Medical Codes for Aspergillosis Inadequate
The available ICD-10 medical codes for aspergillosis (Blog article) are poor and we would like to help the National Aspergillosis Centre have these codes revised:
We need an expert volunteer to help work with the coders to redevelop this set of codes - if you feel you can do this us please contact us at admin@aspergillus.org.uk Public Health and Tropical Medicine Fellowships. It has come to our attention that there are a series of Fellowships funded by the Wellcome Trust available to applicants for low and middle income countries. We would like to encourage medical mycology applicants and would be happy to provide facilities and expertise for training at the National Aspergillosis Centre for applicants. We would like to identify applicants for these Fellowships and help facilitate application - please contact us at admin@aspergillosis.org.uk
Latest News and Articles Project LIFE 2012-judges announce shortlist Fundraising: Gregory Hope's 3 peak challenge (The highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales climbed in 24 hours) in aid of the Fungal Research Trust takes place on 29th July - all donations are welcome. Relief for Asthmatics: Selected articles: (97 new articles added, of which 1 is a review and 2 historical value)MYCOBIOSYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES FROM ASPERGILLUS NIGER: A SOIL FUNGAL ISOLATE A. niger is successfully used to generate nanoparticles (green synthesis). In present study, ideal conditions for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Aspergillus niger were found to be temperature 37 0C, pH of 6.0 and substrate of 2.0 mM. The Evolutionary Imprint of Domestication on Genome Variation and Function of the Filamentous Fungus Aspergillus oryzae Genomic analysis of what makes A. oryzae different from its wild ancestor A. flavus. A oryzae is entirely domesticated and has existed in human-mantiained culture for up to 9000 years. Challenging Recommended Oral and Intravenous Voriconazole Doses for Improved Efficacy and Safety: Population Pharmacokinetics-Based Analysis of Adult Patients With Invasive Fungal Infections Higher oral than intravenous VRC doses, followed by individualized adjustments based on measured plasma concentrations, improve achievement of the therapeutic target that maximizes the probability of therapeutic response and minimizes the probability of neurotoxicity. These findings challenge dose recommendations for VRC. Routine processing procedures for isolating filamentous fungi from respiratory sputum samples may underestimate fungal prevalence A total of 55 sputum samples from 41 patients with COPD were analyzed, comparing fungal recovery of five dilutions of sputa on two media. Isolation of A. fumigatus in culture was significantly higher using the research approach compared to the HPA standard method for mycological investigations (P < 0.001). There was also a significant difference in the recovery rate of A. fumigatus (P < 0.05) between media. This highlights the need for a standardized approach to fungal detection which is more sensitive than the method recommended by the HPA Voriconazole and posaconazole improve asthma severity in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and severe asthma with fungal sensitization Both voriconazole and posaconazole are potentially effective alternative treatment options for SAFS and ABPA and may improve asthma control and reduce severity, though larger prospective studies are required to support these retrospective study findings. Reviews or Detailed OverviewsCystic fibrosis: a mucosal immunodeficiency syndrome An extensive review from the viewpoint that CF is a disease where the patient's airways are permanently inflamed and as a result are susceptible to infection. Animal models are in place to investigate how we can develop new drugs to combate this problem. Patients WebsiteISSEHomeowners in the UK can now contact an organisation (Institute of Specialist Surveyer and Engineers) that is trying to eradicate bad practice and overcharging in the mould asessment and remediation industry for homes. They are usually able to recommend a professional who will efficiently advise the housholder. ISSE is a professional institute approved by UK Secretary of State and is a full member of the Construction Industry Council (CIC), both achievements require the highest standards of practice. Facebook community progressWe have launched a major project to engage patients using the facilities available on Facebook. We have over 123 members and 'Friends' . Reaching new people is of fundamental importance to our need to reach people who may be living with aspergillosis and not be supported or even diagnosed correctly.
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The NCG
Medical codes for the classification of diagnoses are important to get right as it is those codes that are typically used to calculate prevalence in any particular country. Prevalence has a significant effect on future funding for the treatment of a disease as those figures are often used to guide national health funding bodies when they are deciding how much to devote to the diagnosis and treatment of each disease. Accurate prevalence figures are also important for research, drug development and much more.
