Cryptococcus

Fungal infections in the brain aren't just the stuff of movies – Africa grapples with a deadly epidemic

Retrieved on: 
Donnerstag, Juli 13, 2023
Gaps, Review, Infection, Canker, Pressure, Human, Fungal infection, HIV, Atmosphere, Culture, Health care, Pneumocystis jirovecii, Fever, Cough, Immunodeficiency, Inflammation, Cryptococcosis, Brain, Research, COVID, Mucormycosis, Fungus, Facial, Thermoregulation, Death, Climate change, The Last of Us, Soil, Patient, Population, Risk, Cryptococcus neoformans, Pneumocystidomycetes, Immune system, Lower respiratory tract infection, Steroid, Diagnosis, Flucytosine, Health, Environment, Meningitis, Cryptococcus, Pneumonia, Skin, Disease, Truffle, Pharmaceutical industry, Vaccine

I am a neurobiologist who has been studying fungal infections of the brain for 10 years.

Key Points: 
  • I am a neurobiologist who has been studying fungal infections of the brain for 10 years.
  • I was part of a team that recently published a review discussing the emergence, and re-emergence, of fungal infections in Africa, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • We conclude that Africa is suffering from a silent, but costly, epidemic of fungal infections.

What are fungal infections?

    • For the greater part of the history of humankind, fungal infections were never a threat to human health.
    • Even then, our immune systems are quite capable of fighting against fungal infections.
    • Africa accounts for 67% of the global burden of HIV, and opportunistic fungal diseases are on the rise.

Some examples

    • Today, sub-Saharan Africa contributes about 73% of all global cases and deaths resulting from the disease.
    • Cryptococcal meningitis is caused by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, which is found in soil and bird droppings.
    • It first leads to the development of a lung infection and later a fatal brain infection.
    • Cryptococcal meningitis is a leading cause of adult meningitis in sub-Saharan Africa and it’s associated with almost 20% of all AIDS-related deaths.

Growing burden

    • While these factors are not unique to Africa, the burden of fungal diseases and the number of people who succumb to them is much greater.
    • The COVID pandemic seems to have made the global fungal burden worse.
    • COVID-induced lung damage, high blood sugar, and the steroids often used to treat it are all predisposing factors to black fungus infection.

But don’t we have antifungal drugs?

    • With poorly funded and overburdened healthcare systems, many African countries are not well prepared to deal with fungal infections.
    • Additionally, some of the WHO-recommended antifungal drugs – such as flucytosine – are unavailable in most African countries.

Management strategies


    Fungal threats are adding pressure to overburdened health systems with a limited arsenal of treatment options. Healthcare professionals, scientific researchers, policymakers and governments must address the gaps in the diagnosis and management of fungal infections. This will help to improve capacity to deal with them.

Applied BioCode Announces the Launch of the Fungal Panel Assay for Research Use

Retrieved on: 
Montag, Juni 12, 2023
Research, Technology, Infectious Diseases, Other Technology, Other Health, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Health, Science, Other Science, EUA, UDM, Hair, Infection, Bachelor, BMB, Allergy, Workflow, RPP, Culture, SARS-CoV-2, Software, Pneumocystis jirovecii, COVID-19, Eye, Aspergillus, Histoplasma capsulatum, CE marking, PCR, Nomenclature codes, Immunochemistry, Emergency Use Authorization, Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Panel, Coccidioides, RSV, RUO, Patient, Laboratory, Autoimmune disease, Molecular Probes, IVD, Growth, GPP, Immunodeficiency, Diagnosis, FDA, Mucor, Virus, Vaccine, Rhizopus, Applied Spectral Imaging, Rhizomucor, Fusarium, Cunninghamella, Cryptococcus

The Fungal Panel Assay was developed to detect the most common agents of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) particularly in lower respiratory samples.

Key Points: 
  • The Fungal Panel Assay was developed to detect the most common agents of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) particularly in lower respiratory samples.
  • Applied BioCode’s Fungal Panel is intended for research use only and may be used in infectious disease research or pharmaceutical development.
  • “Applied BioCode is thrilled to announce our first release of an RUO panel under our new product strategy.
  • Applied BioCode, Inc. has also been granted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. FDA for its BioCode® SARS-CoV-2 Flu Plus Assay ⱡ, BioCode® SARS-CoV-2 Assay*, and an additional EUA for Pooled COVID-19 Testing*.

