Use of the Mucorales qPCR on blood to screen high-risk hematology patients is associated with better survival.

Our objective was to determine whether the twice-weekly screening of high-risk hematology patients by Mucorales qPCR on serum affects the prognosis of mucormycosis. Results from all serum Mucorales qPCR tests performed on patients from the hematology unit from January 2017 to December 2022 were analyzed. Patients with positive results were classified as having proven, probable or 'PCR-only' mucormycosis.

Whispers of change in preschool asthma phenotypes: Findings in the French ELFE cohort.

Rationale: Early life asthma phenotyping remains an unmet need in pediatric asthma. In France, severe pediatric asthma phenotyping has been done extensively; however, phenotypes in the general population remain underexplored. Based on the course and severity of respiratory/allergic symptoms, we aimed to identify and characterize early life wheeze profiles and asthma phenotypes in the general population.

Development of a cockroach (Blattella germanica) qPCR for the objective measurement of exposure at home.

Cockroach allergens have a greater impact on asthma morbidity than those from dust mites, cats, and dogs. The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) and the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) are most frequently responsible for sensitization. The worldwide prevalence of allergic sensitization has been estimated at 2 to 26 % and is influenced by unfavorable socioeconomic conditions.

Refractory invasive pulmonary aspergillosis due to Aspergillus flavus detected with the combination of two in-house Aspergillus qPCR.

We present a case of probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis due to Aspergillus flavus, in a female patient treated for an acute myeloid leukemia. Two weeks after an allogenic stem cell transplantation a probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis was diagnosed based on thoracic imaging combined with positive galactomannan antigen and positive in-house mitochondrial Aspergillus qPCR in serum. Although an antifungal treatment was initiated, Aspergillus qPCR and galactomannan antigen remained positive in serum and worsening of the thoracic lesions was observed.

Bird fancier's lung serodiagnosis by automated r-IgLL1 ELISA.

Context: Bird fancier's lung (BFL) is the most prevalent form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) worldwide. The current techniques used for the serological diagnosis of BFL all use crude extracts from feathers, droppings, and blooms as test antigens, which is associated with a lack of standardization and variability of the results. An antigenic protein, immunoglobulin lambda-like polypeptide-1 (IgLL1), isolated from pigeon droppings, was recently identified to be associated with BFL.

Factors associated with Pneumocystis colonization and circulating genotypes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with acute exacerbation or at stable state and their homes.

Unlabelled: Pneumocystis jirovecii colonization is frequent during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and patients constitute potential contributors to its interhuman circulation. However, the existence of an environmental reservoir cannot be excluded. We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with Pneumocystis colonization during COPD, and studied circulation between patients and their domestic environment.

One year later: The effect of changing azole-treated bulbs for organic tulips bulbs in hospital environment on the azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus rate.

Unlabelled: Azole-treated plant bulbs have already been evoked as a potential explanation of the worldwide spread of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus (ARAf). We previously pointed out the presence of a high rate of ARAf (71% of A. fumigatus detected on azole-supplemented media) in flower beds containing azole-treated bulbs at the hospital's surroundings.

New clinical algorithm including fungal biomarkers to better diagnose probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in ICU.

Background: The classification of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) issued by the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group Education and Research Consortium (EORTC/MSGERC) is used for immunocompromised patients. An alternative algorithm adapted to the intensive care unit (ICU) population has been proposed (AspICU), but this algorithm did not include microbial biomarkers such as the galactomannan antigen and the Aspergillus quantitative PCR. The objective of the present pilot study was to evaluate a new algorithm that includes fungal biomarkers (BM-AspICU) for the diagnosis of probable IPA in an ICU population.

Indoor Microbiome: Quantification of Exposure and Association with Geographical Location, Meteorological Factors, and Land Use in France.

The indoor microbial community is a mixture of microorganisms resulting from outdoor ecosystems that seed the built environment. However, the biogeography of the indoor microbial community is still inadequately studied. Dust from more than 3000 dwellings across France was analyzed by qPCR using 17 targets: 10 molds, 3 bacteria groups, and 4 mites.

Positive quantitative PCR detecting Fusarium solani in a case of mixed invasive fungal disease due to Mucorales and Fusarium solani.

