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Seminars in Diagnostic Pathology May 2019Fungal infections throughout the world appear to be increasing. This may in part be due to the increase in the population of patients that are susceptible to otherwise... (Review)
Review
Fungal infections throughout the world appear to be increasing. This may in part be due to the increase in the population of patients that are susceptible to otherwise rare fungal infections resulting from the use of immune modulating procedures such as hematopoietic stem cell transplants and drugs like tissue necrosis factor antagonists. Histoplasma capsulatum, an endemic fungus throughout North and South America, is reemerging among HIV+ patients in Central and South America and among patients taking tissue necrosis factor antagonists and other biologics in North America. Fusarium species, a relatively rare fungal infection, is reemerging worldwide in the immunocompromised populations, especially those who are neutropenic like hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. A new yeast species is currently emerging worldwide: Candida auris, unknown just a decade ago. It is causing large healthcare-associated outbreaks on four continents and is spreading throughout the world through patient travel. In this review the epidemiology, pathology, detection and treatment of these three emerging and reemerging fungi will be discussed.
Topics: Fungi; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Mycoses
PubMed: 31010605
DOI: 10.1053/j.semdp.2019.04.010 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Jan 2017Cytology offers a rapid, relatively noninvasive means to identify lesions of all varieties including immune-mediated, degenerate, inflammatory, and neoplastic. One area... (Review)
Review
Cytology offers a rapid, relatively noninvasive means to identify lesions of all varieties including immune-mediated, degenerate, inflammatory, and neoplastic. One area that is particularly amenable to cytologic diagnosis is infectious disease. Organisms that can be seen and identified include fungal, bacterial, protozoal, parasitic, viral, and algal. Rapid identification of pathogenic organisms allows the practitioner to initiate treatment quickly, giving the patient the best chance for recovery.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Infections; Cytological Techniques; Mycoses
PubMed: 27553300
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2016.07.010 -
Modern Pathology : An Official Journal... Jun 2023Invasive fungal infections are an increasingly important cause of morbidity and mortality. We provide a summary of important changes in the epidemiology of invasive... (Review)
Review
Invasive fungal infections are an increasingly important cause of morbidity and mortality. We provide a summary of important changes in the epidemiology of invasive fungal infections, citing examples of new emerging pathogens, expanding populations who are at-risk, and increasing antifungal resistance. We review how human activity and climate change may play a role in some of these changes. Finally, we discuss how these changes create the need for advances in fungal diagnostics. The limitations of existing fungal diagnostic testing emphasize the critically important role of histopathology in the early recognition of fungal disease.
Topics: Humans; Antifungal Agents; Mycoses; Invasive Fungal Infections
PubMed: 37059227
DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100187 -
Veterinary Journal (London, England :... Jan 2019Disseminated canine mold infections are reviewed. Case inclusion criteria were dogs as hosts, two or more non-adjacent organs affected and identification of the... (Review)
Review
Disseminated canine mold infections are reviewed. Case inclusion criteria were dogs as hosts, two or more non-adjacent organs affected and identification of the etiological agent at least to the genus level. Of the 157 cases identified, 59.3% were caused by Aspergillus spp. of which 36.3% belonged to the section Terrei. German Shepherd breed dogs constituted 67.8% of the cases, 89.7% of which were caused by fungi of the section Terrei. Female dogs constituted 72.7% of the cases. The average age was 4.3years (range 1-13years). Pathogenesis, especially virulence factors facilitating the hematogenous dissemination, are discussed. Clinical signs reported most frequently included weight loss, lethargy, discospondylitis, osteomyelitis, urinary tract infections, ophthalmitis, head tilt and gait difficulties. Of 50 dogs with data on temperature, 25 had a fever of 40°C (104°F) or above. The most common hematologic and biochemical test result aberrations included increased neutrophil counts and serum protein concentration, azotemia and decreased urine specific gravity. The diagnostic value of fungal antigen detection, antibody titers and imaging are discussed. An attempt to treat was made in 59 (37.6%). Failure and relapses (sometimes after years) were common, but there was some success observed in eight cases. Identification of the gene/s predisposing dogs to disseminated mycoses, increased awareness, improved diagnostic methods and less expensive drugs should contribute to the reduction of disseminated mold infections in dogs in the future.
Topics: Animals; Aspergillosis; Aspergillus; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female; Fungi; Male; Mycoses; Sex Factors
PubMed: 30606445
DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.11.016 -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2017The detection of fungal elements and their characterization in patient specimens provides fundamental information. Culture-based methods, though often slow, may yield...
