Prophylactic use of a lyophilized platelet product for rhinoscopic diagnosis and treatment of sinonasal aspergillosis in a dog with a P2Y12 platelet receptor mutation.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the periprocedural use of a lyophilized platelet product during rhinoscopic diagnosis and treatment of sinonasal aspergillosis in a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog with a P2Y12 platelet receptor disorder. CASE SUMMARY: After the development of severe epistaxis, a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was diagnosed with thrombopathia secondary to a P2Y12 receptor gene mutation. Concurrent primary nasal disease was also suspected due to persistent mucopurulent nasal discharge. One month after the initial presentation for epistaxis, the dog was readmitted for workup of nasal disease. Computed tomography of the head showed turbinate lysis and regional lymphadenopathy. Because of concern for a high risk of bleeding in a thrombopathic patient subjected to rhinoscopy and nasal biopsies, a lyophilized platelet product was administered prior to the procedure. Rhinoscopic exam revealed fungal plaques consistent with Aspergillus spp. that were later confirmed on fungal culture to be Aspergillus fumigatus. Rhinoscopic biopsies were performed as well as debridement of the fungal plaques, followed by topical administration of clotrimazole solution. Bleeding was minimal during and after the procedure, and the dog recovered uneventfully. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: This is the first report of the prophylactic use of lyophilized platelets in a thrombopathic patient undergoing an invasive procedure with potential for significant hemorrhage. Minimal bleeding occurred during the procedure, suggesting that lyophilized platelets could be used for the prevention of bleeding in thrombopathic patients undergoing invasive procedures.

Central Retinal Artery Occlusion in Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis: An Inflammatory-Prothrombotic State.

PURPOSE: The aim was to evaluate patient profiles of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) cases with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) postcoronavirus disease 2019. DESIGN: A nonrandomized retrospective case-control study. METHODS: The ROCM cases presenting with CRAO were compared with a control ROCM group without CRAO at a tertiary care center. Demography, systemic status, clinical features, histopathology, imaging, and blood profile were assessed for any specific risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 12 patients were seen in the CRAO group and 16 in the non-CRAO group. The male-to-female ratio was 3:1 with a mean age of 49.5 years. In the CRAO group, 75% had diabetes mellitus with mean hemoglobin A1c of 9.03%, and 66.7% had received steroid treatment. All cases were histopathologically confirmed positive for mucor. There was a significant difference in mean D-dimer and serum ferritin between the 2 groups, with higher level in the CRAO group. All patients with CRAO had light perception-negative vision, with total ophthalmoplegia and proptosis seen in 66.7% of cases. Four patients had orbital apex involvement, 5 had cavernous sinus involvement, and 8 had intracranial involvement in the CRAO group. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory markers D-dimer and serum ferritin were significantly associated with CRAO, suggestive of hyperinflammatory and hypercoagulable state. A high index of suspicion should be maintained in cases with elevated markers and prophylactic anticoagulants can be started to prevent CRAO in a subset of patients.

Utility of fungal polymerase chain reaction on nasal swab samples in the diagnosis and monitoring of sinonasal aspergillosis in dogs.

BACKGROUND: In dogs with sinonasal aspergillosis (SNA) the utility of PCR in the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease after treatment has not been assessed. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the presence of fungal DNA using quantitative PCR targeting Aspergillus fumigatus (Aspfum) and Aspergillus spp. (PanAsp), and PCR targeting multiple fungal species (PanFun), in samples obtained from nasal cavities of dogs with SNA, other nasal diseases and healthy dogs. ANIMALS: Sixty-two dogs including 20 with SNA, 12 with cured SNA (of which 10 are from the SNA group), 20 dogs with Non-SNA nasal disease, and 20 healthy dogs. METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study. Aspfum, PanAsp, and PanFun were performed on blindly collected nasal swabs obtained in anesthetized dogs. RESULTS: In SNA dogs, Aspfum and PanAsp were positive in 13/20 and 14/20 dogs. In all dogs in the 3 other groups, A. fumigatus DNA was not detected using Aspfum. PanAsp was positive in 3 non-SNA dogs: 1 with cured SNA and 2 with Non-SNA nasal disease. A Ct cut-off value of 33.3 for Aspfum demonstrated 65% sensitivity and 100% specificity. A Ct cut-off value of 34.5 for PanAsp demonstrated 70% sensitivity and 96.2% specificity. PanFun was positive in 16/20, 12/12, 19/20, and 7/20 dogs in the SNA, cured SNA, Non-SNA, and healthy groups, respectively. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Aspfum and PanAsp on blindly collected nasal swabs can be useful for the detection of SNA at diagnosis and at cure, especially when more invasive methods are not available.

