19: a Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSARS-CoV-2 generates an atypical pneumonia with high morbidity and mortality. In many cases, the torpid evolution was related to bacterial or fungal co-infections. Non-specific manifestations of COVID-19 infection can make the differential diagnosis with other systemic diseases even more difficult. A review of systemic endemic mycoses associated with COVID-19 was carried out. We will describe epidemiological data, clinical characteristics of the endemic mycosis, and different diagnostic resources.Recent FindingsDatabase search process in PubMed, Latindex, and other online web was performed. From 78...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - July 19, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
