Article
Immunology
Shangxin Yang, Victoria Anikst, Paul C. Adamson
Summary: We report a case of Mycetohabitans rhizoxinica bacteremia in a 65-year-old woman undergoing chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for multiple myeloma in California, USA. The patient developed acute brain infarction and pneumonia, and Rhizopus microsporus mold was isolated from tracheal suction. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed that the bacteria found in the blood were genetically identical to the endofungal bacteria inside the mold.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Huiyi Hao, Ruyu Yan, Zijian Miao, Bowen Wang, Jinyuan Sun, Baoguo Sun
Summary: Microorganisms release volatile organic compounds that mediate microbial interactions in Chinese baijiu fermentation, providing a potential approach for improving traditional food fermentations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Alexander J. Sundermann, Cornelius J. Clancy, A. William Pasculle, Guojun Liu, Shaoji Cheng, Richard B. Cumbie, Eileen Driscoll, Ashley Ayres, Lisa Donahue, Michael Buck, Andrew Streifel, Carlene A. Muto, M. Hong Nguyen
Summary: This study investigated and remediated Mucorales contamination at a laundry facility supplying healthcare linens to a hospital. The layout and processes of the facility were consistent with industry standards, but contamination was detected at the post-dryer and pre-transport holding steps. Remediation efforts, including environmental clean-up and education, significantly reduced the contamination rate.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
F. Yuan, J. Chen, F. Liu, Y. C. Dang, Q. T. Kong, H. Sang
Summary: Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection that often occurs in immunocompromised or diabetic patients, primarily caused by Rhizopus spp. Clinical manifestation, tissue biopsy, and fungal culture are crucial for diagnosis. Posaconazole oral suspension is an effective treatment for pulmonary mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus microspores.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiulan Xin, Jia Liu, Shengqiao Luan, Meirong Zhou, Wenxin Wang, Yuzhuo Wu, Xiaochi Ma, Chao Wang, Ping Guo, Dawei Li
Summary: This study investigated the biotransformation of norethisterone using a human intestinal fungal strain and identified seven metabolites, providing insights into the metabolic pathways of norethisterone.
PHYTOCHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Lingling Chang, Yanping Qi, Yamian Wang, Chen-Hsuan Liu, Songbiao Chen, Bichen Miao, Dewen Tong
Summary: A 6-year-old female bottlenose dolphin kept in dolphinarium died from systemic granulomatous mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus microsporus. Microscopic examination revealed fungal pyogranulomas as the main lesions. This case provides important insights for the health management of dolphins.
VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Mycology
Valliappan Muthu, Ritesh Agarwal, Sahajal Dhooria, Inderpaul Singh Sehgal, Kuruswamy Thurai Prasad, Shivaprakash Mandya Rudramurthy, Ashutosh Aggarwal, Arunaloke Chakrabarti
Summary: Mucormycosis in HIV infection is rare without additional risk factors or intravenous drug use. In this systematic review, 94 cases were classified into three groups: HIV with additional risk factors, intravenous drug users, and no other risk factor for mucormycosis. The most common presentations varied between the groups, with renal and cerebral mucormycosis being most common in intravenous drug users. The overall mortality rate was 53% and did not differ significantly among the groups.
Article
Dermatology
Soundappan Kathirvel, Valliappan Muthu, Shivaprakash Mandya Rudramurthy, Harsimran Kaur, Arunaloke Chakrabarti, Ritesh Agarwal
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between burning cattle dung and COVID-19-associated mucormycosis in India. The results showed that there was no significant increase in the proportion of Mucorales in the air during or after burning cattle dung, suggesting that burning cattle dung does not contribute to the occurrence of mucormycosis.
