The World Health Organisation has updated its Essential Medicines List to the Histoplasma antigen test, which can be used on urine to diagnose histoplasmosis in 48 hours. Rolling out this test worldwide could save up to 48,000 lives in 5 years.
The World Health Organisation has updated its Essential Medicines List to the Histoplasma antigen test, which can be used on urine to diagnose histoplasmosis in 48 hours. Rolling out this test worldwide could save up to 48,000 lives in 5 years.
Lateral flow rapid diagnostics are sorely needed for many fungal infections. Scientists at the University of Manchester evaluated LDBio’s Aspergillus IgG test on patients at the National Aspergillosis Centre (UK). Compared to existing diagnostics, this test was more sensitive (91.6%) and more specific (98.0%) for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.
Swarup Sarkar is an Indian physician, epidemiologist, public health professional and diplomat known for his works in the field of Infectious Diseases and HIV/AIDS in particular. Sarkar served as the Director of Communicable Diseases of the World Health Organization, South East Asia Regional Office (WHO SEARO) and is currently an advisor to international health agencies…. Read more »
The Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections (GAFFI) has made the case for paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) to be listed as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) in a short paper published in Public Library of Science (PLoS) Neglected Tropical Diseases. PCM is endemic to the tropical regions of Latin America. PCM is an important cause of mortality… Read more »
Over 1.1 million cases of fungal keratitis are documented annually, leading to >100,000 perforated or surgically removed eyes and >500,000 blind eyes, according to a team from the University of Manchester, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and GAFFI. Lottie Brown presented this systematic review at Europe’s premier infection meeting ECCMID (Amsterdam) earlier this… Read more »
From its inception in 2013, GAFFI has focussed on improving the survival chances and impact of chronic illness across the world. GAFFI appointed Professor Patrick Francioli to its Board as part of an internal re-organisation that saw Professor David Denning step down from Board Chairman to Chief Executive of GAFFI and Professor Nigel Lightfoot… Read more »
At the 2nd meeting on Histoplasmosis in the Americas and Caribbean in Manaus, Brazil, March 22-25th 2019, the 80 by 2020 target has been superceded by 100 by 2025 target. By 2025, every country should have access to rapid testing for histoplasmosis (antigen or PCR/molecular) and availability of itraconazole and both standard and lipid formulation… Read more »
Around 1 in 15 people affected by tuberculosis are likely get the treatable fungal infection aspergillosis, according to research published today in the European Respiratory Journal by experts at the University of Manchester (UK) and Gulu Regional Referral Hospital (Uganda). The new knowledge could influence TB programs by helping doctors to identify – and treat… Read more »
As in other low and middle income countries serious fungal infections (SFI) remain neglected in Ghana despite the rising trend globally. Most of these infections are undiagnosed or misdiagnosedleading to no treatment or wrong treatment. Low indices of suspicion among clinicians and gaps in the availability of diagnostics services and antifungal drugs are the identified… Read more »
Antifungal triazole drugs are the mainstay of treatment for fungal diseases in humans and animals, yet their effectiveness is undermined by resistance. Very similar compounds are used on many crops to reduce plant fungal disease and increase yield. Today in Amsterdam, the Global Action Fund for Fungal infections published its letter to the World Health Organisation’s Director… Read more »