Another of our patients has taken up the mantle of authorship this month. Michael Chapman has written a book based on his life with aspergillosis visiting hospital many times entitled '| Liverpool: Next date to be announced, "Wetherspoons", Childwall Fiveways Hotel, Queens Drive, Liverpool, L15 6XS. Map Facebook |
| London: Next date to be announced, video conference available. Google UK, Belgrave House, 76 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TQ. Map Facebook |
West Midlands: Thursday 9th August, 2012 at 1:30pm, Dudley Golf Club, Rowley Regis, West Midlands B65 9DP. Map Facebook |
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East Midlands: Tuesday 31st July 2012 at Beans Coffee House in Higham Ferrers, Northants, NN10 8DZ Map Facebook |
| USA: San Francisco. Map Facebook |
| USA: Los Angeles. Met recently 1:30pm at Weiler's Deli. 22323 Sherman Way in West Hills. Map Facebook |
| USA: Vermont. Map Facebook |
Laboratory Protocols
We have added BioChemiCalc. BiochemiCalc™ gives laboratory scientists a straightforward online environment in which to carry out biochemical calculations and provides a learning space for undergraduate students, for whom biochemical calculations are often a bit of a mystery
We are always looking for more for our collection - please send your suggestions here
Veterinary
Making Sense of Mycotoxins For years, researchers, scientists, and veterinarians have advised horse owners to be cautious and aware of mycotoxins in horse feeds, forages, and pastures. And while these tiny toxins can cause serious illnesses in horses, they can also be difficult for owners to understand.
At the 2012 Kentucky Equine Research Conference, held May 17-18 in Lexington, Ky., Ramesh C. Gupta, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ABT, professor and head of the toxicology department at Murray State University's Breathitt Veterinary Center, in Hopkinsville, Ky., gave an overview of mycotoxins that affect horses and the clinical signs, diagnostics, and treatments associated with mycotoxicosis.
You can now search all of our veterinary articles alongside all of the rest of our articles in the website Library
NOTE: Vets in the UK in need of assistance with acquiring antifungals please contact us here
You can donate through Virgin Money Giving. Through this organisation all of your donations goes straight to our charity. If you are a UK taxpayer we can reclaim the tax on your donation.
Will you donate just £1 (or $1 or €1) per newsletter to help us deliver the Aspergillus website and sustain research into Aspergillus related illnesses? That is just £12 for a year of newsletters. We need your help to continue providing up to date information and resources for patients and Doctors through the Aspergillus website.
NOTE: Direct donations made through this page have raised £1470 so far this year - Many thanks for helping us run the Aspergillus Website.
Attention Clinicians!
You may like to contribute to the following collaborative groups who are collecting clinical data on these rare infections:
Fungiscope is a global rare fungal infection registry, a working group of ISHAM.
International Pediatric Fungal Network (PFN) collating information on treatment of pediatric patients
AspICU2 is a web-based multicentre observational survey to assess the burden of aspergillosis and other fungi in critically ill patients.
Expert Patient Programme
Learn to manage long term illness better by taking part in a 6 week course. Originally designed at Stanford University, USA 20 years ago this programme has proven benefit for the patient, the carer and family. In the UK this is provided free of charge by the NHS.
Contact us for more information
Research Grant Awards
The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy is inviting applications for research projects to be funded from its Education Fund. The Education Fund is designated for research projects and initiatives of benefit to the field of antimicrobial chemotherapy (Closes 1 November 2012 )
European Union Executive Agency for Health and Consumers is inviting proposals for projects including Preventing Chronic Diseases
Jobs
Sixteen are currently being advertised:
Postdoctoral Position: Systematic genetic analysis of fungal virulence
NIH-funded positions available in the Madhani laboratory (Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, UCSF) to apply systematic genetic analysis to the virulence of the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
2 Senior Staff Specialists or Staff Specialists (Infectious Diseases)
To provide high quality specialist Infectious Diseases clinical care to patients and to contribute to the organisation, management and provision of Infectious Diseases (including Infection Control) services
Clinical Research Fellows, National Aspergillosis Centre, Manchester, UK.
Over the next 2 years at least 2 vacancies will be available for Clinical Research Fellows at the National Aspergillosis Centre. The precise area of research has not been decided and will depend partly on the experience and interest of any successful candidate.
Ten 2-year post-doc positions, Marseille, France
Ten 2-year post-doc positions offered to work in the areas of Tropical Parasitology, Medical Mycology and Epidemiology of Chronic Infectious Diseases
Tenure-track investigators sought to work in the areas of Tropical Parasitology, Medical Mycology and Epidemiology of Chronic Infectious Diseases
Associated to full level professor, 4 year contracts will be signed with the possibility to integrate permanent positions within the IHU involving both University and Hospital responsibilities
Locum position - Staff Specialist in Infectious Diseases, Blacktown Hospital, Western Sydney, Australia
A new 1.0 FTE position for a Staff Specialist in Infectious Diseases at Blacktown Hospital.
