evaluation of antifungal combinations against neurotropic dematiaceous fungi associated with primary cerebral phaeohyphomycosis.

Primary cerebral phaeohyphomycosis is a life-threatening disease caused by neurotropic dematiaceous fungi. At present, there are no consensus guidelines regarding optimal antifungal therapy in such cases. Generally, a combination of antifungal agents is recommended for treatment.

In Vitro Wound Healing and Anticancer Effects of Ixora coccinea in Malignant Melanoma Cell Lines.

Background is a medicinal plant with many active constituents that are responsible for wound healing and have anticancer properties. Herbal extracts increase the mechanisms related to wound healing, like blood clotting, fighting infection, and epithelialization. The effect responsible for this property may be the presence of phytoconstituents like flavonoids, polyphenols, and alkaloids.

Rise of mucormycosis during the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges faced.

Mucormycosis (previously called zygomycosis) is a diverse group of increasingly recognized and frequently fatal mycotic diseases caused by members of the class zygomycetes. Mucormycosis is around 80 times more common in India, compared to other developed countries, with a frequency of 0.14 cases per 1,000 population.

Satellite Epidemic of Covid-19 Associated Mucormycosis in India: A Multi-Site Observational Study.

Background: Sudden upsurge in cases of COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis (CAM) following the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was recorded in India. This study describes the clinical characteristics, management and outcomes of CAM cases, and factors associated with mortality.

Methods: Microbiologically confirmed CAM cases were enrolled from April 2021 to September 2021 from ten diverse geographical locations in India.

Production of Virulence Factors and Antifungal Susceptibility Pattern of Isolates from Clinical Samples in a Tertiary Care Center.

 This study was aimed to investigate the association between virulence factors and antifungal susceptibility pattern among species.  This study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, from May 2018 to June 2019. A total of 52 isolates obtained from various clinical samples were speciated based on microscopic identification by lacto phenol cotton blue (LPCB) mount and slide culture technique.

A case control investigation of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis in India.

Background: Increased occurrence of mucormycosis during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in early 2021 in India prompted us to undertake a multi-site case-control investigation. The objectives were to examine the monthly trend of COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis (CAM) cases among in-patients and to identify factors associated with development of CAM.

Methods: Eleven study sites were involved across India; archived records since 1st January 2021 till 30th September 2021 were used for trend analysis.

Invasive Trichoderma spp. infections: clinical presentation and outcome of cases from the literature and the FungiScope® registry.

Background: Trichoderma spp. are filamentous fungi causing invasive fungal diseases in patients with haematological malignancies and in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Objectives: To analyse clinical presentation, predisposing factors, treatment and outcome of Trichoderma infections.

Faster and accurate identification of clinically important Trichosporon using MALDI TOF MS.

Purpose: Trichosporon species are emerging human pathogens, accounting for the second most common cause of non-candidal mycosis. Rapid and reliable identification of these agents allows a better understanding of their epidemiology and therapeutic management. The Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technique has the potential to be precise, fast and cost-effective.

Strain Typing of Clinical Isolates by Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) Analysis.

The aim of this study was to identify and isolate ( ) from clinical samples and to assess the genetic relatedness of the most frequently isolated strains of using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers GAC-1 and M13. All the clinical samples that grew species, identified and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using genus-specific primers, were considered for the study. Confirmation of the species was carried out by specific PCR.

Pulmonary infection with Penicillium citrinum in a patient with multiple myeloma.

A 60-year-old male patient undergoing chemotherapy for multiple myeloma Stage II presented to our hospital with complaints of cough, haemoptysis, fever and loose stools. Sputum sample was sent for fungal culture. Fungal culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar yielded bluish-green velvety growth with orange-to-red diffusible pigment on the reverse.

Invasive infections with Purpureocillium lilacinum: clinical characteristics and outcome of 101 cases from FungiScope® and the literature.

Objectives: To provide a basis for clinical management decisions in Purpureocillium lilacinum infection.

Methods: Unpublished cases of invasive P. lilacinum infection from the FungiScope® registry and all cases reported in the literature were analysed.

Multilocus Sequence Typing of Clinical Isolates of Cryptococcus from India.

Cryptococcosis is a life-threatening infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complex. In the present study, to understand the molecular epidemiology of 208 clinical isolates of Cryptococcus from different parts of India, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) using ISHAM MLST consensus scheme for C.

