Dynamics of Histoplasma fungal load in people living with HIV with disseminated histoplasmosis under treatment with liposomal amphotericin B.

Objectives: Disseminated histoplasmosis (DH) is a lethal fungal disease in patients living with HIV in endemic regions of the world. Diagnosis relies mainly on microscopy, culture, and antigen detection. Our goal was to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic role of our RT-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) in blood specimens allowing to quantify the whole nucleic acids (WNA) load.

Case report: osteo-articular infection in a patient with Chronic Granulomatous Disease.

is a recently reported yeast causing rare cases of fungemia. This species presents high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to fluconazole and echinocandins. We report an atypical metacarpophalangeal osteo-articular infection in a patient with Chronic Granulomatous Disease.

Reverse-transcriptase real-time PCR in the diagnostic strategy for invasive infections caused by .

The aim was to develop an RT-qPCR targeting and compare its performance to that of qPCR for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA). Samples from patients of the Lyon University hospitals for whom a suspicion of IA led to the realization of an qPCR molecular diagnostic test over a 2-year period were included. The patients were classified according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group (EORTC-MSGERC) criteria for suspected IA; RT-qPCR and qPCR assays were performed on all included samples.

Effectiveness, Safety, and Patterns of Real-World Isavuconazole Use in Europe (2015-2019).

Introduction: Real-world data from multinational observational studies are required to better understand the role and performance of isavuconazole in real-world practice in Europe.

Methods: A retrospective medical record review was conducted at 16 sites in Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom). Eligible records were from patients aged ≥ 18 years at the time of isavuconazole initiation and received at least one dose of isavuconazole for suspected or confirmed invasive aspergillosis (IA) or invasive mucormycosis (IM) during the eligibility period (October 15, 2015 to June 30, 2019).

Auranofin is active against Histoplasma capsulatum and reduces the expression of virulence-related genes.

Background: Auranofin is an approved anti-rheumatic drug that has a broad-range inhibitory action against several microorganisms, including human pathogenic fungi. The auranofin activity against Histoplasma capsulatum, the dimorphic fungus that causes histoplasmosis, has not been properly addressed. Since there are few therapeutic options for this life-threatening systemic mycosis, this study evaluated the effects of auranofin on H.

In Vitro Titan Cell Generation in Cryptococcus neoformans and Automated Cell Size Measurements.

A special feature of the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans is its morphological changes triggered by the interaction with the host. During infection, a specific increase in cell size is observed, particularly in lung tissue, from a typical cell size of 5-7 μm cells to cells larger than 10 μm, dubbed titan cells (TCs). However, the study of this specific cell subpopulation was, until now, only possible via recovery of TCs from lungs of mice during experimental infections where stable and reproducible generation of TCs occurs.

Global guideline for the diagnosis and management of cryptococcosis: an initiative of the ECMM and ISHAM in cooperation with the ASM.

Cryptococcosis is a major worldwide disseminated invasive fungal infection. Cryptococcosis, particularly in its most lethal manifestation of cryptococcal meningitis, accounts for substantial mortality and morbidity. The breadth of the clinical cryptococcosis syndromes, the different patient types at-risk and affected, and the vastly disparate resource settings where clinicians practice pose a complex array of challenges.

[Pulmonary complications of Chronic Granulomatous Disease].

Chronic Granulomatosis Disease (CGD) is an inherited immune deficiency due to a mutation in the genes coding for the subunits of the NADPH oxidase enzyme that affects the oxidative capacity of phagocytic cells. It is characterized by increased susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections, particularly Aspergillus, as well as complications associated with hyperinflammation and granulomatous tissue infiltration. There exist two types of frequently encountered pulmonary manifestations: (1) due to their being initially pauci-symptomatic, possibly life-threatening infectious complications are often discovered at a late stage.

Performance of clinical metagenomics in France: a prospective observational study.

Background: Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) allows untargeted identification of a broad range of pathogens, including rare or novel microorganisms. Despite the recognition of mNGS as a valuable diagnostic tool for infections, the most relevant indications for this innovative strategy remain poorly defined. We aimed to assess the determinants of positivity and clinical utility of mNGS.