Global Invasive Fungal Infections Market Report 2023: Increasing Invasive Fungal Infections with Life-threatening Conditions Drive Growth - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Montag, Mai 29, 2023
Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Health, Molecule, Amphotericin B, Fungal infection, Risk factor, Imidazole, Prevalence, Diabetes, HIV, Blastomycosis, Posaconazole, Infection, Candidiasis, Overalls, Isavuconazonium, Ageing, Mucormycosis, Merck & Co., Polyene, Fungemia, CDC, Incidence, AR, Patient, Developed country, ROW, Growth, Mortality, Merck, Immunodeficiency, Immunosuppression, Cryptococcus, Pfizer, Triazole, Pharmaceutical industry, Vaccine, Voriconazole, Echinocandin, Aspergillosis, Azole, Fluconazole

However, there are also antibody molecules in early preclinical development, which are currently not on the market.

Key Points: 
  • However, there are also antibody molecules in early preclinical development, which are currently not on the market.
  • The increasing use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, the aging population, and the growing prevalence of immunocompromised patients are driving the growth of invasive candidiasis.
  • By Region: The report provides insight into the invasive fungal infections market based on the geographical operations, namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and ROW.
  • The North American region has emerged as a dominant player in the invasive fungal infections market, owing to several key factors.

Innovation Pharmaceuticals Visits BeaMed; New StingRay Laser System for Epilepsy and Brain Tumors Moving Toward FDA Submission

Retrieved on: 
Donnerstag, Februar 23, 2023
Marketing, United States patent law, Bremen Institute for Applied Beam Technology, Safety, Ulcer, News, University, Brain, Hospital, Partnership, Software, Risk, BT, GE, USP, FDA, Cone beam computed tomography, Patient, Patent, Ulcerative colitis, Cryptococcus, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Gastrointestinal tract, HDP, Patent application, Epilepsy, Preventive healthcare, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Siemens, OTCQB, Medical imaging, Pharmaceutical industry, Aspergillosis

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and other financial stakeholders in BeaMed recently returned from a visit to Israel to see the StingRay System first-hand.

Key Points: 
  • The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and other financial stakeholders in BeaMed recently returned from a visit to Israel to see the StingRay System first-hand.
  • The StingRay System is a novel laser-based thermal ablation technology designed for treatment of previously inoperable cases of epilepsy, and for improvement of outcomes and minimally invasive surgical options for brain tumors.
  • The first-in-class system is a comprehensive design, with planned robust safety features to constantly monitor thermal energy to minimize risk to healthy tissue.
  • BeaMed aims to offer new hope for this core group of patients, in addition to providing better surgical options for brain tumors.

Innovation Pharmaceuticals Reports New In Vivo Antifungal Data Showing Brilacidin’s Potential for Treating Fungal Keratitis

Retrieved on: 
Dienstag, Dezember 13, 2022
Eye, Publishing, Posaconazole, Cryptococcus, Mycosis, Voriconazole, Cryptococcosis, Keratitis, Antifungal, Human, Orphan drug, Patient, Toxicity, Mucorales, OTCQB, Research, Mycology, Disease, Fungal keratitis, Caspofungin, University, WHO, Policy, Cornea, World Health Organization, USP, Cryptococcus neoformans, Pharmaceutical industry, Fusarium, Aspergillus

WAKEFIELD, MA, Dec. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire – Innovation Pharmaceuticals (OTCQB:IPIX) (“the Company”), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, today provided an update on ongoing research on the broad-spectrum antifungal activity of Brilacidin, the Company’s defensin mimetic drug candidate exhibiting antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties.

Key Points: 
  • New in vivo data in an A. fumigatus murine fungal keratitis model showed Brilacidin reduced fungal burden and disease severity, while also improving corneal thickness compared to control.
  • Worldwide, on an annual basis, fungal keratitis affects up to 1.5 million people, of whom 75 percent may lose an eye and/or their sight.
  • These new Brilacidin findings in fungal keratitis complement an earlier in vitro and in vivo evaluation of Brilacidin as an ocular anti-infective in bacterial keratitis.
  • A broad-spectrum drug that could target both fungal and bacterial keratitis would be uniquely positioned as to its treatment profile and commercial potential.

Innovation Pharmaceuticals Announces Publication of Scientific Article on the Antifungal Activity of Brilacidin

Retrieved on: 
Dienstag, Oktober 4, 2022
OTCQB, CAS, Â, Brilacidin, GLOBE, Mucormycosis, Toxicity, Cryptococcus neoformans, Mycosis, Mortality, Human, Review, Mycology, Cryptococcus, Research, Disease, Cryptococcosis, Aspergillosis, Antifungal, Patent, 50, Calcineurin, VOR, Caspofungin, Drug resistance, Molecular biology, Candidiasis, Orphan drug, William DeGrado, Aspergillus fumigatus, Patient, Voriconazole, POSA, Canker, Preprint, University, HIV/AIDS, Pharmaceutical industry, Vaccine, Aspergillus, Mucorales

A Host Defense Peptide Mimetic, Brilacidin, Potentiates Caspofungin Antifungal Activity Against Human Pathogenic Fungi.