Advertise your vacancy free of charge on the Aspergillus Website here. *Optional donation to the Fungal Research Trust to cover costs incurred in providing this newsletter.
Conferences - coming up
Fungal Interactions [organized with the British Mycological Society]. Alicante, Spain. September 3-6th 2012
International Severe Asthma Forum 2012, 11-13th October 2012
Eindejaarsmeeting Réunion de fin d’année. Château du Lac – Genval 30 November, 1-2 December 2012
Courses and Workshops
We keep a listing of courses and workshops including 'one off' events and courses that repeat regularly. Course subjects are wide ranging and include medical mycology, lab ID, young scientists symposia and much more. Those coming up next are:
Invasive Mycoses: Evolving Challenges and Opportunities in Antifungal Therapy -A Case-based Discussion August 1st 2012
Introduction to Infection Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship August 24 - 26th 2012.
Medical Biofilm Techniques 2012 August 27 - 30th 2012. Copenhagen, Denmark.
Distance Learning Course in Biofilm September 4th - November 5th. Copenhagen, Denmark.
If you know of a course that should be added to this list please add it by contacting us here
Blog
NewsBites
- Everyone has a preexisting condition for something. They just don’t know it yet.
- Jens Frisvad Given Award for work on Aspergillus
- Advances Against Aspergillosis 5 - a review
- Deidre Wins the Day Against Mouldy Housing
- Alan Turing's 100th Birthday
- Aspergillosis of the Eye - New Potential for Treatment
Blogs
- Medical Codes Inadequate for Aspergillosis
- Using a Yeast to Fight a Mould: The Antifungal Fungus
- Undiagnosed Aspergillosis: New Diagnostic Tests Needed
- The Taming of Aspergillus
- Nine New Aspergillus Species Identified
- Undiagnosed Aspergillosis Man 'Looked Like He Had Been Shot!'
- UK to be a Centre for Renewable Chemicals Using Aspergillus
- Patients Not Taking Their Daily Medication costs US $300 billion
- What is the true cost of counterfeit drugs?
- Better Diagnostics Needed to Detect Aspergillosis
- Global prevalence of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis following pulmonary tuberculosis
Latest Books
Fungal Infection: Diagnosis & Management 4th Edition M Richardson and D Warnock
Die Fadenpilze Aspergillus Flavus Niger by Siebenmann F (Jul 2012)
Consultations in Infectious Disease: A Case Based Approach to Diagnosis and Management by Daniel Caplivski and W. Michael Scheld (31 May 2012)
Anti-fungal evaluation of medicinal plants: Aflatoxin producing Aspergillus species by Rajani Palaparthi, Sridevi Veluru and Manasa Machavarapu (9 Jun 2012)
Biocommunication of Fungi by Guenther Witzany (7 Jun 2012)
Books written by aspergillosis patients
The Lady with the Aspergillus by Julie Michael (9 Apr 2012)
Latest Theses
View latest theses online. UK USA
Molecular detection of bloodstream pathogens in critical illness Author: Al_griw, Huda Hm Awarding Institution: University of Manchester Awarded: 2012NB Links to theses may require library membership.
Technical Tips
We have now moved this to our Aspergillus & Aspergillosis Group in LinkedIn were we have a membership of over 250 professionals from a variety of backgrounds. Once a member you can start discussions and ask questions.
Searching for Aspergillus Information
- Aspergillus Website ¦ Custom searching available in some sections
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You can now receive notification of updates to the Aspergillus Website on your mobile phone via SMS texting free of charge. Go to http://twitter.com/AspergillusWeb and open a Twitter account. Follow AspergillusWeb. 259 already follow AspergillusWeb.
If your network does not support Twitter SMS and you have a smartphone you can still monitor our messages over 3G or Wifi via free software and apps installed on your phone
Facebook Causes
The Fungal Research Trust have a Facebook Causes page with over 500 members. Give your support to the cause here.
Join the Aspergillus & Aspergillosis group (250 members) to get in touch and keep in touch with your professional colleagues working in this field.
LinkedIn runs discussion forums in each group that all members can start up. Ask questions & debate with colleagues.
Thanks for reading!
Visit our website again soon.
The Aspergillus Team.
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