LDBio Aspergillus immunochromatographic test lateral flow assay for IgG/IgM antibody detection in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: Single-centre evaluation and meta-analysis

Purpose: Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is an infection of the lung usually caused by Aspergillus fumigatus in patients with pre-existing pulmonary diseases. Its diagnosis hinges on demonstrating IgG antibodies against A. fumigatus. Herein, we evaluated the performance of a newly introduced point of care test (POCT) kit, the LDBio Aspergillus IgG/IgM lateral flow assay (LFA) in India with the standard ImmunoCAP kit for diagnosing CPA. Methods: A total of 60 serum samples (30 CPA cases and 30 controls) were evaluated by the Aspergillus immunochromatographic test (ICT) IgG/IgM LFA. Fluorescent-enzyme immunoassay was used to determine specific A. fumigatus-IgG concentrations (positive >27 mgA/L). Further, a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies (up to August 26, 2021) reporting the performance of LDBio ICT for the diagnosis of CPA was performed. Result: A sensitivity of 86.7%, specificity of 90%, negative predictive value of 87.1%, positive predictive value of 89.7%, negative likelihood ratio of 0.15, positive likelihood ratio of 8.67, and was observed for the LDBio IC. There was good agreement between LDBio ICT and ImmunoCAP (88.3%) with a Cohen's Kappa score of 0.77. Our systematic review identified four studies and the pooled sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 91%, area under the curve of 0.94 and diagnostic odds ratio of 57.2, for CPA diagnosis by LDBio ICT. Conclusion: Aspergillus LDBio ICT assay exhibits good sensitivity and can be used to screen CPA cases

Cutaneous mucormycosis of scalp and eyelids in a child with type I diabetes mellitus.

Scalp mucormycosis in children is extremely rare. We present a case of pediatric scalp mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus oryzae in a 9-year-old diabetic girl who was successfully diagnosed and treated with amphotericin B deoxycholate and wound debridement. At 3 months follow up, the patient was stable although she had lost her vision.

Association of Malassezia species with dandruff.

Background & objectives: Malassezia species implicated with dandruff vary at different geographical locations. The present study was conducted to determine the spectrum and distribution of Malassezia species in dandruff patients and healthy individuals. Methods: Patients with dandruff from northern (Chandigarh) and southern (Manipal, Karnataka) parts of India (50 each) and healthy individuals (20) were included in the study. Dandruff severity was graded as mild, moderate and severe. Malassezia spp. isolated were quantified and identified by phenotypic characters and molecular methods including PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing. Results: Number of Malassezia spp. retrieved was significantly higher (P<0.001) in dandruff cases (84%) as compared to healthy individuals (30%). Isolation of Malassezia spp. was significantly higher (P<0.01) in patients from southern India. In moderately severe cases M. restricta was single most predominant (37.8%) isolate from patients of northern part of India and M. furfur (46.4%) from patients of southern part of India. Malassezia density was significantly associated with the severity of dandruff (P<0.001). Interpretation & conclusions: Our results on a limited number of individuals show that Malassezia spp. associated with dandruff varies in different regions of the country and the density of yeasts increases with severity of disease.

Management of recurrent postoperative fungal endophthalmitis.

Aim: To report the management of recurrent postoperative fungal endophthalmitis  (POFE) after failed pars plana vitrectomy  (PPV) and antifungal therapy. Settings and Design: Tertiary Care Referral Centre in North India. Retrospective, single institution, interventional case‑series. Materials and Methods: Six patients with microbiologically proven recurrent post‑operative fungal endophthalmitis refractory to conventional management were included. The final recurrence was managed with intraocular lens  (IOL) explantation and re‑PPV. Main outcome measures included preserved globe anatomy, visual acuity and retinal status. ‘Anatomical success’ was defined as preserved anatomy of the globe, and absence of signs of inflammation. 'Functional success' was defined as an attached retina and a best corrected visual acuity of better than 20/400. Results: Of the six cases of POFE, five were culture positive  [Aspergillus flavus  (1), Aspergillus fumigatus  (2), Candida albicans  (1) and Candida glabrata  (1)] and one was smear positive for yeast. All recurred  (mean recurrences, 4) despite a mean of 2.17 PPVs and intravitreal amphotericin B. No recurrences were observed after IOL explantation with re  –   PPV  (median follow‑up, 37  months). Pre‑study defined criteria for successful ‘anatomical’ and ‘functional’ outcomes were achieved in 83.3% and 50% respectively. Conclusion: This report highlights the effective role of combined IOL explantation with PPV in managing recurrent POFE.