Article
Dermatology
Deepak Garg, Kathirvel Soundappan, Ritesh Agarwal, Soham Mukherjee, Mahendra Kumar, Sahajal Dhooria, Inderpaul Singh Sehgal, Kuruswamy Thurai Prasad, Raja Ramachandran, Shivakumar Patil, Ashutosh Nath Aggarwal, Shivaprakash Mandya Rudramurthy, Arunaloke Chakrabarti, Valliappan Muthu
Summary: Pulmonary mucormycosis in subjects with diabetes mellitus is not associated with cattle dung exposure. Instead, factors such as male sex, poor glycemic control, COVID-19 infection, and housing type are associated with the disease.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wellyzar Sjamsuridzal, Mangunatun Khasanah, Rela Febriani, Yura Vebliza, Ariyanti Oetari, Iman Santoso, Indrawati Gandjar
Summary: The study confirmed the loss of diversity of Rhizopus species in Indonesian tempeh, with isolated strains identified as R. arrhizus, R. delemar, and R. microsporus. The findings demonstrated morphological changes in Rhizopus species isolated from tempeh due to centuries of domestication.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Xiru Peng, Zixiu Wei, Lijuan Wang, Juan Cheng
Summary: This study reported a survival case of invasive splenic mucormycosis involving the liver caused by Rhizopus microsporus in a patient during consolidation therapy for acute monocytic leukemia (AML-M5). The patient initially presented with recurrent fever and splenomegaly accompanied by multiple focal hypodensities unresponsive to empiric anti-infective treatment. Splenic mucormycosis was diagnosed by Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography (CEUS) and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). Timely diagnosis of mucormycosis is crucial for clinicians to accurately identify splenic mucormycosis cases and initiate appropriate therapy as soon as possible to improve therapeutic efficacy and prognosis.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maritza Araujo Todo Bom, Vanderleia Botton, Fernanda Marchesini Altheia, Juliana Christina Thomas, Leandro Piovan, Jesus Cordova, David Alexander Mitchell, Nadia Krieger
Summary: In this study, lipases were produced by culturing Rhizopus microsporus in solid-state fermentation, exhibiting high activity and preference in the resolution of racemates. The results suggest that these lipases have the potential as low-cost biocatalysts for the resolution of racemates of secondary alcohols.
BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Chijioke D. Ukoha, Nicholas Nguyen
Summary: This case involves a 57-year-old Vietnamese man with chest pain and shortness of breath for four weeks. Despite receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics and antifungal therapy for Rhizopus mucormycosis, the patient's condition continued to deteriorate, leading to multi-organ failure and eventual mortality.
CUREUS JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Carlos Lax, Maria Isabel Navarro-Mendoza, Carlos Perez-Arques, Eusebio Navarro, Francisco Esteban Nicolas, Victoriano Garre
Summary: A new methodology was developed for genetic manipulation in the fungal pathogen causing mucormycosis, resulting in stable mutants in key genes related to pathogenicity and immune response.
CELL REPORTS METHODS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Marcus Trybula, Diping Wang, Lauren Baumann, Timothy A. Pritts, Bryan C. Hambley
Summary: Patients undergoing treatment for hematologic malignancies are at risk for various infections, with gastrointestinal mucormycosis being a rare and feared complication. Diagnosis requires suspicion and timely evaluation, and prompt treatment can improve patient outcomes.
