Cryptococcosis is well known as a complication of HIV/AIDS, but it can also affect those who are immunosuppressed for other reasons. Dr Marr and colleagues describe a set of 138 patients from the US. Around half (49%) had CNS involvement but only just over a quarter (27.8%) had a fever.
Cluster of paracoccidioidomycosis cases in children in Argentina during the 1982-3 El Niño anomaly
Serious systemic paracoccidioidomycosis infections are often associated with men working in agriculture. Dr Guisano and colleagues describe a cluster of six cases in children in the NEA area of Argentina that occurred during the 1982-3 El Niño Southern Oscillation climatic anomaly, and suggest that climatic and anthropogenic changes may have played a role
Tinea imbricata: a rare superficial mycosis
Tinea imbricata is a chronic superficial mycosis caused by the fungus Trichophyton concentricum. A recent case report by Dr A Leung and colleagues describes a case of tinea imbricata in an 8 year old Malaysian boy.
Indwelling catheters and immune disorders are risk factors for systemic Malassezia infection
Malassezia typically causes skin infections but can occasionally cause systemic disease, particularly in patients with indwelling devices such as central venous catheters. Dr Pedrosa and colleagues have published a literature review and three unrelated cases of systemic Malassezia at a hospital in Portugal.