Cryptococcal meningitis in HIV infected: experience from a North Indian tertiary center.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcal meningitis is a common opportunistic infection in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected individuals. There is little information specifically addressing cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-infected patients from North India. AIMS: To determine clinical presentation, hospital course, response to treatment, complications developed, in-hospital mortality, any recurrence of cryptococcal meningitis and reasons of recurrence during follow-up. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A retrospective observational study undertaken in a large tertiary care center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patient's demographic data, presenting clinical symptomatology, physical findings, laboratory parameters, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination findings, side-effects of treatment, development of any complications and hospital outcome were analyzed. During follow-up any recurrence of cryptococcal meningitis, possible reasons of recurrence, type of treatment received, complications developed and outcome was recorded as well. RESULTS: Forty patients diagnosed to have cryptococcal meningitis were analyzed. Twenty-two (55%) patients had acute/ subacute presentation. Thirty-six (90%) patients presented with headache and 18 (45%) had altered sensorium. Twenty (50%) patients had no cells in the CSF. Hypoglycorrhchia was seen in 30 (75%) patients. Cryptococcal meningitis was the first acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining illness in 30 (75%) patients. Thirty-five patients developed some adverse effects to amphotericin-B. Thirty-three patients improved with treatment while three patients died. Four patients had recurrence of cryptococcal meningitis within six months of first episode. Non-compliance of fluconazole therapy was the reason for recurrence in all of these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Cryptococcal meningitis is a common initial AIDS-defining illness. Acute and/or subacute presentation of cryptococcal meningitis is not uncommon in HIV-infected individuals. An early diagnosis of HIV infection might reduce the incidence of this infection.

Epidemiology of central nervous system mycoses.

Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) were considered rare until the 1970s. This is no longer true in recent years due to widespread use of corticosteroids, cytotoxic drugs and antibiotics. Immunocompromised patients with underlying malignancy organ transplantations and acquired immune deficiency syndrome are all candidates for acquiring fungal infections either in meninges or brain. A considerable number of cases of CNS fungal infections even in immunocompetent hosts have been reported. A vast array of fungi may cause infection in the CNS, but barring a few, most of them are anecdotal case reports. Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, Coccidioides immitis. Histoplasma capsulatum are common causes of fungal meningitis; Aspergillus spp, Candida spp, Zygomycetes and some of the melanized fungi are known to cause mass lesions in brain. Few fungi like C. neoformans, Cladophialophora bantiana, Exophiala dermatitidis, Ramichloridium mackenzie, Ochroconis gallopava are considered as true neurotropic fungi. Most of the fungi causing CNS infection are saprobes with worldwide distribution; a few are geographically restricted like Coccidioides immitis. The infections reach the CNS either by the hematogenous route or by direct extension from colonized sinuses or ear canal or by direct inoculation during neurosurgical procedures.

Effects of cessation of a policy of neonatal fluconazole prophylaxis on fungal resurgence.

Fluconazole has been used as prophylaxis against systemic fungal infections in preterm neonates. We conducted a study to determine whether cessation of a policy of prophylactic fluconazole results in a resurgence of fungal infections in a unit. Neonates born in the 3 epoches: A 36-month pre-Fluconazole prophylaxis epoch (Group 1), a 21-month Fluconazole prophylaxis epoch (Group 2) and a 39-month post Fluconazole prophylaxis epoch (Group 3) were compared for incidence and onset of fungal sepsis and resistance patterns. There was a decline in the incidence of fungal sepsis from Group 1 to Group 2, and it remained stable from Group 2 to Group 3. There was no significant difference in resistance to Fluconazole and to any of the azoles in Groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

Oral itraconazole in treatment of candidemia in a pediatric intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To examine efficacy of itraconazole in the treatment of candidemia in critically ill children. METHODS: We studied retrospectively cases of candidemia seen consecutively in our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) over three and half years. Candida isolates from those patients included. Candida albicans--19, C. tropicalis--31, C. guillermondii--9, C.krusei--4 and C. glabrata--1. RESULTS: Of the 64 patients, 48 (75%) had symptoms suggestive of septicemia and 16 had no symptoms suggestive of septicemia. No antifungal therapy was given to asymptomatic patients; they recovered from candidemia without development of any sequelae. Of the 48 symptomatic patients 11 died before results of fungal culture became available and antifungal therapy could be started. Thirty seven patients were treated with itraconazole (10 mg/kg/day orally or through gastric tube). Seven (18.9 %) of 37 patients died, 3 within first week of antifungal therapy. Thirty (81%) patients recovered; microbiological cure was noted on average by day 14 (range 4-30 days). The mean +/- SD duration of therapy in patients who responded was 24 +/-7 days (range 21-42 days). None had any major side effect. CONCLUSION: We conclude that oral itraconazole may be effective in treatment of candidemia in children in a PICU where non-C. albicans candida species constituted majority (70%) of all Candida isolates.

Cryptococcal meningitis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The occurrence of cryptococcal meningitis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), despite being immunosuppresed state is uncommon. We report a 28-year gentleman in the maintenance treatment phase of ALL developing cryptococcal meningitis. The diagnosis was made by positive India ink staining and detection of cryptola antigen by latex agglutination. The patient was successfully treated with amphotericin B. The rarity of this condition in ALL is briefly discussed.