BACKGROUND: The International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM) working group proposed recommendations for managing allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) a decade ago. There is a need to update these recommendations due to advances in diagnostics and therapeutics.
METHODS: An international expert group was convened to develop guidelines for managing ABPA (caused by Aspergillus spp.) and allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM; caused by fungi other than Aspergillus spp.) in adults and children using a modified Delphi method (two online rounds and one in-person meeting). We defined consensus as ≥70% agreement or disagreement. The terms \"recommend\" and \"suggest\" are used when the consensus was ≥70% and <70%, respectively.
RESULTS: We recommend screening for A. fumigatus sensitisation using fungus-specific IgE in all newly diagnosed asthmatic adults at tertiary care but only difficult-to-treat asthmatic children. We recommend diagnosing ABPA in those with predisposing conditions or compatible clinico-radiological presentation, with a mandatory demonstration of fungal sensitisation and serum total IgE ≥500 IU·mL-1 and two of the following: fungal-specific IgG, peripheral blood eosinophilia or suggestive imaging. ABPM is considered in those with an ABPA-like presentation but normal A. fumigatus-IgE. Additionally, diagnosing ABPM requires repeated growth of the causative fungus from sputum. We do not routinely recommend treating asymptomatic ABPA patients. We recommend oral prednisolone or itraconazole monotherapy for treating acute ABPA (newly diagnosed or exacerbation), with prednisolone and itraconazole combination only for treating recurrent ABPA exacerbations. We have devised an objective multidimensional criterion to assess treatment response.
CONCLUSIONS: We have framed consensus guidelines for diagnosing, classifying and treating ABPA/M for patient care and research.

This draft of guidelines for the laboratory diagnosis of dermatomycoses was developed based on discussion among members of the Czech Society for Medical Microbiology Working Group on Mycology. The document Guidelines for the Laboratory Diagnosis of Dermatomycoses was published for discussion on the Czech Society for Medical Microbiology website on 23 March 2020. Until recently, recommendations concerning this area of laboratory diagnosis in mycology were only limited to information in manuals and no comprehensive and systematic document concerning these issues was available. In an effort to fill the gap, members of the working group developed recommendations covering various laboratory aspects of mycology, from obtaining a proper history, to adequate sampling techniques, sample analyses using conventional microscopy and culture techniques, to interpretation of results. Additional information was on the diagnostic potential of novel, modern technology, in particular molecular genetic methods and mass spectrometry. The recently developed European standards for testing the susceptibility of dermatophytes to antifungals were also included in the recommendations. The document will be regularly updated based on new findings.

BACKGROUND: Invasive fusariosis is a serious infection affecting mostly patients with haematologic malignancies and hematopoietic cell transplant recipients.
OBJECTIVE: To develop a scoring tool that evaluates guideline adherence in the management of invasive fusariosis.
METHODS: We reviewed two guidelines, provided by the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) and the European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM), and selected the strongest recommendations for management quality as the bases for the scoring tool.
RESULTS: We reviewed the recommendations regarding primary and secondary prophylaxis, diagnostics procedures (images, blood cultures, biopsy of skin lesions with direct examination, culture and histopathology, species identification, antifungal susceptibility tests and antigen detection), treatment choices and follow-up procedures. The tool comprises 18 items, with a maximum of 24 points.
CONCLUSIONS: The EQUAL score Fusariosis is a tool that may help clinicians to measure guidelines adherence.

With increasing numbers of patients needing intensive care or who are immunosuppressed, infections caused by moulds other than Aspergillus spp or Mucorales are increasing. Although antifungal prophylaxis has shown effectiveness in preventing many invasive fungal infections, selective pressure has caused an increase of breakthrough infections caused by Fusarium, Lomentospora, and Scedosporium species, as well as by dematiaceous moulds, Rasamsonia, Schizophyllum, Scopulariopsis, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Talaromyces and Purpureocillium species. Guidance on the complex multidisciplinary management of infections caused by these pathogens has the potential to improve prognosis. Management routes depend on the availability of diagnostic and therapeutic options. The present recommendations are part of the One World-One Guideline initiative to incorporate regional differences in the epidemiology and management of rare mould infections. Experts from 24 countries contributed their knowledge and analysed published evidence on the diagnosis and treatment of rare mould infections. This consensus document intends to provide practical guidance in clinical decision making by engaging physicians and scientists involved in various aspects of clinical management. Moreover, we identify areas of uncertainty and constraints in optimising this management.

