News - Gaffi | Gaffi - Global Action For Fungal Infections

Hyper-endemic areas for histoplasmosis revealed in new SE Asian maps

Posted August 6, 2019.

Researchers from Manchester (UK) and Jakarta (Indonesia) have published new prevalence data for histoplasmosis exposure for multiple countries in SE Asia. Sensitivity to the histoplasmin skin test was seen in a large proportion of the population (26-86%), so it is likely that rolling out the Histoplasma antigen test (now on the WHO Essential Diagnostics List) will help to diagnose cases and save lives.

Following GAFFI submission WHO endorses Histoplasma antigen as an Essential Diagnostic

Posted July 11, 2019.

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.

LDBio rapid Aspergillus IgG test is sensitive and specific for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis

Posted July 5, 2019.

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.

Dr Swarup Sarkar joins GAFFI as a Senior Advisor

Posted June 5, 2019.

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 »

Paracoccidioidomycosis in South America should be a Neglected Fungal Tropical Disease

Posted May 20, 2019.

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 »

ECCMID 2019 presentations: burden of fungal disease estimates for Namibia, Paraguay and Kyrgyzstan; and fungal keratitis leads to over 600,000 blind eyes annually

Posted April 16, 2019.

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 »

GAFFI issues its 5th annual report highlighting its extensive advocacy work

Posted April 9, 2019.

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 »

The Manaus Declaration on Histoplasmosis in the Americas and Caribbean 100 by 2025

Posted March 26, 2019.

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 »

1 in 15 TB sufferers go on to develop chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, treatment could save 1000s of lives

Posted March 19, 2019.

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 »

GHANA’S CPA AWARENESS SEMINAR ON WORLD ASPERGILLOSIS DAY

Posted February 11, 2019.

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 »