Publications by authors named "Eelco F J Meijer"

In 2019, became the first fungal pathogen included in the list of the urgent antimicrobial threats by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) are considered the gold standard, and can be complemented by other molecular methods, for the genomic surveillance and clade classification of this multidrug-resistant yeast. However, these methods can be expensive and require time and expertise that are not always available.

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Accurate identification and rapid genotyping of , a significant opportunistic pathogen in healthcare settings, is crucial for managing outbreaks, timely intervention, and effective infection control measures. This study includes 24 clinical samples and 2 positive environmental surveillance swabs collected during a fluconazole-resistant outbreak at the Tuscany Rehabilitation Clinic (Clinica di Riabilitazione Toscana, CRT), located in the province of Arezzo, Italy. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, genetic sequencing of the ERG11 gene, and short tandem repeat (STR) analysis was applied to track the fluconazole-resistant outbreak at the CRT facility.

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Objectives: Worldwide emergence of clonal outbreaks caused by fluconazole-resistant (FLCR) and the recent emergence of echinocandin- and multidrug-resistant (ECR and MDR) Candida parapsilosis isolates pose serious threats to modern clinics. Conducting large-scale epidemiological studies aimed at determining the genetic composition and antifungal resistance rates is necessary to devise antifungal stewardship and infection control strategies at international, national and local levels. Despite being severely hit by outbreaks due to FLCR C.

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Objective: To describe an outbreak due to Candida vulturna, a newly emerging Candida species belonging to the Candida haemulonii species complex in the Metschnikowiaceae family.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study we genotyped 14 C. vulturna bloodstream isolates, occurring in a 4-month-period in paediatric cancer patients in a Brazilian hospital.

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Article Synopsis
  • Recent outbreaks of multidrug-resistant fungi in healthcare settings highlight the need for effective antifungal susceptibility testing (AST) to manage invasive infections.* -
  • The study compared the performance of Etest and broth microdilution-based MICRONAUT-AM-EUCAST assays by testing 121 clinical isolates, revealing significant discrepancies in fluconazole and amphotericin B resistance assessments.* -
  • Findings suggest that MCN-AM underestimates fluconazole resistance, while Etest overestimates amphotericin B resistance, indicating a need for method-specific resistance breakpoints to improve clinical outcomes.*
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Fungal infections pose an increasing threat to public health. New pathogens and changing epidemiology are a pronounced risk for nosocomial outbreaks. To investigate clonal transmission between patients and trace the source, genotyping is required.

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  • - Recently identified dermatophyte causes persistent skin infections like tinea corporis, tinea cruris, and tinea faciei, mostly seen in the Indian subcontinent and linked patients in Europe.
  • - Infections often don't respond well to standard antifungal treatments, with reduced effectiveness noted for both terbinafine and itraconazole.
  • - Experts push for aggressive treatment combining oral and topical antifungals, and emphasize the importance of early detection to avoid recurring infections.
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  • * A case study highlights a 46-year-old woman with chromoblastomycosis, confirming the diagnosis through skin examinations and fungal cultures, while also revealing co-infestation by fly larvae.
  • * The patient was successfully treated with voriconazole and terbinafine, highlighting the need for awareness and understanding of chromoblastomycosis in occupationally exposed individuals in affected regions.
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Candidemia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in health care settings, and its epidemiology is changing. In the last two decades, the proportion of non- (NAC) yeasts in candidemia has increased. These yeasts more often display resistance to common antifungals.

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The genus Aspergillus consists of a vast number of medically and environmentally relevant species. Aspergillus species classified in series Versicolores are ubiquitous in the environment and include the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus sydowii, which is associated with onychomycosis and superficial skin infections. Despite frequent clinical reports of A.

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Background: Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast, frequently causing outbreaks in health care facilities. The pathogen persistently colonises human skin and inanimate surfaces such as catheters, aiding to its spread. Moreover, colonisation is a risk factor to develop invasive infection.

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Purpose: Rare yeasts species are increasingly reported as causative agents of invasive human infection. Proper identification and antifungal therapy are essential to manage these infections. Candida blankii is one of these emerging pathogens and is known for its reduced susceptibility to multiple antifungals.

