Background: Eumycetoma is a chronic subcutaneous inflammatory fungal infection most often caused by the fungus Madurella mycetomatis. Using a species-specific PCR on DNA directly isolated from grains is currently the most reliable method for species identification. However, so far, PCR has been performed on grains obtained through deep-seated surgical biopsies, which are invasive procedures. Grains can also be obtained via ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-FNA). Here we determined the diagnostic performance of species-specific PCRs performed on samples obtained through US-FNA. Methods:From 63 patients, US-FNA was performed to obtain eumycetoma grains; 34 patients also underwent a deep-seated biopsy. From the grains, DNA was isolated, and one pan-fungal and two M. mycetomatis-specific PCRs were performed. The sensitivity and specificity were determined.Results: Of the 63 patients who underwent US-FNA, 78% (49/63) had evidence of eumycetoma based on cytology and 93.7% (59/63) based on species-specific PCRs.In the 34 patients for whom surgical biopsies were performed as well, 31 patients had a positive PCR for M. mycetomatis when DNA was isolated from the deep-seated biopsy, and 30 had a positive PCR when DNA was obtained from the US-FNA material. This resulted in a 96.8% sensitivity, and 100% specificity with 97.1% diagnostic accuracy for PCR performed on US-FNA. Conclusion:PCR performed on the US-FNA material has a similar sensitivity and specificity as PCR performed on deep-seated biopsies. Therefore, when using PCR, a deep-seated biopsy may not be necessary to obtain grains.

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Objectives To determine whether, in addition to surgery, fosravuconazole (Fos) monotherapy of either 200 mg or 300 mg weekly was more effective [defined as complete cure at the End of Treatment (EOT; 52-week) visit] than the standard-of-care 12-month regimen of itraconazole (Itra) monotherapy, in patients with small to moderate eumycetoma lesions caused by Madurella mycetomatis. Methods This was a single-center (Mycetoma Research Center, Khartoum, Sudan), comparative, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, active-controlled, clinical superiority trial in participants with eumycetoma requiring surgery. Participants were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio. In Arm 1 participants took a loading dose of Fos 300 mg on Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3, followed by a weekly dose of 300 mg for a total duration of 12 months. In Arm 2 participants took Fos 200 mg on Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3, followed by a weekly dose of 200 mg for a total duration of 12 months. In Arm 3 participants took Itra 400 mg daily for 12 months. All patients underwent surgery after 6 months of treatment in which the remaining lesion was removed. Mycetoma lesions were between 2 to ≤16 cm in diameter. The age cut-off was ≥15 years. The diagnosis of M. mycetomatis was confirmed by PCR. Safety monitoring included, among other, severe, and serious treatment-related events. Results A total of 122 participants were screened and 104 participants were enrolled (34 in Fos 300 mg, 34 in Fos 200 mg weekly, and 36 in Itra 400 mg). Complete cure after 12 months (EOT) of treatment was demonstrated in terms of an absence of eumycetoma mass, sinuses, and discharge; normal ultrasound of the lesion site or normal MRI; and a negative fungal culture from a surgical biopsy if a mycetoma mass was present. The complete cure rate was assessed in the mITT population. Secondary efficacy analyses were performed in the Per Protocol population. In addition, the influence of age, changes in clinical symptoms and signs, size, and duration of the lesion on outcome was examined. Safety was satisfactory and compliance was good. Conclusion This is the first randomized controlled trial in eumycetoma, comparing two azoles, fosravuconazole (two dosage regimens) and itraconazole, in combination with surgery. Detailed efficacy and safety results will be communicated and discussed in the oral presentation.