In August 2017, hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston metropolitan area and adjacent counties. Much of the post-hurricane clean-up was carried out by members of the public, with little or no personal protective equipment. As the damage was mostly caused by flooding, the public were exposed to greater levels of mould, due to these damp conditions, […]
How to minimise risk of mucormycosis in hospital linens
Healthcare linens (HCLs) have often been thought to contain Mucorales spores, which present a health hazard for those with compromised immune systems. Mucorales are widely distributed in the environment, including in soil, vegetation and compost, and spores are easily aerosolised and dispersed, so healthcare providers need to remain vigilant to ensure that these pathogens are […]
Single, large dose of liposomal amphotericin B for cryptococcal meningitis shown to be effective
The world’s largest randomised study of HIV-positive adults with cryptococcal meningitis has shown that a single high-dose infusion of liposomal amphotericin B, plus oral therapy with flucytosine and fluconazole was non-inferior to standard treatment. This short course approach was also associated with fewer adverse events. This research was carried out in 844 patients across five […]
One Hundred Landmarks Across the World Light Up in Unity to Raise Awareness of Neglected Tropical Disease Day
30 January 2022 – 100 landmarks in 34 countries are to be lit up in unity to mark the third annual World NTD Day, including The Bell Tower in Perth, Tokyo Tower, Great Wall of China, Kuala Lumpur Tower, Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi, Expo 2020 Dubai, The Rome Colosseum, Jet d’ Eau, Niagara […]
Length of treatment regime in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA)
One of the key questions when treating CPA is optimal length of drug regimens. New research is challenging established views of treatment length. CPA is an uncommon and problematic pulmonary disease, complicating many other respiratory disorders, thought to affect over three million people globally. The most common form of CPA is chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis […]
Histoplasmosis in Guatemala – the danger of under-estimating fungal infections
Histoplasmosis is recognised as a major complication in those with HIV, even when receiving anti-retroviral treatment, but exact rates for this infection have been unclear. A new study carried out by Narda Medina and colleagues has shown that histoplasmosis is more prevalent than originally thought. Their screening programme in Guatemala demonstrated overall histoplasmosis incidence in […]
Indonesian study shows link between fungal infections and tuberculosis (TB), with global implications
Tuberculosis is a debilitating respiratory disease that the World Health Organization estimates kills 1.5 million people annually. Worldwide, TB is the 13th leading cause of death. Although TB is treatable, this new Indonesian case study highlights the dangers of not having a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis, as suspected TB could be masking chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). TB […]
Call for World Health Organization to classify Talaromycosis as a Neglected Tropical Disease
LIFE Worldwide’s David Denning has contributed to an international panel of experts calling for Talaormycosis to be classified as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD). Talaromycosis is caused by the fungus Talaromyces marneffei and is endemic in the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. Human infection is presumed to occur via inhalation of T. marneffei spores […]
New PCR test developed to identify Coccidioidomycosis agents
A joint study between New York State Department Mycology Laboratory and the Department of Medical Mycology at the University of California has developed a new PCR test with the ability to detect and differentiate between Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii. Coccidioidomycosis is often referred to as ‘valley fever’ and the fungus Coccidioides grows in soils in areas of low […]
Largest study of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis in India
A panel of 97 clinicians working in India have just released an expedited study looking at 2986 cases of COVID-19-associated rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM). This disease has reached epidemic proportion during India’s second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and this large-scale study provides important insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of ROCM. This paper outlines the […]