CLINICAL CASE REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Shuk-Ching Wong, Danny Wah-Kun Tong, Vivien Wai-Man Chuang, Jonathan Hon-Kwan Chen, Larry Lap-Yip Lee, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Ivan Fan-Ngai Hung, Pak-Leung Ho, Deacons Tai-Kong Yeung, Kin-Lai Chung, Kwok-Yung Yuen
Summary: A multipronged infection control strategy implemented in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced nosocomial acquisition among healthcare workers, with no documented transmission from COVID-19 patients in the hospitals.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Lin-Lei Chen, Lu Lu, Charlotte Yee-Ki Choi, Jian-Piao Cai, Hoi-Wah Tsoi, Allen Wing-Ho Chu, Jonathan Daniel Ip, Wan-Mui Chan, Ricky Ruiqi Zhang, Xiaojuan Zhang, Anthony Raymond Tam, Daphne Pui-Ling Lau, Wing-Kin To, Tak-Lun Que, Cyril Chik-Yan Yip, Kwok-Hung Chan, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Ivan Fan-Ngai Hung, Kelvin Kai-Wang To
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 variants P.3 and B.1.617.1 can evade neutralizing response from convalescent serum and vaccine-induced serum. The E484K mutation in the spike protein has the greatest impact on receptor binding domain binding.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shuk-Ching Wong, Lithia Lai-Ha Yuen, Veronica Wing-Man Chan, Jonathan Hon-Kwan Chen, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Siddharth Sridhar, Cyril Chik-Yan Yip, Kelvin Hon-Yin Lo, Shusheng Wu, Jianwen Situ, Nicholas Foo-Siong Chew, Kit-Hang Leung, Helen Shuk-Ying Chan, Sally Cheuk-Ying Wong, Anthony Wai-Shing Leung, Cindy Wing-Sze Tse, Kitty S. C. Fung, Owen Tak-Yin Tsang, Kam-Lun Hon, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Ken Ho-Leung Ng, Kwok-Yung Yuen
Summary: This study investigated human HEV-C1 infections detected in Hong Kong, with a focus on outcomes in immunocompromised individuals. The findings showed that immunocompromised HEV-C1-infected patients frequently progress to persistent HEV-C1 infection, for which ribavirin is a suitable treatment option.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Shuk-Ching Wong, Simon Yung-Chun So, Jonathan Hon-Kwan Chen, Pui-Hing Chau, Albert Ka-Wing Au, Kelvin Hei-Yeung Chiu, Xin Li, Patrick Ip, Vivien Wai-Man Chuang, David Christopher Lung, Cindy Wing-Sze Tse, Rodney Allan Lee, Kitty Sau-Chun Fung, Wing-Kin To, Raymond Wai-Man Lai, Tak-Lun Que, Janice Yee-Chi Lo, Kwok-Yung Yuen
Summary: Nonpharmaceutical interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong have led to a reduction in wholesale antibiotic supply and a significant decrease in community-onset bacteremia caused by common bacterial species. However, no reduction was observed in hospital-onset bacteremia caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Shuk-Ching Wong, Albert Ka-Wing Au, Cheng Zhang, Jonathan Hon-Kwan Chen, Simon Yung-Chun So, Xin Li, Qun Wang, Kelvin Keru Lu, David Christopher Lung, Vivien Wai-Man Chuang, Eric Schuldenfrei, Gilman Kit-Hang Siu, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Yuguo Li, Kwok-Yung Yuen
Summary: The phenomenon of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong is unique. The compulsory testing of entire buildings during the fourth and fifth waves of the COVID-19 outbreak revealed a higher prevalence of vertical transmission in the fifth wave. The analysis of viral genomes confirmed the high transmissibility of the Omicron BA.2 variant.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shuk-Ching Wong, Veronica Wing-Man Chan, Christine Ho-Yan Auyeung, Jonathan Hon-Kwan Chen, Cyril Chik-Yan Yip, Simon Yung-Chun So, Xin Li, David Christopher Lung, Anita Man-Ching Tsang, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng
Summary: This study found that the air dispersal of respiratory viruses may have important implications for infection prevention and public health. The viral load of patients is closely associated with the air dispersal of viruses in isolation rooms. Patients placed in double-bed isolation rooms had a higher viral load in the air compared to singly isolated patients.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Shuk-Ching Wong, Veronica Wing-Man Chan, Germaine Kit Ming Lam, Lithia Lai-Ha Yuen, Christine Ho-Yan AuYeung, Xin Li, Jonathan Hon-Kwan Chen, Pui-Hing Chau, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng
Summary: In Hong Kong, the implementation of personal coaching led by infection control officers and senior nursing officers significantly increased the influenza vaccination rates among healthcare workers for three consecutive years.
