Fungal Infections

This week, the CDC MMWR highlights a major blastomycosis outbreak and increased tularemia cases, CHOP's feedback reports improve antibiotic stewardship in pediatric pneumonia, and more.

The largest blastomycosis outbreak linked to a paper mill in Michigan and a 56% increase in tularemia cases over the past decade.

A lot of Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF has been voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer.

Health officials are investigating an outbreak called "Dinga Dinga," which causes fever and uncontrollable shaking.

P aeruginosa is found in 11.6% of diabetic foot infection cultures from hot, humid climates.

Milad Zandi, PhD, on rising temperatures and the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, increasing the risk of outbreaks in tropical and temperate regions.

Obesity significantly impacts the pharmacokinetics (PK) of antifungal drugs like echinocandins, including volume of distribution (Vd) and clearance. However, despite these PK differences, current clinical evidence generally does not support the need for universal dose adjustments in obese patients. Clinicians should consider personalized dosing based on patient characteristics, infection severity, and specific drug properties due to echinocandins' favorable safety profiles.

Deborah Birx, MD, and Amy Carenza, BBA, highlight the targeting of multidrug-resistant organisms and tracking of infection trends without increasing staffing needs.

ActivePure’s Deborah Birx, MD, and Amy Carenza, BBA, discuss their study showing a 99% reduction in fungal colony-forming units, 98% reduction in aerobic bacteria, and a 66% decrease in C auris.

This systematic review focuses on breakthrough invasive fungal infections (bIFIs) in patients with high-risk hematological cancers, like acute leukemia, or those who have undergone stem cell transplants. Despite prophylactic antifungal treatments (usually with voriconazole or posaconazole), bIFIs remain challenging due to their complexity and high mortality rates.

Basilea Pharmaceutica says its investigational therapy, fosmanogepix, is being studied for candidemia and invasive candidiasis.

In the second installment of a 3-part series on long-acting injectables related to various infections, Caitlin Soto, PharmD, BCIDP, provides insights on using rezafungin for invasive candidiasis.

Examining the implications and challenges of coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, and blastomycosis diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A comprehensive look at coccidioidomycosis (valley fever) through diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and climate change impact.

Clinicians review a patient case including diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

With yesterday’s FDA decision, Cidara’s injectable antifungal rezafungin become the first new drug approved to treat candidemia and invasive candidiasis in over a decade.