Review
Microbiology
Michael Scolarici, Margaret Jorgenson, Christopher Saddler, Jeannina Smith
Summary: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a serious complication of liver transplantation, with Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcal infections being the most common. Prophylaxis is considered a promising mechanism for reducing the risks associated with these infections in liver transplant recipients.
Article
Microbiology
Laurene Cachera, Antoine Adenis, Basma Guarmit, Sebastien Rabier, Pierre Couppie, Felix Djossou, Loic Epelboin, Alessia Melzani, Philippe Abboud, Denis Blanchet, Magalie Demar, Kinan Drak Alsibai, Mathieu Nacher
Summary: This study integrated all diagnosed cases of invasive fungal infections over a decade in French Guiana, revealing histoplasmosis as the most common, followed by cryptococcal infection and pneumocystosis. Most fungal infections occurred simultaneously with HIV discovery and were the AIDS-defining event.
Article
Dermatology
Diana Forno, Blanca Samayoa, Narda Medina, Eduardo Arathoon, Carlos Rodolfo Mejia, Remei Gordillo, Rolando Cedillos, Jose Rodas, Angela Ahlquist Cleveland, Tom Chiller, Diego H. Caceres
Summary: Histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis are significant public health concerns among people living with HIV in Central America. This study found that more than half of the patients were diagnosed solely based on rapid laboratory antigen tests, indicating a high prevalence of advanced HIV disease among the population.
Article
Microbiology
Rattagan Kajeekul, Pawut Mekawichai, Methee Chayakulkeeree
Summary: This study investigated the clinical characteristics and factors associated with mortality in HIV-associated and non-HIV-associated cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, and found differences in disease presentation and mortality rate between the two groups.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Thunyamas Guntawang, Tidaratt Sittisak, Pallop Tankaew, Chatchote Thitaram, Varangkana Langkapin, Taweepoke Angkawanish, Tawatchai Singhla, Nattawooti Sthitmatee, Wei-Li Hsu, Roongroje Thanawongnuwech, Kidsadagon Pringproa
Summary: Disease caused by elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) infection is the most highly fatal hemorrhagic disease in Asian elephant calves worldwide. In this study, an EEHV-DNApol ELISA test was used for monitoring Asian elephants, showing certain sensitivity and specificity. Elephants without clinical signs of EEHV infection also exhibited a positive rate.
Review
Dermatology
Guyguy K. Kamwiziku, Jean-Claude C. Makangara, Emma Orefuwa, David W. Denning
Summary: According to a literature review, an estimated 5.4% of the population in the Democratic Republic of the Congo suffer from serious fungal infections annually. The most common infections include cryptococcal meningitis, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, and invasive aspergillosis in AIDS patients. The study also estimated the prevalence of fungal asthma and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis in the country. Further research is needed to improve diagnosis and establish a national surveillance program for fungal diseases in the DRC.
Article
Neuroimaging
Liesbeth Vanherp, Kristof Govaerts, Matteo Riva, Jennifer Poelmans, An Coosemans, Katrien Lagrou, Willy Gsell, Greetje Vande Velde, Uwe Himmelreich
Summary: The study aimed to use Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) MR imaging to detect and distinguish fungal brain lesions caused by Cryptococcus species, helping to differentiate cryptococcomas from gliomas, even lesions smaller than 1mm(3). By combining specific CEST signals with high signal-to-noise ratio signals, accurate localization and differentiation of infectious brain lesions were achieved.
NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chanika Worasith, Kulthida Y. Kopolrat, Opal Pitaksakulrat, Chutima Homwong, Yingpinyapat Kittirat, Phattharaphon Wongphutorn, Jiraporn Sithithaworn, Paiboon Sithithaworn
Summary: Infection by Opisthorchis viverrini can lead to serious health problems, including cholangiocarcinoma. This study used an animal model to assess the parasite antigen profiles in urine and feces, and evaluate the effectiveness of praziquantel treatment. The results showed a positive correlation between urine and copro antigen levels and the number of fecal egg counts and worm recovery. Treatment with praziquantel significantly reduced worm burden, fecal egg output, and antigen levels in urine and feces.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jeanne Goupil de Bouille, Loic Epelboin, Fanny Henaff, Melanie Migaud, Philippe Abboud, Denis Blanchet, Christine Aznar, Felix Djossou, Olivier Lortholary, Narcisse Elenga, Anne Puel, Fanny Lanternier, Magalie Demar
Summary: This study described the characteristics of invasive cryptococcosis in six HIV-negative patients. The results showed that two patients had abnormal levels of circulating autoantibodies and the STAT1 gene was wild type in four patients. Further investigation is needed to understand the manifestations and pathogenic characteristics of cryptococcosis in this particular group of patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Victor Araujo Correa, Thais Sousa Rodrigues, Amanda Izeli Portilho, Gabriela Trzewikoswki de Lima, Elizabeth De Gaspari
Summary: Antibody avidity is a crucial parameter for evaluating immune response and distinguishing different infection statuses, with the most common method being a modified ELISA. The use of commercial kits or in-house methods to assess antibody avidity is increasing, but the lack of standardization between different assays can lead to variability in results.
BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Weili Zhang, Quanfeng Liao, Ya Liu, Siying Wu, Jin Deng, Yuling Xiao, Ying Ma, Yi Xie, Mei Kang
Summary: Association analysis revealed that PTX3 gene rs2305619 polymorphism is linked to cryptococcosis in HIV-uninfected Chinese patients. The AA genotype increases the risk of cryptococcosis, with significantly elevated plasma PTX3 levels compared to other genotypes.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
M. A. Alshaikh, N. H. AlShamrani, A. M. Elaiw
Summary: This paper presents two HIV/HTLV co-infection models with antibody immune response, investigating the properties and global stability of the solutions. The stability results are based on constructing Lyapunov functions and using LaSalle's invariance principle. Numerical simulations are conducted to support the theoretical findings.
RESULTS IN PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Xiaoxing Qiu, Lori Sokoll, Thoai Duong Ly, Catherine Coignard, Susan H. Eshleman, Phaedre Mohr, Clinton Huizenga, Priscilla Swanson, Gavin Cloherty, John Hackett
Summary: The study evaluated an improved HIV antigen/antibody prototype, HIV Combo Next, for detection of genetically-diverse HIV strains and seroconversion samples, showing that the prototype demonstrated the best analytical sensitivity for WHO antigen standard, reference panels, virus isolates, and seroconversion samples, with enhanced sensitivity detecting more PCR-positive samples up to 7 days earlier than other assays. The improvement in antigen sensitivity did not compromise antibody sensitivity or assay specificity, indicating that the new prototype HIV Combo Next assay will provide improved early detection for acute HIV infection.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Raj Singh, Parth Malik, Mukesh Kumar, Raman Kumar, Md. Shamshir Alam, Tapan Kumar Mukherjee
Summary: COVID-19 is associated with various fungal infections, which can have severe consequences for high-risk patients. It is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of this topic.
PHARMACOLOGICAL REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Leonardo Martins-Santana, Caroline Patini Rezende, Antonio Rossi, Nilce Maria Martinez-Rossi, Fausto Almeida
Summary: Fungal infections, especially those caused by drug-resistant fungi, pose a serious global health concern. Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus are some of the fungi that cause severe and systemic infections, with high mortality rates. Understanding the immunopathogenesis of fungal diseases and finding ways to prevent dissemination and deaths caused by fungal infections are crucial. This review highlights the importance of drug resistance in clinically significant fungi and discusses strategies to combat these infections.