Overview
Invasive fungal disease (IFD) is a significant cause of mortality in patients with malignancies or post haemopoietic stem cell transplantation. The spectrum of fungi causing IFDs is broad and antifungal resistance is increasingly common. Imaging, culture and microscopical examination of bronchoalveolar lavage, blood and tissue biopsy specimens and remain the mainstay of diagnosis, but molecular methods are increasingly being used. Susceptibility testing of all clinically relevant isolates is increasingly important. Biomarkers are used for screening and monitoring treatment response. Treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach. Surgical debridement is often an important component. Other management strategies include control of the underlying disease and predisposing factors where possible, augmentation of the host response and the reduction of immunosuppression. Carefully selected antifungal therapy, guided by susceptibility testing, is critical to cure.
This event will take place at 1:00pm and last approximately 1 hour.
CPD
This meeting is worth 1 CPD point (self credited).
Fungal Update Speakers
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Dr Riina Richardson
Dr Richardson is the Clinical Head of Service for the Mycology Reference Centre Manchester and a member of the Infectious Diseases team. She is an internationally recognised expert, senior researcher, educator and clinician in the field of fungal infectious diseases. She is an academic clinician who has published over 170 peer-reviewed articles and books or book chapters in the field of medical microbiology, mucosal immunology, infectious diseases and oral medicine, and has an h-index of 50.
Dr Richardson has special expertise in the management of a spectrum of mycoses including fungal sinusitis and infections in compromised patients, and a special interest in chronic mucosal candidosis and mucosal immunology. She also has expertise in antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention. She is an author of the recently updated BASHH guideline on Vulvovaginal candidiasis as well as the ECMM/ISHAM Candidiasis and Rare yeasts guidelines. She is the Lead for Infectious Diseases learning for Manchester Medical School, the Chair of the UK SMI Bacteriology Working Group, an Educational Officer for ESCMID, and an Editor for Mycoses and the Journal of Fungi.
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Dr Natasha Ratnaraja
Chair, Joint Medical Microbiology and Medical Virology SAC
Dr Natasha Ratnaraja is a Consultant in Infection at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire. She is the Chair of the Medical Microbiology and Medical Virology SAC in RCPath. She has an interest in TB, sepsis and infection prevention and control.