We present a case of invasive fungal co-infection in a young patient treated for an acute myeloid leukemia and having undergone a twice-haploid matched unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with two different donors. A mucormycosis diagnosis was made shortly after the patient's admission using imagery and specific Mucorales qPCR which was treated with liposomal amphotericin B and posaconazole. Twenty days later, a blood culture was positive for Fusarium solani, and disseminated cutaneous lesions appeared.

The Fungal PCR Initiative's evaluation of in-house and commercial Pneumocystis jirovecii qPCR assays: Toward a standard for a diagnostics assay.

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is increasingly used to detect Pneumocystis jirovecii for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), but there are differences in the nucleic acids targeted, DNA only versus whole nucleic acid (WNA), and also the target genes for amplification. Through the Fungal PCR Initiative, a working group of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology, a multicenter and monocenter evaluation of PCP qPCR assays was performed. For the multicenter study, 16 reference laboratories from eight different countries, performing 20 assays analyzed a panel consisting of two negative and three PCP positive samples.

Azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in the hospital: Surveillance from flower beds to corridors.

Screening has been performed for azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in the indoor air of the hospital since 2015 and in soil and dust samples since January 2019. In total, 83 azole-resistant A fumigatus isolates with a TR/L98H mutation have been obtained: 1 from the air of the intensive care unit, 16 from the main corridors, 59 from pots of tulips imported from the Netherlands, and 5 from the soil of trees grown in pots.

Invasive Fungal Disease, Isavuconazole Treatment Failure, and Death in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients.

We present 2 fatal cases of invasive fungal disease with isavuconazole treatment failure in immunocompromised patients: one with a TR34-L98H azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus isolate and the other a Rhizomucor-A. fumigatus co-infection. Such patients probably require surveillance by galactomannan antigen detection and quantitative PCRs for A.

Storage mite concentrations are underestimated compared to house dust mite concentrations.

Dwellings are increasingly well insulated to save energy and this leads to higher humidity and temperature, which improves conditions for mites. Dermatophagoides antigens are the main allergens involved and tested in atopic asthma. We developed three new species-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) methods for house dust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: A new strategy for serodiagnosis and environmental surveys.

We propose a strategy for serodiagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP): 1) question patients about their private or occupational activity, or visit him on site; 2) select panels of six somatic specific antigens appropriate for each type of exposure; 3) and use ELISA to test concomitantly two recombinant antigens highly specific to Farmer's lung, Metalworking-fluid HP, and for Bird fancier's lung. The serodiagnosis provides an immunological argument that may complete radiological, functional lung exploration and clinical features; 4) If the serodiagnosis is negative but the suspicion of HP is strong, a microbial analysis of the patient's specific exposure is conducted; 5) "A la carte" antigens are produced from the microorganisms isolated in the patient's environment sample and tested; 6) Finally, the patient may be asked to undergo a specific inhalation challenge with the offending antigens in a safety cabin, or to avoid his usual environment for a few days.

Molecular Strategies to Diagnose Mucormycosis.

Molecular techniques have provided a new understanding of the epidemiology of mucormycosis and improved the diagnosis and therapeutic management of this life-threatening disease. PCR amplification and sequencing were first applied to better identify isolates that were grown from cultures of biopsies or bronchalveolar lavage samples that were collected in patients with Mucorales infection. Subsequently, molecular techniques were used to identify the fungus directly from the infected tissues or from bronchalveolar lavage, and they helped to accurately identify Mucorales fungi in tissue samples when the cultures were negative.

Rapid identification of Candida sp. by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry subsequent to short-term incubation on a solid medium.

Rapid identification of Candida species is important for appropriate antifungal therapy of fungemia. The matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system is a useful tool to identify bacteria and yeasts. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of identifying yeasts after a short-term incubation on a solid medium.

Correction: Wheezing phenotypes and risk factors in early life: The ELFE cohort.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) Detection of Mucorales DNA in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid To Diagnose Pulmonary Mucormycosis.

Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to improving the outcome of mucormycosis. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the contribution of quantitative PCR detection of Mucorales DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids for early diagnosis of pulmonary mucormycosis. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples ( = 450) from 374 patients with pneumonia and immunosuppressive conditions were analyzed using a combination of 3 quantitative PCR assays targeting the main genera involved in mucormycosis in France (, , and ).

Local retrospective analysis of galactomannan cut-off values in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis.

Galactomannan antigen (GM) testing has been used for decades to screen immunocompromised patients for invasive aspergillosis (IA). Recent publications suggested that using a higher cut-off value than 0.5 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) could be more discriminant for hematology patients.