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Clinical Microbiology Reviews Oct 2007Fusarium species cause a broad spectrum of infections in humans, including superficial, locally invasive, and disseminated infections. The clinical form of fusariosis... (Review)
Review
Fusarium species cause a broad spectrum of infections in humans, including superficial, locally invasive, and disseminated infections. The clinical form of fusariosis depends largely on the immune status of the host and the portal of entry, with superficial and localized disease occurring mostly in immunocompetent patients and invasive and disseminated disease affecting immunocompromised patients. Risk factors for severe fusariosis include prolonged neutropenia and T-cell immunodeficiency, especially in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with severe graft-versus-host disease. The most frequent presentation of disseminated fusariosis is a combination of characteristic cutaneous lesions and positive blood cultures, with or without lung or sinus involvement. The prognosis is poor and is determined largely by degree of immunosuppression and extent of infection, with virtually a 100% death rate among persistently neutropenic patients with disseminated disease. These infections may be clinically suspected on the basis of a constellation of clinical and laboratory findings, which should lead to prompt therapy. Treatment options include the lipid formulations of amphotericin B, voriconazole, and posaconazole. Prevention of fusarial infection among high-risk patients should be considered.
Topics: Animals; Antifungal Agents; Fusarium; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mycoses
PubMed: 17934079
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00014-07 -
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms Nov 2010Amphibian chytridiomycosis is a fungal disease caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. It is arguably the most significant recorded infectious...
Amphibian chytridiomycosis is a fungal disease caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. It is arguably the most significant recorded infectious disease of any vertebrate class. The disease is reducing amphibian biodiversity across most continents and regions of the world, affecting the resilience of surviving populations and driving multiple species to extinction. It is now recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as an internationally notifiable disease. Collaborative research in areas including the development of diagnostic assays, distribution and impact of the disease, and management (treatment and policy) has assisted in leading a paradigm shift in accepting infectious disease as a major factor influencing wildlife population stability and biodiversity.
Topics: Amphibians; Animals; Chytridiomycota; Mycoses
PubMed: 21268969
DOI: 10.3354/dao02308 -
Experimental and Clinical... Dec 2011Invasive fungal infections are a significant and often lethal problem in transplant patients. Infections caused by geographically limited endemic fungi are infrequent,... (Review)
Review
Invasive fungal infections are a significant and often lethal problem in transplant patients. Infections caused by geographically limited endemic fungi are infrequent, and Aspergillus species, Mucorales species, Candida species, and Cryptococcus neoformans are the opportunistic fungi responsible for most such infections. The symptoms of systemic fungal infections are nonspecific, particularly in their early stages. The high rates of mortality and graft loss owing to fungal infections render early diagnosis and treatment imperative in immunosuppressed patients. Current methods for the diagnosis of systemic fungal infections include imaging procedures, endoscopic methods and biopsies, microscopic and culture techniques, antibody and antigen-based serologic testing, and the detection (via polymerase chain reaction) of fungal deoxyribonucleic acid in blood or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, as well as the careful analysis of signs and symptoms. Antifungal therapy should be initiated early in patients with a suspected fungal infection (even before laboratory findings have confirmed that diagnosis) and should be administered with appropriate adjustment of immunosuppressive regimens. To manage fungal infections in patients with renal failure, optimizing the pharmacokinetics of antifungal drugs to reduce the risk of nephrotoxicity is crucial.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Aspergillosis; Candidiasis, Invasive; Cryptococcosis; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Kidney Transplantation; Microbiological Techniques; Mucormycosis; Mycoses; Predictive Value of Tests; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 22142041
DOI: No ID Found -
Edinburgh Medical Journal Oct 1946
Topics: Humans; Lung; Mycoses
PubMed: 20278588
DOI: No ID Found -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023Fungal diseases have posed a great challenge to global health, but have fewer solutions compared to bacterial and viral infections. Development and application of new... (Review)
Review
Fungal diseases have posed a great challenge to global health, but have fewer solutions compared to bacterial and viral infections. Development and application of new treatment modalities for fungi are limited by their inherent essential properties as eukaryotes. The microorganism identification and drug sensitivity analyze are limited by their proliferation rates. Moreover, there are currently no vaccines for prevention. Polymer science and related interdisciplinary technologies have revolutionized the field of fungal disease management. To date, numerous advanced polymer-based systems have been developed for management of fungal diseases, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. In this review, we provide an overview of current needs and advances in polymer-based strategies against fungal diseases. We high light various treatment modalities. Delivery systems of antifungal drugs, systems based on polymers' innate antifungal activities, and photodynamic therapies each follow their own mechanisms and unique design clues. We also discuss various prevention strategies including immunization and antifungal medical devices, and further describe point-of-care testing platforms as futuristic diagnostic and monitoring tools. The broad application of polymer-based strategies for both public and personal health management is prospected and integrated systems have become a promising direction. However, there is a gap between experimental studies and clinical translation. In future, well-designed trials should be conducted to reveal the underlying mechanisms and explore the efficacy as well as biosafety of polymer-based products.
