Aspergillus sensitisation (AS) is seen in many patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). However, the clinical relevance of AS in CPA remains unclear. In this study, we assess the clinical significance of AS in CPA.

Previous studies correlated Sensititre YeastOne and gradient diffusion plastic strips with standard procedures for the detection of echinocandin-resistant C. glabrata isolates. However, these studies were limited by the low number of resistant isolates studied; the inclusion of sufficient numbers of mutant isolates is essential to test the procedures' capacity to detect resistance.

Candida parapsilosis is a pathogenic yeast that has reduced susceptibility to echinocandins and ranks as the second or third leading cause of candidaemia, depending on the geographical region. This yeast often causes nosocomial infections, which are frequently detected as outbreaks. In recent years, resistance to azoles in C. parapsilosis has increased globally, primarily due to the accumulation of mutations in the ERG11 gene.

Trichophyton indotineae, a newly defined species within the T. mentagrophytes/T. interdigitale complex, has emerged as an epidemiological concern worldwide. However, owing to the limitations of commonly applied fungal identification techniques, T. indotineae remains underreported. In addition, T. indotineae's response to treatment has been described in only a few studies.

Worldwide emergence of clonal outbreaks caused by fluconazole-resistant (FLCR) and the recent emergence of echinocandin- and multidrug-resistant (ECR and MDR) Candida parapsilosis isolates pose serious threats to modern clinics. Conducting large-scale epidemiological studies aimed at determining the genetic composition and antifungal resistance rates is necessary to devise antifungal stewardship and infection control strategies at international, national and local levels. Despite being severely hit by outbreaks due to FLCR C. parapsilosis isolates, such knowledge at the national level is lacking in Türkiye. Herein, we conducted a prospective multicentre study involving five major clinical centres in Türkiye to determine antifungal resistance rates, underlying mechanisms and genetic composition of all isolates.

Invasive candidiasis (IC) is increasing due to the rising numbers of immunocompromised patients. Increasing azole resistance rates and daily dosing required for most echinocandins have complicated its treatment. The approval of rezafungin has provided an option for weekly echinocandin treatment. The susceptibility of less common Candida spp. to rezafungin is unclear. We looked at the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of rezafungin and comparator agents against Candida spp. collected as part of a global surveillance program.

The epidemiology and clinical impact of COVID-19-associated candidemia (CAC) remained uncertain, leaving gaps in understanding its prevalence, risk factors and outcomes.

Exophiala dermatitidis is an emerging black fungus that causes pulmonary infections that may be underestimated by conventional culture methods. We encountered one case that initially appeared to be yeast and was misidentified as Rhodotorula spp. using a commercial identification kit. Thus, genetic identification and clinical background investigations were conducted on 46 strains of Rhodotorula spp. The sequences of the internal transcribed spacer and large-subunit RNA genes (D1/D2 regions) of 43 isolates, excluding two environmental isolates and one difficult-to-culture isolate, were determined and genetically identified. Notably, 22 isolates were identified as E. dermatitidis and misidentified as Rhodotorula spp. using the conventional method. Based on the exclusion criteria, the clinical information of 11 patients was retrospectively reviewed. Five cases (definite) had definite exacerbation of pulmonary infections due to E. dermatitidis, and six cases (possible) had undeniable infections. Of the 11 cases of pulmonary infection suggested to be caused by E. dermatitidis, comorbidities included two cases of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), three cases of pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection and one case of pulmonary nocardiosis, suggesting a trend towards simultaneous detection of chronic pulmonary infections. Steroid and immunosuppressive drug use was observed in five cases, and β-D-glucan elevation was observed in three of five definite cases of pulmonary infections due to E. dermatitidis. The possibility of E. dermatitidis infection should be considered when Rhodotorula spp. are isolated from cultures of airway-derived specimens, and, in addition to CPA and NTM, identification of E. dermatitidis may be important in chronic pulmonary infections.

Invasive candidiasis (IC) represents a significant threat to both mortality and morbidity, especially among vulnerable populations. Intra-abdominal candidiasis (IAC) frequently occurs in critically ill and cancer patients, with these specific groups carrying a heightened risk for such invasive fungal infections. Despite this, there is a noticeable lack of attention to IAC in cancer patients within the literature, highlighting a critical gap that requires urgent consideration.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a complex lung disease associated with significant morbidity. The ABPA Working Group (AWG) of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM) revised their management guidelines in 2024, but there is currently no standardised tool to assess adherence to these recommendations.

