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Science magazine special issue highlights antifungal resistance
May 25 2018
A special issue of Science magazine entitled 'The Rise of Resistance' raises the profile of one of the most urgent challenges to world health: the increase in antifungal-resistant pathogens and a lack of novel antifungals in the pipeline to cope with them.
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New 3D model of squalene epoxidase may explain mechanism of terbinafine resistance
May 23 2018
Dermatophytes such as Trichophyton are commonly resistant to the allylamine antifungals (terbinafine, naftifine) used to treat them. Dr Rudramurthy and colleagues in India found that around 1 in 8 clinical isolates were resistant to these drugs, and 30% of them had a Phe397Leu mutation in squalene epoxidase. As this mutation sits in the enzyme's binding site, it is a plausible mechanism for resistance.
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New Fusarium species causing fungal rhinosinusitis
May 21 2018
A new species, Fusarium riograndense, was found to be the cause of fungal rhinosinusitis in an 11-year-old neutropenic Brazilian boy, who had previously received chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Treatment with voriconazole was successful.
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WHO releases its first Essential Diagnostic List
May 16 2018
Following its Advisory meeting in April 2018, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued its first listing of Essential Diagnostics. The list is split into general laboratory tests (n= 58) and specific tests for key infections (HIV. TB, hepatitis, syphilis and human papilloma virus) (n=55). It is also split into sections relating to testing in primary care settings versus hospital laboratory settings.
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Clinical patterns of mucormycosis in northwest India
May 16 2018
A 5-year survey of clinical patterns of mucormycosis in India reveals that diabetes and intramuscular injections are risk factors for mucormycosis, with presentation often being rhino-orbital-cerebral (45%), cutaneous (30%) or pulmonary (17%). Rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential to reduce mortality rates.
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