Innate and adaptive immune responses in subjects with CPA secondary to post-pulmonary tuberculosis lung abnormalities.

Background: Post-tuberculosis lung abnormality (PTLA) is the most common risk factor for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), and 14%-25% of the subjects with PTLA develop CPA. The pathogenesis and the host immune response in subjects with PTLA who develop CPA need to be better understood.

Methods: We prospectively compared the innate and adaptive immune responses mounted by patients of PTLA with or without CPA (controls).

A novel indirect ELISA for serodiagnosis of mucormycosis using antigens from Rhizopus arrhizus.

Background: Due to a delay in diagnosis by conventional techniques and high mortality, the development of a standardised and rapid non-culture-based technique is an unmet need in pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and disseminated forms of mucormycosis. Though limited studies have been conducted for molecular diagnosis, there are no established serologic tests for this highly fatal infection.

Objective: To develop and evaluate an indirect in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) utilising antigens of Rhizopus arrhizus for detecting anti-Rhizopus antibodies (IgG and IgM) in sera of patients with mucormycosis.

Evaluation of molecular diagnostic test for detection of adult pulmonary tuberculosis: A generic protocol.

Background Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be the second most-leading cause of death due to a single infectious agent as of 2022 after COVID-19. Many affordable new molecular diagnostic tools are being developed for early and more accurate diagnosis, especially for low-resource settings in low- and middle-income countries. In this context, there is a need to develop a standardized protocol for validation of new diagnostic tools.

Saksenaea vasiformis infection: Extensive abdominal wall necrotizing fasciitis with systematic review and analysis of 65 cases.

Introduction: Saksenaea vasiformis is a rarely reported Mucorales causing mucormycosis in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. Due to few reported cases, the clinical characteristics and optimal management strategy for this rare agent are not clearly described.

Methods: We systematically reviewed Medline, EmBase and CINHAL for studies on S.

Efficacy of generic forms of itraconazole capsule in treating subjects with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.

Background: Itraconazole capsules have variable and unpredictable bioavailability.

Objective: Whether the generic brands are as effective as the innovator itraconazole in treating subjects with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) remains unclear.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we treated CPA subjects with 6-month itraconazole capsule and measured itraconazole levels at 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 months.

Basidiobolomycosis caused by a rare species .

A five-year girl was referred to our centre with swelling over the right lower back. The child was evaluated to rule out chronic cutaneous tuberculosis, lymphoma and soft tissue tumor. Biopsy of the lesion on culture yielded species.

Evaluation of environmental Mucorales contamination in and around the residence of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis patients.

Introduction: Recently, India witnessed an unprecedented surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated mucormycosis (CAM) cases. In addition to patient management issues, environmental Mucorales contamination possibly contributed to the outbreak. A recent study evaluated environment contamination by Mucorales in the hospital setting.

Serum glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) levels in COVID-19-associated mucormycosis: results of a case-control study.

Background: In experimental models, the expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in endothelial cells played a role in the pathogenesis of mucormycosis. However, the role of GRP78 in COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) has not been studied. We hypothesized that serum GRP78 levels are elevated in subjects with CAM.

Efficacy of 12-months oral itraconazole versus 6-months oral itraconazole to prevent relapses of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: an open-label, randomised controlled trial in India.

Background: Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis has a 5-year mortality of 50-80% globally, and the optimal duration of treatment for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis remains unclear. We aimed to compare the effect of 6-months of oral itraconazole with 12-months of oral itraconazole on chronic pulmonary aspergillosis clinical outcomes.

Methods: In this single-centre, open-label, randomised controlled trial conducted in one chest clinic in Chandigarh, India, we screened consecutive patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis who were naive to antifungal treatment and randomised eligible patients, using block randomisation, to receive a starting dose of 400 mg/day of oral itraconazole for either 6 months or 12 months.

LDBio Aspergillus immunochromatographic test lateral flow assay for IgG/IgM antibody detection in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: Single-centre evaluation and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is an infection of the lung usually caused by Aspergillus fumigatus in patients with pre-existing pulmonary diseases. Its diagnosis hinges on demonstrating IgG antibodies against A. fumigatus.

Is there an association between zinc and COVID-19-associated mucormycosis? Results of an experimental and clinical study.

Background: The enormous increase in COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) in India lacks an explanation. Zinc supplementation during COVID-19 management is speculated as a contributor to mucormycosis. We conducted an experimental and clinical study to explore the association of zinc and mucormycosis.

Eumycetoma of the Foot due to Fusarium solani in a Person with Diabetes Mellitus: Report of a Case and Review of Literature.

Eumycetomas are chronic suppurative granulomas caused by fungi characterised by invasive tumefactive lesions, sinuses and discharging grains. Herein, we describe a case of pedal eumycetoma due to Fusarium solani sensu stricto in a person with diabetes mellitus. A 45-year-old gentleman presented with an insidious onset swelling over his right foot with nodules and discharging grains.

