The role of medical mycology societies in combating invasive fungal infections in low- and middle-income countries: A Nigerian model.

The discipline of medical mycology has become increasingly relevant in the face of the rising incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFI), which pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for contemporary medical practice. While firmly established in developed countries, medical mycology remains obscure in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). With a teeming vulnerable populace and an incidence rate of 11.8%, Nigeria has one of the highest estimated burdens of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in the world. Regardless, the scourge of IFIs has remained silent due to a combination of factors principal amongst which are a lack of awareness and dearth in personnel skilled in diagnosis. The present narrative examines the status of medical mycology practice in Nigeria and chronicles the journey to change the status quo spurred by the Leading International Fungal Education (LIFE)-facilitated burden estimate paper and culminating in the birth of the Medical Mycology Society of Nigeria (MMSN), the pioneer national medical mycology society in Africa. The prospects of tackling the IFI challenge are highlighted from the perspective of the nascent society.

Global guideline for the diagnosis and management of cryptococcosis: an initiative of the ECMM and ISHAM in cooperation with the ASM.

Cryptococcosis is a major worldwide disseminated invasive fungal infection. Cryptococcosis, particularly in its most lethal manifestation of cryptococcal meningitis, accounts for substantial mortality and morbidity. The breadth of the clinical cryptococcosis syndromes, the different patient types at-risk and affected, and the vastly disparate resource settings where clinicians practice pose a complex array of challenges. Expert contributors from diverse regions of the world have collated data, reviewed the evidence, and provided insightful guideline recommendations for health practitioners across the globe. This guideline offers updated practical guidance and implementable recommendations on the clinical approaches, screening, diagnosis, management, and follow-up care of a patient with cryptococcosis and serves as a comprehensive synthesis of current evidence on cryptococcosis. This Review seeks to facilitate optimal clinical decision making on cryptococcosis and addresses the myriad of clinical complications by incorporating data from historical and contemporary clinical trials. This guideline is grounded on a set of core management principles, while acknowledging the practical challenges of antifungal access and resource limitations faced by many clinicians and patients. More than 70 societies internationally have endorsed the content, structure, evidence, recommendation, and pragmatic wisdom of this global cryptococcosis guideline to inform clinicians about the past, present, and future of care for a patient with cryptococcosis.

Histoplasmosis in Africa: Current perspectives, knowledge gaps, and research priorities.

BACKGROUND: Histoplasmosis is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by the thermally dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. The 2 variants Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum (Hcc) and Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii (Hcd) causes infection in humans and commonly termed classical or American histoplasmosis and African histoplasmosis, respectively. Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum (Hcf) affects equines. In recent times, there have been heightened sensitization on fungal infections such as histoplasmosis in Africa, aimed at improving awareness among relevant stakeholders, particularly healthcare workers. This effort is expected to be paralleled with increased detection of both classical and African histoplasmosis, which has remained underdiagnosed over the years. In this narrative review, we describe the current perspectives of histoplasmosis in Africa, identify knowledge gaps, and suggest research priorities. METHODS: A PubMed, Google Scholar, and Africa Journal Online (AJOL) literature search was conducted for studies on histoplasmosis in Africa between 2000 and 2020. Histoplasmosis essays in medical mycology textbooks were also consulted. This narrative review was prepared from the data gathered. FINDINGS: In the past 2 decades, histoplasmosis in general has seen a relative increase in case detection in some Africa countries, probably attributable to the gradually increasing medical mycology advocacy efforts in Africa. Histoplasmosis cases are dominated by African histoplasmosis mostly in Western and Central Africa, while classical histoplasmosis is more common in Southern and Northern Africa. Although both classical and African histoplasmosis are common in Africa, the latter is more restricted to Africa, and cases outside the continent usually have a travel history to the continent. Despite the clinical and laboratory difference between African histoplasmosis and classical histoplasmosis, it is not straightforward to distinguish them. The typical manifestation of African histoplasmosis is the appearance of lesions affecting the skin, bones, and lymph nodes and unusually linked to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS. By contrast, classical histoplasmosis mostly affects the lungs and is often associated with immunosuppression, mainly HIV/AIDS. The present perspectives of histoplasmosis in Africa highlight unclear details on the true burden, strain diversity, infection route and genetic basis of African histoplasmosis, availability of specie-specific diagnostic tools, and compliance with recommended antifungal therapy. These knowledge gaps represent research questions that require scientific exploration. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a subtle increase in identifying histoplasmosis cases in Africa, it remains underdiagnosed and neglected in some parts of the continent. Increasing awareness and training among healthcare workers, bridging diagnostic and therapeutic gaps, and encouraging more research in Africa are crucial to improve the current perspectives of histoplasmosis in Africa.

