Current Fungal Infection Reports[JOURNAL]
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82 papers
Phenotypic Switching in Fungi.
Jain N, Hasan F, Fries BC
Curr Fungal Infect Rep · 2008 Sep · PMID 19768140 · Full text
Over the past three decades new fungal diseases have emerged that now constitute a major threat, especially for patients with chronic diseases and/or underlying immune defi ciencies. Despite the epidemiologic data, the e...
Over the past three decades new fungal diseases have emerged that now constitute a major threat, especially for patients with chronic diseases and/or underlying immune defi ciencies. Despite the epidemiologic data, the emergence of stable drug-resistant or hyper-virulent fungal strains in human disease has not been demonstrated as seen in emerging viral and bacterial infections. Fungi are eukaryotic microbes that capitalize on a sophisticated built-in ability to generate phenotypic variability. This successful strategy allows them to undergo rapid adaptation in response to environmental challenges, such as individual body locations that may exhibit drastic differences in temperature and pH. Rapid microevolution can also confer drug resistance and protect them from the host's immune response. This review explores phenotypic switching in pathogenic fungi, including Candida spp and Cryptococcus spp, and how phenotypic switching contributes to the pathogenesis of fungal diseases.
Prevention of Invasive Aspergillosis in High-Risk Patients: Universal Versus Preemptive, Targeted Treatment.
Baddley JW, Apewokin S
Curr Fungal Infect Rep · 2008 Jun · PMID 28959373 · Full text
Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and there is a need for better preventative and therapeutic approaches. Successful treatment of documented IA remains difficult, often bec...
Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and there is a need for better preventative and therapeutic approaches. Successful treatment of documented IA remains difficult, often because of the inability to detect disease at an early stage. An important, recent advance in the management of aspergillosis is the availability of the newer broad-spectrum azoles, voriconazole and posaconazole, which have good activity against spp. In addition, newer diagnostic modalities including galactomannan, β-glucan, and polymerase chain reaction are more readily available. These diagnostic and treatment options have made new strategies possible for the management of IA. Prophylaxis and empirical therapy for high-risk patients have been popular for decades, and now a preemptive, targeted approach to IA management has become more attractive. This article reviews strategies for the prevention and management of IA and compares and contrasts universal prophylaxis to the preemptive, targeted approach for IA in high-risk patients.
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