Latest Fungemia Stories

The opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans inconspicuously lives in our bodies until it senses that we are weak, when it quickly adapts to go on the offensive. The fungus, known for causing yeast and other minor infections, also causes a sometimes-fatal infection known as candidemia in immunocompromised patients. An in vivo study, published in mBio, demonstrates how C. albicans can distinguish between a healthy and an unhealthy host and alter its physiology to attack. “The...

WOBURN, Mass.and VEDBAEK, Denmark, July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- AdvanDx today announced that it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for a fast, 90 minutes protocol for its Yeast Traffic Light® PNA FISH® test. The faster protocol reduces the PNA FISH turn-around time from the original 2.5 hours to 90 minutes by reducing PNA probe hybridization from 90 minutes to 30 minutes. Clinical validation studies performed at hospitals in the United States demonstrated excellent equivalence between the...

WOBURN, Mass. and VEDBAEK, Denmark, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- AdvanDx today announced that it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for a fast, 90 minutes protocol for its C. albicans PNA FISH® and C. albicans/C. glabrata PNA FISH® tests. The faster protocol reduces the PNA FISH turn-around time from the original 2.5 hours to 90 minutes by reducing PNA probe hybridization from 90 minutes to 30 minutes. Clinical validation studies performed at hospitals in the United States demonstrated...

An early test for fungal infections that measures how a patient's genes are responding could save the lives of some very sick patients. Researchers at Duke University's Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy have devised an early gene-expression test for the fungal pathogen Candida that worked in mice.It is an entirely new and more rapid way to reveal an infection which occurs in very sick or immunocompromised patients, particularly critical care patients. Candidemia can kill 10-15...

By Chabrier-Rosello, Yeissa Foster, Thomas H; Mitra, Soumya; Haidaris, Constantine G ABSTRACT Mucosal infections caused by the pathogenic fungus Candida are a significant infectious disease problem and are often difficult to eradicate because of the high frequency of resistance to conventional antifungal agents. Photodynamic treatment (PDT) offers an attractive therapeutic alternative. Previous studies demonstrated that filamentous forms and biofilms of Candida albicans were sensitive to PDT...

ViraCor Laboratories, a specialty molecular diagnostic reference laboratory that provides same day turnaround for laboratory tests, today announced the launch of a comprehensive mycology, or fungus, testing service that will allow the company to quickly detect potentially deadly fungal infections in patients. Fast diagnosis of fungal infections can significantly improve patient outcomes and prevent the overuse of costly, toxic antifungal therapy. As part of this new testing service,...

WOBURN, Mass., Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- AdvanDx today announced it received FDA 510(k) clearance of the Yeast Traffic Light PNA FISH(TM) to identify Candida yeast species directly from positive blood cultures. The Yeast Traffic Light(TM) is the latest addition to AdvanDx's easy-to-use, molecular-based PNA FISH(TM) diagnostics platform that provides rapid identification of bloodstream pathogens in hours instead of days. Candidemia, a bloodstream infection caused by Candida species is one of...

The prompt and accurate detection of bacteremia and fungemia is one of the most important functions of clinical microbiology laboratories. Guidelines for the collection, processing, and interpretation of blood cultures are needed so that laboratories and providers use optimal laboratory methods for recovering specific pathogens, interpret the results correctly, and help control healthcare costs. In response to this need, Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI, formerly...

By Chen, Hua Suda, Katie J; Turpin, Robin S; Pai, Manjunath P; Et al Key words: Candidiasis - Cost-effectiveness analysis - Fluconazole - Pharmacoeconomics ABSTRACT Background: High-dose fluconazole is an alternative for patients with candidemia caused by Candida glabrata or other Candida species with decreased fluconazole susceptibility. However, empiric high- dose fluconazole is not currently recommended and may result in higher drug costs and toxicity. Objective: To determine the...