Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing Assists in the Diagnosis of Mediastinal Aspergillus fumigatus Abscess in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Background: Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic fungal pathogen, which is commonly found in lungs and rarely causes infections in mediastinum. Mediastinal Aspergillus abscess is a serious infectious condition, and is characterized by difficult diagnosis due to its clinical manifestations being nonspecific. Case Presentation: Here, we report a case of a mediastinal Aspergillus fumigatus abscess in an immunocompetent patient. The patient was a 45-year-old woman who presented with a 20-day history of sore throat without any underlying diseases. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a mass in the anterior superior mediastinum. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) identified Aspergillus fumigatus sequences in endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) tissue, indicating the mediastinal Aspergillus fumigatus infection of this patient. The following mediastinal biopsy histological analysis and tissue fungi culture also suggested Aspergillus fumigatus infection, confirming the mNGS detection. The patient was diagnosed with mediastinal aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. After timely voriconazole treatment, the patient was discharged with good condition. Conclusion: Our study presented a rare case with mediastinal Aspergillus fumigatus abscess in an immunocompetent patient. As a new clinical diagnostic method, mNGS could assist timely diagnosis and precise treatment of Aspergillus infection.

Two new species of Diphya Nicolet, 1849 (Araneae, Tetragnathidae) from Southwest China.

Two new species of tetragnathid spiders from Guizhou and Sichuang provinces of China are described: Diphyaguiyang J. Zhang & H. Yu, sp. nov. (♂♀) and Diphyaweimiani J. Zhang & H. Yu, sp. nov. (♀). Detailed descriptions, diagnoses, and photographs are provided for these two species, as well as a key and a distribution map for Chinese Diphya species. DNA barcodes (a partial fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, COI) of both new species were obtained for species delimitation, matching of different sexes, and future use in molecular studies.

Forty-two years of scientific research on eight legs-celebrating the 60th birthday of Dr Yuri M. Marusik.

The biography of Dr Yuri Mikhailovich Marusik is presented, and his scientific life illuminated on the occasion of his 60th birthday. Yuri is a renowned specialist of spiders. He has described 718 new species, 57 new genera, and two new subfamilies of order Araneae. Twenty-five species and one genus have been dedicated to him. Facts and impressions are given as well as a bibliography of his 545 publications.