Epidemiological pattern of , its phenotypic identification and antifungal susceptibility profile to azoles by broth microdilution method.

Background: Malassezia though known for its cutaneous infections can potentially cause invasion. The skin infections caused by Malassezia have poor patient compliance due to its chronicity and recurrent nature of the disease. There is also a lack of standardised antifungal susceptibility profile for Malassezia due to its complex growth requirement.

Fungal infection in a post-renal transplant patient with .

Post-renal transplant fungal infections continue to be a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Universally reported fungi are Candida, especially Candida albicans, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, Trichophyton rubrum and Pityriasis versicolor. Here, we report a case of infection caused by a rare fungus Diaporthe.

Phytochemical derivatives targeting fliJ flagellar protein from .

Approximately 50 per cent of nosocomial infections are caused by the use of indwelling medical devices. The surfaces of devices are ideal sites of attachment for bacterial cells and an increase in biofilm formation. Biofilms have been a constant concern due to their complex extracellular matrix (ECM) resulting in multiple drug resistance.

Epidemiology and clinical outcomes of invasive mould infections in Indian intensive care units (FISF study).

Background And Aim: Due to limited data on invasive mould infections (IMIs) in the intensive care units (ICUs) of developing countries, we ascertain epidemiology and management of IMIs at 11 ICUs across India.

Methods: Consecutive patients with proven or probable/putative IMIs were enrolled during the study period. Subjects were categorized into classical (neutropenia, malignancy, transplant recipients on immunosuppression) and non-classical (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, liver disease and glucocorticoids) risk groups.

Evaluation of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide method for assessing biofilm formation by spp.

Background: Invasive infections due to spp. have increased recently and are frequently associated with indwelling medical devices. Such infections which are associated with biofilm formation do not respond to the routinely used antifungal agents and are often persistent, associated with high mortality rate.

Molecular strain typing of ( var. ) using non-transcribed spacer region as a molecular marker.

Background & Objectives: : Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi that infect keratinized tissues of human and animal origin. Trichophyton mentagrophytes is considered to be a species complex composed of several strains, which include both anthropophiles and zoophiles. Accurate discrimination is critical for comprehensive understanding of the clinical and epidemiological implications of the genetic heterogeneity of this complex.

Phylogenetic Diversity and In Vitro Susceptibility Profiles of Human Pathogenic Members of the Fusarium fujikuroi Species Complex Isolated from South India.

Availability of molecular methods, gene sequencing, and phylogenetic species recognition have led to rare fungi being recognized as opportunistic pathogens. Fungal keratitis and onychomycosis are fairly common mycoses in the tropics, especially among outdoor workers and enthusiasts. The frequently isolated etiological agents belong to genera Candida, Aspergillus, and Fusarium.

An Assessment of In Vitro Antifungal Activities of Efinaconazole and Itraconazole against Common Non-Dermatophyte Fungi Causing Onychomycosis.

Onychomycosis is a fungal nail infection which is relatively common and difficult to treat. Treatment modalities include nail avulsion, surgical debridement and combination therapy with oral and topical antifungal drugs. In spite of a host of available drugs, clinical cure rates remain discouraging.

Molecular Strain Typing of Clinical Isolates, using Non Transcribed Spacer (NTS) Region as a Molecular Marker.

Introduction: Dermatophytes are a group of fungi which infect keratinized tissues and causes superficial mycoses in humans and animals. The group comprises of three major genera, , and . Among them is a predominant anthropophilic fungi which causes chronic infections.

Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Virulence Activities of Dermatophytes on Solid Media.

Introduction: Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi causing superficial cutaneous infections that account 20-25% of the global population. As per literature search, there is a dearth in the study on virulence factors of dermatophytes from the Indian sub-continent and moreover the association of the virulence factors and the host tissue in vitro helps in understanding the host-pathogen interaction.

Aim: To analyse the enzymatic and non-enzymatic virulence activities of dermatophytes on solid media.

a rare fungal peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD); a rare case report.

Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum that occurs in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) treated by peritoneal dialysis. Fungal peritonitis is a dreaded complication of peritoneal dialysis. is known to cause extra renal disease like endocarditis, secondary allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and endophthalmitis.

Assessment of phagocytic activity of neutrophils in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Aim: To assess the phagocytic activity of neutrophils in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Background/need Of Study: There is a paucity of data in relation to phagocytic function in COPD. By this multidisciplinary study, a better understanding about the etiology of lung destruction among COPD patients is being sought.