Fungal contamination of water and water-related surfaces in three hospital wards with immunocompromised patients at risk for invasive fungal infections

2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia de Castro Figueiredo Fonseca ◽  
Adel Bouakline ◽  
Jean-Pierre Claisse ◽  
Martine Feuilhade ◽  
André Baruchel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Invasive Fungal Infections ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
Fungal Contamination ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Hospital Wards

scholarly journals Prophylaxis of Invasive Fungal Infections: A Review of the Use of Posaconazole

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. CMT.S1948
Author(s):  
Curtis D. Collins ◽  
Jeannina A. Smith ◽  
Daniel R. Kaul
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Individual Case ◽  
Invasive Fungal Infections ◽  
Cost Of Care ◽  
Therapeutic Drug ◽  
Patients At Risk

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) cause significant morbidity, mortality, and increased cost of care in patients with hematological malignancies, prolonged (i.e. >7-10 days) treatment induced neutropenia, and other disease states causing underlying immunosuppression. One strategy often used to combat the development of invasive infections is the use of antifungal agents as prophylaxis in at risk patients. Posaconazole is an oral triazole with a useful spectrum of activity against many fungal pathogens of concern in patients at risk for the development of IFIs. Posaconazole is only available in oral formulation and therapeutic drug monitoring may provide value due to variable absorption and serum concentrations. Clinical efficacy and pharmacoeconomic data have demonstrated the utility of posaconazole in the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis and for prophylaxis in patients at risk for development of IFIs. Several organizations or expert groups involved in developing guidelines for the management of IFIs recommend posaconazole anti-fungal prophylaxis in patients with AML or MDS and chemotherapy induced neutropenia or significant GVHD. In addition, nonrandomized studies (largely of salvage therapy) and case series suggest that posaconazole may be effective as treatment for invasive aspergillosis, zygomycosis, and coccidiomycosis. Further, small case series or individual case reports suggest activity against other less commonly encountered filamentous fungi and Histoplasma.

Artificial Nails: Are They Putting Patients at Risk? A Review of the Research

2002 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 164-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Toles
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Surgical Patients ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
Fungal Contamination ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Patients At Risk

The use of artificial nails has become a popular fashion trend, and many health care workers are following this trend. There is debate whether artificial nails are putting patients at risk of nosocomial infections. Researchers have shown that the colony counts on artificial nails are greater than the colony counts on native nails. Artificial nails have also been linked to poor hand washing practices and more tears in gloves. These factors lead to an increased risk of transmitting bacteria to patients. This transmission could greatly affect patients because the hospitalized patient's risk of nosocomial infection is high. The purpose of this article is to review the data related to the bacterial and fungal contamination of artificial nails and their implications for health care workers. Most of the review describes findings of studies of surgical patients and health care workers who work in surgery departments, but the research applies to any area where there is a risk of transferring potential pathogens to immunocompromised patients.

Identification and in Vitro Susceptibility Pattern of Fungal Pathogens in Immunocompromised Patients with invasive Fungal Infections

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-134
Author(s):  
Shaimaa A.S. Selem ◽  
Neveen A. Hassan ◽  
Mohamed Z. Abd El-Rahman ◽  
Doaa M. Abd El-Kareem
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Invasive Fungal Infections ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Vitek 2

Background: In intensive care units, invasive fungal infections have become more common, particularly among immunocompromised patients. Early identification and starting the treatment of those patients with antifungal therapy is critical for preventing unnecessary use of toxic antifungal agents. Objective: The aim of this research is to determine which common fungi cause invasive fungal infection in immunocompromised patients, as well as their antifungal susceptibility patterns in vitro, in Assiut University Hospitals. Methodology: This was a hospital based descriptive study conducted on 120 patients with clinical suspicion of having fungal infections admitted at different Intensive Care Units (ICUs) at Assiut University Hospitals. Direct microscopic examination and inoculation on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) were performed on the collected specimens. Isolated yeasts were classified using phenotypic methods such as chromogenic media (Brilliance Candida agar), germ tube examination, and the Vitek 2 system for certain isolates, while the identification of mould isolates was primarily based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. Moulds were tested in vitro for antifungal susceptibility using the disc diffusion, and yeast were tested using Vitek 2 device cards. Results: In this study, 100 out of 120 (83.3%) of the samples were positive for fungal infection. Candida and Aspergillus species were the most commonly isolated fungal pathogens. The isolates had the highest sensitivity to Amphotericin B (95 %), followed by Micafungin (94 %) in an in vitro sensitivity survey. Conclusion: Invasive fungal infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients, with Candida albicans being the most frequently isolated yeast from various clinical specimens; however, the rise in resistance, especially to azoles, is a major concern.

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