Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a disease that is difficult to manage and is associated with a significantly high morbidity and mortality, caused by different species of the genus Aspergillus, and closely related to immunocompromised patients; thus, it is important to understand the distribution and molecular epidemiology of the species causing this disease. Even though Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto is the most common species that cause IA, in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of species in the different sections which makes the diagnosis of this invasive fungal disease a great challenge. Conventional tests for the diagnosis of IA present limitations in sensitivity and specificity, while molecular tests have the potential to improve diagnosis by offering a more sensitive and rapid identification, but they are not yet standardized for reliable use in clinic. Nevertheless, there are some tests for the presumptive diagnosis of aspergillosis which, although are not specific for the identification of species, have been decisive in the case of IA. Among these are the Galactomannan test (GM), the Beta-D-glucan assay and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) testing. In this chapter, the recent advances and challenges in the molecular diagnosis of IA are revised.
Part of the book: Molecular Medicine
Environmental, social, and economic factors are decisive for susceptibility to infectious diseases caused by opportunistic pathogens, such as Candida. Their incidence has increased significantly in recent years, mainly due to a greater number of immunocompromised people, the social and economic environment in which they develop and the current environmental crisis, climate change, which exacerbates health inequalities. Therefore, a literature review was conducted on the main social and environmental determinants of health and virulence factors as determinants of Candida spp. infection. Several studies provide valuable insights into the main predisposing determinants of Candida colonization and infection in relation to the health status of people and the virulence factors of the aetiological pathogen itself. Although there are some studies on the prevalence of Candida in different social classes, there are still few criteria to derive or claim an objective opinion on the social conditions under which this opportunistic pathogen occurs. Therefore, an overall picture that takes into account not only the intrinsic factors of the individual (human biology, health status, etc.) but also the social determinants of health, which may be related to differences in colonization and infection by different Candida species, is still lacking.
Part of the book: Candida albicans - Epidemiology and Treatment [Working title]