Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Ther 2017 Jun 13. Epub 2017 Jun 13.

Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are at increased risk of invasive fungal infections, especially during the early neutropenic phase and severe graft-versus-host disease. Mold-active prophylaxis should be limited to the highest risk groups. Empiric antifungal therapy for HSCT with persistent febrile neutropenia is associated with unacceptable response rates, unnecessary antifungal therapy, increased risk of toxicity, and inflated costs. Read More

J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect 2017 Jan 31;7(1):43-45. Epub 2017 Mar 31.

Internal Medicine Department, Florida Hospital, Orlando, FL, USA.

Invasive aspergillosis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. Prolonged neutropenia is the most common risk factor. It has rarely been reported to occur in non-neutropenic critically ill patients in the intensive care unit setting. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017 Jun 20. Epub 2017 Jun 20.

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada;

Galactosaminogalactan and Pel are cationic heteropolysaccharides produced by the opportunistic pathogens Aspergillus fumigatus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. These exopolysaccharides both contain 1,4-linked N-acetyl-d-galactosamine and play an important role in biofilm formation by these organisms. Proteins containing glycoside hydrolase domains have recently been identified within the biosynthetic pathway of each exopolysaccharide. Read More

Indian J Pathol Microbiol 2017 Apr-Jun;60(2):285-287

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiang'an, Wuhan, China.

Aspergillus tracheobronchitis (AT) is a unique form of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, which is commonly found in patients with impaired immunity. Early-stage AT presents in a nonspecific way, both clinically and radiographically, thereby delaying diagnosis and resulting in a high mortality. Owing to impaired mucociliary clearance, previous nonfungal infections, and administration of corticosteroids, among other aspects, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are predisposed to AT, although they are mostly immunocompetent. Read More

Hematol Rep 2017 Jun 1;9(2):6997. Epub 2017 Jun 1.

Hematology Clinic and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Ankara, Turkey.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is most commonly seen in immunocompromised patients. Besides, skin lesions may also develop due to invasive aspergillosis in those patients. A 49-year-old male patient was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Read More

J Clin Pharm Ther 2017 Jun 15. Epub 2017 Jun 15.

Department of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.

What Is Known And Objective: Antifungal prophylaxis is an option to reduce the incidence of invasive fungal infection (IFI) in haematological patients. To date, no network meta-analysis (NMA) of high-quality evidence (double-blind randomized controlled trials) has been performed on this subject. This systematic review and NMA aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of different antifungal agents used for prophylaxis of IFI in patients with haematological disorders. Read More

Eur Respir J 2017 Jun 15;49(6). Epub 2017 Jun 15.

The National Aspergillosis Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester, University of Manchester, Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK

Eur Respir J 2017 Jun 15;49(6). Epub 2017 Jun 15.

Paris 13 University, EA2363, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Bobigny, France.

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) complicating sarcoidosis (SA) is associated with high mortality, and there is a lack of clarity regarding the relative contributions of SA or CPA.This was a retrospective single-centre study on CPA-SA.In total, 65 patients (44 men), aged 41. Read More

Eur Respir J 2017 Jun 15;49(6). Epub 2017 Jun 15.

MBio 2017 Jun 13;8(3). Epub 2017 Jun 13.

Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil

Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes invasive aspergillosis (IA), a life-threatening disease in immunocompromised humans. The echinocandin caspofungin, adopted as a second-line therapy in combating IA, is a β-1,3-glucan synthase inhibitor, which, when used in high concentrations, reverts the anticipated A. fumigatus growth inhibition, a phenomenon called the "caspofungin paradoxical effect" (CPE). Read More

Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2017 Jun 13. Epub 2017 Jun 13.

Medical Department,, Vejle Hospital.

Adverse effects can compromise oral voriconazole treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis. Inhaled low-dose voriconazole may be an alternative treatment. In this study, six patients inhaled 40 mg voriconazole b. Read More

Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017 Jun 12. Epub 2017 Jun 12.

