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Open research questions in Fungal Infections and Studies

52 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 131 Fungal Infections and Studies papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • Estudos sobre a eficácia de medidas de controle ambiental e manejo populacional de gatos ferais. Análise da relação entre a criptococose e outras doenças em gatos.

    REVISÃO DE LITERATURA - CRIPTOCOCOSE EM FELINOS FERAIS E ASSELVAJADOS · 2026 · DOI

  • Falta de conhecimento sobre a criptococose em gatos ferais e asselvajados. Necessidade de estudos sobre a transmissão da doença e seu impacto na saúde pública.

    REVISÃO DE LITERATURA - CRIPTOCOCOSE EM FELINOS FERAIS E ASSELVAJADOS · 2026 · DOI

  • The diagnosis of histoplasmosis can be challenging due to the rarity of the disease and the lack of specific clinical and laboratory findings. The treatment of histoplasmosis can be complicated by the presence of immunosuppression and the risk of complications.

    Histoplasmosis crónica diseminada en paciente inmunosuprimida con presentación clínica centrofacial · 2026 · DOI

  • The evasion of host immune surveillance by C. neoformans is a significant challenge in the diagnosis and treatment of cryptococcosis. The lack of standardized and stable diagnostic reagents is a major challenge in the diagnosis of cryptococcosis.

    Selection and Characterization of Novel Glucuronoxylomannan-Mimetic Peptides for Potential Diagnosis of Cryptococcosis · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for increased awareness of the potential for fulminant cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in immunocompetent patients. There is a lack of understanding of the disease's severity and prognosis in immunocompetent patients.

    Fulminant cryptococcal meningoencephalitis with adrenal involvement in an immunocompetent patient: a clinicopathologic correlation · 2026 · DOI

  • Delayed diagnosis. Limited availability of antifungal therapies. Severe intracranial hypertension and exuberant inflammatory response.

    Fulminant cryptococcal meningoencephalitis with adrenal involvement in an immunocompetent patient: a clinicopathologic correlation · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a paucity of information on immune responses in mycetoma patients. The relative importance of phylogeny and/or grains in establishing the local immune landscape is not well understood.

    A conserved grain-associated immunosuppressive niche in Sudanese patients with mycetoma · 2026 · DOI

  • The buretrol and intravenous line preparation protocols for children 5-32kg versus the direct bag infusion method for children 33-40kg lack standardized procedures for verifying correct volume calculations and preventing medication errors during LAmB reconstitution and administration in cryptococcal meningitis treatment.

    SAHCS Guideline for the prevention, diagnosis and management of cryptococcal disease among persons living with HIV: Update to induction treatment for cryptococcal meningitis · 2026 · DOI

  • No guidance is provided on adjusting LAmB dosing regimens for pediatric patients with renal impairment, hepatic dysfunction, or electrolyte abnormalities during cryptococcal meningitis induction therapy. The safety profile and nephrotoxicity monitoring protocols specific to the recommended infusion rates remain unspecified.

    SAHCS Guideline for the prevention, diagnosis and management of cryptococcal disease among persons living with HIV: Update to induction treatment for cryptococcal meningitis · 2026 · DOI

  • The identified cytokine associations with CNS inflammation markers were detected using multiplex immunoassay analysis, but validation using ELISA and in vitro functional assays is necessary to confirm the mechanistic roles of MIG, MIP-1α, MCP-3, and IL-18 in cryptococcal meningitis immunopathogenesis and their functional relevance to host immune response.

    Cerebrospinal fluid cytokine-driven immune responses in HIV-negative cryptococcal meningitis · 2026 · DOI

  • The study included only 15 untreated cryptococcal meningitis (UCM) patients with variability in principal component scores, limiting statistical power and generalizability. Larger cohorts are needed to validate the observed correlations between CSF parameters (protein concentration, leucocyte counts, glucose ratio) and specific cytokine levels (IL-18, MCP-3, MIG, MIP-1α) in HIV-negative cryptococcal meningitis populations.

    Cerebrospinal fluid cytokine-driven immune responses in HIV-negative cryptococcal meningitis · 2026 · DOI

  • The coexistence of cryptococcal infection in untreated sarcoidosis is an uncommon phenomenon. There is a lack of awareness about the potential complication of pulmonary cryptococcosis in treatment-naïve sarcoidosis patients.

    Pulmonary sarcoidosis complicated with pulmonary cryptococcosis: a case report · 2026 · DOI

  • The limited understanding of the fundamental ecology of T. marneffei. The lack of knowledge on the antifungal susceptibility and stress tolerance of clinical and non-clinical T. marneffei strains.

    Clinical Talaromyces marneffei isolates exhibit enhanced stress tolerance and diminished antifungal responsiveness relative to non-clinical strains · 2026 · DOI

  • The need for rapid and accurate diagnostic tools for invasive fungal infections - The limitations of conventional diagnostics, such as culture and microscopy - The need for simple and accurate detection platforms for resource-limited settings

    Rapid and simultaneous detection of Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans using a duplex real-time RPA assay: a potential point-of-care tool for invasive fungal infections · 2026 · DOI

  • Diagnosing histoplasmosis in non-endemic regions can be challenging due to underreporting and lack of awareness. Developing effective diagnostic tests and treatment strategies for histoplasmosis is crucial. Occupational exposure to disrupted soil and stagnant water can increase the risk of histoplasmosis.

