Prevalence Of Fungal Disease Research Articles

Mycotic Infections in Free-Ranging Harbor Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena)

Studies on the occurrence of fungal communities in the marine environment are still scarce, but mycotic infections in cetaceans are increasingly reported. Fungal disease following infection with Aspergillus species is most frequently reported, with the respiratory tract commonly affected in cetaceans and other taxa, like humans and birds. Infection with Aspergillus spp. is dependent on the characteristics of the fungus as well as the hosts immune status, with dissemination into other organs being relatively common. Along the southern North Sea, harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) strandings increased significantly since 2005 and necropsies to determine causes of death have been conducted since 2008. Here we describe the post-mortem findings in stranded, free-ranging harbor porpoises on the Dutch coast which were diagnosed with fungal disease, to determine the prevalence of mycotic infections, and to compare them to those described in other species. A total of 18/754 (2.4%) harbor porpoises showed lesions compatible with localized or disseminated fungal disease as confirmed by histological examination. The respiratory tract was most commonly affected (67%), followed by the central nervous system (CNS, 33%), and auditory system (AS, 17%). Aspergillosis was confirmed for 11/18, by fungal growth (as A. fumigatus species complex, n = 9) and PCR (as Aspergillus spp., n = 1, and as A. fumigatus sensu strictu by sequence analysis, n = 1). One live stranded and euthanized animal presented partial hemiplegia of the blowhole and therefore an MRI was conducted, which resulted in a unique image of the extensive, fungus-induced lesion in the left cerebellar hemisphere, deforming and displacing the brainstem, and additionally affected the AS. The gross- and histologic lesions in the 18 porpoises diagnosed with fungal disease were similar to changes described in other mammalian species. The prevalence of fungal disease in free-living harbor porpoises is lower than seen in captive and rehabilitated animals, suggesting that captivity increases the risk to develop mycotic infections. Finally, fungal infection in the CNS and AS are usually considered consequences of vascular dissemination originating from pulmonary foci. However, only 1/7 cases with otitis and/or encephalitis demonstrated pulmonary aspergillosis, suggesting a different pathogenesis.

The Fungal Airway Microbiome in Cystic Fibrosis and Bronchiectasis

Background: The prevalence of fungal disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF bronchiectasis is increasing and the clinical spectrum is widening. Poor sensitivity and a lack of standard diagnostic criteria renders interpretation of culture results challenging. In order to develop effective management strategies, a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the airways fungal microbiome is required. The study aimed to use DNA sequences from sputum to assess the load and diversity of fungi in adults with CF and bronchiectasis. Methods: Next generation sequencing of the ITS2 region was used to examine fungal community composition (n = 176) by disease and underlying clinical subgroups including allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis, non-tuberculous mycobacteria, and fungal bronchitis. Patients with no known active fungal disease were included as disease controls. Findings: ITS2 sequencing greatly increased the detection of fungi from sputum. In patients with CF fungal diversity was lower, while burden was higher than those with bronchiectasis. The most common operational taxonomic unit (OTU) in patients with CF was Candida parapsilosis (20·4%), whereas in bronchiectasis sputum Candida albicans (21·8%) was most common. CF patients with overt fungal bronchitis were dominated by Aspergillus spp., Exophiala spp., Candida parapsilosis or Scedosporium spp. This study provides a framework to more accurately characterize the extended spectrum of fungal airways diseases in adult suppurative lung diseases. Funding Statement: The project was supported by the Asmarley Trust, the Wellcome Trust and the NIHR Respiratory Disease Biomedical Research Unit at the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, Imperial College London. IF was supported by an NIHR PhD studentship. Declaration of Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interests to disclose. Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital Biomedical Research Unit Ethics Committee (Advanced Lung Disease Biobank Study Number: 10/H0504/9).

Estimated burden of fungal infections in Sweden.

The aim of this study was to estimate the annual burden of fungal infections in Sweden using data mainly from 2016. Data on specific populations were obtained from Swedish national data registries. Annual incidence and prevalence of fungal disease was calculated based on epidemiological studies. Data on infections due to Cryptococcus sp., Mucorales, Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis and Pneumocystis jirovecii were retrieved from Karolinska University Laboratory and covers only 25% of Swedish population. In 2016, the population of Sweden was 9995153 (49.8% female). The overall burden of fungal infections was 1713385 (17142/100000). Superficial fungal infections affect 1429307 people (1429/100000) based on Global Burden of Disease 14.3% prevalence. Total serious fungal infection burden was 284 174 (2843/100000) in 2016. Recurrent Candida vulvovaginitis is common; assuming a 6% prevalence in women. Prevalence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and severe asthma with fungal sensitisation were estimated to be 20095 and 26387, respectively. Similarly, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis was estimated to affect 490 patients after tuberculosis, sarcoidosis and other conditions. Candidemia incidence was estimated to be 500 in 2016 (4.7/100000) and invasive aspergillosis 295 (3.0/100000). In Stockholm area, Mucorales were reported in three patients in 2015, while Cryptococcus spp. were reported in two patients. In 2016, there were 297 patients PCR positive for Pjirovecii. The present study shows that the overall burden of fungal infections in Sweden is high and affects 17% of the population. The morbidity, mortality and the healthcare-related costs due to fungal infections warrant further studies.

