The population at risk of life-threatening fungal infections continues to expand as a result of immunosuppression required to manage underlying conditions, the emergence of antifungal-resistant fungal strains, and the limited number of available antifungals. It is important to standardize and improve affordable and essential diagnostic tests to rapidly and accurately diagnose fungal infections.
We aim to share expertise among all countries around the globe especially those with limited resources to provide a strong framework of existing knowledge on ‘Fungal Diagnostics’, identify essential diagnostics tests and also tackle the diagnostic gaps, by learning from each other.
We will collaborate with other ISHAM-working groups, international societies, regulatory agencies and governmental authorities.
Membership is open to anyone with a scientific interest in Fungal Diagnostics focusing on:
1. Conventional Mycology
2. Molecular Diagnostics
3. Next-Generation Sequencing
5. MALDI-TOF
5. Antifungal Susceptibility Testing (phenotypic and molecular assays to identify resistance)
6. Biomarkers, serology and point of care assays
7. Cytology/Pathology
8. Novel diagnostic approaches (metabolomics, transcriptomics, mycobiome, cytokine detection assays, T cell phenotyping, …)
Please note: ‘other related diagnostic aspects including therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and evaluating host genetic markers, although significant, is considered beyond the scope of this working group at this moment.’
Objectives:
The objectives of the working group are:
- to form an international network where clinical microbiology/mycology laboratory directors and clinicians can exchange knowledge.
- to establish and coordinate joint research projects between members of the Fungal Diagnostics and other ISHAM working groups and international societies.
- to initiate and contribute to the development of international guidelines subject fungal diagnostics.
- Coordinate multicenter audits and research and write joint publications.
- to develop international educational programs to aid in the diagnosis and care of patients with fungal infections.
- to organize meetings and sessions at congresses as appropriate
- to enhance the global understanding, accessibility and validity of fungal diagnostics
Membership:
Those who are interested to join this international network for mutual support and exchange please submit your interest through the link: Membership form Fungal Diagnostics Working Group
Contact us:
- Prof. Dr. Amir Seyedmousavi
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Tel: +1(301) 827-7314
Seyedmousavi@nih.gov, S.Seyedmousavi@gmail.com - Prof. Dr. Malcolm Richardson
Mycology Reference Centre Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, and Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Tel: +44 7545994936
malcolm.richardson@manchester.ac.uk - Working Group E-mail: fungaldiagnostics@gmail.com
- Twitter: @Fungaldx
- Facebook: ISHAM Fungal Diagnostics
- LinkedIn: ISHAM Fungal Diagnostics Working Group