    Histoplasmosis with mediastinal lymphadenopathy in an immunocompetent municipal water department employee in Texas: a case report · 2026 · DOI

  • Histoplasmosis is not traditionally endemic to Texas, and prior studies have underestimated the true prevalence of the disease. There is a need for increased awareness of occupational fungal infections, even among healthy, working-age adults.

    Histoplasmosis with mediastinal lymphadenopathy in an immunocompetent municipal water department employee in Texas: a case report · 2026 · DOI

  • Repeated invasive procedures can be difficult to implement in high-burden, resource-limited settings. Adjunctive pharmacologic approaches have not translated well from other intracranial hypertension syndromes.

    Pathophysiology of intracranial hypertension in cryptococcal meningoencephalitis · 2026 · DOI

  • Further study is needed to explore the role of CSF outflow resistance in intracranial hypertension. Investigation of the effects of cryptococcal phenotypes on ICP is warranted.

    Pathophysiology of intracranial hypertension in cryptococcal meningoencephalitis · 2026 · DOI

  • The mechanism underlying the virulence of fungal pathogens is not fully understood. The role of effectors and small RNAs in virulence is not well characterized.

    Mechanism of Virulence in Fungal Pathogens with Diverse Modes of Living · 2026 · DOI

  • Like other pathogens, fungal phytopathogens have evolved mechanisms for their survival in the host, which involve nutrient uptake, colonization, and reproduction. Though 1 3Mechanism of Virulence in Fungal Pathogens with Diverse Modes of Living 382 Page 12 of 17 Fig. 1 Illustration showing infection process of (a) Biotrophic (b) Necrotrophic fungal phytopathogens. Green colored cells indicate living host cells. Red colored cells indicate cell death induced by necrotrophic fungi. H-haustoria; PE-penetration hyphae; V-vesicles; HM-haustorial mother cells; NB-neckbands; IFM-interfacial matrix; PH-primary hyphae; SH-secondary hyphae 1 3R. Makandar et al. most of the fungal pathogens adopt similar invasion methods initially, the pathogen’s lifestyle or mode of living appears to control the infection process or pathogenesis in the host. In this review, an attempt was made to analyze the two different living styles: a biotrophic and a necrotrophic mode of fungal pathogens in their respective hosts. While, the biotrophs gain entry into the host stealthily by subverting the host surveillance and defense mechanism, the necrotrophs adopt an offensive way by secreting necrotic effectors and toxins to cause necrosis or cell death for their sustenance in the host as illustrated in the Fig. 1. The biotrophs with high degree of host specialization and host adaptability establish a long-term association with the host, while necrotrophic fungal pathogens have adapted to counter these defenses by manipulating phytohormone signaling and detoxifying antimicrobial compounds. In contrast to the divisive mode of living exhibited by most of the fungal pathogens, the fungal members of the genus Cladosporium showcase versatility with different modes of living for their sustenance in different host conditions. Current models of plant–pathogen interactions reveal that fungal pathogens secrete effector proteins that disable plant defense components and are regarded as virulence targets. Effectors and other proteins, enzymes, and secondary metabolites function as virulence factors, which could be targeted as an effective strategy to control fungal survival and growth in the host. Though several host–fungus interactions have led to the detection of a large repertoire of effectors, the mechanism of their mode of delivery, localization, site of action, and signal transduction is yet to be studied. To devise effective control strategies, it is vital to understand the pathogenicity and virulence factors along with the common activities relevant for the growth and spread of different groups of fungi and the host responses against those fungal pathogens. The potential host-specific virulence factors that affect the host-defense machinery could be targeted to confer resistance in crop plants.

    Mechanism of Virulence in Fungal Pathogens with Diverse Modes of Living · 2026 · DOI

  • Further investigation into the role of immunogenetic predisposition in the development of paracoccidioidomycosis. Study of the treatment outcomes of chronic disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis.

    Paracoccidioidomicose Disseminada Grave com Ascite Quilosa e Lesão Cutânea em Mulher Imunocompetente: Relato de Caso · 2026 · DOI

  • The rarity of paracoccidioidomycosis in women of reproductive age. The lack of understanding of the role of immunogenetic predisposition in the development of the disease.

    Paracoccidioidomicose Disseminada Grave com Ascite Quilosa e Lesão Cutânea em Mulher Imunocompetente: Relato de Caso · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of literature on the co-occurrence of Blastomycosis and PAP. The diagnosis of PAP in patients with chronic fungal infections is a rare intersection of infectious and autoimmune pulmonary pathology.

    Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis in a Patient With Chronic Disseminated Blastomycosis: A Case Report · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for effective and safe antifungal agents. The alarming global rise in drug-resistant fungi warrants judicious antifungal prescribing by clinicians.

    A REVIEW OF FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ANTI FUNGAL CREAM USING DIFFERENT PLANT EXTRACT · 2026 · DOI

  • The paper reports a single case of chronic disseminated histoplasmosis, which may not be representative of all cases. The diagnosis and treatment of the disease may be limited by the availability of resources and expertise in some settings.

    Histoplasmosis crónica diseminada en paciente inmunosuprimida con presentación clínica centrofacial · 2026 · DOI

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52 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 131 Fungal Infections and Studies papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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