Value Chain Analysis of Potato in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania: Constraints and Solutions

This study aimed at assessing the value chain of Potato (Solanum tuberosum) in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania so as to characterize its structure and institutional flow of the commodity; analyse institutional margins and challenge; and finally make policy recommendations based on the findings. It was a qualitative research that triangulated data collection methods by employing Focus Group discussions (FGD) with farmers, middlemen, local traders and scheduled interviews with various off-takers (traders and processors) and key informants (government officials and service providers). Results show that potato value chain is fragmented and dominated by numerous middlemen bulking the commodity at operating at different levels (village, local townships and major urban centres, the major market destinations of potato in the country is scattered in all urban centres especially the big cities (Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, Tanga and Dodoma. During peak season potatoes find destinations in the regional market particularly Kenya, DRC, Rwanda and Zambia. During off-seasons potatoes take a reverse movement particularly is imported from Kenya. Prices are mainly determined by seasonality (demand/supply) and variety (improved variety are much more expensive). Gross margin analysis indicated that off-takers get more or less same returns which are larger than that of producers (confirming the general perception in Tanzania that off-takers usually exploit producers. The major constraints facing potato value chains limited availability of seed potato; dominance of middlemen, counterfeit inputs; prevalence of fungal disease; limited processing options. The author made a number of policy recommendations including establishing legal framework that supports contract farming (out-grower scheme) business model in potato value chain; review of seed certification and imports policy; and supporting seed potato production, research and post-harvest management.

Prevalence of common parasitic and infectious diseases of goat at Babugonj upazilla, Barisal, Bangladesh

This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of common parasitic and infectious diseases of goat at Babugonj upazilla, Barisal, Bangladesh. The study was performed in Veterinary Clinic, ANSVM, PSTU and Upazilla Veterinary Hospital, Babugonj, Barisal during June, 2014 to May, 2015. The diseases were diagnosed on basis of clinical signs, owner’s statement, general clinical examinations and laboratory diagnosis. A socio-economic survey of 200 destitute women and marginal/poor farmers of Barisal district was also done using a semi-structured questionnaire on their household. 70% of the respondents were females while 30% were males. 65% respondents were involved in agriculture, 13% in own business, 3% in shared business, 2% in govt. service and 17% in non-govt. service. 39% respondents had knowledge about signs of health of goat followed by management (74%), goat diseases (24%), veterinary drugs (20%), animal vaccine (14%) and biosecurity (13%). 53% animal houses were kacha followed by tin (41%) and pukka (2%). Goat received feed from own fodder areas (52%), purchase concentrate (5%) and both (43%). Respondents used tube-well (24%), river (18%), canal (26%) and ponds (32%) as the source of water for their goat. The prevalence of parasitic diseases was 41.33% followed by infectious diseases (39.34%) in goat. The prevalence of parasitic diseases was highest in rainy season 51.28% followed by autumn (41.61%), summer (40.37%) and winter (27.98%). The prevalence of infectious diseases was highest in winter 52.60% followed by autumn (37.55%), summer (37.47%) and rainy season (32.42%). Among viral diseases, prevalence of PPR was highest 8.52% followed by FMD (6.81%), goat pox (2.68%), contagious ecthyma (1.76%) and rabies (0.25%). The prevalence of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) was highest in winter (15.86%). The prevalence of pneumonia was highest 8.71% in whole year among the bacterial diseases. The prevalence of fungal disease (ringworm) was 1.44% in goat. The prevalence of trematodiasis was 12.60% followed by nematodiasis (11.27%), babesiosis (2.18%), tape worm infection (2.03%) and coccidiosis (1.19%). The prevalence of ecto-parasitic diseases was 12.06% .The prevalence of trematodiasis was highest in rainy season (18.01%). The prevalence of babesiosis was highest in summer (3.81%) and coccidiosis in winter (3.81%). The prevalence of ecto-parasitic diseases was lowest in winter (8.88%). The results of the present study will be helpful for scientists, extension service providers and veterinary practitioners for designing appropriate control measures for such diseases of goat.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2015, 1(3): 449-456

