Infectious disorders drug targets最新文献

{"title":"Multiscale Computational Pipeline for Anti-Dengue Drug Discovery Using AI, Docking, and Network Pharmacology.","authors":"Zahraa J Jameel, Khattab Al-Khafaji","doi":"10.2174/0118715265483649260904113725","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715265483649260904113725","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Finding potential antiviral inhibitors has advanced significantly through computer-aided drug discovery.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The Random Forest regression (RFR), PLS regression, NNKernel regression, and pcRegression models were compared and assessed using R². In the following step, molecular docking was conducted to assess binding affinities and protein-ligand interactions. The ligand with the highest ICM score was subjected to molecular dynamics simulations to analyze binding and mechanism. In the final step, network pharmacology was adopted to study the mechanism of action.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The R² value for RFR is 0.93, indicating that the model performed exceptionally well in terms of prediction, with highly correlated experimental and predicted values. The ML model showed that only 152 out of the 186 compounds have pIC50 values greater than 6. Ligands with pIC50 values greater than 6 were selected for molecular docking with the NS2B/NS3 protease. Molecular docking studies revealed that 28 of the 152 compounds have ICM scores below 0, and five compounds were selected at the top of the list based on their binding interactions and ICM scores. The compound that was ranked highest, PubChem IDs 44626355, 166633044, 166633428, 20873605, and 166626117, had ICM scores of -21.657148, -19.151558, -16.963572, -16.836168, and -15.635322 kcal/mol.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>PubChem CID: 44626355 compound's binding stability is attributed to strong hydrogen bonding, van der Waals, and hydrophobic interactions. Molecular dynamics simulations, PCA, and FEL were conducted. Through network pharmacology, the therapeutic mechanism emerges that acts across several interconnected pathways involved in dengue pathology.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study offers a promising framework for identifying potent inhibitors of the dengue virus.</p>","PeriodicalId":101326,"journal":{"name":"Infectious disorders drug targets","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149172044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fungal Keratitis: A Narrative Review with a Focus on Antifungal Resistance and Emerging Therapies.","authors":"Pushp, Ajita Paliwal","doi":"10.2174/0118715265490828260921074616","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715265490828260921074616","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Corneal infection that can cause blindness, fungal keratitis has shown an increasing prevalence worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical areas, where it significantly increases the risk of unilateral corneal blindness. The epidemiology, molecular etiology, diagnosis, antifungal resistance, and changing treatment of fungal keratitis are all reviewed in this article. Geographic diversity is evident in epidemiological patterns, with filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus and Fusarium predominating in warm climes, and an increasing number of reports of Candida species in temperate and healthcare-associated settings. Disease incidence and outcomes have been further affected by post-COVID-19 changes in ophthalmic treatment, extensive corticosteroid exposure, delayed presentations, and environmental factors, including climate fluctuations and increased airborne spore loads. Rapid stromal invasion, enzyme-mediated tissue damage, biofilm development, and host immune dysregulation are key factors determining severity, according to molecular findings. For improved detection, including in culture-negative and polymicrobial cases, diagnostic advancements focus on combining traditional microscopy and culture with in vivo confocal microscopy, MALDI-TOF MS, targeted PCR, and metagenomic next-generation sequencing. Time to treatment is being reduced by rapid point-of-care techniques like tear β-D-glucan tests, LAMP, CRISPR/Cas platforms, and AI-based image analysis. The necessity for systematic susceptibility testing and antifungal management is supported by rising antifungal resistance, particularly rising MIC trends in Fusarium and Aspergillus species, which exhibit variable susceptibility to azoles and amphotericin B, highlighting the need for species-specific antifungal susceptibility testing. The evolving epidemiology, molecular etiology, and new developments in fungal keratitis diagnosis are covered in this article. Additionally, it emphasizes new therapeutic approaches, including advanced drug delivery systems, advances in antifungal resistance management, and potential avenues for improved management. The article presents a narrative review focusing on recent developments in the epidemiology, molecular mechanisms, diagnosis, antifungal resistance, and treatment options for fungal keratitis.