School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK

Despite recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic advances in antifungal research, aspergillosis still remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. One strategy to address this problem is to enhance the activity spectrum of known antifungals, and we now report the first successful application of Candida antarctica lipase (CAL) for the preparation of optically enriched fluconazole analogs. Anti-Aspergillus activity was observed for an optically enriched derivative, (-)-S-2-(2' ,4' -difluorophenyl)-1-hexyl-amino-3-(1‴,2‴,4‴) triazol-1‴-yl-propan-2-ol, which exhibits MIC values of 15. Read More

Med Mal Infect 2017 Jun 8. Epub 2017 Jun 8.

Service des maladies respiratoires, hôpital Haut-Lévêque, CHU de Bordeaux, 1, avenue Magellan, 33604 Pessac cedex, France.

Anti-TNFα agents have proved effective in the treatment of various inflammatory, rheumatologic, dermatologic, and gastrointestinal diseases. Severe respiratory tract infections of bacterial or fungal origin have emerged as important complications in patients receiving such treatments. The risk of infection due to anti-TNFα therapy is difficult to assess in these patients who are immunocompromised because of the underlying disease itself and of previous or concomitant immunosuppressive drugs. Read More

Int Immunopharmacol 2017 Jun 7;49:195-202. Epub 2017 Jun 7.

Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Shanghai Institute of Medical Mycology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address:

Human invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a serious infectious disease mainly caused by Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus). Pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) are important ones in the human lung tissue. Read More

Expert Rev Respir Med 2017 Jun 21:1-10. Epub 2017 Jun 21.

b Transplantation-Oncology Infectious Diseases Program , Weill Cornell Medical Center , New York , NY , USA.

Introduction: The diagnosis and treatment of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) are ongoing challenges in clinical practice. While important advances have recently been made, including enhanced diagnostic modalities as well as novel therapeutic and prophylactic options, more effective options are urgently needed as the population of immunocompromised patients continues to expand. Areas covered: In this paper, we review novel approaches to diagnosis of IPA, including multiplex PCR, Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry and provide a detailed review of the extended-spectrum triazole isavuconazole, which was approved in 2015 to treat IPA. Read More

Virulence 2017 Jun 8. Epub 2017 Jun 8.

g Unité Cytokines & Inflammation, Institut Pasteur , 25-28 Rue du Docteur Roux , 75015 Paris , France .,

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is widely used as an immunosuppressive agent for organ transplant recipients. CsA inhibits calcineurin, which is highly conserved in mammals and fungi, and thus affects both types of organism. In mammals, the immunosuppressive effect of CsA is via hampering T cell activation. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2017 ;1625:281-293

Department of Molecular Immunology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.

Adaptive effector CD4(+) T cells play essential roles in the defense against fungal infections, especially against invasive aspergillosis (IA). Such protective CD4(+) T cells can be generated through immunization with specialized antifungal vaccines, as has been demonstrated for pulmonary Aspergillus fumigatus infections in mouse experiments. Adaptive transfer of fungal antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells conferred protection onto non-immunized naive mice, an experimental approach that could potentially become a future treatment option for immunosuppressed IA patients, focusing on the ultimate goal to improve their otherwise dim chances for survival. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2017 ;1625:259-277

Transplantation-Oncology Infectious Diseases Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.

Multiple animal models have been developed to study the pathogenesis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, as well as to evaluate the efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of various antifungal agents and vaccines. Each model is beneficial depending on the questions that are asked. In this chapter, we will discuss the endpoints assessment of the persistently neutropenic rabbit models of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and invasive pulmonary mucormycosis. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2017 ;1625:23-30

California Institute for Medical Research, 2260 Clove Dr., San Jose, CA, USA.

Fungal infections continue to rise worldwide. Antifungal therapy has long been a mainstay for the treatment of these infections, but often can fail for a number of reasons. These include acquired or innate drug resistance of the causative agent, poor drug penetration into the affected tissues, lack of cidal activity of the drug and drug toxicities that limit therapy. Read More

Clin Microbiol Infect 2017 Jun 2. Epub 2017 Jun 2.

Innsbruck Medical University, Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology.

Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2017 Jun;10(6)

From the Department of Medicine (E.M.D.), Cardiovascular Imaging Program, Departments of Medicine and Radiology (S.C., S.P., A.A., M.F.D., R.B.), Department of Pathology (C.G., R.N.M.), and Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine (R.M.M.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.

J Infect 2017 May 31. Epub 2017 May 31.

Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; CBmed Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine, Graz, Austria; Division of Pulmonology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA. Electronic address:

Leuk Lymphoma 2017 Jun 2:1-4. Epub 2017 Jun 2.

a Department of Infectious Diseases , Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre , East Melbourne , Victoria , Australia.

J Clin Diagn Res 2017 Apr 1;11(4):OD03-OD04. Epub 2017 Apr 1.

Professor, Department of General Medicine, Sawai Man Singh Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

Allergic Broncho Pulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) is an immunological allergic disorder and asthmatic patients are predisposed to ABPA. Although, ABPA commonly develops in the third and fourth decades but no age group is unaffected from the disease. Youngest case of ABPA in India so far reported was four years of age. Read More

J Clin Ultrasound 2017 Jun 1. Epub 2017 Jun 1.

Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Japan.

A 38-year-old woman was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus and received immunosuppressive therapy. After 6 months of treatment, workup for low-grade fever yielded elevated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers for Aspergillus antigen in serum and ascites, leading to the diagnosis of disseminated aspergillosis. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a claviform vegetation attached to the left ventricular anterior septum. Read More

Korean Circ J 2017 May 8;47(3):422-423. Epub 2017 Mar 8.

Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.

Med Mycol J 2017 ;58(2):E71-E77

Department of Dermatology, Kitasato University Kitasato Institute Hospital.

Understanding deep cutaneous fungal infection requires not only reading many case reports and checking the typical clinical images of skin lesions, but also managing the patients properly to prevent misdiagnosis. Herein, I review my recent experiences with eight typical cases of deep cutaneous infections (including protothecosis and nocardiosis) in Japan. It is very important to do the four management processes; namely, KOH direct microscopic examination, skin biopsy, fungal culture, and microscopic examination of the histopathological specimen of PAS and Grocott staining. Read More

J Immunol 2017 May 31. Epub 2017 May 31.

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine-Terre Haute, Terre Haute, IN 47809;

The polysaccharide-rich fungal cell wall provides pathogen-specific targets for antifungal therapy and distinct molecular patterns that stimulate protective or detrimental host immunity. The echinocandin antifungal caspofungin inhibits synthesis of cell wall β-1,3-glucan and is used for prophylactic therapy in immune-suppressed individuals. However, breakthrough infections with fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus are associated with caspofungin prophylaxis. Read More

Med Mycol Case Rep 2017 Sep 18;17:4-7. Epub 2017 May 18.

Réanimation chirurgicale, Hôpital Bichat Claude Bernard, 46 rue Henri Huchard, Paris 75018, France.

Aspergillus niger is usually considered to be a low virulence fungus, not commonly reported to cause invasive infections. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis due to Aspergillus niger was diagnosed in a 43-year-old woman following bilateral lung transplantation. Intravenous voriconazole failed to control progression of the disease. Read More

Front Microbiol 2017 16;8:841. Epub 2017 May 16.

Division of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of MiamiMiami, FL, USA.

Invasive aspergillosis has been studied in laboratory by the means of plethora of distinct animal models. They were developed to address pathophysiology, therapy, diagnosis, or miscellaneous other concerns associated. However, there are great discrepancies regarding all the experimental variables of animal models, and a thorough focus on them is needed. Read More

Fungal Genet Biol 2017 May 27. Epub 2017 May 27.

Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Electronic address:

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a disease of the immunocompromised host and generally caused by the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. While both host and fungal factors contribute to disease severity and outcome, there are fundamental features of IA development including fungal morphological transition from infectious conidia to tissue-penetrating hyphae as well as host defenses rooted in mechanisms of innate phagocyte function. Here we address recent advances in the field and use real-time in vivo imaging in the larval zebrafish to visually highlight conserved vertebrate innate immune behaviors including macrophage phagocytosis of conidia and neutrophil responses post-germination. Read More

Mycopathologia 2017 May 29. Epub 2017 May 29.

Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, "G. B. Rossi" University Hospital, Piazzale L. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy.

In immunocompromised patients, Aspergillus infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality. We describe a patient with cryoglobulinemic vasculitis who developed disseminated invasive aspergillosis with thyrotoxicosis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. The diagnosis was based upon radiological, microbiological and pathological findings. Read More

Front Pediatr 2017 15;5:105. Epub 2017 May 15.