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is considered a highly virulent emerging pathogen that causes sporotrichosis in humans, mainly after zoonotic transmission from infected cats. The epidemic of this zoonosis that originated from Brazil has spread in the last decades, generating hyperendemic regions in Latin America. We present two cases of human sporotrichosis causes by in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with good clinical response to differing treatments after contact with sick cats.

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Candida krusei also known as Pichia kudriavzevii is a potentially multidrug-resistant yeast because it is intrinsically resistant to fluconazole and develops acquired resistance to echinocandins and polyenes. Here, we aim to provide a better understanding of the epidemiology and transmission modes of C. krusei infections by comparing invasive bloodstream (n = 35) and non-invasive vaginal (n = 20) C.

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The incidence of invasive fungal disease (IFD) is on the rise due to increasing numbers of highly immunocompromized patients. Nosocomial IFD remains common despite our better understanding of its risk factors and pathophysiology. High-efficiency particulate air filtration with or without laminar air flow, frequent air exchanges, a positive pressure care environment, and environmental hygiene, amongst other measures, have been shown to reduce the mould burden in the patient environment.

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Candida auris is an emerging, multidrug-resistant yeast, causing outbreaks in healthcare facilities. Echinocandins are the antifungal drugs of choice to treat candidiasis, as they cause few side effects and resistance is rarely found. Previously, immunocompromised patients from Kuwait with C.

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Background: To date, azoles represent the only viable option for oral treatment of invasive Candida infections, while rates of azole resistance among non-albicans Candida spp. continue to increase. The objective of this sub-analysis of the European multicenter observational cohort study Candida III was to describe demographical and clinical characteristics of the cohort requiring prolonged hospitalization solely to complete intravenous (iv) antifungal treatment (AF Tx).

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to evaluate the distribution of Candida species and their antifungal resistance in cases of candidaemia across Europe, analyzing data collected from 41 centers in 17 countries between 2018 and 2022.
  • The most common isolates identified were C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. parapsilosis, with notable geographical variations in their prevalence and antifungal resistance patterns.
  • Resistance to fluconazole was observed in certain species, particularly C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis, with rare cases of echinocandin resistance found, including specific genetic mutations in resistant isolates.
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Objectives: Candida tropicalis is an emerging medically relevant Candida species. The yeast primarily causes opportunistic infections in intensive care units and is highly prevalent in tropical countries. The genetic diversity within this species is high, and nosocomial transmission has been reported.

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previously known as occasionally causes candidemia in humans, primarily infecting neonates, and infants. The mortality rate of these invasive infections is high, and isolates with a reduced susceptibility to fluconazole have been reported. outbreaks are regularly reported in healthcare facilities, especially in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

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Background: The European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) collected data on epidemiology, risk factors, treatment, and outcomes of patients with culture-proven candidaemia across Europe to assess how adherence to guideline recommendations is associated with outcomes.

Methods: In this observational cohort study, 64 participating hospitals located in 20 European countries, with the number of eligible hospitals per country determined by population size, included the first ten consecutive adults with culture-proven candidaemia after July 1, 2018, and entered data into the ECMM Candida Registry (FungiScope CandiReg). We assessed ECMM Quality of Clinical Candidaemia Management (EQUAL Candida) scores reflecting adherence to recommendations of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines.

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is emerging as one of the most common species causing opportunistic infections in Latin America. Outbreak events caused by were reported, and antifungal resistant isolates are on the rise. In order to investigate population genomics and look into antifungal resistance, we applied a short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping scheme and antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) to 230 clinical and environmental isolates from Latin American countries.

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has been reported worldwide in humans, while reported non-human cases are sparse. Its complete epidemiology, alongside its infectivity and pathogenicity in humans and non-humans, remain to be clarified. Here, we describe the first reported canine , causing a deep wound infection in a Labrador retriever after orthopedic surgery.

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Background: COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) has emerged as an invasive fungal disease, often affecting previously immunocompetent, mechanically ventilated, intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Incidence rates of 3.8%-33.

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