Efficacy of mupirocin, neomycin and octenidine for nasal Staphylococcus aureus decolonisation: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) causes significant morbidity. Methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) is the most frequent organism, and the majority are endogenous. Decolonisation reduces PJIs but there is a paucity of evidence comparing treatments. Aims; compare 3 nasal decolonisation treatments at (1) achieving MSSA decolonisation, (2) preventing PJI. METHODS: Our hospital prospectively collected data on our MSSA decolonisation programme since 2013, including; all MSSA carriers, treatment received, MSSA status at time of surgery and all PJIs. Prior to 2017 MSSA carriers received nasal mupirocin or neomycin, from August 2017 until August 2019 nasal octenidine was used. RESULTS: During the study period 15,958 primary hip and knee replacements were performed. 3200 (20.1%) were MSSA positive at preoperative screening and received decolonisation treatment, 698 mupirocin, 1210 neomycin and 1221 octenidine. Mupirocin (89.1%) and neomycin (90.9%) were more effective at decolonisation than octenidine (50.0%, P < 0.0001). There was no difference in PJI rates (P = 0.452). CONCLUSIONS: Mupirocin and neomycin are more effective than octenidine at MSSA decolonisation. There was poor correlation between the MSSA status after treatment (on day of surgery) and PJI rates. Further research is needed to compare alternative MSSA decolonisation treatments.

Black Fungus Complicated with COVID-19 in a Man with Underlying Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

COVID-19 is a disease reported to suppress cellular immunity. This may lead to the development of opportunistic infections, among others black fungus, or mucormycosis. On the other hand, pre-existing defect in immunity may render patients susceptible to both mucormycosis and COVID-19. Mucormycosis is a relatively rare fungal infection with rapid progression unless diagnosed promptly and treated adequately, and urgent surgical and medical intervention is lifesaving. The manifestation of mucormycosis largely depends on the presence of exposure to the pathogen and the existing risk factor of the host. As black fungus is locally invasive, the majority of cases will involve tissue damage with local destruction and contiguous spread to nearby structure. We here with present a case of black fungus complicated with COVID-19 in a man with underlying non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Rhino-orbital-cerebral-mucormycosis in COVID-19: A systematic review.

Since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, parallel opportunistic infections have also been emerging as another disease spectrum. Among all these opportunistic infection, mucormycosis has become a matter of concern with its rapid increase of cases with rapid spread as compared to pre-COVID-19 era. Cases have been reported in post-COVID-19-related immune suppression along with the presence of comorbidity which adds on the deadly outcome. There is no systematic review addressing the issue of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis. This is the first systematic review of published studies of mucormycosis associated with COVID-19. The aim was to analyze the real scenario of the disease statement including all the published studies from first November 2019 to 30th June to analyze the contemporary epidemiology, clinical manifestations, risk factor, prognosis, and treatment outcome of COVID-19 associated rhino-orbito-cerebral-mucormycosis. A comprehensive literature search was done in following databases, namely, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and EMBASE using keywords mucormycosis, rhino orbital cerebral mucormycosis, COVID-19, and SARS-CoV-2 (from November 01, 2019 to June 30, 2021). Our study shows that, while corticosteroids have proved to be lifesaving in severe to critical COVID-19 patients, its indiscriminate use has come with its price of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis epidemic, especially in India especially in patients with preexisting diabetes mellitus with higher mortality. Corticosteroid use should be monitored and all COVID-19 patients should be closely evaluated/monitored for sequelae of immunosuppression following treatment.