The detection of fungal elements and their characterization in patient specimens provides fundamental information. Culture-based methods, though often slow, may yield the specific etiological agent, and may allow susceptibility testing to be performed. Proper collection and transportation of the specimen is essential. Particularly, sterile materials are important for diagnosis of invasive fungal infections.Therefore, culture and direct microscopy should be performed on all suitable clinical specimens when fungal disease is suspected. Numerous different media for culturing and identifying fungi are available, and those important for diagnosing mycoses as well as the most important staining methods for direct microcopy are described.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Cell Culture Techniques; Culture Media; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Fungi; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mycoses; Specimen Handling
PubMed: 27837505
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6515-1_10 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2022Respiratory mycosis is a major health concern, due to the expanding population of immunosuppressed and immunocompromised patients and the increasing resistance to... (Review)
Review
Respiratory mycosis is a major health concern, due to the expanding population of immunosuppressed and immunocompromised patients and the increasing resistance to conventional antifungals and their undesired side-effects, thus justifying the development of new therapeutic strategies. Plant metabolites, namely essential oils, represent promising preventive/therapeutic strategies due to their widely reported antifungal potential. However, regarding fungal infections of the respiratory tract, information is disperse and no updated compilation on current knowledge is available. Therefore, the present review aims to gather and systematize relevant information on the antifungal effects of several essential oils and volatile compounds against the main type of respiratory mycosis that impact health care systems. Particular attention is paid to , the main pathogen involved in aspergillosis, , currently emerging as a major pathogen in certain parts of the world, and , one of the main pathogens involved in pulmonary cryptococcosis. Furthermore, the main mechanisms of action underlying essential oils' antifungal effects and current limitations in clinical translation are presented. Overall, essential oils rich in phenolic compounds seem to be very effective but clinical translation requires more comprehensive in vivo studies and human trials to assess the efficacy and tolerability of these compounds in respiratory mycosis.
Topics: Animals; Antifungal Agents; Humans; Mycoses; Oils, Volatile; Plant Oils; Respiration Disorders
PubMed: 35807386
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27134140 -
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal Jun 2019The endemic mycoses are a group of infections caused by fungi with a distinct geographic distribution, defined by climatic and environmental conditions. The systemic... (Review)
Review
The endemic mycoses are a group of infections caused by fungi with a distinct geographic distribution, defined by climatic and environmental conditions. The systemic endemic mycoses, namely histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, talaromycosis, coccidioidomycosis and paracoccidioidomycosis, occur after the inhalation of fungal spores. The cutaneous endemic mycoses, including sporotrichosis, mycetoma, entomophthoramycosis and chromoblastomycosis, enter the host via traumatic inoculation of the skin. Clinical presentation varies between these relatively heterogeneous infections, as does the susceptibility of immunosuppressed patients to disease. An understanding of the geographic range, typical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and treatment of the endemic mycoses is key in assessing patients presenting with atypical infections who may have traveled to endemic areas.
Topics: Age Factors; Child; Endemic Diseases; Fungi; Humans; Mycoses
PubMed: 31205246
DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002324 -
The Journal of Antimicrobial... Nov 2022Advances in medicine have led to a growing number of people with compromised or suppressed immune systems who are susceptible to invasive fungal infections. In...
Advances in medicine have led to a growing number of people with compromised or suppressed immune systems who are susceptible to invasive fungal infections. In particular, severe fungal infections are becoming increasingly common in ICUs, affecting people within and outside of traditional risk groups alike. This is exemplified by the emergence of severe viral pneumonia as a significant risk factor for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, and the recognition of influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis and, more recently, COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis. The treatment landscape for haematological malignancies has changed considerably in recent years, and some recently introduced targeted agents, such as ibrutinib, are increasing the risk of invasive fungal infections. Consideration must also be given to the risk of drug-drug interactions between mould-active azoles and small-molecule kinase inhibitors. At the same time, infections caused by rare moulds and yeasts are increasing, and diagnosis continues to be challenging. There is growing concern about azole resistance among both moulds and yeasts, mandating continuous surveillance and personalized treatment strategies. It is anticipated that the epidemiology of fungal infections will continue to change and that new populations will be at risk. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment remain the most important predictors of survival, and broad-spectrum antifungal agents will become increasingly important. Liposomal amphotericin B will remain an essential therapeutic agent in the armamentarium needed to manage future challenges, given its broad antifungal spectrum, low level of acquired resistance and limited potential for drug-drug interactions.
Topics: Humans; Mycoses; Antifungal Agents; Invasive Fungal Infections; Azoles; Fungi; Pulmonary Aspergillosis; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 36426674
DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkac353 -
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews Jul 2024
Topics: Humans; Fungi; Antifungal Agents; Theranostic Nanomedicine; Mycoses; Drug Delivery Systems
PubMed: 38782093
DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115343 -
Vestnik Otorinolaringologii 2023In the structure of morbidity and mortality has significantly increased the role of mycoses. The increase in their spread is due not only to the improvement of the... (Review)
Review
In the structure of morbidity and mortality has significantly increased the role of mycoses. The increase in their spread is due not only to the improvement of the quality of diagnosis, but also the emergence of new strains resistant to previously used antifungal drugs, a significant change in the immune status of the population. In addition to environmental factors, it is important to introduce modern methods of treatment that increase survival in the whole spectrum of diseases. This situation can't affect the structure of diseases of ENT organs: the number of mycoses has increased significantly in recent decades. The issues of diagnosis and treatment of mycoses of the paranasal sinuses continue to be an urgent problem of otorhinolaryngology. The reason for this is a number of difficulties associated with the diagnosis: the absence of specific symptoms of the disease, the possible secondary nature of the attachment of fungal infection against the background of bacterial lesions, transient carrier of infection, technical difficulties and errors in the study of biomaterial with insufficient standardization of microbiological methods. Our report is devoted to the clinical case of aspergillosis of the maxillary sinus and a review of the literature on this issue, which in our opinion can be very interesting to the medical community.
Topics: Humans; Maxillary Sinus; Mycoses; Antifungal Agents; Otolaryngology; Paranasal Sinus Diseases
PubMed: 37450396
DOI: 10.17116/otorino20228803178