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Annals of African Medicine 2024Risk factors for the persistence of superficial skin infestations are prevalent in humid tropical environments, which are favorable for breeding of the causative vector...
Awareness and knowledge of scabies and ringworm among parents of school-age children in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria: Implications for prevention of superficial skin infestations.
CONTEXT
Risk factors for the persistence of superficial skin infestations are prevalent in humid tropical environments, which are favorable for breeding of the causative vector mite Sarcoptes scabiei (ectoparasite) and dermatophyte fungi.
AIM
This study aimed at assessing the awareness and knowledge of childhood scabies and ringworm infestations among parents in Calabar, a highly humid rainforest tropical environment.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN
Cross-sectional study design and systematic random sampling were used to recruit school-age children in selected primary schools in Calabar.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Researcher-driven administration of a structured questionnaire was conducted to obtain quantitative data from parents of recruited children.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED
: Chi-square was used to assess factors associated with ever hearing or seeing scabies and ringworm infestations. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.
RESULTS
One hundred and eighty-two (56.7%) and 218 (67.9%) of the respondents had heard of or seen scabies and ringworm infestation. Among respondents that were aware of scabies, 53.3% knew of the cause, 50.5% were aware of the risk factors while 68.1% and 78.0% knew their treatment and prevention, respectively; 98.6%, 60.6%, 76.6%, and 80.7% of respondents knew the cause, risk factors, treatment, and prevention of ringworm infestation, respectively. Fathers with at least secondary school literacy level and sharing beds were significantly associated with awareness of scabies.
CONCLUSION
There is a suboptimal level of awareness and knowledge of two of the most common superficial skin infestations among parents of primary school children in the study setting. There is a need to redouble our effort at sensitization of parents toward improved awareness of these common infestations.
Topics: Child; Humans; Scabies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Nigeria; Tinea; Parents
PubMed: 38358173
DOI: 10.4103/aam.aam_82_23 -
Acta Dermatovenerologica Alpina,... Mar 2024A multidrug-resistant dermatophyte species recently arose in India, first described as terbinafine-resistant Trichophyton interdigitale and soon given a separate name:...
A multidrug-resistant dermatophyte species recently arose in India, first described as terbinafine-resistant Trichophyton interdigitale and soon given a separate name: T. indotineae. Thanks to its treatment recalcitrance, person-to-person spread, and frequent travel, before long it was identified in many countries on all continents. We describe here the case of a boy with widespread, extremely pruritic, inflammatory dermatophytosis affecting his face, neck, trunk, and extremities, unsuccessfully treated for months with oral terbinafine and fluconazole and a range of topical antimycotics. Qualitative polymerase chain reaction of skin scrapings from his lesions identified a T. interdigitale complex fungus, highly probably T. indotineae due to conspecificity and antifungal resistance. Oral itraconazole, administered over 8 weeks, cleared the infection. Because the patient had not traveled outside the United Arab Emirates for months before the infection became obvious, it must have been acquired from a local source.
Topics: Male; Adolescent; Humans; Terbinafine; Antifungal Agents; Trichophyton; Tinea; Microbial Sensitivity Tests
PubMed: 38347717
DOI: No ID Found -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Feb 2024
Topics: Humans; Mycetoma; Artificial Intelligence
PubMed: 38329930
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011914 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) is characterized by recurrent or persistent infections with of the skin, nails, and mucous membrane. It is a rare and severe... (Review)
Review
Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) is characterized by recurrent or persistent infections with of the skin, nails, and mucous membrane. It is a rare and severe disease resulting from autoimmune defects or immune dysregulations. Nonetheless, the diagnosis and treatment of CMC still pose significant challenges. Erroneous or delayed diagnoses remain prevalent, while the long-term utility of traditional antifungals often elicits adverse reactions and promotes the development of acquired resistance. Furthermore, disease relapse can occur during treatment with traditional antifungals. In this review, we delineate the advancements in molecular diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to CMC. Genetic and biomolecular analyses are increasingly employed as adjuncts to clinical manifestations and fungal examinations for accurate diagnosis. Simultaneously, a range of therapeutic interventions, including Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), cytokines therapy, novel antifungal agents, and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, have been integrated into clinical practice. We aim to explore insights into early confirmation of CMC as well as novel therapeutic options for these patients.
