Onychoscopy enters the dermatology diagnostic portfolio in India

January 14 2019

Similar to dermoscopy, onychoscopy allows detailed assessment of a nail and associated structures. Different onychoscopic patterns support naked eye examination and may help in avoiding nail biopsy.
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Routine blood monitoring of terbinafine or griseofulvin therapy unnecessary

December 21 2018

It is common practice to check liver tests and blood count in patients on antifungal therapy, and this practice has extended to all antifungals including terbinafine and griseofulvin, despite the rarity of significant blood abnormalities. The authors conclude that this is not worthwhile, especially for short courses of antifungal therapy.
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Microsporidia common in China – in humans, farm animals and water

December 07 2018

Microsporidiosis comprises many different clinical syndromes including both chronic and acute diarrhea, malabsorption, respiratory infection, acalculous cholecystitis and keratitis. In a recent review of ~100 papers from China, Sha-Sha Wang and colleagues from Yangling, Shaanxi Province and Zhengzhou, Henan province, show than E. bieneusi is common in China, in most localities studied. Detection rates in children with diarrhoea ranged from 1% in Wuhan to 23% in Changchen. In HIV positive patients, detection rates varied from 4% to 12%.
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Occcupational and recreational risks for histoplasmosis – prevention measures

December 06 2018

Risks of acquiring histoplasmosis can be minimised. In endemic areas, high-risk settings for contracting histoplasmosis include empty buildings (because they often end up as nesting sites for birds), chicken coops, farms, stream banks, golf courses, amusement parks, and tennis complexes. Birds or bird droppings and bats or their droppings are usually reported in histoplasmosis outbreaks.
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Institut Pasteur Course - Medical Mycology

November 26 2018

This four-week course is intended for microbiologists willing to catch up with the most recent advances in diagnosis and identification procedures and principles of therapy for fungal infections.
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