Impact of Aspergillus PCR on the management of invasive aspergillosis: A tertiary care hospital experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim: To assess the impact of Aspergillus PCR on managing invasive aspergillosis (IA) in routine patient management.

Methods: A retrospective study included 235 patients who had Aspergillus PCR tests performed on respiratory samples (bronchoalveolar lavage, non-bronchoscopic lavage, and sputum) from November 2020 to April 2022.

Results: Of 293 tests, 11.

New Ester-Containing Azole Derivatives With Potent Anti-Candida Effects: Synthesis, Antifungal Susceptibility, Cytotoxicity, and Molecular Modeling Studies.

Mortalities due to mycoses have dramatically increased with the emergence of drug-resistant strains and growing immune-compromised populations globally. Azole antifungals have been the first choice against fungal infections of a wide spectrum and several azole derivatives with ester function were reported for their potentially promising and favorable activity against Candida spp. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of 1-(aryl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl/1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethyl esters, and tested them against seven reference Candida strains using EUCAST reference microdilution method.

[Lomentospora prolificans Fungemia in a Patient With T-Cell Large Granular Leukemia: A Rare Pathogen in Türkiye].

Scedosporium/Lomentospora is an opportunistic fungal pathogen found worldwide. While Scedosporium apiospermum and Scedosporium boydii are commonly observed globally, Lomentospora prolificans, which mainly affects immunosuppressed individuals, is rarely encountered and is more prevalent in arid climates, particularly in Australia and Spain. L.

Invasive fungal rhinosinusitis by Fusarium proliferatum/annulatum in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia: A case report and review of the literature.

Antifungal prophylaxis with a mold-effective agent has led to a substantial decrease in invasive infections caused by Aspergillus spp. in the management of patients with acute myeloid leukemia undergoing induction chemotherapy. However, difficult-to-treat infections caused by other molds, such as Fusarium, Lomentospora, and Scedosporium species may still complicate the neutropenic period.

Saprochaete/Magnusiomyces: identification, virulence factors, and antifungal susceptibility of a challenging rare yeast.

Saprochaete/Magnusiomyces is among rare yeasts which might emerge as causes of breakthrough infections and nosocomial outbreaks. Identification to the species level might be a challenge in clinical laboratories. Data on virulence factors are scarce and antifungal susceptibility testing methodology is not definite.

Diagnostic performance and longitudinal analysis of fungal biomarkers in COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis.

Objectives: Galactomannan lateral flow assay (GM-LFA) is a reliable test for COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) diagnosis We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of GM-LFA with different case definitions, the association between the longitudinal measurements of serum GM-ELISA, GM-LFA, and the risk of death.

Methods: Serum and nondirected bronchial lavage (NBL) samples were periodically collected. The sensitivity and specificity analysis for GM-LFA was done in different time periods.

Necrotizing pneumonia due to Aspergillus and Salmonella after immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment: An unusual case and review of the literature.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a promising new treatment for different types of cancer. The infectious complications in patients taking ICIs are rare.

Case Report: A 58-year-old male who received chemotherapy consisting of pembrolizumab (PD-1 inhibitor) for esophagus squamous cell carcinoma one month before was admitted to the emergency room with shortness of breath soon after fiberoptic bronchoscopy, which was done for the inspection of the lower airway.

Rational Design of New Monoterpene-Containing Azoles and Their Antifungal Activity.

Azole antifungals, including fluconazole, have long been the first-line antifungal agents in the fight against fungal infections. The emergence of drug-resistant strains and the associated increase in mortality from systemic mycoses has prompted the development of new agents based on azoles. We reported a synthesis of novel monoterpene-containing azoles with high antifungal activity and low cytotoxicity.

A case-control study of the effects of Aspergillus clinical phenotypes on pulmonary functions in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Introduction: There are no precise data about the effect of Aspergillus infection on lung function other than allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in patients with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). Here, we aimed to determine clinical phenotypes caused by Aspergillus spp. using laboratory and immunologic parameters and to compare Aspergillus phenotypes in terms of pulmonary function tests (PFT) prospectively.

