Researchers in Brazil, led by Alessandro Pasqualotto, have shown that a 10mg/Kg single dose of liposomal amphotericin B, followed by itraconazole is at least as effective as daily liposomal amphotericin B. Clinical centres in Brazil screend 882 adult patients with HIV infection for disseminated histoplasmosis. From this sample population they randomised 118 people to be […]
FDA approves new treatment for invasive candidiasis
Cidara Therapeutics and Melinta Therapeutics have announced that the U.S. FDA have approved Rezzayo™ (rezafungin for injection). This new medication is for the treatment and prevention of candidemia and invasive candidiasis in adults who have limited or no alternative treatment options. Rezzayo is a once-weekly injection that in clinical trials, proved to be non-inferior to […]
LIFE Worldwide launches revamped fungal microscopy course
LIFE Worldwide, in collaboration with the Fungal Infection Trust and the University of Manchester, is pleased to announce the re-launch of its popular fungal microscopy course – www.microfungi.net This new site has updated content, improved navigation, and more visual resources added to modules 1 and 2, with further work planned to overhaul modules 3 and […]
Bangladeshi study highlights frequency of invasive fungal infections in paediatric patients at diarrheal hospital
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are one of the foremost causes of morbidity and mortality among critically ill and immunosuppressed paediatric patients. Within intensive care units, children with these infections are more likely to die. Shaly and colleagues look at the prevalence of IFIs in children under the age of five at a Bangladeshi urban diarrheal […]
Impact of hurricane activity on invasive mould infections (IMI)
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 […]