Eighty Years of Mycopathologia: A Retrospective Analysis of Progress Made in Understanding Human and Animal Fungal Pathogens

Mycopathologia was founded in 1938 to \u27diffuse the understanding of fungal diseases in man and animals among mycologists.\u27 This was an important mission considering that pathogenic fungi for humans and animals represent a tiny minority of the estimated 1.5-5 million fungal inhabitants on Earth. These pathogens have diverged from the usual saprotrophic lifestyles of most fungi to colonize and infect humans and animals. Medical and veterinary mycology is the subdiscipline of microbiology that dwells into the mysteries of parasitic, fungal lifestyles. Among the oldest continuing scientific publications on the subject, Mycopathologia had its share of \u27classic papers\u27 since the first issue was published in 1938. An analysis of the eight decades of notable contributions reveals many facets of host-pathogen interactions among 183 volumes comprising about 6885 articles. We have analyzed the impact and relevance of this body of work using a combination of citation tools (Google Scholar and Scopus) since no single citation metric gives an inclusive perspective. Among the highly cited Mycopathologia publications, those on experimental mycology accounted for the major part of the articles (36%), followed by diagnostic mycology (16%), ecology and epidemiology (15%), clinical mycology (14%), taxonomy and classification (10%), and veterinary mycology (9%). The first classic publication, collecting nearly 200 citations, appeared in 1957, while two articles published in 2010 received nearly 150 citations each, which is notable for a journal covering a highly specialized field of study. An empirical analysis of the publication trends suggests continuing interests in novel diagnostics, fungal pathogenesis, review of clinical diseases especially with relevance to the laboratory scientists, taxonomy and classification of fungal pathogens, fungal infections and carriage in pets and wildlife, and changing ecology and epidemiology of fungal diseases around the globe. We anticipate that emerging and re-emerging fungal pathogens will continue to cause significant health burden in the coming decades. It remains vital that scientists and physicians continue to collaborate by learning each other\u27s language for the study of fungal diseases, and Mycopathologia will strive to be their partner in this increasingly important endeavor to its 100th anniversary in 2038 and beyond

Examens mycologiques et parasitologiques dans la prise en charge des infections pulmonaires

International audiencePulmonary parasitic diseases are rare whereas pulmonary fungal infections are increasing. The diversity of clinical presentations requires laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis. Direct examination of lung samples and antibody detection are the basis of parasitological diagnosis. With regard to mycoses, the range of biological tests is broader. The conventional mycological examination allows identification of any type of fungus except Pneumocystis jirovecii. Its specificity is excellent but it lacks sensitivity. Detection of antibodies, antigens or nucleic acid complements the diagnostic tools. With regard to aspergillosis, there is a broad nosological set with variable prognosis. The choice of appropriate laboratory procedures depends on the clinical presentation and patient risk factors. The search for galactomannan antigen is effective and a new technique, "Lateral Flow Device", seems very promising. The detection of antibodies is also informative but various techniques are used. A good knowledge of the performance and limitations of these techniques allows targeted prescription. The use of PCR for the diagnosis of pulmonary fungal infections has limited indications. Biological and clinical co-operation is essential for the choice and interpretation of laboratory tests for parasitic or fungal pulmonary disease

Presence of Leishmania RNA Virus 1 in Leishmania guyanensis Increases the Risk of First-Line Treatment Failure and Symptomatic Relapse.

Treatment failure and symptomatic relapse are major concerns in American tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL). Such complications are seen frequently in Leishmania guyanensis infections, in which patients respond variously to first-line antileishmanials and are more prone to develop chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis. The factors underlying this pathology, however, are unknown. Recently, we reported that a double-stranded RNA virus, Leishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV1), nested within L. guyanensis parasites is able to exacerbate experimental murine leishmaniasis by inducing a hyperinflammatory response. This report investigates the prevalence of LRV1 in human L. guyanensis infection and its effect on treatment efficacy, as well as its correlation to symptomatic relapses after the completion of first-line treatment. In our cohort of 75 patients with a diagnosis of primary localized American TL, the prevalence of LRV1-positive L. guyanensis infection was elevated to 58%. All patients infected with LRV1-negative L. guyanensis were cured after 1 dose (22 of 31 [71%]) or 2 doses (31 of 31 [100%]) of pentamidine. In contrast, 12 of 44 LRV1-positive patients (27%) presented with persistent infection and symptomatic relapse that required extended therapy and the use of second-line drugs. Finally, LRV1 presence was associated with a significant increase in levels of intra-lesional inflammatory markers. In conclusion, LRV1 status in L. guyanensis infection is significantly predictive (P = .0009) of first-line treatment failure and symptomatic relapse and has the potential to guide therapeutic choices in American TL

Qualité de l’air intérieur en structures médico-sociales et libérales : contamination chimique et microbiologique

International audienceThe indoor air quality of the medico-social and liberal facilities is poorly study. The aim of our study is to describe qualitatively and quantitatively the microbiological, chemical and particulate contamination of the indoor environment of these facilities. Measurements campaigns were taken in Rennes and Nancy in summer 2018 and winter 2019 in six liberal facilities and four medico-social institutions for seniors. The first results show that indoor air contained a complex mixture of many pollutants found in rather low concentrations, below the indoor air quality guidelines.La qualité de l'air des structures médico-sociales et libérales ne bénéficie que d'une exploration très limitée. Le but de notre étude est de décrire qualitativement et quantitativement la contamination microbiologique, chimique et particulaire de l'environnement intérieur de ces structures. Des campagnes de mesures ont été réalisées en été 2018 et hiver 2019 sur Rennes et Nancy dans six structures de soins libérales et quatre structures médico-sociales pour séniors. Les premiers résultats montrent que l'air intérieur comporte un mélange complexe de polluants retrouvés en concentrations assez faibles, en deçà des valeurs guides de l'air intérieur

Mycosands: Fungal diversity and abundance in beach sand and recreational waters & mdash; Relevance to human health

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