Tinea capitis is an infectious dermatosis frequent in children, causative fungi variable over time and space. The risk factors associated with this disease are still poorly understood. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of tinea capitis among schoolchildren in Lomé (Togo), identify the fungal species involved and assess the associated risk factors.

Invasive fungal disease (IFD) is a sinister complication encountered in patients with haematological disorders. When occurring in the central nervous system (CNS), IFDs can have catastrophic outcomes.

Sporotrichosis is a disease that arises from a fungal infection caused by members of the Ascomycete genus Sporothrix. The disease has a unique history in South Africa, due to an association with gold mines, where large numbers of mine workers were infected in the 1930s and 1940s. This was likely driven by hot humid conditions and timber supports used in these mine shafts. Furthermore, the disease is the most common subcutaneous fungal infection amongst the general population in South Africa, and the large number of immunocompromised individuals increases the public health risk in the country. Sporothrix is a genus in the Ophiostomatales, a fungal order primarily associated with environmental habitats. Unsurprisingly, sporotrichosis therefore has a documented history of sapronotic transmission from contaminated plant material. This review provides insights into the understanding of sporotrichosis and Sporothrix species, with a particular emphasis on the South African situation. We highlight knowledge gaps, particularly regarding the ecological factors influencing the occurrence and distribution of these species, which in turn affect the patterns of sporotrichosis. We also emphasise a need for ongoing proactive research and surveillance to prevent future outbreaks of sporotrichosis, an emerging disease with growing health implications worldwide.

Dermatophytosis, caused by dermatophytes, affects up to 25% of people globally, with higher rates observed in Africa and Asia. While these infections are usually superficial, they can become severe in immunocompromised individuals. Despite their high prevalence, scientific research on dermatophytes is limited and the epidemiological data available are insufficient. In addition, diagnostic methods are not standardised and there are challenges with resistance to antifungals.

Tropicoporus tropicalis (formerly Phellinus tropicalis) is a saprophytic basidiomycete that has been implicated in refractory mycoses in humans, particularly in patients with chronic granulomatous disease. Despite its clinical significance, T. tropicalis is an under-recognised cause of eumycetoma, with no prior reports available. We present a case of white grain eumycetoma with associated osteomyelitis of the left foot, caused by T. tropicalis, confirmed through 18S-ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-28S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. The patient was treated with itraconazole 200 mg daily, leading to gradual improvement. A review of the literature on T. tropicalis infections in humans reveals its characteristic manifestations, which include osteomyelitis, soft tissue abscesses, pulmonary nodules and keratitis. These infections are locally destructive but have the potential to disseminate. Diagnosis is often delayed and relies on molecular techniques. Amphotericin B combined with an azole appears to be the most effective treatment, often necessitating concurrent surgical drainage. In conclusion, T. tropicalis is a newly recognised pathogen associated with eumycetoma and poses an increased risk of osteomyelitis. Molecular identification, such as sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region from cultures or tissue specimens, is crucial for accurate identification of this pathogen.

Several clinical signs in dermatoscopy are very characteristic of onychomycosis and can be a quick complement for the diagnosis of onychomycosis.

Onychomycosis (OM) is a common nail infection treated with amorolfine hydrochloride nail lacquer in China. Monitoring drug concentrations and using dermoscopy to evaluate treatment efficacy may provide new insights.

Terbinafine is widely used to treat onychomycosis caused by dermatophyte fungi. Terbinafine resistance in recent years is causing concern. Resistance has so far been associated with single-nucleotide substitutions in the DNA sequence of the enzyme squalene epoxidase (SQLE) but how this affects SQLE functionality is not understood.

Blastomycosis is a pulmonary disease caused by Blastomyces spp., a group of pathogenic dimorphic fungi endemic to a number of geographic regions, specifically Manitoba and northwestern Ontario, Canada. Immunosuppression is a major risk factor affecting disease susceptibility, yet host immunity is not well understood. Genetic immunodeficiencies can also influence disease, with variants in IL6, GATA2 and VDBP shown to influence susceptibility. Additional genetic factors in disease susceptibility and severity remain undetected. Our study seeks to identify potential genetic risk factors in a blastomycosis case-control cohort from Manitoba and northwestern Ontario, Canada.

Tinea pedis is one of the most prevalent superficial fungal infections. Initial antifungal treatment is often acquired over-the-counter (OTC) without previous consultation with a physician.

Equal access to medicines is crucial to ensuring public health, but access is difficult to measure, especially for infections where changes in infective species make treatment choices highly dynamic. This study investigated if the combination of infection prevalence with medicine efficacy and regulatory availability could access medicines access of topical onychomycosis medicines.