Clinico-etiologic profile of hand dermatitis and patch response of patients at a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria: results of a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Hand dermatitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the skin of the hands from a multifactorial cause which may be endogenous, exogenous, or a combination of both. With a wide range in severity and recurrent periods of flares, it has significant impact on the quality of life of its sufferers. A history of atopy predisposes patients to hand dermatitis, but contact dermatitis, either allergic or irritant, is the more commonly implicated factor in the etiology of hand dermatitis. Patch testing is an important tool in identifying the allergen responsible for allergic hand dermatitis, and this knowledge will contribute to improved management. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical and etiologic profile and review the patch responses of patients who presented with hand dermatitis at a foremost tertiary skin clinic in the most populous state of the most populous country in Africa. METHODS: A prospective, observational study in which consecutive walk-in patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Ethical clearance was obtained. Study tools included self-administered questionnaires, physical examination, and patch tests (European Hermal series), amongst others. The patch tests were carried out. Results were documented, and treatment was individualized based on clinical and investigation findings. The results were collated and analyzed with SPSS® 17.0 edition (SPSS II). RESULTS: Hand dermatitis was seen in 177 (13.3%) patients who presented during the study period. The mean age was 34.6 + 17.4 years. Almost two-thirds of patients (119; 67.2%) had chronic hand dermatitis, while 53 (32.8%) presented acutely. Patch responses were positive in 65 (36.7%) patients with paraphenylenediamine identified as the most frequent cause. Respondents had at least one (+) response to 20 of the 28 allergens, while there was no response to eight of the allergens in the European series. CONCLUSION: The study reveals that hand dermatitis is present in a younger age group and a variety of subtypes coexist. Locally sourced allergens are needed to improve the yield of patch responses.

Histoplasmosis in Africa: An emerging or a neglected disease?

Histoplasmosis in Africa has markedly increased since the advent of the HIV/AIDS epidemic but is under-recognised. Pulmonary histoplasmosis may be misdiagnosed as tuberculosis (TB). In the last six decades (1952-2017), 470 cases of histoplasmosis have been reported. HIV-infected patients accounted for 38% (178) of the cases. West Africa had the highest number of recorded cases with 179; the majority (162 cases) were caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. dubuosii (Hcd). From the Southern African region, 150 cases have been reported, and the majority (119) were caused by H. capsulatum var. capsulatum (Hcc). There have been 12 histoplasmin skin test surveys with rates of 0% to 35% positivity. Most cases of Hcd presented as localised lesions in immunocompetent persons; however, it was disseminated in AIDS patients. Rapid diagnosis of histoplasmosis in Africa is only currently possible using microscopy; antigen testing and PCR are not available in most of Africa. Treatment requires amphotericin B and itraconazole, both of which are not licensed or available in several parts of Africa.

Prior subclinical histoplasmosis revealed in Nigeria using histoplasmin skin testing.