Rhinofacial conidiobolomycosis: Clinical and microbiological characterisation and shift in the management of a rare disease.

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.

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis secondary to severe acute pancreatitis and diabetic ketoacidosis: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is a rare and severe form of opportunistic fungal infection that can develop rapidly and cause significant mortality, particularly among diabetic patients suffering from ketoacidosis. Diagnosing rhinocerebral mucormycosis during the early stages of infection is challenging. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a case of rhinocerebral mucormycosis secondary to severe acute pancreatitis in a patient suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis. In this case, the condition was not diagnosed during the optimal treatment window. we therefore provide a thorough overview of related clinical findings and histopathological characteristics, and we discuss potential differential diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we described a case of rhinocerebral mucormycosis secondary to severe acute pancreatitis in a patient suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis, with the optimal treatment window for this condition having been missed. This report suggests that a definitive mucormycosis diagnosis can be made based upon tissue biopsy that reveals the presence of characteristic hyphae. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential in order to improve patient prognosis.

Acute Invasive Rhino-Orbital Mucormycosis in a Patient With COVID-19-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis is a rare, although highly morbid, infection primarily affecting immunosuppressed individuals. The same population is at particularly high risk of complications and mortality in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related acute respiratory distress syndrome. The authors present a case of acute invasive fungal rhino-orbital mucormycosis in a patient with COVID-19 and discuss the prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of fungal coinfections in COVID-19. Prompt recognition, initiation of therapy, and consideration of the challenges of rapidly evolving COVID-19 therapy guidelines are important for improving patient survival.

Bat white-nose syndrome: a devastating epizootic in North America / El síndrome de la nariz blanca en murciélagos: una devastadora epizootia en Norteamérica

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Volatile organic compounds kill the white-nose syndrome fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, in hibernaculum sediment.

Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungal pathogen that causes white-nose syndrome, has killed millions of bats across eastern North America and continues to threaten new bat populations. The spread and persistence of P. destructans has likely been worsened by the ability of this fungus to grow as a saprotroph in the hibernaculum environment. Reducing the environmental growth of P. destructans may improve bat survival. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are attractive candidates to target environmental P. destructans, as they can permeate through textured environments that may be difficult to thoroughly contact with other control mechanisms. We tested in hibernaculum sediment the performance of VOCs that were previously shown to inhibit P. destructans growth in agar cultures and examined the inhibition kinetics and specificity of these compounds. Three VOCs, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, and 1-pentanol, were fungicidal towards P. destructans in hibernaculum sediment, fast-acting, and had greater effects against P. destructans than other Pseudogymnoascus species. Our results suggest that use of these VOCs may be considered further as an effective management strategy to reduce the environmental exposure of bats to P. destructans in hibernacula.

Patología infecciosa del vestíbulo nasal / Infectious diseases of the nasal vestibule

El vestíbulo nasal corresponde a la primera porción de la fosa nasal, éste se encuentra delimitado lateralmente por los cartílagos alares y medialmente por el borde caudal del septum nasal y la columela. Las enfermedades infecciosas del vestíbulo nasal son patologías frecuentes en la práctica clínica; su diagnóstico se realiza en base a sospecha clínica y examen físico, requiriendo habitualmente solo manejo médico ambulatorio. Desde el punto de vista etiológico pueden ser virales, bacterianas y fúngicas. Las principales especies bacterianas involucradas corresponden a Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa, S. epidermidis, S. hominis y S. haemolyticus, difteroides spp y S. aureus. Su manejo es esencialmente médico con casos excepcionales requiriendo manejo quirúrgico. En la actualidad existe escasa información epidemiológica al respecto, lo que dificultad la clasificación de los dichos cuadros clínicos. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura sobre cuadros infecciosos que afectan el vestíbulo nasal para lograr sistematizar y clarificar las distintas patologías y sus tratamientos.

