Dermatophytosis caused by Nannizzia nana (Microsporum nanum): a comprehensive review on a novel pathogen.

Keratinophilic fungi are mostly soil-inhabiting organisms with occasional infections in humans and animals. Even though most dermatophytes are host-adapted, cross-species infections are common by zoophilic and geophilic dermatophytes. N. nana is considered an etiological agent of ringworm in pigs but has also been isolated from other animals, including humans. However, it also possesses many characteristics of geophilic dermatophytes including the ability to grow in soil. N. nana produces characteristic pear-shaped macroconidia and usually exhibits an ectothrix pattern of hair infection. It has been isolated from dermatitis lesions as well as from soil. N. nana infections in pigs are not of much concern as far as economy or health is concerned. But it has been associated with onychomycosis and gonathritis in humans, which are significant in human medicine. The shift in the predominance of dermatophytes in humans and the ability to evolve into a potential tinea pathogen necessitates more understanding of the physiology and genetics of N. nana. In this review, we have attempted a detailed analysis of the studies about N. nana, emphasizing growth and cultural characters, physiology, isolation, infection in humans and animals, molecular characterization and antifungal susceptibility.

Vaccine hesitancy among communities in ten countries in Asia, Africa, and South America during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vaccine hesitancy is considered one of the greatest threats to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination programs. Lack of trust in vaccine benefits, along with concerns about side effects of the newly developed COVID-19 vaccine, might significantly contribute to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The objective of this study was to determine the level of vaccine hesitancy among communities in particular their belief in vaccination benefits and perceived risks of new vaccines. An online cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 countries in Asia, Africa, and South America from February to May 2021. Seven items from the WHO SAGE Vaccine Hesitancy Scale were used to measure a construct of belief in vaccination benefit, and one item measured perceived riskiness of new vaccines. A logistic regression was used to determine which sociodemographic factors were associated with both vaccine hesitancy constructs. A total of 1,832 respondents were included in the final analysis of which 36.2% (range 5.6-52.2%) and 77.6% (range 38.3-91.2%) of them were classified as vaccine hesitant in terms of beliefs in vaccination benefits and concerns about new vaccines, respectively. Respondents from Pakistan had the highest vaccine hesitancy while those from Chile had the lowest. Being females, Muslim, having a non-healthcare-related job and not receiving a flu vaccination during the past 12 months were associated with poor beliefs of vaccination benefits. Those who were living in rural areas, Muslim, and those who did not received a flu vaccination during the past 12 months had relatively higher beliefs that new vaccines are riskier. High prevalence of vaccine hesitancy in some countries during the COVID-19 pandemic might hamper COVID-19 vaccination programs worldwide. Programs should be developed to promote vaccination in those sociodemographic groups with relatively high vaccine hesitancy.