Topics: Humans; Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous; Antifungal Agents; Chronic Disease; Candida; Mucous Membrane
PubMed: 38327523
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1343138 -
Cureus Dec 2023Background and purpose The complex is a globally distributed group of geophilic dermatophytes that primarily affect animals but can also rarely cause dermatomycoses in...
Background and purpose The complex is a globally distributed group of geophilic dermatophytes that primarily affect animals but can also rarely cause dermatomycoses in humans. With some regional and occupational variations, tinea corporis is the most prevalent presentation of the infection. The aim of this study was to report on the diagnosis and treatment of dermatophytosis cases among related families, and their pets, from southern Saudi Arabia. Up-to-date information on dermatophytes and dermatophytosis is needed. Methods This is a prospective case series undertaken at the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic of King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. Six patients with suspected dermatophytosis were received at our hospital in 2022 and have been followed for recovery with or without scars. Characteristics of fungal pathogens were examined phenotypically on the basis of microscopic and growth characteristics, and laboratory data were used to initiate treatment with oral fluconazole, topical terbinafine cream, or oral itraconazole. Results Clinical features and culture results confirmed tinea capitis and tinea corporis caused by , which was also present in a pet cat. Tinea capitis cases (n = 4) did not respond to fluconazole and terbinafine treatment, but treatment with itraconazole resulted in a full recovery. Tinea corporis cases (n = 2) were treated with terbinafine, which resulted in a full recovery within four weeks, with no signs of scarring. Conclusions presents with serious persistent lesions and is extremely contagious. Treatment is durable but challenging, and breaking the transmission chain is more difficult.
PubMed: 38292972
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.51402 -
Open Veterinary Journal Dec 2023There is an increase in the incidence of human and animal infectious skin diseases of fungal etiology in the world. The main source of infecting the population has...
BACKGROUND
There is an increase in the incidence of human and animal infectious skin diseases of fungal etiology in the world. The main source of infecting the population has become agricultural and stray animals.
AIM
The objective of this study was to examine the morphophysiological and microbiological characteristics of pathogenic fungi belonging to the species . This species is known to cause diseases in both humans and livestock in Kazakhstan. In addition, the study aimed to assess the feasibility of using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for detecting . This assessment was conducted in comparison to the outcomes of conventional laboratory diagnostic tests commonly employed for trichophytosis.
METHODS
The research focused on analyzing 141 samples of pathological material obtained from calves in Almaty, Turkestan, and Kyzylorda regions. These calves exhibited clinical symptoms of skin disease. The study aimed to identify the causative agent using various techniques, including microscopic examination, microbiological methods involving the isolation of pure cultures, and PCR.
RESULTS
The detection of the causative agent of dermatophytosis using conventional methods was relatively low, 86% for the microscopic method, and 79% for the microbiological method with the isolation of the culture of the pathogen. Extraction and detection of the genetic material of the causative agent of the disease for PCR was carried out according to the method developed by the authors. The effectiveness of the PCR method was 97.9%, which is significantly higher ( < 0.05) compared with the diagnostic effectiveness of conventional methods. The PCR method using specific primers identified the causative agent in 98% of cases, which significantly ( < 0.05) exceeded the results obtained using conventional diagnostic methods. Accordingly, the PCR method had better sensitivity and specificity indicators.
CONCLUSION
The conducted study recommends the method of PCR diagnosis of dermatophytosis for fast and reliable confirmation of the diagnosis of dermatophytosis in humans and animals in Kazakhstan.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Humans; Mycology; Tinea; Sensitivity and Specificity; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Kazakhstan; Cattle Diseases
PubMed: 38292703
DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i12.11 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Feb 2024Invasive fusariosis can be life-threatening, especially in immunocompromised patients who require intensive care unit (ICU) admission. We conducted a multicenter... (Review)
Review
Invasive fusariosis can be life-threatening, especially in immunocompromised patients who require intensive care unit (ICU) admission. We conducted a multicenter retrospective study to describe clinical and biologic characteristics, patient outcomes, and factors associated with death and response to antifungal therapy. We identified 55 patients with invasive fusariosis from 16 ICUs in France during 2002----2020. The mortality rate was high (56%). Fusariosis-related pneumonia occurred in 76% of patients, often leading to acute respiratory failure. Factors associated with death included elevated sequential organ failure assessment score at ICU admission or history of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or hematologic malignancies. Neither voriconazole treatment nor disseminated fusariosis were strongly associated with response to therapy. Invasive fusariosis can lead to multiorgan failure and is associated with high mortality rates in ICUs. Clinicians should closely monitor ICU patients with a history of hematologic malignancies or stem cell transplantation because of higher risk for death.