Article
Virology
Li Xin, Anthony Raymond Tam, Wing-Ming Chu, Wan-Mui Chan, Jonathan Daniel Ip, Allen Wing-Ho Chu, Syed Muhammad Umer Abdullah, Cyril Chik-Yan Yip, Kwok-Hung Chan, Samson Sai-Yin Wong, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Ivan Fan-Ngai Hung, Kelvin Kai-Wang To
Summary: This retrospective cohort study investigated viral shedding kinetics and risk factors associated with slow viral decline in adult patients hospitalized for COVID-19 during the Omicron wave in early 2022. The study identified older age as an independent risk factor for slow viral decline and suggested that age should be considered when determining the timing of de-isolation.
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
S. -C. Wong, L. L-H. Yuen, C-K. Li, M. O-T. Kwok, J. H-K. Chen, V. C-C. Cheng
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Hanshu Fang, Chung-Ho Lee, Huiluo Cao, Shuo Jiang, Simon Yung-Chun So, Cindy Wing-Sze Tse, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Pak-Leung Ho
Summary: The study evaluated the NG-Test(R) CTX-M MULTI lateral flow assay (CTX-M LFA) for rapid detection of CTX-M producers in spiked and clinical blood cultures. The results showed that the CTX-M LFA could accurately detect all CTX-M producers in spiked blood cultures, but false-positive results were observed in clinical blood cultures. Therefore, the CTX-M LFA can provide a reliable and rapid detection method for CTX-M producers in blood cultures.
Article
Microbiology
Xin Li, Huiluo Cao, Jonathan Hon-Kwan Chen, Yuey-Zhun Ng, Ka-Kin Fung, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Pak-Leung Ho
Summary: Typhoid fever is a concerning disease in Hong Kong, with two local cases caused by Salmonella Typhi being identified within a two-week period in late 2022. A phylogenetic study of Salmonella Typhi isolates from Hong Kong Island between 2020 and 2022 revealed clonal transmission between the two cases. While most local strains belonged to the non-H58 genotype with low antibiotic resistance, the presence of extensively drug-resistant H58 strains is a worrying concern.
Article
Microbiology
Jonathan H. K. Chen, Hoi-Yi Leung, Charles M. C. Wong, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Vincent C. C. Cheng
Summary: This study investigates the molecular epidemiology of invasive S. argenteus in Hong Kong, finding a prevalence of 4.0% among the tested strains. The S. argenteus strains are generally susceptible to commonly used antibiotics, except for penicillin. Three genotypes of S. argenteus were identified, with ST-2250 and ST-1223 being the predominant genotypes. These strains carry multiple pathogenic genes and may cause food poisoning and toxic shock syndrome.
Article
Neurosciences
Tom Wai-Hin Chung, Hui Zhang, Fergus Kai-Chuen Wong, Siddharth Sridhar, Tatia Mei-Chun Lee, Gilberto Ka-Kit Leung, Koon-Ho Chan, Kui-Kai Lau, Anthony Raymond Tam, Deborah Tip-Yin Ho, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Ivan Fan-Ngai Hung, Henry Ka-Fung Mak
Summary: This pilot trial recruited long COVID patients with persistent olfactory dysfunction and found that a combination treatment of oral vitamin A and olfactory training was effective in improving olfactory function.
Article
Biology
Qun Wang, David Christopher Lung, Pak-To Chan, Wei Jia, Chung-Hin Dung, Te Miao, Jianxiang Huang, Wenzhao Chen, Zixuan Wang, Kai-Ming Leung, Pengcheng Xu, Zhang Lin, Daniel Wong, Herman Tse, Sally Cheuk Ying Wong, Garnet Kwan-Yue Choi, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Yuguo Li
Summary: This study investigated a COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong, revealing the association between poor housing conditions, environmental issues, and the transmission of the virus.