Topics: Humans; Antifungal Agents; Polymers; Mycoses; Fungi
PubMed: 37033476
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1142029 -
Oncology (Williston Park, N.Y.) Nov 2001A steady increase in the frequency of invasive fungal infections has been observed in the past 2 decades, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. In recipients of... (Review)
Review
A steady increase in the frequency of invasive fungal infections has been observed in the past 2 decades, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. In recipients of bone marrow transplants, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus remain the primary pathogens. In many centers, however, Candida species other than C albicans now predominate, and many cases of aspergillosis are due to species other than A fumigatus. Additionally, heretofore unrecognized and/or uncommon fungal pathogens are beginning to emerge, including Blastoschizomyces capitatus, Fusarium species, Malassezia furfur, and Trichosporon beigelii. These opportunistic fungal pathogens are associated with various localized and disseminated clinical syndromes, and with substantial morbidity and mortality. These established, invasive mycoses, particularly in bone marrow transplant recipients, are the focus of this discussion.
Topics: Aspergillosis; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Candida; Candidiasis; Fusarium; Humans; Mycoses; Opportunistic Infections; Risk Factors; Trichosporon
PubMed: 11757845
DOI: No ID Found -
Turkish Journal of Haematology :... Aug 2023
Topics: Humans; Multiple Myeloma; Mycoses; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
PubMed: 37435954
DOI: 10.4274/tjh.galenos.2023.2023-0255 -
Actas Dermo-sifiliograficas 2014Histoplasmosis is a systemic infection caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. In immunocompromised patients, primary pulmonary infection can spread to... (Review)
Review
Histoplasmosis is a systemic infection caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. In immunocompromised patients, primary pulmonary infection can spread to the skin and meninges. Clinical manifestations appear in patients with a CD4(+) lymphocyte count of less than 150 cells/μL. Coccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis caused by Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. It can present as diffuse pulmonary disease or as a disseminated form primarily affecting the central nervous system, the bones, and the skin. Cryptococcosis is caused by Cryptococcus neoformans (var. neoformans and var. grubii) and Cryptococcus gattii, which are members of the Cryptococcus species complex and have 5 serotypes: A, B, C, D, and AD. It is a common opportunistic infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS, even those receiving antiretroviral therapy. Histopathologic examination and culture of samples from any suspicious lesions are essential for the correct diagnosis of systemic fungal infections in patients with HIV/AIDS.
Topics: AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Coccidioides; Coccidioidomycosis; Cryptococcosis; Cryptococcus gattii; Cryptococcus neoformans; Dermatomycoses; Diagnosis, Differential; Fungemia; Histoplasma; Histoplasmosis; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Lung Diseases, Fungal; Mycoses; Skin Ulcer; Spain
PubMed: 23107866
DOI: 10.1016/j.ad.2012.06.017 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... May 2008Species of Candida and Aspergillus remain the most common causes of invasive fungal infections, but other yeasts and filamentous fungi are emerging as significant... (Review)
Review
Species of Candida and Aspergillus remain the most common causes of invasive fungal infections, but other yeasts and filamentous fungi are emerging as significant pathogens. Opportunistic yeast-like fungi and moulds such as Zygomycetes, Fusarium spp. and Scedosporium spp. are increasingly being recognised in patient groups such as those with leukaemia and in bone marrow transplant recipients. Recognition of these epidemiological changes is critical to patient care. The key elements in selecting an appropriate antifungal agent are the type of patient (solid-organ or stem-cell transplant), severity of immunosuppression, history of prolonged exposure to antifungal drugs, and knowledge of the genera and species of the infecting pathogen and its typical susceptibility pattern.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Fungemia; Fungi; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mycoses; Opportunistic Infections
PubMed: 18430126
DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2008.01978.x -
Revista Iberoamericana de Micologia 2021In recent years, immunodeficiency condition has experienced a rise among children, who are at risk of invasive fungal infections (IFI) due to their health condition....
In recent years, immunodeficiency condition has experienced a rise among children, who are at risk of invasive fungal infections (IFI) due to their health condition. Cancer, non-malignant hematological diseases, as primary immunodeficiencies, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), extreme prematurity, or critically ill condition in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) are some immunosuppressive situations in children. The use of oncologic therapies, including immunotherapy and monoclonal antibodies, for the treatment of the aforementioned health conditions has led to an increase in morbidity and mortality rates of IFI in children. The underlying diseases and their management, comorbidities, the diagnostic tests used (both molecular and imaging), as well as the treatment used can be significantly different between adult patients and children admitted to PICU or with cancer. In pediatrics, the treatment of IFI is based primarily on pharmacokinetic studies performed in adults. In higher risk patients prophylaxis should be considered and, in the case of an IFI diagnosis, an antifungal treatment should be administered as early as possible, supported by the reversion of the immune dysfunction and surgery when appropriate.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Child; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Invasive Fungal Infections; Mycoses; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34148786
DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2021.04.005