</p>","PeriodicalId":101326,"journal":{"name":"Infectious disorders drug targets","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149121809","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties, and Molecular Docking of Major Compounds from Ocimum lamiifolium Leaves: A Common Home-Remedy Plant in Ethiopia.","authors":"Shewarega Habtamu Haile, Melakuu Tesfaye Alemea, Tekalign Begna, Chuleui Jung, Aman Dekebo","doi":"10.2174/0118715265468377260910101619","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715265468377260910101619","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This study aimed to characterize the chemical and biological properties of Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst. ex Benth. (family: Lamiaceae) leaf extracts and explore their potential applications.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Plant leaves were extracted with ethanol via maceration and hydrodistillation, yielding 5.95% (w/w) and 2.25% (v/w) extracts, respectively. The chemical compositions were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assays, both the ethanolic extract and the essential oil were evaluated for antioxidant activity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty compounds, primarily monoterpenoids, accounted for 81.13% of the total components of the O. lamiifolium essential oil. 55 compounds were identified in the crude ethanolic extract, accounting for 99% of the total. Hydrocarbon terpenes were particularly abundant in the crude ethanolic extract. The plant extracts showed promising antioxidant activity, with the EO and EE extracts having IC50 values of 1.56 and 2.52 μg/mL, respectively, compared with the reference stand-ard ascorbic acid, which had an IC50 of 3.90 μg/mL.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Compared to the EO extract, the EE extract exhibited larger inhibition zones. The antimicrobial results suggest that the EE extract contains more active components, as proven by the GC-MS results. Molecular docking analysis of the three identified components revealed that δ-cadinene exhibited the highest binding affinity and formed hydrophobic interactions with 8 amino acids. This implies that these compounds may function as DNA gyrase inhibitors.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>O. lamiifolium extracts have potential applications as antibacterial and antioxidant agents.</p>","PeriodicalId":101326,"journal":{"name":"Infectious disorders drug targets","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149121787","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification and 3D Modeling of Novel Drug Targets in <i>Leishmania Major</i>: An <i>in-silico</i> Approach.","authors":"Chandra Kanta Bhusal, Upninder Kaur, Davinder Kaur, Sarman Singh, Tikam Chand Dakal, Rakesh Sehgal","doi":"10.2174/0118715265347504250517162056","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715265347504250517162056","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Leishmania sp. can cause visceral, mucosal, cutaneous, and subcutaneous forms. Leishmania major is responsible for the cutaneous manifestation of the disease. Due to the limited treatment options and growing resistance in the disease, an in-silico study was conducted to find new therapeutic targets in L. major.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The choke point reactions present in the LeishCyc database were utilized to identify the enzymes responsible for catalyzing these reactions, to discover novel therapeutic targets. The sub-tractive genome approach was used to compare these enzymes with the human proteome to avoid off-target effects. The subcellular location of these enzymes was additionally predicted using DeepLock 2.0. Afterwards, protein-protein interactions were analyzed with STRINGv12.0, identifying high-confidence enzymes with highly ranked clusters. Their pathways and significance in parasite survival were determined via the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and relevant literature. Afterwards, the uniqueness of pharmacological targets and the potential for broad-spectrum activity of relevant enzymes were assessed using the DrugBank database and BLASTp analysis. Additionally, 3D structures were modeled and validated using SWISS MODEL and SAVESv6.0.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study proposed that Putative lanosterol 14-alpha demethylase, DPMS, and ADS1 have the potential to be effective therapeutic targets due to their innovative nature. An extensive investigation using BLASTp revealed that these selected pharmacological targets exhibit more than 90% similarity with other Leishmania species, suggesting their potential for therapeutic targeting throughout the Leishmania genus.