Serological and Molecular Approaches to the Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Infections in Immunocompromised Patients

2005 ◽  
pp. 405-428
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Invasive Fungal Infections ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
Molecular Approaches

Identification and in Vitro Susceptibility Pattern of Fungal Pathogens in Immunocompromised Patients with invasive Fungal Infections

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-134
Author(s):  
Shaimaa A.S. Selem ◽  
Neveen A. Hassan ◽  
Mohamed Z. Abd El-Rahman ◽  
Doaa M. Abd El-Kareem
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Invasive Fungal Infections ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Vitek 2

Background: In intensive care units, invasive fungal infections have become more common, particularly among immunocompromised patients. Early identification and starting the treatment of those patients with antifungal therapy is critical for preventing unnecessary use of toxic antifungal agents. Objective: The aim of this research is to determine which common fungi cause invasive fungal infection in immunocompromised patients, as well as their antifungal susceptibility patterns in vitro, in Assiut University Hospitals. Methodology: This was a hospital based descriptive study conducted on 120 patients with clinical suspicion of having fungal infections admitted at different Intensive Care Units (ICUs) at Assiut University Hospitals. Direct microscopic examination and inoculation on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) were performed on the collected specimens. Isolated yeasts were classified using phenotypic methods such as chromogenic media (Brilliance Candida agar), germ tube examination, and the Vitek 2 system for certain isolates, while the identification of mould isolates was primarily based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. Moulds were tested in vitro for antifungal susceptibility using the disc diffusion, and yeast were tested using Vitek 2 device cards. Results: In this study, 100 out of 120 (83.3%) of the samples were positive for fungal infection. Candida and Aspergillus species were the most commonly isolated fungal pathogens. The isolates had the highest sensitivity to Amphotericin B (95 %), followed by Micafungin (94 %) in an in vitro sensitivity survey. Conclusion: Invasive fungal infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients, with Candida albicans being the most frequently isolated yeast from various clinical specimens; however, the rise in resistance, especially to azoles, is a major concern.

Fungal contamination of water and water-related surfaces in three hospital wards with immunocompromised patients at risk for invasive fungal infections

2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia de Castro Figueiredo Fonseca ◽  
Adel Bouakline ◽  
Jean-Pierre Claisse ◽  
Martine Feuilhade ◽  
André Baruchel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Invasive Fungal Infections ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
Fungal Contamination ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Hospital Wards

Caspofungin plus posaconazole as salvage therapy of invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients

Mycoses ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 39-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heinrich Lellek ◽  
Dirk Waldenmaier ◽  
Joachim Dahlke ◽  
Francis Ayketang Ayuk ◽  
Christine Wolschke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salvage Therapy ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Invasive Fungal Infections ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients

scholarly journals Drug Interaction Profile of Posaconazole

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Leung ◽  
Mara Poulakos
Keyword(s):  
Drug Interaction ◽  
Drug Interactions ◽  
Adverse Drug Events ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Invasive Fungal Infections ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Multiple Drug ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
Potential Drug

Adverse drug events resulting from drug-drug interactions may lead to emergency department visits, hospitalizations, prolonged length of stays, increased medical care costs, and death. Despite the efforts of research, clinical studies, and active reporting to identify and explain these drug interaction pathways, clinicians are often unaware of such drug-drug interactions. Therefore, it is imperative for pharmacists to identify these potential drug-drug interactions and notify the clinicians as well as the patients so that appropriate safety measures and monitoring methods are implemented. Specifically, immunocompromised patients often receive multiple drug regimens which are associated with toxicities and are highly susceptible to drug-drug interactions. Because of the increased use of azole antifungals in the prophylaxis or treatment of invasive fungal infections among these patients, a close monitoring of drug-drug interactions is warranted. Posaconazole (PCZ), an extended spectrum azole antifungal, has been indicated for use in the prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. The intent of this article is to increase the awareness of the potential drug-drug interactions with PCZ by reviewing the available drug interaction studies of PCZ and other therapeutic agents, specifically Mylanta, cimetidine, phenytoin, midazolam, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, rifabutin, and glipizide. Excluding Mylanta and glipizide, significant interactions have been observed when PCZ was co-administered with these agents. Therefore, avoidance of PCZ with these and other agents which share the same metabolic pathways is recommended. Otherwise, frequent monitoring of drug levels and for adverse drug events as well as dose adjustments may be warranted.

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