The diagnosis of mucormycosis by PCR in patients at risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for diagnosing mucormycosis.

Methods: A standardised search was conducted from conception to December 3rd 2024 using PubMed, Embase, Global Health, and Cochrane library. Original studies that used PCR-based methods on any human specimen to diagnose mucormycosis were analysed for eligibility.

Assessing Parent-Infant Bonding in a Community Perinatal Mental Health Service.

Objectives: Perinatal mental health (PMH) services support the mental health needs of women and birthing people in pregnancy and postnatal, alongside the developing relationship between parent and infant. Mental health symptoms in PMH services are routinely screened for, yet there are inconsistencies in whether parent-infant bond is assessed and how. The aim of this study is to assess the predictive validity of screening for parent-infant bonding difficulties (Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ)) and psychopathology (CORE-10) to predict patient outcomes at discharge from a PMH service.

Iron Levels in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of Hematological Patients with Suspected Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis and their Association with 12-week Mortality: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: Accuracy of diagnostic tests for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) remains suboptimal. Elevated tissue iron in lung transplant and murine models is linked to invasive Aspergillus growth. This study examines the correlation between BALF iron levels, IPA, and 12-week mortality.

Multicenter validation of a galactomannan chemiluminescence immunoassay for the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis on serum of patients with hematological disease.

An accurate diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in patients with underlying hematological malignancies relies heavily on galactomannan detection. In this study, we compared the VirCLIA chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) with the frequently used Platelia enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on serum from hematology patients with suspected IA. Patients were categorized according to EORTC/MSGERC 2020 definitions into proven/probable IA and possible/no IA.

Candida auris in Dutch hospitals: are we ready for it?

Background: Candida auris can cause nosocomial outbreaks and provides challenges concerning diagnosis, treatment, eradication and infection prevention. There are no Dutch standards or guidelines for C. auris, and current hospital practices are unknown.