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Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul) 2021 Jun 24. Epub 2021 Jun 24.

Department of Internal medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Republic of Korea.

Introduction: The association of invasive tracheobronchial aspergillosis (ITBA) with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is not well-established. We aimed to compare clinical characteristics between patients who exhibited ITBA with IPA and those who exhibited isolated ITBA (iITBA) and to evaluate the usefulness of serum or bronchial galactomannan (GM) tests in diagnosing ITBA.

Methods: This retrospective single-center case-control study was conducted over a period of four years. Read More

Intensive Care Med 2021 Jun 23. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Multidisciplinary Intensive Care Research Organization (MICRO), St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Purpose: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is increasingly reported in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Diagnosis and management of COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) are challenging and our aim was to develop practical guidance.

Methods: A group of 28 international experts reviewed current insights in the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of CAPA and developed recommendations using GRADE methodology. Read More

Mycoses 2021 Jun 22. Epub 2021 Jun 22.

Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences, and Public Health, Pathology Unit, University of Padova, Medical School, Padova, Italy.

Background: An increasing number of reports have described the COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) as being a further contributing factor to mortality. Based on a recent consensus statement supported by international medical mycology societies, it has been proposed to define CAPA as possible, probable, or proven on the basis of sample validity and thus diagnostic certainty. Considering current challenges associated with proven diagnoses there is pressing need to study the epidemiology of proven CAPA. Read More

Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021 Jun 21:AAC0064221. Epub 2021 Jun 21.

Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.

Drug resistance is a worldwide problem affecting all pathogens. The human fungal pathogen coexists in the environment with other fungi targeted by crop protection compounds being unintentionally exposed to the selective pressure of multiple antifungal classes leading to the selection of resistant strains. azole resistant isolates are emerging in both the clinical and environmental setting. Read More

Access Microbiol 2021 Mar 11;3(3):000201. Epub 2021 Feb 11.

Department of intensive care unit, Ahmadi Hospital, Ahmadi, 61008, Kuwait.

Critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at risk of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. The clinical manifestations of a superimposed fungal infection in those patients are difficult to underpin. This is compounded by the non-specific radiological findings associated with this infection and the challenges associated with performing bronchoscopy in COVID-19 patients. Read More

Front Immunol 2021 3;12:688659. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.

Mast cells (MCs) have been considered as the core effector cells of allergic diseases. However, there are evidence suggesting that MCs are involved in the mechanisms of fungal infection. MCs are mostly located in the border between host and environment and thus may have easy contact with the external environmental pathogens. Read More

J Mycol Med 2021 May 12;31(3):101154. Epub 2021 May 12.

Institute of Neurological Sciences, CARE Hospital, Banjara hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Pancoast's syndrome and subclavian arteritis are rarely caused by Aspergillus sp. . Here we report a case of a 22-yr-old, immunocompetent male who presented with fever, weight loss, right-sided facial anhidrosis and hand weakness of six months duration. Read More

Nat Commun 2021 06 18;12(1):3739. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.

Serum amyloid P component (SAP, also known as Pentraxin 2; APCS gene) is a component of the humoral arm of innate immunity involved in resistance to bacterial infection and regulation of tissue remodeling. Here we investigate the role of SAP in antifungal resistance. Apcs mice show enhanced susceptibility to A. Read More

Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 2021 May 19. Epub 2021 May 19.

Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Hematology Unit, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy.

Rev Iberoam Micol 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas (Área Clínica Médica), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España. Electronic address:

Infections caused by mucorales, with an increasing incidence after candidiasis and aspergillosis, are characterized by the fast angioinvasion of blood vessels and invasion of neighboring organs or structures. Mucorales most commonly cause rhinocerebral, pulmonary, cutaneous, digestive or disseminated infections, and their spread is favored by certain underlying diseases (diabetes, kidney failure) and risk factors (neutropenia, immunosuppression, iron overload). These infections have a high mortality rate, over 40% in many series, and the key to their cure depends on both an early diagnosis and an antifungal treatment, associated in most cases with extensive surgical debridement and other adjunctive therapies. Read More

Mycoses 2021 Jun 18. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Parasitology-Mycology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Paris University, European Georges-Pompidou Hospital, Paris, France.

It is now well known that patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted in ICU and mechanically ventilated are at risk of developing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). Nevertheless, symptomatology of IPA is often atypical in mechanically ventilated patients and radiological aspects in SARS CoV-2 pneumonia and IPA are difficult to differentiate. In this context, the significance of the presence of Aspergillus in airway specimens (detected by culture, galactomannan antigen, or specific PCR) remains to be fully understood. Read More

Mycopathologia 2021 Jun 18. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Michigan Health System, F4005 University Hospital South, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5378, USA.

Pulmonary aspergillosis has been reported at high rates in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. We retrospectively assessed all patients admitted to an intensive care unit during the early COVID-19 surge (3/17/20-5/10/20) at our medical center in the midwestern USA for the presence of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). Patients were not routinely screened for CAPA; diagnostic work-up for fungal infections was pursued when clinically indicated. Read More

Case Rep Infect Dis 2021 27;2021:5525858. Epub 2021 May 27.

Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station, TX, USA.

Aspergillosis is a wide spectrum of the disease process that is caused by the fungus . Endobronchial aspergilloma is a very rare type of aspergillosis which is not yet included in the classification of aspergillosis. Due to its rare nature and a limited number of cases, there are no current treatment guidelines. Read More

Pol J Radiol 2021 22;86:e309-e321. Epub 2021 May 22.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

Purpose: To assess differentiating features between bacterial, , and skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) with regard to clinical presentation and imaging appearances.