Investigating Dual-Species and Staphylococcal Biofilm Antiseptic Challenge.

can persistently colonize human skin, alongside a diverse bacterial microbiome. In this study we aimed to investigate the efficacy of antiseptic activities on dual-species interkingdom biofilms containing staphylococci to determine if antiseptic tolerance was negatively impacted by dual-species biofilms. Chlorhexidine, povidone iodine, and hydrogen peroxide (HO), were able to significantly reduce biofilm viable cell counts following exposure at 2%, 10%, and 3%, respectively.

A screening study for COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis in critically ill patients during the third wave of the pandemic.

Background: COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) has been reported as an important cause of mortality in critically ill patients with an incidence rate ranging from 5% to 35% during the first and second pandemic waves.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors for CAPA by a screening protocol and outcome in the critically ill patients during the third wave of the pandemic.

Patients/methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted in two intensive care units (ICU) designated for patients with COVID-19 in a tertiary care university hospital between 18 November 2020 and 24 April 2021.

[Mycoses due to Rare Moulds in Our Country: A Systematic Review].

An increase is observed in the frequency and diversity of fungal infections in the world and in our country. Improving the quality of patient care in infections due to rare moulds depends on early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Raising awareness about these infections will facilitate taking the necessary steps for diagnosis and treatment in similar cases.

The Emergence of Echinocandin-Resistant Exhibiting High MICs and Related Mutations in Turkey.

The frequency of invasive fungal infections shows a rising trend as well as a high morbidity and mortality. Among the causative agents, a shift toward the non-albicans species including species complex is being observed in several centers. Echinocandin resistance is increasingly published; however, isolates presenting with an in vitro resistance have not yet been reported from Turkey.

Implementation of Pharmacist-Driven Antifungal Stewardship Program in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Antifungal stewardship (AFS) is recommended to reduce the inappropriate use of antifungal drugs. In this study, the role of AFS in providing appropriate antifungal therapy was evaluated. This study included three periods, consisting of observation, feedback/education, and daily AFS activities.

Species distribution, azole resistance and related molecular mechanisms in invasive Candida parapsilosis complex isolates: Increase in fluconazole resistance in 21 years.

Background: Candida parapsilosis complex consists of three species, the prevalence and geographical distribution of which might vary. Increasing rates of fluconazole resistance among C. parapsilosis complex were reported from various centres.

[A Rare Yeast: Cases of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Infection Followed Up in a Tertiary University Hospital].

Rhodotorula species are yeasts that are common in the environment,but are not frequently encountered as an infectious agent in humans. Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Rhodotorula glutinis and Rhodotorula minuta are the species that cause disease in humans. Although its isolation from mucosa is doubtful in terms of the presence of true infection, it is more frequently encountered in daily practice due to the increasing number of invasive procedures, immune system deficiencies caused by immunosuppressive drugs and diseases.

[Changing Trends in Isolation Frequencies and Species of Clinical Fungal Strains: What Do the 12-years (2008-2019) Mycology Laboratory Data Tell About?].

The frequency and variety of infections caused by fungi are increasing. However, changes and intercenter and regional differences are observed in the distribution of fungal species over the years. It is important to update the epidemiological data in order to enable early and appropriate treatment.

Expect the unexpected: fungemia caused by uncommon Candida species in a Turkish University Hospital.

Fungemia caused by uncommon Candida species (UCS) (other than C.albicans, C.glabrata, C.

Clinical implications of fungal isolation from sputum in adult patients with cystic fibrosis.

Background/aim: Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disease with a defect in mucociliary activity that is characterized by recurrent pulmonary infections. Bacterial agents frequently implicated in airway colonization are Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus spp., and Pseudomonas spp.

Diverse clinical characteristics of Aspergillus growth in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Background And Objectives: Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have a varying spectrum of clinically significant Aspergillus disease in addition to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Here we aimed to review the different clinical phenotypes related with Aspergillus growth on the airway culture of patients with CF, we also aimed to investigate the effect of Aspergillus growth on lung function tests.

Method: The medical records of 100 patients with CF who had Aspergillus growth on airway culture within the period of April 2001 and June 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.

[Phenotypic and Genotypic Evaluation of Azole Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus Isolates from Clinical and Environmental Specimens].

Aspergillus fumigatus can cause different clinical manifestations including chronic pulmonary infections, as well as invasive aspergillosis which is highly mortal in the immunocompromised host. Azole antifungal drugs, voriconazole in particular, are the first-line recommended therapeutic regimen. Azoles inhibit 14-α demethylase enzyme encoded by the cyp51A gene.