The concerns raised by scientists from Cologne regarding the severely limited availability of flucytosine are not only valid but also demand immediate attention from both authorities and the pharmaceutical industry. Professor Dr. Oliver A. Cornely, who leads the efforts at the CECAD Cluster of Excellence for Ageing Research, has taken a significant step towards addressing… Read more »
Posts By: Graham Atherton
Fungal lung disease is significantly underdiagnosed, under-treated and a common cause of death in Africa.
Today, the newly published survey of diagnostic capability in the Open Research journal of the European Respiratory Society found gaps in diagnostics for asthma, smoking-related lung disease, lung cancer, and fungal complications of these conditions. Lung disease is common and is a rising cause of death in Africa. While the provision of chest X-rays and… Read more »
Global Action for Fungal Infections CEO David Denning steps down to become Senior Advisor.
On the 10th of March 2023, Prof. David Denning stepped down from the role of CEO for GAFFI to become a Senior Advisor. In recognition of his impact on GAFFI, the world of mycology, and patients worldwide, GAFFI’s Board of Trustees issued the following statement: “During the 10 years since the creation of GAFFI, Prof…. Read more »
GAFFI Bolsters Board and Pursues New Strategic Direction
Building upon 10 years of successfully advancing global awareness of fungal infections and advocating for better care for patients with serious fungal infections, GAFFI has developed a focused strategy that will address populations in greatest need by leveraging regional partnerships and expertise. GAFFI has already helped to ensure the inclusion of fungal diseases in the… Read more »
Smartphone reading of Cryptococcal antigen LFAs with quantitative answer using artificial intelligence
In a first study of its kind, researchers in Spain and the USA have developed an AI system for reading and quantifying cryptococcal antigen (CrAg), using a smartphone. David Bermejo-Peláez and colleagues developed a smartphone-based digital system, assisted by AI, to automatically interpret CrAg LFA results and measure the antigen concentration in the strip. The…
Over fifty million Indians are affected by serious fungal disease, 10% of which are from potentially dangerous mould infections researchers from India and Manchester have shown. The experts from three Indian teaching hospitals: AIIMS, New Delhi, AIIMS Kalyani, West Bengal and PGIMER, Chandigarh along with The University of Manchester estimate that 57 million – or… Read more »Study reveals huge extent of fungal disease in India
Call for immediate action on diagnostics for fungal disease to reduce deaths in Africa from AIDS, TB, and cancer.
Kigali Rwanda, 12th December 2022 – Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and Global Action for Fungal Infections (GAFFI) launch Diagnostics for fungal disease in Africa report at a side event during the 2nd International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2022). Fungal disease of the lungs and brain is… Read more »
Histoplasmosis is as common as TB in AIDS in many regions of Nigeria
Histoplasmosis is easily mistaken for tuberculosis in patients with HIV infection, and both infections may occur together. In Nigeria, Rita Oladele and colleagues assessed the relative incidence of histoplasmosis and TB in people with HIV in 10 sites in 5 geopolitical zones. Urinary Histoplasma antigen (Immy) and Xpert MTB/RIF for M. tuberculosis DNA (Cepheid) in… Read more »
WHO galvanises action plans to address lethal fungi species that cause millions of deaths a year
Geneva: The World Health Organization today issued its first ‘Fungal Pathogen Priority List’ with 19 different fungal species highlighted, with the aim to focus and drive further research and policy interventions and strengthen the global response to lethal or serious disease causing fungal infections and antifungal resistance. The global leader in fungal disease advocacy, Global…
Fungal keratitis – a severe infection of the cornea – affects an estimated 1.1 to 1.4 million eyes annually, advise researchers from the UK, the Republic of Congo, Nigeria, India, and the USA. Researchers have just published a review in the Journal of Fungi, stressing the importance of recognising fungal keratitis as an NTD. Recognition… Read more »Call to Action: Fungal keratitis should be accepted as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) by the World Health Organization (WHO).
