Interpretation and Understanding of Clinical Drug Interactions Between Azoles and Immunosuppressants in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe aim of this paper is to discuss clinical interactions between the azole antifungals and the commonly used immunosuppressants for the prevention of rejection in solid organ transplant recipients.Recent FindingsDrug –drug interactions between azole antifungals and immunosuppressants have largely been reported in healthy subjects or the hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) population. Data is emerging evaluating these interactions in solid organ transplant recipients.SummaryDrug –drug interactions between azole antifungals and immunosuppressants occur at or near the same magnitude as in h...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - August 5, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Invasive Fungal Keratitis as an Uncommon Form of Mucormycosis Leading to Endophthalmitis: Report of Two Cases and Literature Review
This study was conducted to report two cases of fungal keratitis caused by mucormycetes that led to endophthalmitis.Recent FindingsCase number 1: a 24-year-old male, with a known case of thalassemia major, presented with chief complaints of painful periorbital edema and redness in the left eye. Intravenous antibiotics were prescribed upon diagnosis of orbital cellulitis, but it progressed to the cornea and sclera and led to endophthalmitis, which was treated with penetrating keratoplasty (PK) combined with deep vitrectomy. Case number 2: a 6-year-old healthy boy presented to the ophthalmology emergency room with ocular pai...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - July 19, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Antifungal and Antibacterial Activity of Terpenes for Improvement of Indoor Air Quality
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe summarized the studies on the usage of terpenes and some essential oils on mold and bacterial concentrations in air samples. There was strong action of the terpenes product to decrease total microbial load. The investigation of antifungal activity in indoor environments validates the translation of laboratory-based outcomes showing a statistically significant reduction of bacterial and fungal concentration in the tested sites.Recent FindingsTerpenes have recently generated interest for their in vitro antimicrobial efficacy, but have not been widely evaluated in situ. There have been limited stud...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 29, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Mycetomas in the Endemic Area of Argentina
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo describe the different characteristics of mycetoma in the endemic area of Argentina and its etiological agents, using mainly data from Santiago del Estero and Salta provinces. Argentina is not considered an important endemic area, but it possesses a large documented casuistry and many non-published cases of patients.Recent FindingsSantiago del Estero presents the greatest quantity of mycetoma cases of the country, mainly byActinomadura madurae. The First Argentinian Mycetoma Reunion took place in 2016, which was the starting point to train medics and healthcare professionals of the province, whi...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 29, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Antifungal Agents in Neonates and Children
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes current knowledge on pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of various formulations of amphotericin B, triazoles (fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, isavuconazole), and echinocandins (caspofungin, micafungin, anidulafungin) in the pediatric population.Recent FindingsThe PD indices associated with in vivo outcome have been defined for all antifungal agents. PK parameters have been studied across all range of ages; however, data often originate from small patient series, particularly regarding neonates and young infants. Dose-exposure simulations in...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 28, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Conidiobolomycosis in Pediatric Patients
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review highlights the important features of conidiobolomycosis infection and describes its presentation in pediatric population. The importance of a broaden differential diagnosis to include fungal infections taking into account the geographical location and history of exposure.Recent FindingsThere is evidence of conidiobolomycosis affecting not only immunocompetent hosts but also more susceptible individuals that can present with atypical or systemic/disseminated disease, including children.SummaryConidiobolomycosis is a rare fungal infection caused by species of the generaConidiobolus. It af...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 28, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Sino-Orbital Invasive Fungal Infections in Immunocompetent Hosts
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review describes the clinical presentation, predisposing factors, pathophysiology, mycology, diagnosis, and therapy of sino-orbital invasive fungal infections in immunocompetent individuals. Recent advances published in the literature were reviewed with special consideration of current diagnostic methods and treatment regimens.Recent FindingsOwing to the rarity of this condition literature is scarce. Majority of the studies are from tropical countries such as India where the disease is relatively more common. Treatment strategies are variable and response to medical treatment is favorable in s...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 23, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Cryptococcosis in Liver Transplant Candidates and Recipients