OBJECTIVES: Disseminated histoplasmosis is an AIDS-defining illness. Histoplasmosis is commonly misdiagnosed as tuberculosis. Nigeria has the second highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Africa. The present study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of skin sensitivity amongst Nigerians to histoplasmin. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six centres across five geopolitical zones of Nigeria. METHODS: We recruited both healthy non-HIV and HIV-positive adults with CD4 count ≥ 350 cells/mm3 regardless of their ART status from March to May 2017. Skin tests were performed intradermally; induration ≥5 mm were considered to be histoplasmin positive. RESULTS: 750 participants were recruited from Lagos (n = 52), Yola (n = 156), Ilorin (n = 125), Calabar (n = 120), Ibadan (n = 202) and Benin (n = 95). 467 (62.3%) were HIV negative, 247 (32.9%) were HIV positive and 36 (4.8%) did not know their HIV status. A total of 32/735 (4.4%) participants had a positive skin test. Study centre (p<0.001), education (p = 0.002) and age (p = 0.005) appeared to be significantly associated with positive skin reactivity at the 0.5% significance level, while sex (p = 0.031) and occupation (p = 0.031) would have been significant at the 5% significance level. Males had a higher rate of reactivity than females (p = 0.031, 7% vs 3%). The highest positive rates were recorded from Benin City (13/86 (15%)) and Calabar (7/120 (6%)) and no positives were recorded in Lagos (p<0.001). HIV status was not statistically significant (p = 0.70). CONCLUSION: Histoplasmosis diagnostics should be included in the Nigerian HIV guidelines. Epidemiological vigilance of progressive disseminated histoplasmosis should be considered by local health authorities.

Growing trend of tattooing and its complications in Nigeria.

Tattoo, a Polynesian word meaning 'to mark', is a form of body modification done by inserting indelible ink into the dermis to change its pigmentation. Tattoos are done for social, cultural, and religious purposes. It has been in existence since the 18th century and was associated with sailors, lower class individuals, and criminals. However, since the late 20th century, tattooing has undergone a redefinition and shifted to an acceptable form of expression all over the world, including Nigeria, cutting across almost all age groups and socioeconomic class. This review is aimed at highlighting the indication, complications arising from the procedure as well as removal, and how to manage them. The dermatological complications associated with tattoos can occur either during inking or attempts at removal. Most times, tattoos are obtained through unsafe means by unauthorized personnel, and this is associated with numerous health risks. Of particular importance to the dermatologists are the hypersensitivity reactions, granulomatous skin disease, and formation of both keloid and hypertrophic scars. Treatment options vary and include use of silicone gel and intralesional steroids for hypertrophic and keloid scars, topical medication for hyperpigmentation, and use of LASER for tattoo removal. In conclusion, the trend of tattooing has become a widely accepted form of social expression all over the world and is gradually gaining ground in Nigeria. Patients frequently present to the dermatologists and physicians for solutions to the complications. It is important to proffer solutions and educate patients on the various health risks associated with tattooing.

Management of skin diseases among community pharmacists in Lagos, Nigeria

amongst others. Pharmacists play an important role in identifying and managing skin problems, especially in Nigeria and other developing countries with few dermatologists found mainly in tertiary centres. This study aimed to evaluate and document community pharmacists' role in managing skin diseases in Lagos, Nigeria.Methods: Questionnaires were administered to 140 community pharmacists (70 each in Lagos Island and Lagos Mainland chosen from the zonal list of community pharmacists obtained from Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) Lagos State Branch. Data generated were collated and analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package of Social Sciences) version 20.0. The results were presented as frequency tables and charts.Results: One hundred and twenty (120; 85.7%) questionnaires were returned for analysis. The results revealed that community pharmacists mainly treat patients with dermatological complaints with triple combination creams. The study shows that though pharmacists manage many patients with skin problems, their knowledge base is poor and treatment sub-optimal. The survey also shows that the most common skin problems encountered by community pharmacies are acne, bacterial infections and eczema.Conclusion: It can be concluded from this study that pharmacists need to undergo training in management of skin diseases to help the many patients that approach them. It is recommended that community pharmacists undergo appropriate training programmes to improve their output