Rapid and Simple Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) Method for Simultaneous Quantifications of Triazole Antifungals in Human Serum.

Purpose: To develop and validate a one-step, rapid and simple reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based protocol for the simultaneous measurement of voriconazole (VCZ), posaconazole (POSA), itraconazole (ITC) in serum/plasma.

Methods: Calibration standards (CS) and quality control samples were prepared in drug-free serum by spiking with the triazoles at different concentrations. HPLC was performed with C column, isocratic mobile phase after extraction with cold acetonitrile.

Which Are the Optimal Criteria for the Diagnosis of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis? A Latent Class Analysis.

Background: The ideal criteria for diagnosing allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) remain unknown because of the lack of a criterion standard. Latent class analysis using a probabilistic modeling technique can circumvent the need for a reference standard.

Objective: To compare the diagnostic performance of various criteria used for evaluating ABPA.

Role of recombinant Aspergillus fumigatus antigens in diagnosing Aspergillus sensitisation among asthmatics.

Background: The diagnosis of Aspergillus-sensitised asthma (ASA) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is made using IgE against crude antigens of A fumigatus (cAsp). However, the IgE against cAsp has limitations due to cross-reactivity with other fungi.

Objective: To evaluate the utility of recombinant A fumigatus (rAsp) antigens in detecting ASA and their role in differentiating true from cross-sensitisation.

Diagnostic Cutoffs and Clinical Utility of Recombinant Aspergillus fumigatus Antigens in the Diagnosis of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis.

Background: The clinical utility of IgE against recombinant Aspergillus fumigatus (rAsp)-specific antigens in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) remains unclear.

Objective: To identify the optimal diagnostic cutoffs of rAsp-specific IgE in differentiating ABPA from A fumigatus-sensitized asthma (ASA), and define their utility in the diagnosis of ABPA.

Methods: We enrolled consecutive subjects with ASA and ABPA.

Efficiency of A fumigatus-specific IgG and galactomannan testing in the diagnosis of simple aspergilloma.

Background: An early diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) at the stage of simple aspergilloma (SA) remains a challenge in low- and middle-income countries, where imaging may not be routinely available.

Objective: We investigate the role of Aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgG in serum, and galactomannan (GM) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum for the diagnosis of SA.

Methods: We included 46 consecutive treatment-naïve subjects with SA.

Development of a nano-gold immunodiagnostic assay for rapid on-site detection of invasive aspergillosis.

Timely detection of invasive aspergillosis (IA) caused by fungal pathogens, i.e. and , in immunocompromised patients is crucial in preventing high mortality.

Evaluation of Liposomal and Conventional Amphotericin B in Experimental Fungal Keratitis Rabbit Model.

Purpose: We evaluate the efficacy of liposomal amphotericin (Fungisome) compared to conventional amphotericin (AMB) for the treatment of fungal keratitis (FK) in an experimental rabbit model.

Methods: FK was induced in 48 New Zealand White rabbits using and (24 rabbits each). Rabbits were divided into four groups: 0.

Evaluation of biomarkers: Galactomannan and 1,3-beta-D-glucan assay for the diagnosis of invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients from a tertiary care centre.

Purpose: Due to limitations of traditional microbiological techniques, standardised fungal biomarker tests such as Galactomannan Index (GMI) and 1,3-beta-D-glucan (BDG) are being preferred for diagnosis of invasive fungal infections (IFIs). These tests have been extensively used in developed countries but seldom in developing countries. The present study was performed to evaluate these tests for the diagnosis of IFIs in immunocompromised patients at an Indian tertiary care centre.

Utility of Serum and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Galactomannan in Diagnosis of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis.

The value of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid galactomannan (BALF-GM) in diagnosing chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) remains unclear. Here, we study the diagnostic efficacy of GM in the diagnosis of CPA. We included consecutive treatment-naive subjects with CPA.

Is There an Overlap in Immune Response Between Allergic Bronchopulmonary and Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis?

Background: Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) are presumed to represent 2 distinct manifestations of Aspergillus species in the lung.

Objective: To investigate any possible overlap of the immunological tests used for diagnosing ABPA in proven cases of CPA.

Methods: In consecutive subjects with CPA, we calculated the proportion of subjects who tested positive for all the immunological investigations used to diagnose ABPA (Aspergillus fumigatus specific IgE >0.

Diagnostic cut-off of Aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgG in the diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.

Aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgG is pivotal in making the diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). However, the cut-off value for A. fumigatus-specific IgG remains unknown.

Prevalence of sensitization to Aspergillus flavus in patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common Aspergillus species worldwide; however, A. flavus has also been shown to be prevalent in North India. Herein, we investigate the prevalence of sensitization to A.