Department of Pediatrics, "Lalla Seràgnoli", Hematology-Oncology Unit, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

Therapy-related neurotoxicity greatly affects possibility of survival and quality of life of pediatric patients treated for cancer. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is heterogeneous, varying from very mild and transient symptoms to extremely severe and debilitating, or even lethal syndromes. In this review, we will discuss the broad scenario of CNS complications and toxicities occurring during the treatment of pediatric patients receiving both chemotherapies and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Read More

Leuk Lymphoma 2017 May 30:1-2. Epub 2017 May 30.

a Department of Immunology , Saint Louis Hospital , Paris, France.

Cancer Cell 2017 Jun 25;31(6):833-843.e5. Epub 2017 May 25.

Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Electronic address:

Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) harbors mutations that reinforce B cell receptor (BCR) signaling. Ibrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, targets BCR signaling and is particularly active in lymphomas with mutations altering the BCR subunit CD79B and MYD88. We performed a proof-of-concept phase Ib study of ibrutinib monotherapy followed by ibrutinib plus chemotherapy (DA-TEDDi-R). Read More

Cancer Cell 2017 Jun 25;31(6):731-733. Epub 2017 May 25.

Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA. Electronic address:

In this issue of Cancer Cell, Lionakis et al. demonstrate that the combination of temozolomide, etoposide, doxorubicin, dexamethasone, rituximab, and the Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib induced frequent responses in patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma but was associated with significant toxicity, including pulmonary and cerebral aspergillosis infections. Read More

Rev Mal Respir 2017 May 26;34(5):581-587. Epub 2017 May 26.

Service de pneumologie, hôpital Tenon, AP-HP, 75970Paris, France.

Background: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) affects 3-13% of patients with asthma. Its natural history includes possibly life-threatening exacerbations and evolution towards fixed obstructive ventilatory disorders or even irreversible lung fibrosis lesions. ABPA prognosis is directly associated with exacerbation control and the main objective of the treatment is to decrease their frequency and duration. Read More

Allergol Int 2017 May 23. Epub 2017 May 23.

Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan. Electronic address:

Background: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is an allergic pulmonary disease characterized by a hypersensitivity reaction to Aspergillus species colonizing the airways. The clinical characteristics of ABPA may differ depending on genetic and environmental background. We performed a nationwide survey to determine the clinical characteristics of ABPA in Japan. Read More

J Infect Public Health 2017 May 22. Epub 2017 May 22.

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre Surgery Department, Saudi Arabia.

We present the case of an 8-year-old immunocompromised boy with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, complicated with pleural empyema and disseminated to the bone and central nervous system (CNS). The patient was treated with combined systemic antifungal agents (voriconazole and caspofungin) and intrapleural instillation of liposomal amphotericin B, in addition to surgical intervention. The treatment was well tolerated and resulted in remarkable clinical and radiological pulmonary improvement. Read More

J Hosp Infect 2017 May 5. Epub 2017 May 5.

Universidad CES, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia.

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a significant problem in acute leukaemia patients. Construction work near hospital wards caring for immunocompromised patients is one of the main risk factors for developing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA).

Aim: To assess the impact of environmental control measures used during hospital construction for the prevention of IA in acute leukaemia patients. Read More

Int J Health Sci (Qassim) 2017 Apr-Jun;11(2):45-50

Department of Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Objective: The incidence of pulmonary aspergillosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons is rising. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of pulmonary aspergillosis in a cohort of HIV-positive patients (n = 71) presenting with lower respiratory tract infection at a tertiary care medical center in India.

Methods: Sputum samples were collected, and potassium hydroxide mount, cultural characteristics, and lactophenol cotton blue preparations were employed to aid in the identification of Aspergillus species. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2017 May 24;18(6). Epub 2017 May 24.

Departments of Pediatrics, and Microbiology & Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA.

Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy are crucial steps in the management of patients with invasive fungal infections. However, the diagnosis of invasive mycoses remains a major challenge in clinical practice, because presenting symptoms may be subtle and non-invasive diagnostic assays often lack sensitivity and specificity. Diagnosis is often expressed on a scale of probability (proven, probable and possible) based on a constellation of imaging findings, microbiological tools and histopathology, as there is no stand-alone assay for diagnosis. Read More

Autops Case Rep 2017 Jan-Mar;7(1):17-21. Epub 2017 Mar 30.

Department of Pathology - Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences - Rohtak/Haryana - India.

Aspergillus is a common cause of invasive mycosis, especially in immunocompromised individuals. We report the case of a 62-year-old male who was hospitalized after suffering severe physical injuries and died after few weeks of hospitalization. A medicolegal autopsy was conducted, and various organs were sent for histopathological examination of which heart, lungs, and kidneys showed extensive involvement by aspergillus. Read More

Radiology 2017 May 22:162350. Epub 2017 May 22.

From the Center for Cardiothoracic Research of Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (G.D., P.B., L.D., M.M., J.F.C., R.M., M.F., F.L.); Inserm, Center for Cardiothoracic Research of Bordeaux, U1045, CIC 1401, F-33000, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France (G.D., P.B., L.D., M.M., R.M., M.F., F.L.); Thoracic and Cardiovascular Imaging Service, Service for Respiratory Diseases, Service for Exploration of Respiratory Function, CHU of Bordeaux, Pessac, France (G.D., P.B., J.R., J.M., M.M., O.C., R.M., F.L.); and Service for Imaging in Women and Children, Pediatric Pneumonology Unit, Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, CHU of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (S.B., L.D., J.F.C., M.F.).

Purpose To assess the diagnostic accuracy of mucus contrast characterization by using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to discriminate allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in cystic fibrosis (CF). Materials and Methods The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee, and all patients or their parents gave written informed consent. One hundred ten consecutive patients with CF were screened between January 2014 and July 2015. Read More

Int J Hyg Environ Health 2017 Jul 13;220(5):900-905. Epub 2017 May 13.

Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Children's Hospital, Saarland University and Saarland University Medical Centre, Homburg, Germany. Electronic address:

Invasive aspergillosis of the lungs and the central nervous system and Legionella pneumophilia serotype 1 infection of the lungs were diagnosed in a 22-month old child during inpatient induction treatment for T-lymphoblastic leukemia. Environmental investigations i.e. Read More

J Mycol Med 2017 May 16. Epub 2017 May 16.

Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address:

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. The liver and lungs are the most commonly sites of infections, but involvements of other organs were also observed. Recently, the coinfection of pulmonary hydatid cyst with aspergilloma has been reported in the literature. Read More

J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2017 May 16. Epub 2017 May 16.

Dr von Haunersches Kinderspital, University of Munich, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany. Electronic address:

Background: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a hypersensitivity disorder contributing to lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) and challenging to diagnose.

Objective: This study analyzed the predictive value of increasing total IgE (t-IgE) levels in a CF cohort alongside with clinical and serologic data.

Methods: A total of 387 children and young adults were followed from 2000 to 2006 and retrospectively classified into 6 groups. Read More

Med Mycol 2017 May 19. Epub 2017 May 19.

Department of Infectious Disease, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.

Formal, large-scale, multicenter studies of invasive mould infection (IMI) in Asia are rare. This 1-year, retrospective study was designed to assess the incidence and clinical determinants of IMI in centers in five countries (Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, China, India). Patients treated in a single year (2012) were identified through discharge diagnoses, microbiology, and histopathology logs, and entered based on published definitions of IMI. Read More

Med Mycol 2017 May 18. Epub 2017 May 18.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Academic Medical Center - University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath may identify the presence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. We aimed to detect VOC profiles emitted by in vitro cultured, clinical Aspergillus isolates using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Three clinical Aspergillus isolates and a reference strain were cultured while conidiation was prevented. Read More

Mycopathologia 2017 May 17. Epub 2017 May 17.

Department of Microbiology, Vall D'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Bronchiectasis is a chronic irreversible airway abnormality associated with infectious agents that either cause or superinfect the airways. While the role of bacteria is well studied, much remains to be determined about fungi in both cystic fibrosis- and non-cystic fibrosis-related bronchiectasis. The airway is constantly exposed to inhaled ambient moulds of which Aspergillus represent the most ubiquitous. Read More