Topics: Humans; Fusariosis; Retrospective Studies; Intensive Care Units; France; Hematologic Neoplasms; Multicenter Studies as Topic
PubMed: 38270146
DOI: 10.3201/eid3002.231221 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Feb 2024The epidemiology of blastomycosis in Vermont, USA, is poorly understood. Using insurance claims data, we estimated the mean annual blastomycosis incidence was 1.8...
The epidemiology of blastomycosis in Vermont, USA, is poorly understood. Using insurance claims data, we estimated the mean annual blastomycosis incidence was 1.8 patients/100,000 persons during 2011-2020. Incidence and disease severity were highest in north-central counties. Our findings highlight a need for improved clinical awareness and expanded surveillance.
Topics: Humans; Vermont; Blastomycosis; Incidence; Insurance; Patient Acuity
PubMed: 38270123
DOI: 10.3201/eid3002.230825 -
Microbial Pathogenesis Mar 2024Cytokines of the interleukin (IL)-1 superfamily including the different IL-36 isoforms, have been reported as mediators of acute and chronic inflammation in human skin...
Cytokines of the interleukin (IL)-1 superfamily including the different IL-36 isoforms, have been reported as mediators of acute and chronic inflammation in human skin diseases, such as psoriasis. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that Sporothrix schenckii and S. brasiliensis, the fungi that cause subcutaneous infection sporotrichosis, can induce the expression of IL-36α, IL-36γ and IL-36Ra in human keratinocytes and primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Specifically, IL-36γ was differentially expressed by keratinocytes stimulated with Sporothrix yeasts when compared to the commensal microorganism Staphylococcus epidermidis. The exposure of keratinocytes to 24 h or 7-days culture supernatant of PBMCs stimulated with Sporothrix induced higher IL-36γ production compared to direct stimulation of keratinocytes with the live fungus. We identified that IL-36γ mRNA expression in keratinocytes is increased in the presence of IL-17, TNF, IL-1β and IL-1α and these cytokines may act synergistically to maintain IL-36γ production. Lastly, using a cohort of 164 healthy individuals, we showed that individuals carrying variants of the IL36G gene (rs11690399 and rs11683399) exhibit increased IL-36γ production as well as increased innate cytokine production after Sporothrix exposure. Importantly, stimulation of PBMCs with recombinant IL-36γ increased the production of IL-1β and IL-6, while IL-36Ra were able to decrease the concentration of these cytokines. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of sporotrichosis and suggest that IL-36γ may be involved in maintaining the cytokine loop that leads to tissue destruction by exacerbating the immune response in sporotrichosis. Of high interest, we present the IL-36 signalling pathway as a potential new therapeutic target.
Topics: Humans; Cytokines; Interleukin-1beta; Interleukins; Keratinocytes; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Sporothrix; Sporotrichosis
PubMed: 38262494
DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106550 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2024The domains of unknown function (DUF) superfamilies contain proteins with conserved amino acid sequences without known functions. Among them, DUF668 was indicated widely...
The domains of unknown function (DUF) superfamilies contain proteins with conserved amino acid sequences without known functions. Among them, DUF668 was indicated widely involving the stress response of plants. However, understanding ZoDUF668 is still lacking. Here, 12 genes were identified in ginger by the bioinformatics method and unevenly distributed on six chromosomes. Conserved domain analysis showed that members of the same subfamily had similar conserved motifs and gene structures. The promoter region of contained the light, plant hormone and stress-responsive elements. The prediction of miRNA targeting relationship showed that nine ginger miRNAs targeted four genes through cleavage. The expression patterns of 12 genes under biotic and abiotic stress were analyzed using RT-qPCR. The results showed that the expression of seven genes was significantly downregulated under infection, six genes were upregulated under cold stress, and five genes were upregulated under waterlogging stress. These results indicate that the gene has different expression patterns under different stress conditions. This study provides excellent candidate genes and provides a reference for stress-resistance research in ginger.
Topics: Zingiber officinale; Amino Acid Sequence; Cold-Shock Response; Computational Biology; Fusariosis; MicroRNAs
PubMed: 38256002
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020929