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The prospective pharmacological targets revealed in this work, specifically the putative lanosterol 14-alpha demethylase, DPMS, and ADS1, show promise for future investigation as potential therapeutic targets. Nevertheless, further in-vitro and in-vivo investigations are required to fully examine their complete therapeutic capabilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":101326,"journal":{"name":"Infectious disorders drug targets","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149013504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Viusid in Long COVID: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial.","authors":"Torres-Obando Felipe, Restrepo-Guerrero Héctor Fabio, Romeo Pietro, Gallelli Luca","doi":"10.2174/0118715265475872260417063451","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715265475872260417063451","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Long COVID syndrome (LCS) is characterized by persistent neurological, respiratory, and systemic symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection, with limited effective treatments available. Viusid is an oral antioxidant and immunomodulatory formulation that may improve chronic inflammatory symptoms. This study evaluated the efficacy of Viusid in patients with LCS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of Viusid in adults with long COVID syndrome. The primary endpoint was the change in brain fog severity at Day 210. Secondary endpoints included changes in neurological, respiratory, musculoskeletal, digestive, and general symptoms measured using a 23-symptom clinical questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All participants completed the study. Viusid significantly improved the primary endpoint, brain fog, compared with placebo (MD -1.23; 95% CI -2.41 to -0.005; p < 0.001). Significant improvements favoring Viusid were also observed in anxious-depressive mood (p < 0.001), sleep dis-orders (p = 0.003), fatigue (p = 0.023), dyspnea (p = 0.018), chest pain (p = 0.002), cough (p = 0.004), abdominal pain (p = 0.009), and myalgia (p = 0.025). These effects remained consistent after adjusted analyses.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The intervention showed potential improvement in long COVID symptoms; however, the small sample size and observational design limit conclusions, warranting further randomized con-trolled studies.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Viusid significantly improved multiple long COVID symptoms, particularly neurological and respiratory manifestations. These findings support its potential as a therapeutic option for long COVID and justify further confirmatory studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":101326,"journal":{"name":"Infectious disorders drug targets","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148908445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fatal Rickettsial Multiorgan Dysfunction in an Adolescent Despite Standard Antimicrobial Therapy: A Case Report.","authors":"Jitendra Singh, Keshav Suman, Anju Dinkar, Nivedita Verma, Rajeev Verma, Munna Lal Patel, Amit Anand","doi":"10.2174/0118715265478372260813075111","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715265478372260813075111","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Rickettsial diseases have re-emerged as significant causes of acute febrile illness in India and can occasionally evolve into rickettsial endovasculitis, characterized by widespread endothelial infection and vascular inflammation, leading to increased vascular permeability, tissue ischemia, and multiorgan dysfunction. Early diagnosis remains challenging because the initial clinical presentation is often nonspecific, and rapid diagnostic facilities are not uniformly available in many healthcare settings.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>We describe a 17-year-old previously healthy female who presented after 10 days of fever and rapidly deteriorated, developing Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), hepatic impairment, and myocardial involvement. Serological testing demonstrated a positive Weil-Felix OX-K titer (OX-K ≥ 1:160), supporting a rickettsial etiology. Despite prompt doxycycline therapy, adjunctive corticosteroids for ARDS, renal replacement therapy, and lung-protective mechanical ventilation, the patient developed refractory hypoxemia (PaO₂ < 60 mmHg despite optimized ventilatory support) and circulatory collapse, resulting in death on the fifth hospital day. This case demonstrates a rapidly progressive, severe vasculitic form of rickettsial disease culminating in severe multiorgan dysfunction (severe ARDS, acute renal impairment, and myocarditis). The lack of classical clinical markers, such as eschar, along with significant overlap with other endemic tropical infections, likely delayed definitive diagnosis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In rickettsial-endemic settings, clinicians should retain a high index of suspicion for these infections in patients presenting with undifferentiated febrile illness. Prompt initiation of doxycycline, improved access to rapid diagnostic tools, and early escalation to intensive care are essential strategies to reduce mortality and prevent fatal complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":101326,"journal":{"name":"Infectious disorders drug targets","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148890071","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Current