Key Points: 
  • A Host Defense Peptide Mimetic, Brilacidin, Potentiates Caspofungin Antifungal Activity Against Human Pathogenic Fungi.
  • Following an in vitro drug screening of 1,402 compounds, Brilacidin showed promising antifungal activity and was subsequently selected for additional pre-clinical evaluation, including in combination with caspofungin (CAS), voriconazole (VOR), and posaconazole (POSA), all current antifungal treatments.
  • Further in vitro testing showed Brilacidin synergized with CAS in C. albicans, C. auris and C. neoformans.
  • Pivotal clinical trials for antifungal drugs are generally smaller than those in other infectious disease areas, requiring between 300 and 600 patients.

Matinas BioPharma Announces Unanimous DSMB Approval to Progress into Fourth and Final Cohort of Patients in the EnACT Trial of MAT2203 (Oral Amphotericin B) for the Treatment of Cryptococcal Meningitis

Retrieved on: 
Donnerstag, Dezember 16, 2021
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Mycosis, Clinical trial, Cryptococcosis, Culture, Flucytosine, Review, Survival, National, Therapy, University, Forward-looking statement, Solution, RNA transfection, FDA, LNC, Physician, Cystic fibrosis, NTM, Form 10-K, HIV, Vaccine, CM, Antifungal, Safety, IV, Risk, Data monitoring committee, GLOBE, Partnership, DPA, Cohort, NYSE, EFA, SEC, Research, DNA, Cerebrospinal fluid, EPA, Consultant, Fluconazole, NIH, DSMB, Degenerative disease, QIDP, Company, Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, Sale, Principal, Patient, Amphotericin B, Mortality, CSF, Infection, Technology, Pharmaceutical industry, Health insurance, Medicine, Enactment, Cryptococcus

BEDMINSTER, N.J., Dec. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. (NYSE AMER: MTNB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the intracellular delivery of critical therapeutics through its paradigm-changing lipid nanocrystal (LNC) platform delivery technology, today announced that the independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) of the EnACT trial (Encochleated Oral Amphotericin for Cryptococcal Meningitis Trial) has completed a prespecified review of the third cohort and unanimously recommended progression to the fourth and final cohort of patients. Enrollment in the next randomized EnACT cohort, with 40 active-treatment patients, is expected to begin early first quarter 2022.

Key Points: 
  • Enrollment in the next randomized EnACT cohort, with 40 active-treatment patients, is expected to begin early first quarter 2022.
  • Cohort 3 of the ENACT trial tested whether starting with an all-oral regimen of amphotericin and flucytosine would be possible.
  • We are excited to begin the fourth cohort testing the all-oral regimen of MAT2203 in a larger number of patients beginning in early January.
  • The DSMB unanimously approved the progression of EnACT into the fourth and final cohort of patients in December of 2021.

Matinas BioPharma Announces Issuance of U.S. Patent Protecting MAT2203 to Treat or Prevent Cryptococcus Infections

Retrieved on: 
Montag, August 16, 2021
Forward-looking statement, DSMB, Infection, Cryptococcus, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, USPTO, Central nervous system, Clinical trial, Flucytosine, RNA transfection, NYSE, DPA, Company, Risk, Patent, Cystic fibrosis, Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, Form 10-K, NTM, Cryptococcosis, Partnership, GLOBE, Consultant, Treatment, SEC, Research, DNA, EPA, Degenerative disease, LNC, Patient, Technology, Sale, Vaccine, Safety, Mycosis, Therapy, Enactment, Solution, Pharmaceutical industry

16/312,047 will have a base patent term extending to 2037, excluding any patent term adjustments or patent term extensions which may provide additional protection.

Key Points: 
  • 16/312,047 will have a base patent term extending to 2037, excluding any patent term adjustments or patent term extensions which may provide additional protection.
  • With the issuance of this new patent, Matinas patent portfolio includes six issued U.S. patents, as well as additional related patents outside the U.S. that cover MAT2203, with other pending patent applications that can extend patent coverage for MAT2203 beyond 2037.
  • Matinas BioPharma is a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the intracellular delivery of critical therapeutics through its paradigm-changing lipid nanocrystal (LNC) delivery platform.
  • MAT2501 is an oral, LNC formulation of the broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic amikacin, primarily used to treat chronic and acute bacterial infections.