Candida hellenica var. hellenica as a possible cause of respiratory infection in a child with acute myeloid leukemia

Candida hellenica var. hellenica (teleomorph Zygoascus meyerae) is a member of the genus Zygoascus that comprises species isolated from environmental sources such as damaged grapes. A case of a possible pneumonia due to this uncommon yeast in a pediatric oncology patient suffering from acute myeloid leukemia is described. To our knowledge, this is the first report concerning the isolation of the species from a pediatric patient and the second in humans. © 2011 ISHAM

A case of keratomycosis caused by Curvularia spicifera (previously Bipolaris spicifera) and review of the literature

<p>Fungal keratitis is considered to be an important cause of visual impairment. We present a case of a-post-injury keratitis in a 29-year old male. Upon admission he presented with decreased visual acuity and a corneal ulcer. From the corneal tissue culture, Curvularia spicifera (formerly Bipolaris spicifera) was isolated and the identification was confirmed by molecular methods. The patient was treated with antifungal agents unsuccessfully, and keratoplasty was performed. To our knowledge this is the first case of Bipolaris keratomycosis reported in Greece and is indicative of the importance of early diagnosis for a favorable outcome.</p&gt

An unusual cluster of Acremonium kiliense fungaemias in a haematopoietic cell transplantation unit

The genus Acremonium (formerly known as Cephalosporium) is a large polyphyletic fungal genus that comprises approximately 150 phylogenetically distant species, commonly isolated from the environment. Clinical cases concern mostly superficial infections after traumatic inoculation, but there are reports of opportunistic invasive infections in immunocompromised patients. Acremonium kiliense has been described as a cause of mycetoma, keratitis, endophthalmitis, endocarditis, and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis. We describe an unusual cluster of possible catheter-related bloodstream infections due to this pathogen in patients who underwent haematopoietic cell transplantation. © 2013 Elsevier Inc

Diagnostic capacity for invasive fungal infections in the greek paediatric haematology-oncology units: Report from the infection working group of the hellenic society of paediatric haematology-oncology

An audit based on a specific questionnaire was attempted, in order to investigate the mycology laboratory diagnostic capacity for invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) in Greek Paediatric Haematology-Oncology departments/units. The study provided the relevant information for the years 2019 and 2020 and included data from all units, concerning culture-based methods and direct microscopy, phenotypic and molecular identification, sensitivity testing, serology and molecular diagnosis, as well as therapeutic drug monitoring. The target was mostly to reveal the level of laboratory coverage for hospitalised paediatric patients, independently of the possibility of performing the tests in the host hospital, or otherwise to refer the specimens elsewhere. In total, the current study demonstrated that the most important facilities and services regarding the IFD diagnostics for paediatric haematology-oncology patients in Greece are available and relatively easily accessible, with a reasonable turnaround time. Acting as an initial registry for further improvements, the audit can serve as a valuable approach to the actual situation and future perspectives. A national clinical mycology network under the auspices of the relevant scientific societies will probably facilitate collaboration between all the departments (clinical and laboratory) involved in invasive fungal infections and provide an easier approach to any necessary test for any hospitalised patient. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Polyphasic identification and susceptibility to seven antifungals of 102 Aspergillus isolates recovered from immunocompromised hosts in Greece

In this study, the first such study in Greece, we used polyphasic identification combined with antifungal susceptibility study to analyze Aspergillus clinical isolates comprising 102 common and rare members of sections Fumigati, Flavi, Terrei, Nidulantes, Nigri, Circumdati, Versicolores, and Usti. High amphotericin B MICs (>2 μg/ml) were found for 17.6% of strains. Itraconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole MICs of >4 μg/ml were shown in 1%, 5%, and 0% of the isolates, respectively. Anidulafungin, micafungin, and caspofungin minimum effective concentrations (MECs) of ≥2 μg/ml were correspondingly recorded for 4%, 9%, and 33%, respectively, of the strains. Copyright © 2011, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved