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Mucormycosis is the third most frequent invasive mycosis, following candidiasis and aspergillosis. It is frequently neglected due to its rare occurrence; but recently attend the status of notifiable disease due to its higher incidence in both developed and developing nations. India has received global notice since its estimated instances were greater than the global estimated figures. Mucormycosis has several clinical manifestations, including rhino-orbital-cerebral (ROCM), pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cutaneous, renal, and diffuse Mucormycosis. ROCM is the most frequent clinical manifestation in India, although pulmonary mucormycosis is prevalent worldwide. This review also discusses host defenses, pre disposing risk factors and fungal virulence factors that impair host's ability to prevent fungus invasion and disease establishment. The diagnosis of the disease depends on clinical interventions, histological or microbiological procedures along with molecular methods to obtain timely results. But there are still unmet challenges for rapid diagnosis of the disease. Treatment of the disease is achieved by multimodal approaches such as reversal of underlying predisposing factors, rapid administration of antifungals in optimal doses and surgical procedures to remove infected tissues. Liposomal Amphotericin B, Posaconazole and Isavuconazoles are preferred as the first line of treatment procedures. clinical trials. Different studies have improved the existing drug and under clinical trials while several studies predicted the new potential targets as CotH and Ftr1 as shown in infection and in vitro models. Therefore, current scenario demands a multidisciplinary approach is needed to investigate the prevalence, pathogenesis which is highly important for the advancement of rapid diagnosis and effective treatment., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia.)

Dermatophytic pseudomycetoma is a rare invasive infection, involving both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Since the discovery of inherited immune disorders such as the impairment of CARD9 gene, extended dermatophyte infections are mostly ascribed to any of these host factors. This study is to present and explore the potential causes in a fatal dermatophytic pseudomycetoma patient. We present a chronic and deep pseudomycetoma caused by the common dermatophyte Microsporum canis which ultimately led to the death of the patient. Mycological examination, genetic studies and host immune responses against fungi were performed to explore the potential factors. The patient had decreased lymphocyte counts with significantly reduced CD4 + T cells, although all currently known genetic parameters proved to be normal. Through functional studies, we demonstrated that peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the patient showed severe impairment of adaptive cytokine production upon fungus-specific stimulation, whereas innate immune responses were partially defective. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of fatal dermatophytic pseudomycetoma in a patient with non-HIV CD4 lymphocytopenia, which highlights the importance of screening for immune deficiencies in patients with deep dermatophytosis.

Invasive infections with emerging yeasts such as Geotrichum , Saprochaete/Magnusiomyces, Trichosporon , and other species are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Due to the rarity and heterogeneity of these yeasts, medical mycology has lacked guidance in critical areas affecting patient management. Now, physicians and life scientists from multiple disciplines and all world regions have united their expertise to create the "Global guideline for the diagnosis and management of rare yeast infections: an initiative of the European Confederation of Medical Mycology in cooperation with the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology and the American Society for Microbiology." Recommendations are stratified for high- and low-resource settings and are therefore applicable worldwide. The advantages and disadvantages of various diagnostic methods and treatment options are outlined. This guideline reflects the current best-practice management for invasive rare yeast infections in a range of settings, with the intent of establishing a global standard of care for laboratorians and clinicians alike.

Background: Conidiobolomycosis is a rare tropical rhinofacial fungal infection which has not been well characterised. The available evidence in its management is sparse due to lack of clinical studies and the limited data on antifungal susceptibility patterns., Objective: To analyse the clinical manifestations, antifungal treatment and outcomes of patients with conidiobolomycosis and to determine antifungal susceptibility profiles of the isolates., Patients/methods: Retrospective analysis of data of all patients with a diagnosis of conidiobolomycosis confirmed by histopathology and culture at a tertiary care hospital from 2012 to 2019 was done., Results: There were 22 patients, 21 males and one female, with a mean age of 37.1 years. Most common presenting symptom was nasal obstruction, found in 20 (90.90%) patients. Patients who presented within 12 months had a better cure rate (85%) compared to those who presented late (67%). Among the 19 patients who had a follow-up, good outcome was seen in 15 of the 17 (88.24%) patients who were on itraconazole or potassium iodide containing regimen. Of the six patients who received additional trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole), 67% showed good outcome with two patients showing complete cure and two patients still on treatment with significant improvement. High minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were noted for azoles and amphotericin B, whereas co-trimoxazole showed lowest MIC ranges., Conclusion: Itraconazole and potassium iodide are reasonable first-line options for the treatment of conidiobolomycosis. Good clinical response to KI and comparatively lower MIC of co-trimoxazole are promising. Further studies are required for developing clinical breakpoints that can predict therapeutic outcomes., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

This is a rare case report of two filamentous fungi in a patient with contact lens related keratitis. An early corneal scrape may be useful in detecting multiple causative pathogens and aiding management. The main learning point is to consider fungal infections in patients with atypical ulcer appearances, as prompt diagnosis may reduce the morbidity burden., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Kosakonia cowanii, formerly known as Enterobacter cowanii, is a Gram-negative bacillus belonging to the order Enterobacterales. The species is usually recognized as a plant pathogen and has only anecdotally been encountered as a human pathogen. Here we describe the rare case of a K. cowanii infection presenting as an acute cholecystitis and provide a review of available literature. Evident difficulties in species identification by biochemical profiling suggests that potentially, K. cowanii might represent an underestimated human pathogen., Case Presentation: A 61-year old immunocompromised man presented to the hospital with fever and pain in the upper right abdomen. Sonography revealed an inflamed gall bladder and several gall stones. A cholecystectomy proved diagnosis of an acute cholecystitis with a partial necrosis of the gall bladder. Surgical specimen grew pure cultures of Gram-negative rods unambiguously identified as K. cowanii by MALDI-TOF, 16S-rRNA analysis and whole genome sequencing., Conclusions: Reporting cases of Kosakonia species can shed light on the prevalence and clinical importance of this rare cause of human infection. Our case is the first to describe an infection without prior traumatic inoculation of the pathogen from its usual habitat, a plant, to the patient. This raises the question of the route of infections as well as the pathogen's ability to colonize the human gut.

Background: Fungaemia due to rare yeasts has been recognised as an emerging, clinically relevant, but less investigated condition. Intrinsic resistance or reduced susceptibility of these species to echinocandins or fluconazole remains as a challenge in empirical treatment., Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics, administered antifungal agents, outcomes of patients with rare yeasts other than Candida (RY-OTC) fungaemia and determine the antifungal susceptibility profiles of the isolates., Patients and Methods: RY-OTC fungaemia between January-2001 and December-2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Antifungal susceptibility tests were performed according to CLSI M27-A3., Results: We identified 19 patients with fungaemia due to 20 RY-OTC (8 Trichosporon asahii, 4 Cryptococcus neoformans, 4 Saprochaete capitata, 3 Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, 1 Trichosporon mucoides) with an incidence of 2.2% among 859 fungaemia episodes. Haematological malignancy was the most common (42%) underlying disorder. In 6 patients, RY-OTC fungaemia developed as breakthrough infection while receiving echinocandins, amphotericin B or fluconazole. Amphotericin B, fluconazole or voriconazole were the drugs of choice for the initial treatment of breakthrough fungaemia. Among patients without previous exposure to antifungals, the most common empirical treatment was an echinocandin (50%), followed by fluconazole (42%) and amphotericin B (8%). Overall mortality was 47%. Worse outcome was most common among patients receiving echinocandins (83% vs 25%, P < .05). Voriconazole and posaconazole showed the highest in vitro activity against all the isolates tested. Amphotericin B MICs were relatively higher and the degree of activity of fluconazole and itraconazole was variable., Conclusions: Early recognition of RY-OTC and knowledge about their susceptibility patterns remain crucial in initial treatment pending susceptibility data of isolates., (© 2020 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Background: Localized `and disseminated Nocardia farcinica infection is frequently reported in immunocompromised patients. However, orbital nocardiosis is rare, and, to our knowledge, traumatic orbital nocardiosis that affects the brain has never been described. Here, we report a case of traumatic orbital and intracranial N. farcinica infection in an immunocompetent patient., Case Presentation: A 35-year-old man, who was immunocompetent, to the best of our knowledge and as per the absence of immunodeficiency symptoms, with orbital trauma caused by the penetration of a rotten bamboo branch developed lesions in the orbit and brain. Subsequently, he underwent debridement and received broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, but orbital infection occurred, with drainage of pus through the sinus tract. The patient then underwent endoscope-assisted local debridement. Bacterial culture of the sinusal pus was positive for N. farcinica, and a combined intracranial infection had developed. The disease was treated effectively by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ceftriaxone sodium therapy. The patient remained infection free and without complications at the 14-month follow-up., Conclusions: Traumatic orbital and intracranial infection caused by N. farcinica is a rare infectious disease, and atypical presentations easily lead to misdiagnosis. When a patient presents with an atypical orbital infection that is unresponsive to empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics, along with suspicious neurologic symptoms, Nocardia infection should be considered. Identification by bacterial culture is the gold standard. Complete local debridement and appropriate antibiotic treatment are keys to the treatment of the disease.

Background: Osteomyelitis of the pubic symphysis is a rare cause of pelvic pain after delivery, mainly caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The clinical context is the same as the more common diastasis of the pubic bone, but the presence of intense local pain in association with fever should prompt further clinical work-up based on blood chemistry, microbiology and diagnostic imaging. We report the first case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis of the pubic symphysis occuring after the delivery., Case Presentation: A 39-year-old woman developed pain over the pubic bone 12 h after the delivery. After 72 h fever rose and laboratory examination showed elevation of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels. Pelvic x-rays and magnetic resonance showed pubic diastasis, joint effusion, tiny irregularities of articular surfaces and, severe bone edema. The patient was started on broad spectrum intravenous (IV) antibiotics (piperacillin-tazobactam) and then replaced to IV vancomycin and oral levofloxacin based on antibiogram result. She was then discharged with oral antibiotic therapy and fully recovered., Conclusions: Due to the rarity of this disease, we compared our experience with the other cases of osteomyelitis of pubic symphysis occurring in peri-postpartum reported in the literature. The course of osteomyelitis was favourable in all patients, and only in one case an additional orthopedic procedure for symphysis fixation was necessary. Knowledge of this rare condition is important to enable prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Background: Tularaemia is a zoonotic disease caused by inoculation with the Gram-negative coccobacillus Francisella tularensis. It was first described in the United States in 1911 and is a rare disease with an annual reported incidence in France between 2002 and 2012 of 0.07 cases per 100,000 habitants. Reporting of the disease in humans has been mandatory in France since 2003., Patients and Methods: Herein we report a case of tularaemia following a tick bite in a patient in the north of France., Discussion: Tularaemia is a rare form of zoonosis that should be sought in the event of unexplained adenitis. Clinical presentations vary, and in certain cases only dermatological signs are manifest. Diagnosis is confirmed by bacterial serology. Rapid initiation of suitable antibiotics produces a favourable and benign outcome in most cases. However, the offending organism, which is potentially lethal, is classed as a potential bioterrorism agent., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Actinomycosis is a rare and heterogeneous infection involving Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria, which are commensals in the oral cavity and digestive tract. Only four cases of actinomycosis in renal transplant recipients have been reported to date. We performed a retrospective study in French renal transplantation centers to collect data about actinomycosis, patients, and transplantation. Seven cases were reported between 2000 and 2017; mean age was 55.7 years, and prevalence of actinomycosis was 0.02%. Median time between transplantation and infection was 104 months (4-204 months). Locations of actinomycosis were cervicofacial (n = 2), pulmonary (n = 2), abdominopelvic (n = 2), or cutaneous (n = 1). Two patients (28.5%) had acute kidney injury. Diagnosis was made possible by microbiology (71%) or histopathology (filaments and sulfur granules) (14%) of the infection site. The suspected gate of entry for the infection was dental (57%), abdominal (28.5%) or through the sinuses (14%). All patients were treated with amoxicillin for 30-200 days (median duration of 115 days), and clavulanic acid was added for 28.5% of cases. Three patients (43%) required surgery. All patients, except one, recovered completely after a few months. Actinomycosis is a rare, slow, progressive disease in French renal transplant recipients. The location and clinical features of this infection are miscellaneous. Global and renal outcomes do not seem to be affected by actinomycosis., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Invasive fungal disease (IFD) confers a substantial risk for morbidity and mortality to immunocompromised patients. Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is the most common IFD caused by moulds but the prevalence of other rare mould diseases, such as mucormycosis, hyalohyphomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis, may be increasing. Treatments are available for IA, but evidence to support efficacy and safety of antifungal agents for rare IFDs, or for IFDs in special patient populations, is limited or lacking. The VITAL trial was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of isavuconazole for the treatment of patients with IA and renal impairment, or with IFDs caused by rare moulds, yeasts or dimorphic fungi. These patients stand to benefit most from a new treatment option but are unlikely to be included in a randomised, controlled trial. In this article, we review the challenges faced in the design and conduct of the VITAL trial. We also review the findings of VITAL, which included evidence of the efficacy and safety of isavuconazole. Finally, we consider the importance of trials such as VITAL to inform therapeutic decision making for clinicians faced with the challenge of treating patients with rare IFDs and as one paradigm of how to determine efficacy and safety of new drugs for rare and resistant infections without a suitable comparator., (© 2018 The Authors. Mycoses Published by Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Candida fungus ball is a rare presentation of urinary tract infections among adult patients and is associated with considerable morbidity. Because clinical signs are not specific, diagnosis is often delayed. Furthermore, treatment is occasionally difficult, and the approach to such cases varies widely among different centers. In this report, we describe a patient with retroperitoneal fibrosis who developed a renal fungus ball. Management of this challenging case is discussed, and review of the literature is presented., (© 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

From 1976 to 2016, neurotoxigenic Clostridium baratii type F caused 18 (<0.5%) reported US infant botulism cases. Six cases occurred during 2012-2013; no common source was identified. Type F infant botulism mostly occurs in very young infants and typically presents more rapidly and severely than illness caused by types A and B botulinum neurotoxin., (Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2017. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.)

A 35-year-old woman with severe cystic fibrosis was admitted for sudden loss of strength in both legs, revealing a myelitis. The medullary lesion biopsy revealed phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladophialophora species. Myelitis caused by Cladophialophora bantiana is a rare disease associated with high mortality., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Syphilis is an infectious disease that can cause a wide variety of ocular signs. One of the rarest manifestations of ocular syphilis is acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinitis (ASPPC). We report the case of an immunocompetent 38-year-old woman diagnosed with unilateral, atypical, acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinitis. Fundoscopic examination revealed a yellow-white, subretinal, placoid lesion at the posterior pole, which is typical sign of ASPPC. In the periphery of the retina, multifocal choroiditis was also found. Fundus and angiographic changes in ASPPC may mimic other chorioretinal diseases. Accurate diagnosis of ASPPC as a presenting sign of syphilis is important for the prompt initiation of systemic antibiotic treatment.

A 10-year-old girl suffered from tinea corporis with erythematosquamous and centrifugal growing, sparse itching lesions of her right lower arm. Fluorescence optical Blankophor® preparation from skin scrapings revealed fungal hyphae. On Sabouraud's dextrose agar, the fast growing dermatophyte formed flat, peripheral radiating and convolved colonies with white, slightly yellowish to beige brown stained granular and powdery surface. The reverse side of the colonies was smooth with luminous yellow colour. Microscopically, an attitude of thin-walled spindle-shaped and echinulate (with small spins) and lanceolate macroconidia appeared. The small based macroconidia are raised in the middle and end part, however, pointy at the end ("spearhead"). Three to six or seven across septae are formed. The small piriform microconidia had an orthotropic arrangement. Chlamydospores were also formed. Urease activity was positive. Macromorphologically, Trichophyton (T.) interdigitale (formerly T. mentagrophytes) was suspected. Due to the shape of macroconidia, Microsporum (M.) gypseum and M. fulvum were also considered as possible species identification. Direct uniplex-PCR-EIA of the strains revealed negative results for T. rubrum, T. interdigitale, T. anamorph of Arthroderma benhamiae and M. canis. Sequencing analysis of the ribosomal ITS-region (18 S rRNA, ITS1, 5.8 S rRNA, ITS2, 28 S rRNA) and of the translation elongation factor 1‑alpha (tef-1-alpha) gene revealed the dermatophyte species M. praecox. Topical treatment was done using ciclopiroxolamine cream. M. praecox represents a geophilic dermatophyte, morphologically resembling M. gypseum. Horses are often the source of infection. In humans, M. praecox causes tinea corporis and tinea capitis. For oral treatment of dermatomycosis due to M. praecox, griseofulvin and terbinafine can be used.

Without appropriate treatment, Group A streptococcal infections can lead to post-streptococcal syndrome, including post-streptococcal uveitis. This should be kept in mind in young patients with acute bilateral non-granulomatous anterior uveitis, in order to avoid ocular and systemic complications. We report two cases of bilateral post-streptococcal anterior uveitis, in young men, of respectively 20 and 16 years old, that presented to Jules Gonin Eye Hospital., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Septic arthritis and spondylodiscitis are relatively rare but severe diseases with increasing incidence. Septic arthritis is an emergency situation with high morbidity (40 %) and fatality rates (11 %). The infection occurs via a hematogenous route by direct inoculation or per continuitatem. Patients with pre-existing destructive joint diseases or under immunosuppressive treatment are particularly at risk. It is mandatory to sample synovial fluid for isolation of the relevant pathogen and quantification of leucocytes before starting antibiotic therapy. In order to preserve the joint, early evacuation of the infected synovial space is necessary. Spondylodiscitis is characterized by infection of the vertebra and neighboring discs mainly via a hematogenous route. Immunosuppressed and older patients are primarily at risk of infection. Back pain represents the main symptom but due to its unspecific character and the frequent absence of fever, diagnosis is often delayed. In Europe Staphylococcus aureus is the most prevalent pathogen, whereas tuberculosis is the most frequent causal agent worldwide. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) respresents the method of choice for the radiological diagnostics. In stable patients isolation of the pathogen should be achieved before starting antimicrobial therapy (e.g. blood cultures or tissue samples by computed tomography guided puncture or biopsy). The recommended duration of pathogen-specific antibiotic therapy for native spondylodiscitis is normally 6 weeks.

We report a case of necrotizing fasciitis of the leg caused by Vibrio cholerae O8 in a 63-year-old immunocompetent man after he had been fishing in a lake on a Croatian island. The strain was cytotoxic, invasive and adhesive and contained a fragment of the gene for El Tor-like hemolysin (El Tor hlyA). After surgical and antibiotic treatment, the patient fully recovered.

Disseminated infection by Hormographiella aspergillata is extremely rare and small intestine involvement has not been reported previously. A 51-year-old man with myelodysplastic syndrome developed pneumonia after cord blood cell transplantation. Fungal growth from the biopsied lung was identified as H. aspergillata by morphology and the gene analysis. Although antifungal agents including voriconazole and liposomal amphotericin B were administered, he died of disseminated H. aspergillata infection. We review the literature and discuss the treatment and prognosis., (© 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune is a widely distributed cellulolytic fungus that is a well-known pathogen. It can cause a wide range of different infections, and here we describe the first case of otitis externa and a molecularly based identification process.

Infection following a tympanostomy tube insertion is a common occurrence. Scedosporium apiospermum is a filamentous fungus mainly isolated in water and soil. There have been no reported cases of S. apiospermum infection of an immunocompetent individual with a tympanostomy tube in situ. A child was referred with unilateral otorrhoea failing to respond to conventional treatment in the community. S. apiospermum was identified following specialist testing. An extended course of anti-fungal treatment led to complete resolution. Due to the rare occurrence of aural S. apiospermum and unreported nature, it should be managed in a multidisciplinary setting., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Sporotrichosis in children is rare, and its osteoarticular form is very unusual. Disseminated forms are described mostly in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of a 5-year-old immunocompetent boy with multiple suppurated cutaneous lesions that progressed to polyarthritis of the hands and feet. Radiographic imaging demonstrated multifocal lytic lesions. Sporotrichosis was diagnosed through biopsy and culture. This article describes the radiographic appearance of a rare manifestation of this disease. In areas of high prevalence, the diagnosis of sporotrichosis should be taken into account, even in immunocompetent patients, when dactylitis with lytic lesions is present.

An 11-year-old female with spastic quadriplegia was seen in the emergency room with abdominal pain, vomiting and anorexia. Labs revealed possible pancreatitis and signs of a urinary tract infection. A CT scan was performed to assess her abdominal pain and demonstrated circumferential air within the bladder wall. Following cultures being drawn, she was started on broad spectrum antibiotics. Her urine eventually grew Klebsiella Pneumoniae. Follow up imaging 2 weeks later demonstrated resolution of the air. Emphysematous cystitis is an exceedingly rare condition in the pediatric population, with this report representing the second case within the literature.

Jorge Lobo's Disease is a rare, chronic granulomatous cutaneous mycosis, which is typical of tropical and subtropical regions. It is caused by the traumatic implantation of the fungus Lacazia loboi into the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The disease was first described in 1931 by Jorge Lobo, in Recife (PE), Brazil. It is common in Central and South America, and predominates in the Amazon region. We report a case of Jorge Lobo's Disease, which had been initially referred as being paracoccidioidomycosis. We emphasize clinical and diagnostic features of the disease.

Fungi rarely cause disease outbreaks associated with use of microbe-contaminated drugs. These rare episodes typically involve a restricted spectrum of common environmental species with relatively low virulence, rather than classical pathogens. Review of data involving over-the-counter contact lens solutions and prescription drug-related recalls revealed six episodes during the past decade with significant adverse health and financial impact (including loss of vision and death). Contaminations involved fungi mostly identified with the genera Aspergillus, Exserohilum, Fusarium, Paecilomyces, and Rhizopus. These organisms are noted for their capacity to produce resistant morphotypes (chlamydoconidia, ascospores) under various adverse conditions, generally with temperature survival/tolerances markedly in excess of maximal growth temperatures. High constituent levels of melanin, trehalose and heat-shock proteins facilitate differential survival of morphotypes following exposures to toxic chemicals and temperatures above 80 °C. Adverse environmental factors that induce resistant morphotypes are suggested to occur more readily in situ than during in vitro testing. Rare unexplained, sporadic drug contamination episodes with select thermotolerant fungi may relate, in part, to resistant dormant stages.

Concha bullosa is characterized by pneumatization of the middle turbinate and is one of the most common variations of the sinonasal anatomy. It is most often asymptomatic. A fungus ball in the concha bullosa is extremely rare, with only two reported cases in the English literature. This article describes a patient with such a fungus ball in the concha bullosa that caused right periorbital pain, specifically in the right medial canthal area, similar to mucosal contact point headache.

Cysticercosis is a condition in which a human being acts as the intermediate host of Taenia solium, a pork tape worm. The oral mucosa is an uncommonly involved site. A rurally living 35 year old vegetarian female presented with a swelling over the right side of her tongue of seven months duration. Histopathology of excisional biopsy revealed it to be cysticercosis. Diagnosis of cysticercosis was clinically unsuspected. The patient was referred to the general medical clinic for further treatment.

The mortality associated with invasive fungal infections remains high with that involving rare yeast pathogens other than Candida being no exception. This is in part due to the severe underlying conditions typically predisposing patients to these healthcare-related infections (most often severe neutropenia in patients with haematological malignancies), and in part due to the often challenging intrinsic susceptibility pattern of the pathogens that potentially leads to delayed appropriate antifungal treatment. A panel of experts of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Fungal Infection Study Group (EFISG) and the European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) undertook a data review and compiled guidelines for the diagnostic tests and procedures for detection and management of rare invasive yeast infections. The rare yeast pathogens were defined and limited to the following genera/species: Cryptococcus adeliensis, Cryptococcus albidus, Cryptococcus curvatus, Cryptococcus flavescens, Cryptococcus laurentii and Cryptococcus uniguttulatus (often published under the name Filobasidium uniguttulatum), Malassezia furfur, Malassezia globosa, Malassezia pachydermatis and Malassezia restricta, Pseudozyma spp., Rhodotorula glutinis, Rhodotorula minuta and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Sporobolomyces spp., Trichosporon asahii, Trichosporon asteroides, Trichosporon dermatis, Trichosporon inkin, Trichosporon jirovecii, Trichosporon loubieri, Trichosporon mucoides and Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans and ascomycetous ones: Geotrichum candidum, Kodamaea ohmeri, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (incl. S. boulardii) and Saprochaete capitatae (Magnusiomyces (Blastoschizomyces) capitatus formerly named Trichosporon capitatum or Geotrichum (Dipodascus) capitatum) and Saprochaete clavata. Recommendations about the microbiological investigation and detection of invasive infection were made and current knowledge on the most appropriate antifungal and supportive treatment was reviewed. In addition, remarks about antifungal susceptibility testing were made., (© 2013 The Authors Clinical Microbiology and Infection © 2013 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.)

Background: In 1969, Kolipp and Hoffmann isolated Trichophyton (T.) thuringiense spec. nov. Koch when they performed their thesis dealing with the distribution and epidemiology of dermatophytes and keratinophilic fungi in mice and other small mammals. At that time, T. thuringiense was detected as saprophytic fungus of the skin of different mice species (e.g. Mus musculus) both in rural and urban settings in the area of Thuringia in Germany. There were no further reports on this dermatophyte species until now, neither in animals, nor in man., Patient, Methods and Results: Currently, we were able to isolate this geophilic fungus for the first time from a human being. A 58 year old patient baker by trade and living in a rural setting (village) suffered from nail changes like hyperkeratosis and thickening of the nail plate of his big toe. From his nail samples grew a dermatophyte with peripheral radiating and flat colonies which were a bit cottony in the centre. On Sabouraud's 4 % dextrose agar the thallus of the fungus was white to purple stained, the reverse side showed a dark red to brown color. In a typical manner, macroconidia were cylindrical to clavate, microconidia obovoidal to short-clavate with broad base. The species identification of T. thuringiense was done and confirmed by sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA. Antifungal treatment has been refused from the patient., Conclusion: In conclusion, this is the second description of the geophilic dermatophyte T. thuringiense, which could be isolated for the first time from a human being, in particular from nail sample of the big toe under the suspicion of onychomycosis. However, it is still uncertain if this fungus should be considered either as secondary colonization of the nail plate, or as causative agent of tinea unguium or onychomycosis.

Introduction: Mucormycosis is a rapidly progressive and frequently lethal form of fungal infection. Primary cutaneous form is rare. We presented a case of cutaneous mucormycosis in the scalp which led to visual loss in a 54-year-old diabetic woman., Case Presentation: A 54-year-old woman patient was admitted with the complaining of the wound with purulent discharge in the scalp. An ulcerated discharging lesion with necrotic hemorrhagic crusts in the left parietal region of the scalp and wheals with fluctuating from this lesion to the left periorbital area were observed. Biochemical investigations revealed elevated blood sugar level and urine ketone bodies were present. The patient had vision loss in the left eye. In the smears thick-walled non-septate hyphae were detected. Rhizopus spp. was isolated from culture. Antidiabetic therapy and liposomal amphotericin B was initiated. The scalp lesion improved., Conclusion: Early diagnosis is life saving in mucormycosis.

Deep fungal infections are associated with significant mortality despite the availability of new antifungal agents. The identification of causative fungi is important to define successful antifungal therapies as agents differ in the in vitro susceptibility. Characterization of tissue morphology and cultivation from tissue provide important clues to patient management. Molecular techniques such as PCR-based assays are increasingly being used to identify agents of invasive fungal infections. However, potential contamination limits the use when ubiquitous fungi are targeted. Hybridization with fluorescently labeled probes targeting the ribosomal RNA of fungi is emerging as an alternative identification strategy. Using conserved or variable regions of the rRNA as targets, group or species-specific probes can be synthesized to identify fungal pathogens and localize them in the infectious process. These techniques have been successfully applied to deep fungal infections due to different agents in various organ samples.

We report the case of a 75-year-old male patient who was treated in our clinic for septicemia and subacute infective endocarditis caused by toxigenic Candida albicans. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed the presence of a thrombus in the left atrial cavity, and the diagnosis was confirmed by computerized tomography. The patient was operated on urgently. Histological examination of the embolic material removed from the left atrium showed the presence of yeast and hyphal forms of Candida albicans through periodic acid-Shiff stain. The patient was readmitted to the hospital on postoperative day 15, because of reembolism, and died later on. Here we present our approach to the diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition.

Isolated monarthritis caused by Tropheryma whipplei without involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is rare but is nowadays often described as an early manifestation of the disease. In a male patient with recurrent knee joint arthritis for several years, we could ultimately diagnose Whipple's disease based on PCR positive biopsies of synovial tissue and fluid. Furthermore, the patient was found to be an asymptomatic T. whipplei carrier. With adequate antibiotic therapy the patient has meanwhile fully recovered.

Aim: Study the prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Chlamydophila psittaci, Legionella pneumophila, Moraxella catarrhalis, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex I/II virus (HSV I/II) in individuals of various age groups with varying inflammatory broncho-pulmonary diseases., Materials and Methods: 384 adults and 1001 children with clinically confirmed diagnoses were examined by PCR method: community-acquired pneumonia, acute bronchitis, bronchial asthma, ARD/ARVD, as well as 127 healthy children and 52 healthy adults. Sputum, smears from posterior fornix of pharynx, blood, saliva from children of the first year of life were used as material for the study., Results: Wide prevalence of M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae among adults and M. pneumoniae among children older than 1 year with inflammatory diseases of respiratory organs was established. C. psittaci, L. pneumophila, M. catarrhalis occurred in isolated cases in both adults and children. Active replication of herpes group viruses was detected in patients of all age groups with inflammatory broncho-pulmonary diseases, and in children Cytomegalovirus replication predominated, in adults--HSV I/II., Conclusion: High frequency of prevalence of M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae in inflammatory diseases of respiratory tract was established, giving evidence of reasonability and necessity of examination of patients with various nosologic forms of diseases for these species of microorganisms with the aim of effective etiotropic therapy.

Here we report on two consecutive cases of tuberculosis in immunocompetent HIV-negative patients with lingual lesions. In both patients diagnosis was delayed. Disease progressed involving the lungs, lymph nodes and also the brain. Both patients are disease-free at 30 and 22 month follow-up respectively. Isolated Mycobacterium tuberculosis from these patients was multi-susceptible. Tuberculosis lesions of the oral cavity and brain are infrequently diagnosed in immunocompetent subjects from Western countries. Clinicians must take into greater consideration tuberculosis as a possible diagnosis when diagnosing chronic and/or recurrent lingual lesions even in the absence of pulmonary lesions.