Filamentous Fungal Keratitis in Greece: A 16-Year Nationwide Multicenter Survey.

In a multicenter, prospective study of filamentous fungal keratitis in Greece, predisposing factors, etiology, treatment practices, and outcome, were determined. Corneal scrapings were collected from patients with clinical suspicion of fungal keratitis, and demographic and clinical data were recorded. Fungal identification was based on morphology, molecular methods, and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass-spectrometry.

Global Cutaneous Mucormycosis: A Systematic Review.

Cutaneous mucormycosis is the third most common clinical type of mucormycosis. The signs and symptoms vary widely, and it is important to make the diagnosis as early as possible in order to achieve a better outcome. We present a systematic review of its epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment, analyzing cases published from 1958 until 2021.

Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Mucormycosis: An Update.

Mucormycosis is an angioinvasive fungal infection, due to fungi of the order Mucorales. Its incidence cannot be measured exactly, since there are few population-based studies, but multiple studies have shown that it is increasing. The prevalence of mucormycosis in India is about 80 times the prevalence in developed countries, being approximately 0.

Corrigendum: Azole-Resistance in and Related Species: An Emerging Problem or a Rare Phenomenon?

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.

Azole-Resistance in and Related Species: An Emerging Problem or a Rare Phenomenon?

Invasive mold infections associated with species are a significant cause of mortality in immunocompromised patients. The most frequently occurring aetiological pathogens are members of the section followed by members of the section . The frequency of and related (cryptic) species in clinical specimens, as well as the percentage of azole-resistant strains remains to be studied.

Fusarium metavorans sp. nov.: The frequent opportunist 'FSSC6'.

The Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) is the most common group of fusaria associated with superficial and life-threatening infections in humans. Here we formally introduce Fusarium metavorans sp. nov.

Rare fungal infectious agents: a lurking enemy.

In the expanding population of immunocompromised patients and those treated in intensive care units, rare fungal infectious agents have emerged as important pathogens, causing invasive infections associated with high morbidity and mortality. These infections may present either as or as breakthrough invasive infections in high-risk patients with hematologic malignancies receiving prophylactic or empirical antifungal therapy or in patients with central venous catheters. Diagnosis and treatment are challenging.

Association Between Candiduria and Candidemia: A Clinical and Molecular Analysis of Cases.

The risk of developing candidemia after candiduria is reportedly very low, but it has not been adequately investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the molecular relatedness between Candida strains isolated from adult patients with candidemia and concomitant candiduria in association with the clinical characteristics of the cases. All episodes of candidemia occurring in a tertiary care academic hospital during a 5-year period were recorded prospectively.

Infected Total Hip Arthroplasty.

is a saprophytic gram-negative microorganism usually found in damp environments, only occasionally responsible for human pathology. Infection mainly occurs in malnourished, immunocompromised individuals with indwelling catheters. There is no previous published record of infection after joint arthroplasty.

Reduction of Environmental Contamination With Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria by Copper-Alloy Coating of Surfaces in a Highly Endemic Setting.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of copper-coating in reducing environmental colonization in an intensive-care unit (ICU) with multidrug-resistant-organism (MDRO) endemicity DESIGN Interventional, comparative crossover trial SETTING The general ICU of Attikon University hospital in Athens, Greece PATIENTS Those admitted to ICU compartments A and B during the study period METHODS Before any intervention (phase 1), the optimum sampling method using 2 nylon swabs was validated. In phase 2, 6 copper-coated beds (ie, with coated upper, lower, and side rails) and accessories (ie, coated side table, intravenous [i.v.

A prospective international Aspergillus terreus survey: an EFISG, ISHAM and ECMM joint study.

Objectives: A prospective international multicentre surveillance study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and amphotericin B susceptibility of Aspergillus terreus species complex infections.

Methods: A total of 370 cases from 21 countries were evaluated.

Results: The overall prevalence of A.

An estimate of the burden of serious fungal diseases in Greece.

Data on the epidemiology of serious fungal infections in Greece are scarce. Our aim was to calculate the burden of serious fungal diseases in Greece. A thorough literature search for papers reporting epidemiological data on serious fungal diseases in Greece was performed.

Diagnostic value of a semi-nested PCR for the diagnosis of mucormycosis and aspergillosis from paraffin-embedded tissue: A single center experience.

Objective: The main aim of our study was to investigate the diagnostic value of a molecular method for the diagnosis of mucormycosis and aspergillosis from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues.

Methods: A retrospective chart review identified all cases with histology reports mentioning the presence of fungi with morphological characteristics of either Aspergillus or mucormycetes, for the period 2005-2012. Paraffin blocks were retrieved from the archives of the Department of Pathology.

European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) epidemiological survey on invasive infections due to Fusarium species in Europe.

In order to better understand the epidemiology of fusariosis in Europe, a survey collecting information on the clinical characteristics of the patients infected by Fusarium as well as on the infecting isolates was launched. A total of 76 cases of invasive fusariosis occurring from January 2007 to June 2012 were collected and Fusarium isolates were identified by sequencing the translation elongation factor 1α (TEF) gene. Also, antifungal susceptibility was tested by broth microdilution according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) and the Etest.

Epidemiology of mucormycosis in Europe.

Zygomycosis (mucormycosis) is being increasingly recognized as causing infection in recent years. National and multinational European surveys attempting to analyse the epidemiological parameters of this potentially devastating infection are very few. Although the exact incidence could not be defined due to the different methodologies used in these studies and the absence of a denominator, there were some useful observations made regarding the clinical presentation, sites of infection and diagnostic practices.

Taxonomy and epidemiology of Mucor irregularis, agent of chronic cutaneous mucormycosis.

Mucormycosis usually presents as a progressive infection with significant angio-invasion. Mucormycosis due to Mucor irregularis (formerly Rhizomucor variabilis var. variabilis), however, is exceptional in causing chronic cutaneous infection in immunocompetent humans, ultimately leading to severe morbidity if left untreated.

The effect of maternal flora on Candida colonisation in the neonate.

Colonisation may be the first step for the development of Candida infection. The source of neonatal colonisation is thought to be the hospital environment or the maternal vaginal tract. This study investigated to what extend Candida isolates in neonates are similar to isolates from their mother's vaginal tract.

In vitro antifungal susceptibility of filamentous fungi causing rare infections: synergy testing of amphotericin B, posaconazole and anidulafungin in pairs.

Objectives: Mucormycetes (formerly known as zygomycetes of the order Mucorales) and hyaline moulds such as those of the genus Fusarium or Paecilomyces are emerging as significant human pathogens. The aim of the study was to determine the in vitro antifungal susceptibility of these fungi to older and newer antifungals and to investigate the antifungal activity of amphotericin B, posaconazole and anidulafungin in dual combinations.

Methods: Twenty-one clinical isolates of mucormycetes and 16 of rare hyaline moulds were tested.

An unusual cutaneous tumor: African histoplasmosis following mudbaths: case report and review.

African histoplasmosis, caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii, is endemic in Africa. The disease usually involves the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and bones.

Zygomycosis in Immunocompromised non-Haematological Patients.

Zygomycoses caused by fungi of the mucorales order (mucormycoses) are emerging fungal diseases with a high fatality rate. The most important risk factors include neutropenia or functional neutropenia, diabetic ketoacidosis, iron overload, major trauma, prolonged use of corticosteroids, illicit intravenous drug (ID) use, neonatal prematurity, malnourishment, and maybe a previous exposure to antifungal agents with no activity against zygomycetes, such as voriconazole and echinocandins.A high index of suspicion is crucial for the diagnosis, as prompt and appropriate management can considerably reduce morbidity and mortality.