Mucormycosis is a severe emerging invasive fungal infection that occurs as a consequence of environmental exposure. We exhaustively reviewed all the cases of mucormycosis (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group 2008 criteria) attributed to healthcare procedures that occurred between 1970 and 2008. A total of 169 cases were studied (29% children, 61% male). Major underlying diseases were solid organ transplantation (24%), diabetes mellitus (22%), and severe prematurity (21%). Skin was the most common localization (57%), followed by gastrointestinal tract (15%). Culture results were available in 75% (92% positive), and results of histological examination were positive in 95%. Rhizopus was the most frequent genus (43%). Infection portal of entry included surgery and presence of medical devices such as catheters or adhesive tape. Outbreaks and clusters were related to adhesive bandages (19 cases), wooden tongue depressors (n = 5), ostomy bags (n = 2), water circuitry damage (n = 2), and adjacent building construction (n = 5). Thorough investigations are mandatory to identify healthcare-associated mucormycosis, notably in neonatology, hematological, and transplantation units.

In CAP-suspected patients visiting the emergency unit, early CT scan findings complementary to chest radiograph markedly affect both diagnosis and clinical management. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 01574066).

Background The epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of Aspergillus osteomyelitis are not well understood. Methods Protocol-defined cases of Aspergillus osteomyelitis published in the English literature were reviewed for comorbidities, microbiology, mechanisms of infection, clinical manifestations, radiological findings, inflammatory biomarkers, antifungal therapy, and outcome. Results Among 180 evaluable patients, 127 (71%) were males. Possible predisposing medical conditions in 103 (57%) included pharmacological immunosuppression, primary immunodeficiency, and neutropenia. Seventy-three others (41%) had prior open fracture, trauma or surgery. Eighty (44%) followed a hematogenous mechanism, 58 (32%) contiguous infections, and 42 (23%) direct inoculation. Aspergillus osteomyelitis was the first manifestation of aspergillosis in 77%. Pain and tenderness were present in 80%. The most frequently infected sites were vertebrae (46%), cranium (23%), ribs (16%), and long bones (13%). Patients with vertebral Aspergillus osteomyelitis had more previous orthopedic surgery (19% vs 0%; P=0.02), while those with cranial osteomyelitis had more diabetes mellitus (32% vs 8%; P=0.002) and prior head/neck surgery (12% vs 0%; P=0.02). Radiologic findings included osteolysis, soft-tissue extension, and uptake on T2-weighted images. Vertebral body Aspergillus osteomyelitis was complicated by spinal-cord compression in 47% and neurological deficits in 41%. Forty-four patients (24%) received only antifungal therapy, while 121(67%) were managed with surgery and antifungal therapy. Overall mortality was 25%. Median duration of therapy was 90 days (range, 10–772 days). There were fewer relapses in patients managed with surgery plus antifungal therapy in comparison to those managed with antifungal therapy alone (8% vs 30%; P=0.006). Conclusions Aspergillus osteomyelitis is a debilitating infection affecting both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. The most common sites are vertebrae, ribs, and cranium. Based upon this comprehensive review, management of Aspergillus osteomyelitis optimally includes antifungal therapy and selective surgery to avoid relapse and to achieve a complete response.

No abstract

No abstract

Summary Chronic disseminated candidosis, often referred to as hepatosplenic candidosis (HSC), is an infection due to Candida spp. that mainly involves the liver and spleen. HSC occurs mostly in patients after profound and prolonged neutropenia, which is more often seen in patients with acute haematological malignancies. The incidence of HSC ranges from 3% to 29% in patients suffering from Acute Leukaemia. However, it is now seen less frequently with the widespread use of antifungal agents as prophylaxis or as preemptive therapy. Early and adequate diagnosis and treatment of HSC are crucial, as treatment delays can negatively affect the prognosis of the underlying condition. The pathogenesis is not well understood, but it is believed that it may be due to an unbalanced adaptive immune response that leads to an exacerbated inflammatory reaction, resulting in an Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome. In this context, new therapeutic approaches such as the use of adjuvant high‐dose corticosteroids have been shown beneficial. This article will focus on the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of HSC and provide an accurate review of recent pathophysiological data.

No abstract

Immune deficiency of diverse etiology, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), antineoplastic agents, immunosuppressive agents used in solid organ recipients, immunomodulatory therapy, and other biologics, all promote invasive fungal infections. Subsequent voluntary or unintended immune recovery may induce an exaggerated inflammatory response defining immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), which causes significant mortality and morbidity. Fungal-associated IRIS raises several diagnostic and management issues. Mostly studied with Cryptococcus, it has also been described with other major fungi implicated in human invasive fungal infections, such as Pneumocystis, Aspergillus, Candida, and Histoplasma. Furthermore, the understanding of IRIS pathogenesis remains in its infancy. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the clinical characteristics of IRIS depending on fungal species and existing strategies to predict, prevent, and treat IRIS in this patient population, and tries to propose a common immunological background to fungal IRIS.