STUDIED THE CUTANEOUS FUNGAL DISEASE OF ATTENDING PATIENTS AT PARASITOLOGY LABORATORY, HUE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of cutaneous fungal disease and the related factors of 415 attending patients at Parasitology Laboratory, Hue University Hospital. Materials and methods: A crossectional survey for describe on 415 patients of clinically suspected dermatomycose lesions at the Dermatology Clinic. The samples of skin, hair and nails were collected and were examined by KOH 20% solution to diagnose fungal disease. We interviewed patients to get some related factors. Results: 1. The prevalence of fungal disease was 51.81 and clinical types included: tinea corporis 33.02%, tinea cruris 29.30%, tinea pedis 6.05%, paronychia - onychomycosis 5.58%, tinea capitis 3.72%, tinea unguium 3.72%, tinea mannum and interdigital of fingers 3.72%, multiple clinical type 14.88%. 2. Factors associated with cutaneous fungal disease included: Age: age group from 16 to 25 had the highest prevalence fungal infection (73.95%); Gender: males were more infected (71.16%) than females (28.84%); Occupation: the prevalence cutaneous fungal disease of students (58.85%), farmers (62.50%), blue - collar workers (58.33%) and craftsmen (62.50%) were higher than other occupations; Habitat: living in rural and dormitory had the prevalence cutaneous fungal disease higher than private house in urban; Drug using for previous treat: treating with corticoides were more affected than antibiotics and other drugs, living facilities and personal characteristics: unavailable freshwater, physical activities, usual sweat. Conclusion: The prevalence of cutaneous fungal disease in patients of clinically suspected dermatomycose lesion was 51.81%. Tinea corporis is the commonest clinical type. Related factors of this disease were age, gender, occupation, habitat, previous treating by corticoides, unavailable freshwater, physical activities, usual sweat. Key words: Cutaneous fungal disease, clinical types, tinea. Key words: Cutaneous fungal disease, clinical types, tinea

Effect of conidial dispersal of the fungal pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) on survival of its gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) host

Abstract Several researchers have developed a one-generational computer model that simulates infection prevalence of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar , caterpillars by its fungal pathogen, Entomophaga maimaiga . Inputs required are temperature, humidity, and rainfall records, a measure of fungus resting spore load in the soil, and an estimate of gypsy moth larval density. In a previous study, the model accurately tracked fungal-induced host mortality as long as airborne fungal conidia were allowed to disperse freely over a local area. In 2002, dispersal of conidia and its influence on the impact of the fungus on the gypsy moth was investigated. Gypsy moth densities and fungus resting spore loads were measured in 15 plots within a 3 km area. In 7 of the plots, prevalence of fungal disease was determined weekly by collecting and rearing gypsy moth larvae. Different strategies were used to disperse conidia within the model, and resulting simulated prevalence rates were compared to actual data. Model output was most accurate when airborne conidia were permitted to disperse equally to all plots. Thus, to accurately assess the impact of the fungus in one location, it is necessary to take into account fungal activity throughout the local area.

Febrile neutropenia: antifungal prophylaxis

Despite being widely practised there is little or no evidence to support the use of antifungal prophylaxis in febrile nuetropenic patients. With the greater recognition of risk factor, the incereasing readiness to use imaging techniques such as the high-resolution CT scan and new methods for detecting fungi such as Aspergillus galactomannan on the one hand and the widening choice of drugs on the other hand, it may be possible to move away from prophylaxis towards pre-emptive treatment when the prevalence of fungal disease is low. Howeveer, the case still has to be proven convincingly by conducting formal clinical trials.

Skin cancer after renal transplantation: the causal role of azathioprine.

In 167 unselected patients with renal allografts, after a lag of 3.5 years the prevalence of dysplastic keratotic lesions increased linearly by 6.8%/yr and number of lesions also increased. There was no relationship to sun exposure or skin type. Malignancies occurred in 5 patients after 9 years. Viral warts occurred in 42% but prevalence and extent were not related to time after transplantation or keratoses. Comparison with other drugs and diseases suggests malignant keratoses are initiated in two stages by the cytotoxic effect of azathioprine, the role of immunosuppression remaining unproved. Psoriasis and eczema remitted and the prevalence of zoster and fungal disease increased. P. orbiculare (but not P. ovale) infection increased, unlike in other states of immunosuppression, suggesting the organisms are distinct, not transitional, and differently influenced by the different immunodeficient states induced by drugs and disease.