AbstractPurpose of ReviewEvaluate the epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, and clinical outcomes of cryptococcal infections in patients with advanced liver disease or liver transplantation.Recent FindingsCryptococcal infections in patients with advanced liver disease (ALD) are uncommon but associated with high mortality. Less than 10% of patients in a prospective study of non-HIV-infected cryptococcal meningitis patients had ALD. Significantly, fever was uncommon, resulting in delays in diagnosis. Modalities for diagnosing cryptococcal infections include the rapid lateral flow cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) assay from...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 19, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Invasive Phaeohyphomycosis in Immunocompetent Hosts
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPhaeohyphomycosis, or invasive disease caused by melanized fungi is an uncommon infection in humans, usually in immunocompromised patients. Large case reviews reveal infections in patients without typical risk factors. We examine the data regarding these infections in immunocompetent patients.Recent FindingsCaspase-associated recruitment domain-9 (CARD-9) mutations have been proposed as a risk factor that would predispose previously healthy individuals to develop invasive fungal disease. Several specific CARD-9 mutations have been identified with the highest burden of infection in individuals with ...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 16, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Candida Onychomycosis: an Old Problem in Modern Times
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewThis review summarizes the main findings in theCandida onychomycosis (CO) literature as well as provides data for clinical practice.Recent FindingsDue to the increase in the frequency of immunosuppression-generating diseases, CO has been observed to be an entry route for systemic infections that worsen the prognosis of these patients.SummaryOnychomycosis are common fungal nail infections, and the main cause is related to dermatophytes. The second cause of onychomycosis is related toCandida, frequently associated with both local and systemic immune disturbances.Candida onychomycosis (CO) is obse...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 10, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Emerging Fungal Cutaneous Infections in Immunocompromised Patients
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes epidemiological risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of common emerging fungal infections that are associated with cutaneous manifestations, in immunocompromised patients including solid organ transplant and hematopoietic cell transplant recipients.Recent FindingsImmunocompromised patients including transplant recipients are at an increased risk of invasive fungal disease due to emerging fungi, such as mucormycetes andScedosporium spp. Although cutaneous involvement is common, there is a great degree of variation in clinical manifestations, diagnost...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 8, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Candida Infections in Immunocompetent Hosts: Pathogenesis and Diagnosis
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewCandida is a common commensal of the human skin and gastrointestinal tract causing infections in immunocompromised hosts. However,Candida has a variety of virulence factors and fitness attribute which make it capable of infecting even persons with otherwise intact immune system, especially those in critical care settings and with underlying co-morbidities. In this review, we describe the mechanisms behind the pathogenesis and diagnosis ofCandida infections in such hosts.Recent FindingsBoth noninvasive and invasive infections can be seen especially in critically ill, hospitalized patients. The g...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 8, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Cutaneous Fungal Infections in Left Ventricular Assist Device Recipients
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes medical literature regarding fungal skin and soft tissue infections in recipients of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs).Recent FindingsSuperficial fungal infections at the exit site are likely under-reported. Driveline-related fungal infections are well-described, with total parenteral nutrition as a known risk factor. They are typically due to yeast and may require systemic antifungal therapy or surgery, often followed by long-term suppression. Invasive cutaneous infections are rare and often lethal, frequently with disseminated infection. These typically require aggres...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 5, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Innovative Approaches for Histoplasma Detection
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review highlights innovative approaches for histoplasmosis detection using laboratory technologies published in the past 6 years.Recent FindingsMicroscopy and culture are the gold standards for confirming the diagnosis of histoplasmosis, but these can be slow, and their sensitivity and specificity can vary. It is well known that rapid diagnosis is necessary to save lives. Newer technologies based on detection of antibodies, antigens, and DNA can enable rapid and accurate clinical diagnosis.SummaryBased on a systematic review of the literature and evaluation of methodologies in five areas, as...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 5, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Antifungal Penetration and Distribution into Organs and Tissue
AbstractPurpose of ReviewProperties of penetration of antifungals into the body compartments have been reviewed extensively by Felton et al. in 2014, so the goal of this review was to identify new data, including information on ibrexafungerp and rezafungin, in order to provide an updated pharmacotherapy approach in difficult-to-treat infections.Recent FindingsAlong with early identification and early initiation of treatment, assuring sufficient distribution into the infected site is essential for successful therapy. Although there are a limited number, the penetration and distribution of antifungals into organs and tissue ...
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - May 20, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