Status of Avian Toxoplasmosis in the World: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.","authors":"Tahereh Mikaeili Galeh, Maryam Nakhaei, Tooran Nayeri, Shahabeddin Sarvi, Davood Anvari, Seyed Abdollah Hosseini, Zahra Hosseininejad, Seyyed Ali Shariatzadeh, Ahmad Daryani","doi":"10.2174/0118715265339953260807105018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715265339953260807105018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Toxoplasmosis is a food-borne disease that infects almost all warm-blooded mammals and birds. Birds are considered intermediate hosts for the parasite. The consumption of infected birds by humans and other animals plays a highlight role in the transmission of this parasite. Accordingly, the present review was conducted to find the global seroprevalence of T. gondii in birds.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A comprehensive search of five academic databases (ScienceDirect, PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Scopus) and Google Scholar was conducted for literature published from 1952 to December 13, 2020.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Finally, a total of 211 studies, including 69006 birds (from 61 countries), were incorporated in the present study. The seroprevalence was calculated at 27.96% (95% CI=25.27-30.73) based on the random effect. The pooled seroprevalence rates of T. gondii were in Africa (39.73%), America (34.50%), Asia (23.65%), and Europe (17.46%). Based on these results, the Modified Agglutination Test (MAT) was the most common diagnostic method (122 studies). The weighted prevalence was higher in free-range chickens (37.60%) and domestic chickens (36.93%) than in other bird types.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Based on the findings of the study, a high seropositivity of T. gondii in birds indicates that they could be a potential food safety risk for humans.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The current review has contributed to enhancing the understanding of the relatively high level of T. gondii seroprevalence in birds. The results from this study are useful for policymakers to control T. gondii infection in meat consumption, due to the significant role of poultry in the human diet.</p>","PeriodicalId":101326,"journal":{"name":"Infectious disorders drug targets","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148868824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Isolated Splenic Tuberculosis with Possible Concurrent Scrub Typhus in an Immunocompetent Host: An Uncommon Case Report.","authors":"Anju Dinkar, Umang Maheshwari, Jitendra Singh, Rajeev Verma, Prakriti Bhasin","doi":"10.2174/0118715265468836260721115408","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715265468836260721115408","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Isolated splenic tuberculosis is an exceptionally unusual clinical condition, particularly in immunocompetent patients, and frequently manifests with nonspecific clinical features that resemble other tropical illnesses. Diagnostic difficulties are exacerbated when concomitant diseases, such as scrub typhus, are present, potentially delaying suitable treatment.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>We report the case of a 21-year-old immunocompetent female with a body mass index (BMI) of 22.8 kg/m², presenting with a three-week history of intermittent fever and left upper-quadrant abdominal pain. Clinical evaluation revealed splenomegaly, elevated inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP) 24 mg/L and raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 28 mm/hr), and a positive paired serum sample for scrub typhus IgM serology, while the Mantoux test and chest imaging were unremarkable. Notwithstanding empirical treatment for enteric fever and subsequent doxycycline administration for scrub typhus, the fever persisted. Imaging revealed several hypodense splenic lesions consistent with abscesses. Acid-fast bacilli were identified in the aspirated material on staining, and the cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) confirmed Mycobacterium tuberculosis with rifampicin sensitivity, establishing isolated splenic tuberculosis. The patient responded well to standard antitubercular therapy, with marked radiological improvement on follow-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case highlights the importance of considering tuberculosis as a possible aetiology of splenic abscesses, even in apparently immunocompetent individuals and in the presence of another possible tropical infection (scrub typhus IgM seropositive). Persistent fever, atypical imaging findings, or inadequate response to first therapy should necessitate assessment for co-infections. Early microbiological confirmation and timely treatment are essential to achieving optimal outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":101326,"journal":{"name":"Infectious disorders drug targets","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148804416","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Mini‑Review