The nasal vestibule corresponds to the first portion of the nasal passage, limited laterally by the lateral crus and medially by the caudal edge of the nasal septum and columella. Infectious diseases of the nasal vestibule are frequent in clinical practice, diagnosis is made based on clinical suspicion and physical examination, usually requiring only ambulatory medical management. In terms of etiology, they can be viral, bacterial and fungal. The main bacterial species involved correspond: Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, S. epidermidis, S. hominis and S. haemolyticus, difteroides spp and S. aureus. Management is essentially medical and only exceptionally requires surgery. Currently, there is a lack of epidemiological information in this regard, which makes it difficult to classify these clinical conditions. A review of the literature on infectious conditions that affect the nasal vestibule was performed, to systematize and clarify the different pathologies and their management.

A Rare Cause of Headache That Should Be Kept in Mind: Isolated Concha Bullosa Fungus Ball.

Concha bullosa is characterized by pneumotization of the middle turbinate and is a common variation of sinonasal anatomy and is often asymptomatic. The presence of a fungus ball in concha bullosa and the associated clinic symptoms are very rare. Concha bullosa fungus balls are a rare differential diagnosis in a patient presenting to the otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic with headache.In this article, the authors aimed to present an isolated fungus ball case in concha bullosa as a rare cause of headache differential diagnosis.

Interferon inducible GBPs restrict Burkholderia thailandensis motility induced cell-cell fusion.

Innate immunity responds to pathogens by producing alarm signals and activating pathways that make host cells inhospitable for pathogen replication. The intracellular bacterium Burkholderia thailandensis invades the cytosol, hijacks host actin, and induces cell fusion to spread to adjacent cells, forming multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs) which promote bacterial replication. We show that type I interferon (IFN) restricts macrophage MNGC formation during B. thailandensis infection. Guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) expressed downstream of type I IFN were required to restrict MNGC formation through inhibition of bacterial Arp2/3-dependent actin motility during infection. GTPase activity and the CAAX prenylation domain were required for GBP2 recruitment to B. thailandensis, which restricted bacterial actin polymerization required for MNGC formation. Consistent with the effects in in vitro macrophages, Gbp2-/-, Gbp5-/-, GbpChr3-KO mice were more susceptible to intranasal infection with B. thailandensis than wildtype mice. Our findings reveal that IFN and GBPs play a critical role in restricting cell-cell fusion and bacteria-induced pathology during infection.

Environmental reservoir dynamics predict global infection patterns and population impacts for the fungal disease white-nose syndrome.

Disease outbreaks and pathogen introductions can have significant effects on host populations, and the ability of pathogens to persist in the environment can exacerbate disease impacts by fueling sustained transmission, seasonal epidemics, and repeated spillover events. While theory suggests that the presence of an environmental reservoir increases the risk of host declines and threat of extinction, the influence of reservoir dynamics on transmission and population impacts remains poorly described. Here we show that the extent of the environmental reservoir explains broad patterns of host infection and the severity of disease impacts of a virulent pathogen. We examined reservoir and host infection dynamics and the resulting impacts of Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungal pathogen that causes white-nose syndrome, in 39 species of bats at 101 sites across the globe. Lower levels of pathogen in the environment consistently corresponded to delayed infection of hosts, fewer and less severe infections, and reduced population impacts. In contrast, an extensive and persistent environmental reservoir led to early and widespread infections and severe population declines. These results suggest that continental differences in the persistence or decay of P. destructans in the environment altered infection patterns in bats and influenced whether host populations were stable or experienced severe declines from this disease. Quantifying the impact of the environmental reservoir on disease dynamics can provide specific targets for reducing pathogen levels in the environment to prevent or control future epidemics.