Cryptococcal meningitis and cerebral vasculitis in a patient with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia: a case report.

Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (Waldmann's disease) is a rare exudative enteropathy without precisely assessed infectious risk. We report the case of a 49-year-old male patient with meningitis and cerebral vasculitis due to Cryptococcus neoformans complicating Waldmann's disease diagnosed 12 years ago. The treatment combined liposomal amphotericin B, 3 mg/kg daily plus flucytosine 25 mg/kg/6 h, both intravenously during 15 days, then fluconazole 800 mg daily during 8 weeks, and finally 200 mg daily indefinitely.

Candida haemulonii complex, an emerging threat from tropical regions?

Background: Candida haemulonii complex-related species are pathogenic yeasts closely related to Candida auris with intrinsic antifungal resistance, but few epidemiological data are available.

Methodology/principal Findings: We analyzed clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with fungemia due to C. haemulonii complex and related species (C.

Performance of the beta-glucan test for the diagnosis of invasive fusariosis and scedosporiosis: a meta-analysis.

The (1→3)-β-D-glucan (BDG) is a component of the fungal cell wall that can be detected in serum and used as an adjunctive tool for the diagnosis of invasive mold infections (IMI) in patients with hematologic cancer or other immunosuppressive conditions. However, its use is limited by modest sensitivity/specificity, inability to differentiate between fungal pathogens, and lack of detection of mucormycosis. Data about BDG performance for other relevant IMI, such as invasive fusariosis (IF) and invasive scedosporiosis/lomentosporiosis (IS) are scarce.

Coregulation of extracellular vesicle production and fluconazole susceptibility in .

Resistance to fluconazole (FLC), the most widely used antifungal drug, is typically achieved by altering the azole drug target and/or drug efflux pumps. Recent reports have suggested a link between vesicular trafficking and antifungal resistance. Here, we identified novel regulators of extracellular vesicle (EV) biogenesis that impact FLC resistance.

A Functional Polymorphism in IL-1B Is Associated With Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome of Chronic Disseminated Candidiasis.

We investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) possibly involved in immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome of chronic disseminated candidiasis (IRIS-CDC) through a candidate gene approach and a prospective matched-control study. We found that an SNP located in interleukin-1B at rs1143627 was significantly associated with the risk of developing IRIS-CDC.

STAT3 mutation-associated airway epithelial defects in Job syndrome.

Background: Job syndrome is a disease of autosomal dominant hyper-IgE syndrome (AD-HIES). Patients harboring STAT3 mutation are particularly prone to airway remodeling and airway infections.

Objectives: Airway epithelial cells play a central role as the first line of defense against pathogenic infection and express high levels of STAT3.

Does F-FDG PET/CT add value to conventional imaging in clinical assessment of chronic disseminated candidiasis?

Background: Chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) classically occurs after profound and prolonged neutropenia. The aim of the CANHPARI study was to assess the clinical value of adding F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT to conventional radiology for initial and subsequent evaluations of CDC.

Materials And Methods: A pilot prospective study was conducted in 23 French onco-hematological centers from 2013 to 2017 (NCT01916057).

Gradient concentration strip-specific epidemiological cut-off values of antifungal drugs in various yeast species and five prevalent Aspergillus species complexes.

Objectives: To determine the epidemiological cut-off values (ECVs) of ten antifungal agents in a wide range of yeasts and Aspergillus spp. using gradient concentration strips.

Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentrations for amphotericin B, anidulafungin, caspofungin, micafungin, flucytosine, fluconazole, itraconazole, isavuconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole, determined with gradient concentration strips at 35 French microbiology laboratories between 2002 and 2020, were retrospectively collected.

[Invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised children in paediatric haematology: Recommendations for management in SFCE centres].

Introduction: To date, invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are still responsible for a high mortality rate in children managed for haematological malignancy. Although Candida and Aspergillus infections remain in the majority, emerging fungal infections are increasingly common. Children differ from adults in their pathology and treatment, as well as in their prior fungal colonisation and unique pharmacokinetics.