of Photodynamic Therapy for Restoring Cervicovaginal Microbiome: A Novel Approach in Female Infertility Management.","authors":"Samane Teymouri, Maryam Pourhajibagher, Abbas Bahador","doi":"10.2174/0118715265464731260620054620","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715265464731260620054620","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been investigated as a minimally invasive approach that could enhance reproductive health by preserving the reproductive tract microbiome. The disturbances in the reproductive tract microbiome, including the loss of Lactobacillus-dominated communities and the overgrowth of opportunistic or pathogenic bacteria, are associated with infertility. PDT can be used to eliminate specific pathogens or precancerous lesions, and may modulate the microbiome in the female genital tract. Unlike conventional antimicrobial treatments, which may also affect beneficial microorganisms, PDT can selectively inactivate pathogenic microbes through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Maintaining a balanced cervicovaginal microbiome is of great importance in achieving reproductive success. By reducing pathogenic microbial load and limiting damage to commensal bacteria, PDT may contribute to improving microbial balance in the cervicovaginal environment. In recent years, there has been increasing attention to therapeutic strategies in reproductive medicine that preserve the microbiome, emphasizing the importance of methods that control infection while maintaining a balanced microbial ecosystem. This narrative mini‑review summarizes current findings on the use of PDT for microbial modulation in the female reproductive tract and discusses its relevance in the treatment of infertility associated with reproductive tract microbial dysbiosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":101326,"journal":{"name":"Infectious disorders drug targets","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148521729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diagnostic Challenges in Invasive Saprochaete capitata Infection: A Case Report.","authors":"Neha Sharad, Supriya Kumari, Vimal Singh Munda, Pratima Gupta","doi":"10.2174/0118715265477017260629100857","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715265477017260629100857","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Saprochaete capitata is a rare opportunistic yeast-like fungus increasingly recognized as a cause of invasive infections, predominantly in immunocompromised hosts. While most cases are reported in patients with hematological malignancies and neutropenia, infections in patients with chronic metabolic and renal disorders are uncommon and often underdiagnosed. Isolation of S. capitata from urine is particularly rare and poses diagnostic challenges in distinguishing colonization from invasive disease.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>We report a fatal case of sepsis associated with Saprochaete capitata isolated from the urine of a 65-year-old male with type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and chronic lymphatic filariasis. The patient presented with fever, chills, tachycardia, cellulitis of the right lower limb, and features of systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Laboratory investigations revealed marked leukocytosis, elevated inflammatory markers, and acute-on-chronic renal failure. Despite clinical features of sepsis, repeated bacterial blood and urine cultures were sterile. Urine microscopy showed pyuria, and culture on CLED agar yielded dry, creamy-white, yeast-like colonies. A lactophenol cotton blue mount demonstrated hyaline septate hyphae with rectangular arthroconidia. The isolate was urease-negative and was definitively identified as Saprochaete capitata by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for voriconazole, itraconazole, and posaconazole, with elevated MICs for echinocandins, consistent with known resistance patterns. The patient was treated empirically with broad-spectrum antibacterial agents but did not receive early antifungal therapy. His clinical condition rapidly deteriorated, progressing to septic shock and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome, requiring intensive care support, mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, and hemodialysis. Despite maximal supportive care, the patient succumbed to his illness.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case highlights the clinical significance of isolating Saprochaete capitata from urine in high-risk patients presenting with sepsis and negative bacterial cultures. It underscores the need for heightened clinical suspicion, prompt fungal identification using advanced diagnostic methods, and early initiation of appropriate antifungal therapy. Awareness of this rare but aggressive pathogen is crucial for improving outcomes in vulnerable patient populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":101326,"journal":{"name":"Infectious disorders drug targets","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148521759","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}