Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Fosravuconazole, Itraconazole and Hydroxyitraconazole in Sudanese Patients With Eumycetoma.

Background: The first clinical trial on eumycetoma was recently conducted in Sudan, comparing oral fosravuconazole, prodrug of active ravuconazole, with the standard-of-care oral itraconazole. Building on this trial, the present study aimed to characterize the pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) of ravuconazole, itraconazole and hydroxyitraconazole in patients with eumycetoma and guide selection of either a 200 mg or 300 mg dose of fosravuconazole.

Methods: Nonlinear mixed-effects modeling was used to develop population PK models in 52 patients receiving three daily loading doses followed by weekly fosravuconazole (200 mg or 300 mg) or twice daily itraconazole (total 400 mg), both over 12 months.

A balancing act: Navigating the advantages and challenges of pioneering mycetoma treatment in Sudan-A landmark trial by the Mycetoma Research Center.

The global burden of mycetoma, a debilitating, neglected tropical disease, is unknown, and patients struggle to complete treatment due to limited accessibility and affordability of medications. This communication highlights a landmark clinical trial conducted by the Mycetoma Research Center (MRC) at the University of Khartoum, Sudan, in partnership with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and Eisai Co., Ltd.

Two dose levels of once-weekly fosravuconazole versus daily itraconazole in combination with surgery in patients with eumycetoma in Sudan: a randomised, double-blind, phase 2, proof-of-concept superiority trial.

Background: Eumycetoma is an implantation mycosis characterised by a large subcutaneous mass in the extremities commonly caused by the fungus Madurella mycetomatis. Despite the long duration of treatment, commonly a minimum of 12 months, treatment failure is frequent and can lead to amputation. We aimed to compare the efficacy of two doses of fosravuconazole, a synthetic antifungal designed for use in onychomycosis and repurposed for mycetoma, with standard-of-care itraconazole, both in combination with surgery.

The nutritional status of mycetoma affected patients seen at the Mycetoma Research Center, Sudan.

Nutrition plays a critical and crucial role in addressing neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and their complications, as they often contribute to malnutrition, which can worsen the impact of these conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the nutritional status of mycetoma patients, which has not been explored previously. This descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted at the Mycetoma Research Center (MRC), University of Khartoum, Sudan.

Knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer prevention among women in Khartoum state, Sudan.

Background: Cervical cancer is considered the third leading cause of death among women worldwide, and human papillomavirus was identified as a major causative agent for developing cervical cancer.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer prevention among women in Khartoum state, Sudan.

Design: A community-based cross-sectional study implemented in Khartoum state, Sudan, from 1 August 2020 to 1 September 2020.

Guillain-Barre syndrome associated with COVID-19 infection: A case series.

In this communication, we reported a series of six patients presented with Guillain-Barré syndrome that associated with COVID-19 infection, which was confirmed with RT-PCR. Here we discuss the laboratory investigation and case management, as well as clinical presentation and outcome of each case. The current report demonstrated the first case series of COVID-19-associated GBS-cases in Sudan.

Comparing the performance of the common used eumycetoma diagnostic tests.

Objectives: Mycetoma is a neglected tropical implantation disease caused by 70 different infectious agents. Identifying the causative organism to the species level is essential for appropriate patient management. Ultrasound, histopathology, culture and two species-specific PCRs are most the commonly used methods for species identification in endemic regions.

Staphylococcus aureus causing primary foot botryomycosis mimicking actinomycetoma: a case report from Sudan.

Objectives: Botryomycosis is a rare chronic granulomatous inflammatory disease of bacterial origin. Two forms of the disease exist; the cutaneous and the visceral form. The subcutaneous form mimics actinomycetoma clinically and histologically; however, the treatment is different.

Obstacles faced by healthcare providers during COVID-19 pandemic in Sudan.

The impacts of COVID -19 pandemic have been quite significant on healthcare providers. I was particularly challenging for those in Low and Middle-Income Countries including Sudan . Unfortunately, the pandemic has hit Sudan on extremely difficult time for the country and its people.

COVID-19 in Sudan.

The steadily growing COVID-19 pandemic is challenging health systems worldwide including Sudan. In Sudan, the first COVID-19 case was reported on 13th March 2020, and up to 11 November 2020 there were 14,401 confirmed cases of which 9,535 cases recovered and the rest 3,750 cases were under treatment. Additionally, 1,116 deaths were reported, indicating a relatively high case fatality rate of 7.

Molecular detection of human papillomavirus-16 among Sudanese patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma and salivary gland carcinoma.

Objective: Human papillomavirus (HPV) gained momentum as a potential etiological factor for many types of cancers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of HPV-16 infection among Sudanese patients diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) and Salivary Gland Carcinoma. A descriptive, hospital-based study was conducted.

The challenges of recruitment in clinical trials in developing countries: the Mycetoma Research Centre experience.

Mycetoma is a chronic disease caused either by fungi (eumycetoma) or bacteria (actinomycetoma). Treatment remains suboptimal and based on personal clinical experience. Recently, the Mycetoma Research Centre (MRC), a WHO Collaborating Centre on mycetoma, began the first-ever double-blind clinical trial.

Massive complicated secondary inguinal mycetoma: a case series.

Mycetoma is a chronic subcutaneous granulomatous disease of the soft tissue and extremities. Herein we report four cases of mycetoma caused by different agents, two caused by Madurella mycetomatis, with Actinomadura madurae and Streptomyces somaliensis affecting the others. These lesions originated at different sites but eventually spread to the inguinal region.

Multiple extensive Madurella mycetomatis eumycetoma lesions: a case report and review of the literature.

In this communication, we report on the first-ever patient presenting with 17 lesions of Madurella mycetomatis eumycetoma in different parts of the body. The reported patient is a 15-y-old female who presented to the Mycetoma Research Centre, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan, in 2017 with recurrent back and anterior abdominal wall eumycetoma lesions. They were surgically excised, and during the course of follow-up, she developed 15 other eumycetoma lesions, scattered mostly on her upper and lower limbs and gluteal region.

Immunohistochemical expression of Cyclin D1 among Sudanese patients diagnosed with benign and malignant prostatic lesions.

Objectives: Prostate cancer (PC) is common cancer worldwide. Several markers have been developed to differentiate between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) from PC. A descriptive retrospective hospital-based study aimed at determining the expression of Cyclin D1 in BPH and PC.

A holistic approach to the mycetoma management.

Mycetoma, one of the badly neglected tropical diseases, it is a localised chronic granulomatous inflammatory disease characterised by painless subcutaneous mass and formation of multiple sinuses that produce purulent discharge and grains. If untreated early and appropriately, it usually spread to affect the deep structures and bone resulting in massive damage, deformities and disabilities. It can also spread via the lymphatics and blood leading to distant secondary satellites associated with high morbidity and mortality.