Lateral flow rapid diagnostics are sorely needed for many fungal infections. Scientists at the University of Manchester evaluated LDBio’s Aspergillus IgG test on patients at the National Aspergillosis Centre (UK). Compared to existing diagnostics, this test was more sensitive (91.6%) and more specific (98.0%) for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis
Blastomycosis mortality raised by ARDS and immunocompromisation
Blastomycosis is a rare fungal infection caused by inhaling spores of the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis
Fungal asthma prevalence estimated for Sweden and Africa
Antifungal treatment can be useful for patients with severe asthma and fungal sensitisation, but this is limited by a lack of prevalence data. Two new papers aim to address this for Sweden (Backman et al) and 13 countries across Africa (Kwizera et al).
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
Side effects of long-term azole therapy
Azole antifungals are the first-line of treatment or prophylaxis for many fungal infections. They are often administered long-term (weeks to months), which can be associated with a number of adverse effects.
Paracoccidioidomycosis in South America should be a Neglected Fungal Tropical Disease
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) should be listed as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) according to GAFFI.
Tiña imbricata: una micosis superficial rara
La tiña imbricata es una micosis superficial crónica causada por el hongo Trichophyton concentricum. Es endémica en América Central y del Sur, el Suroeste del Pacífico y el Sudeste Asiático, y afecta principalmente a las personas que viven en condiciones primitivas y en entornos aislados.Los pacientes suelen presentar una erupción concéntrica, con picazón, escamosa, que […]
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.
Oropharyngeal histoplasmosis: a manifestation of disseminated disease
Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection endemic to areas of Central America and Midwest USA. Most people develop a mild form of infection and are asymptomatic; if symptoms do occur they are usually flu-like, but can vary greatly. In a few, usually immunosuppressed, patients the disease can progress to life-threatening, disseminated histoplasmosis. Dr Thais Pincelli and colleagues recently reviewed all 10 cases of oropharyngeal histoplasmosis identified over a 21 year period at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
ECCMID 2019 presentations: burden of fungal disease estimates for Namibia, Paraguay and Kyrgyzstan
This week a team from the University of Manchester, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and GAFFI presented work at ECCMID showing the burden of fungal disease estimates for Namibia, Paraguay and Kyrgyzstan, and that fungal keratitis leads to over 600,000 blind eyes annually