Invasive mycoses present a global challenge with expansion into new hosts, emergence of new pathogens, and development of multidrug resistance. In parallel, new antifungal agents and advanced laboratory diagnostic systems are being developed. In response to these evolving challenges, the European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) is committed to providing international expertise, guidance, and leadership with the key objectives of improving diagnosis, treatment, outcome, and survival of persons with invasive fungal diseases. Representing 25 affiliated National Medical Mycology Societies, the ECMM has developed several major ways to achieving these critical objectives: (a) tasking specific medical mycology working groups; (b) founding the ECMM Academy and Fellow program (FECMM); (c) expanding the goals of ECMM beyond the European region; (d) implementing the ECMM Excellence Centre Initiative in Europe; and (e) the ECMM Global Guidelines and Neglected Orphan Disease Guidance Initiatives focusing on mucormycosis, rare mould diseases, rare yeast diseases, and endemic mycoses. We believe that these important initiatives and other strategies of the ECMM will advance the field of medical mycology and improve the outcome of patients with invasive mycoses worldwide.

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) constitute an important cause of hospital-acquired infection associated with morbidity, mortality, and cost. The aim of these guidelines is to provide updated recommendations for the diagnosis and management of CRBSI in adults. Prevention of CRBSI is excluded. Experts in the field were designated by the two participating Societies (Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica and the Sociedad Española de Medicina Intensiva, Crítica y Unidades Coronarias). Short-term peripheral venous catheters, non-tunneled and long-term central venous catheters, tunneled catheters and hemodialysis catheters are covered by these guidelines. The panel identified 39 key topics that were formulated in accordance with the PICO format. The strength of the recommendations and quality of the evidence were graded in accordance with ESCMID guidelines. Recommendations are made for the diagnosis of CRBSI with and without catheter removal and of tunnel infection. The document establishes the clinical situations in which a conservative diagnosis of CRBSI (diagnosis without catheter removal) is feasible. Recommendations are also made regarding empirical therapy, pathogen-specific treatment (coagulase-negative staphylococci, Sthaphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp, Gram-negative bacilli, and Candida spp), antibiotic lock therapy, diagnosis and management of suppurative thrombophlebitis and local complications.

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) constitute an important cause of hospital-acquired infection associated with morbidity, mortality, and cost. The aim of these guidelines is to provide updated recommendations for the diagnosis and management of CRBSI in adults. Prevention of CRBSI is excluded. Experts in the field were designated by the two participating Societies (the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology and [SEIMC] and the Spanish Society of Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine and Coronary Units [SEMICYUC]). Short-term peripheral venous catheters, non-tunneled and long-term central venous catheters, tunneled catheters and hemodialysis catheters are covered by these guidelines. The panel identified 39 key topics that were formulated in accordance with the PICO format. The strength of the recommendations and quality of the evidence were graded in accordance with ESCMID guidelines. Recommendations are made for the diagnosis of CRBSI with and without catheter removal and of tunnel infection. The document establishes the clinical situations in which a conservative diagnosis of CRBSI (diagnosis without catheter removal) is feasible. Recommendations are also made regarding empirical therapy, pathogen-specific treatment (coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp., Gram-negative bacilli, and Candida spp.), antibiotic lock therapy, diagnosis and management of suppurative thrombophlebitis and local complications.

We sought to review the most important updates in the treatment of aspergillosis after the publication of the clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of invasive aspergillosis (IA) by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Our aim is to discuss some of the key aspects concerning the following topics: early initiation of antifungal therapy, antifungal agent of choice, follow-up of patients with IA, and breakthrough aspergillosis.

The ability of recognizing various clinical manifestations of mucocutaneous mycosis, making a diagnosis, and establishing a treatment is part of a dermatologist\'s daily routine. However, due to the fact that clinical manifestations, laboratory diagnostics, and treatment are performed in one hand, laboratory findings are properly classified and interpreted. Since new binding guidelines of the German Medical Association on quality assurance measures in medical laboratory testing came into force, there is much concern among dermatologists of how to comply with these new regulations. It is the intention of the authors to help our readers to implement these new rules in order to make sure that mycological diagnostics continue to be part of a dermatologist\'s professional work.

Although Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) disk diffusion assay standard conditions are available for susceptibility testing of filamentous fungi (molds) to antifungal agents, quality control (QC) disk diffusion zone diameter ranges have not been established. This multicenter study documented the reproducibility of tests for one isolate each of five molds (Paecilomyces variotii ATCC MYA-3630, Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC MYA-3626, A. flavus ATCC MYA-3631, A. terreus ATCC MYA-3633, and Fusarium verticillioides [moniliforme] ATCC MYA-3629) and Candida krusei ATCC 6258 by the CLSI disk diffusion method (M51-A document). The zone diameter ranges for selected QC isolates were as follows: P. variotii ATCC MYA-3630, amphotericin B (15 to 24 mm), itraconazole (20 to 31 mm), and posaconazole (33 to 43 mm); A. fumigatus ATCC MYA-3626, amphotericin B (18 to 25 mm), itraconazole (11 to 21 mm), posaconazole (28 to 35 mm), and voriconazole (25 to 33 mm); and C. krusei, amphotericin B (18 to 27 mm), itraconazole (18 to 26 mm), posaconazole (28 to 38 mm), and voriconazole (29 to 39 mm). Due to low testing reproducibility, zone diameter ranges were not proposed for the other three molds.