New serological markers in medical mycology: (1,3) –B-D-glucan and Aspergillus galactomannan

Invasive fungal infections present a great challenge in modern medicine. The recent development of serologic markers represents a clear advance in the field. Two serological tests have been developed: (1,3)-β-D glucan and Aspergillus galactomannan. This review discusses highlights of both tests.Fil: Ostrosky Zeichner, Luis. University of Texas Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Vitale, Roxana Gabriela. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Ramos Mejía"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Nucci, Marcio. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Brasi

Activity of anidulafungin in a murine model of Candida krusei infection: evaluation of mortality and disease burden by quantitative tissue cultures and measurement of serum (1,3)-beta-D-glucan levels.

Experience with anidulafungin against Candida krusei is limited. Immunosuppressed mice were injected with 1.3 x 10(7) to 1.5 x 10(7) CFU of C. krusei. Animals were treated with saline, 40 mg/kg fluconazole, 1 mg/kg amphotericin B, or 10 and 20 mg/kg anidulafungin for 5 days. Anidulafungin improved survival and significantly reduced the number of CFU/g in kidneys and serum beta-glucan levels

The CTSA University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC) Northeast—Tyler and Rio Grande Valley Success Story: How Rural, Underserved Academic Communities Rapidly Built a Robust Engine for Collaborative COVID-19 Clinical Research

In 2018, The University of Texas Health Science Center– Tyler and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley were invited to develop clinical research units for an existing Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) consortium with the objective to equip medically underserved, economically disadvantaged communities and subsequently to deploy COVID-19 clinical trials in response to a public health emergency

Coronavirus disease 2019-associated invasive fungal infection

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can become complicated by secondary invasive fungal infections (IFIs), stemming primarily from severe lung damage and immunologic deficits associated with the virus or immunomodulatory therapy. Other risk factors include poorly controlled diabetes, structural lung disease and/or other comorbidities, and fungal colonization. Opportunistic IFI following severe respiratory viral illness has been increasingly recognized, most notably with severe influenza. There have been many reports of fungal infections associated with COVID-19, initially predominated by pulmonary aspergillosis, but with recent emergence of mucormycosis, candidiasis, and endemic mycoses. These infections can be challenging to diagnose and are associated with poor outcomes. The reported incidence of IFI has varied, often related to heterogeneity in patient populations, surveillance protocols, and definitions used for classification of fungal infections. Herein, we review IFI complicating COVID-19 and address knowledge gaps related to epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of COVID-19-associated fungal infections

Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management Candidiasis: 2009 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America

Guidelines for the management of patients with invasive candidiasis and mucosal candidiasis were prepared by an Expert Panel of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. These updated guidelines replace the previous guidelines published in the 15 January 2004 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases and are intended for use by health care providers who care for patients who either have or are at risk of these infections. Since 2004, several new antifungal agents have become available, and several new studies have been published relating to the treatment of candidemia, other forms of invasive candidiasis, and mucosal disease, including oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis. There are also recent prospective data on the prevention of invasive candidiasis in high-risk neonates and adults and on the empiric treatment of suspected invasive candidiasis in adults. This new information is incorporated into this revised documen

Pneumococcal epidemiology among us adults hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia

BACKGROUND: Few studies have measured the burden of adult pneumococcal disease after the introduction of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) into the US infant vaccination schedule. Further, most data regarding pneumococcal serotypes are derived from invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), which represents only a fraction of all adult pneumococcal disease burden. Understanding which pneumococcal serotypes cause pneumonia in adults is critical for informing current immunization policy. The objective of this study was to measure the proportion of radiographically-confirmed (CXR+) community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by PCV13 serotypes in hospitalized US adults. METHODS: This observational, prospective surveillance study recruited hospitalized adults aged \u3e /=18years from 21 acute care hospitals across 10 geographically-dispersed cities in the United States between October 2013 and September 2016. Clinical and demographic data were collected during hospitalization. Vital status was ascertained 30days after enrollment. Pneumococcal serotypes were detected via culture from the respiratory tract and normally-sterile sites (including blood and pleural fluid). Additionally, a novel, Luminex-based serotype-specific urinary antigen detection (UAD) assay was used to detect serotypes included in PCV13. RESULTS: Of 15,572 enrolled participants, 12,055 eligible patients with CXR+CAP were included in the final analysis population. Mean age was 64.1years and 52.7% were aged \u3e /=65years. Common comorbidities included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (43.0%) and diabetes mellitus (28.6%). PCV13 serotypes were detected in 552/12,055 (4.6%) of all patients and 265/6347 (4.2%) of those aged \u3e /=65years. Among patients aged 18-64years PCV13 serotypes were detected in 3.8-5.3% of patients depending on their risk status. CONCLUSIONS: After implementation of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccination program in US children, and despite the herd protection observed in US adults, a persistent burden of PCV13-type CAP remains in this population

Rationale and Methods of the Study Protocol: Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotypes in Adults 18 Years and Older with Radiographically-Confirmed Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)

This study was an active, prospective surveillance study of adults 18 years and older hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) due to Streptococcus pneumoniae conducted at 21 hospitals in ten cities across the United States. This report describes the surveillance methodology applied between October 7, 2013 and September 30, 2016, including the identification and description of surveillance areas and populations at-risk for CAP hospitalization for estimation of incidence rates for selected study sites