Material And Methods: A literature search was performed in April 2020 for studies on SBO with a minimum sample size of 10 patients. Studies that reported presenting symptoms, cross-sectional imaging findings, complications, and mortality were included in the analysis. Read More

Arerugi 2021 ;70(4):302-309

Respiratory Medicine, National Hospital Organization Nanao Hospital.

The case subject was a 19-year-old exchange student from Thailand who had undergone tuberculosis (TB) treatment twice. Upon observing a shadow in the right upper lung, the patient was referred for examination; however, acid-fast bacteria test results were negative. Furthermore, high levels of total IgE and anti-aspergillus IgE and IgG antibodies were found. Read More

Arerugi 2021 ;70(4):274-281

Clinical Reseach Center, Shonan-Kamakura General Hospital.

Mycoses 2021 Jun 16. Epub 2021 Jun 16.

VITIS Healthcare Group, Cologne, Germany.

Background: Kron et al. (2020) found cost-savings for the use of the innovative pharmaceutical isavuconazole in the inpatient setting in Germany (Bismarck-based healthcare system). Little is known about the reimbursement of innovative pharmaceuticals in the inpatient setting of Beveridge-based healthcare systems. Read More

Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021 Jun 21:1-8. Epub 2021 Jun 21.

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious diseases, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.

Introduction: Azoles are the first-line antifungal agents used for the treatment of infection. There is an increasing concern for azole resistance all over the world mainly from agricultural fungicide use. Choosing safe and effective antifungal regimens has become a challenge. Read More

J Investig Med 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei, China.

Among immunologically normal hosts, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are considered to be at high risk of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), and early diagnosis and treatment are the key to improving the prognosis of patients. Here we aimed to evaluate whether interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 might be used in the detection and diagnosis of IPA in patients with COPD. We prospectively collected 106 patients with COPD and divided them into non-IPA (n=74), probable/possible IPA (n=26) and proven IPA (n=6). Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2021 Jun 14;21(1):573. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-7-1, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8501, Japan.

Background: The recent increase in cases of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus (ARAf) infections is a major clinical concern owing to its treatment limitations. Patient-derived ARAf occurs after prolonged azole treatment in patients with aspergillosis and involves various cyp51A point mutations or non-cyp51A mutations. The prognosis of patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) with patient-derived ARAf infection remains unclear. Read More

Front Immunol 2021 26;12:677798. Epub 2021 May 26.

Institut Pasteur, Molecular Mycology Unit, CNRS, Paris, France.

Humoral immune components have been individually studied in the context of interaction of host with , a major airborne fungal pathogen. However, a global view of the multitude and complex nature of humoral immune components is needed to bring new insight into host- interaction. Therefore, we undertook comparative proteomic analysis of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collected from individuals infected or colonized with versus controls, to identify those alveolar humoral components affected upon infection. Read More

Front Immunol 2021 27;12:659752. Epub 2021 May 27.

Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.

causes life-threatening opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. As therapeutic outcomes of invasive aspergillosis (IA) are often unsatisfactory, the development of targeted immunotherapy remains an important goal. Linking the innate and adaptive immune system, dendritic cells are pivotal in anti- defense and have generated interest as a potential immunotherapeutic approach in IA. Read More

Transplant Direct 2021 Mar 18;7(3):e675. Epub 2021 Feb 18.

Service de Chirurgie Thoracique, Vasculaire et Transplantation Cardio-pulmonaire, Hôpital Marie-Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson, France.

We sought to determine whether invasive aspergillosis (IA) during the first year after lung transplantation increased the risk of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 191 patients who underwent lung transplantation at our institution between January 2013 and December 2017. Screening for was with bronchial aspirates, bronchoalveolar lavage if indicated or during surveillance bronchoscopy, radiography, and computed tomography. Read More

J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2021 Jun;9(6):2546

Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Chest Diseases, Erciyes University School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey. Electronic address:

J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2021 Jun;9(6):2546-2548

Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India. Electronic address:

Int Ophthalmol 2021 Jun 10. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Department of ENT, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110 029, India.

Respir Res 2021 Jun 9;22(1):176. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210002, China.

Objectives: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is increasingly reported in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. These patients often have poor clinical outcomes. Early recognition of IPA in COPD is always challenging. Read More

BMC Pulm Med 2021 06 9;21(1):195. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Saiseikai Central Hospital, 1-4-17 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-0073, Japan.

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 May;100(19):e25967

Department of Emergency Medicine, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo-shi.

Introduction: Malignant catatonia (MC) is a movement disorder syndrome characterized by immobility, rigidity, and consciousness disorders that develops in association with mental and physical diseases. It is often fatal due to hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, and acute kidney injury. Its clinical symptoms are similar to those of another disorder, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), and it is often difficult to distinguish between the 2 disorders. Read More

Microbiol Spectr 2021 Jun 9:e0001021. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

The ongoing global pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), first described in Wuhan, China. A subset of COVID-19 patients has been reported to have acquired secondary infections by microbial pathogens, such as opportunistic fungal pathogens from the genus Aspergillus. To gain insight into COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA), we analyzed the genomes and characterized the phenotypic profiles of four CAPA isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus obtained from patients treated in the area of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Read More