Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 1, 2026
05:08
Application of I TASSER, trRosetta, UCSF Chimera, HADDOCK server, and HEX loria for De Novo and In Silico Design of Proteins
Published on: July 8, 2025
1.3K
[Clinical problems in medical mycology: Problem number 49]
Ricardo Negroni1, Roxana Depardo1, Fernando Messina1
1Unidad de Micología, Hospital de Infecciosas F. J. Muñiz, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Revista Iberoamericana De Micologia
|October 1, 2015
Summary
This case study highlights a rare instance of Candida albicans meningitis in an immunocompromised patient. Despite treatment with amphotericin B and fluconazole, the patient unfortunately succumbed to the infection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Mycology
- Neurology
Background:
- The case involves a 59-year-old female with a history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, type 2 diabetes, and prior treatment for cerebral toxoplasmosis.
- The patient presented with complications following empirical treatment, including a drug-induced skin disorder and subsequent readmission due to asthenia, weight loss, and neurological symptoms.
Observation:
- Initial blood cultures revealed Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, followed by Acinetobacter baumannii in blood, catheter, and urine cultures.
- The patient developed encephalic facies, behavioral changes, and disorientation, with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures yielding Candida albicans.
Findings:
- The isolated Candida albicans was susceptible to amphotericin B and showed susceptibility-dependent sensitivity to fluconazole.
- Treatment with amphotericin B and fluconazole resulted in negative CSF cultures after three weeks.
Implications:
- This case underscores the critical need for prompt diagnosis and appropriate antifungal therapy in immunocompromised patients presenting with neurological symptoms.
- It highlights the challenges in managing invasive fungal infections, particularly in patients with multiple comorbidities and prior antibiotic exposure.
- The study emphasizes the importance of CSF analysis in identifying opportunistic pathogens like Candida albicans in patients with altered mental status.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
716
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
716
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
6.2K
Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
6.2K
01:29Fungal Group Zygomycota
2.1K
Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
2.1K
01:28Fungal Phylum Ascomycota
2.4K
Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
2.4K
01:26Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota
2.0K
Basidiomycota is a diverse phylum of fungi that includes ecologically significant decomposers such as white rot fungi, symbionts like mycorrhizal fungi, plant pathogens such as rusts and smuts, and edible species like Agaricus bisporus (the common button mushroom). These fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, and even human health. Their defining feature is the basidium, a microscopic club-shaped structure responsible for producing basidiospores.Fruiting Bodies...
2.0K
01:29Overview of Fungi
2.4K
Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
2.4K