Fungemia

Fungemia is the presence of fungi or yeasts in the blood. It is most commonly seen in immunosuppressed or immunocompromised patients with severe neutropenia, oncology patients, or in patients with intravenous catheters. Recently, it has been suggested the otherwise immunocompetent patients taking infliximab may be at a higher risk for fungemia.The diagnosis is complicated, as routine blood cultures have poor sensitivity. Treatment involves use of antifungals, e.g. fluconazole or amphotericin.The two most important risk factors are:* Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics* Colonization by fungi Other risk factors are:* Dialysis* Diabetes* Lowered intestinal flora* Suppressed Immune system* Central venous catheter* High severity of illness* Multiple abdominal surgeries* Use of steroids* burnsThe most commonly known pathogen is Candida albicans, causing roughly 70% of fungemias, followed by Candida glabrata with 10%, and Aspergillus with 1%. However, the frequency of infection by T. glabrata, Candida tropicalis, C. krusei, and C. parapsilosis is increasing, especially when significant use of fluconazole is common.Symptoms can range from mild to extreme, often described as extreme flu-like symptoms. Pain, mental disorders, chronic fatigue, infections, are a few of the long list of associated symptoms with Fungemia. (From the Wikpedia article Fungemia.)

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Recent Publications on Fungemia:
Excess mortality, length of stay and cost attributable to candidaemia. BACKGROUND: There were 1967 reports of Candida species isolated from blood...	18th November, 2009	Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of South Manchester,	J Infect. 2009 Nov;59(5):360-5. Epub 2009 Sep 8. DOI Direct Link
A simple score to predict early death in adult cancer patients with bloodstream infections. OBJECTIVE: To develop a simple score to predict early death in adult...	18th November, 2009	Rua General Glicerio 486/1002, Laranjeiras, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.	J Infect. 2009 Nov;59(5):332-6. Epub 2009 Aug 23. DOI Direct Link
Candidaemia and antifungal susceptibility testing in a teaching hospital. We reviewed cases of candidaemia at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical...	17th November, 2009	Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Universiti Kebangsaan	Med J Malaysia. 2009 Mar;64(1):61-4.
Blood stream infections by Candida glabrata and Candida krusei: a single-center experience. BACKGROUND/AIMS: The increasing incidence of Candida glabrata and Candida...	17th November, 2009	Department of Internal Medicine, AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei	Korean J Intern Med. 2009 Sep;24(3):263-9. Epub 2009 Aug 26. DOI Direct Link
Acute fungal sinusitis: natural history and the role of frozen section. Acute fungal sinusitis is a life-threatening infection affecting...	13th November, 2009	Department of Pathology, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.	Am J Clin Pathol. 2009 Jul;132(1):86-93. DOI Direct Link
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Fungemia Patents:
US Patent No.	Title
6184396	Triazole derivative or salt thereof, preparation process thereof and pharmaceutical containing said compound as an effective ingredient
6509325	Method for inhibiting melanogenesis and uses thereof
6555566	Methods and materials for treating and preventing inflammation of mucosal tissue
6573370	PON3 and uses thereof
6579696	Polymyxin B conjugates
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BioPortfolio Ltd. offers e-mail and postal lists for Fungemia scientists - we have details of around 235 individuals working on Fungemia .