GAFFI is pleased to announce that Nkechi (Mbanefo) Azie MD MBA FIDSA, a highly accomplished pharmaceutical executive, has joined the GAFFI Board of Directors. Dr. Azie is widely recognized as an expert in the field of infectious diseases with breadth of experience in translational medicine, drug development, medical affairs, product launches, and pharmacovigilance. She has held key leadership… Read more »
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Sight-saving diagnostics in Africa
Fungal keratitis is a major cause of corneal blindness, linked to eye trauma, topical corticosteroids, traditional medicine and HIV infection. There are estimated to be 1,100,000 to 1,400,000 eyes affected each year including at least 75,000 in Africa. In tropical areas, fungi are responsible for ~50% of corneal infections. Inadequate treatment leads to blindness, often… Read more »
Enhanced diagnosis of commonest fungal infections in cancer and intensive care – a transformative opportunity for African healthcare
The most common fungal infections in severely ill hospitalized patients are invasive aspergillosis, caused by the fungus Aspergillus and Candida bloodstream infections. These are especially common in those with cancer or in intensive care, and both infections soared in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Published today in the Journal of Public Health and Infection[1], the authors… Read more »
La capacité de diagnostic des maladies fongiques de la peau en Afrique devrait atteindre les normes recommandées par les sociétés scientifiques de mycologie médicale.
(Article in English) Publiée aujourd’hui dans l’International Journal of Dermatology, « the Diagnostic capacity for cutaneous fungal diseases in the African continent » (Les capacités de diagnostic des maladies fongiques cutanées sur le continent africain) révèle des lacunes importantes dans le diagnostic et le traitement des maladies fongiques cutanées. Les infections fongiques cutanées touchent environ 750 millions… Read more »
Diagnostic capacity for skin fungal disease in Africa should reach the standards recommended by scientific medical mycology societies.
(Article in French) Published today in the International Journal of Dermatology, the Diagnostic capacity for cutaneous fungal diseases in the African continent finds key gaps in (diagnosing/treating) skin fungal disease. Skin fungal infections affect ~750 million people globally [1]. There are estimated to be over 135 million school-age children in Africa with fungal hair infections (pictured)… Read more »
Flucytosine drug shortage
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 »
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…
