Dr. Formosa studies fungal infections such as paracoccidioidomycosis and coccidioidomycosis, which are serious diseases that primarily affect individuals in specific regions of Argentina. She investigates how factors like COVID-19 have influenced the diagnosis and treatment of these infections. Her work also includes understanding the demographic features of patients with these infections to improve early diagnosis and treatment strategies. In addition, she examines other infectious conditions and complications related to organ transplants, highlighting the significance of timely diagnosis and specialized care.
Key findings
COVID-19 led to a significant drop in paracoccidioidomycosis cases in 2020, with delays in diagnosis increasing the severity of cases among the 285 patients identified from 2018 to 2021.
The incidence of coccidioidomycosis increased by 36.5% from 2010 to 2022, with over half of the 100 cases being severe, underscoring the need for better recognition and training among healthcare professionals.
In a multicenter study of 466 cases of paracoccidioidomycosis, 86% of cases were found in northeast Argentina, with a ratio of male to female patients of 9.5:1, indicating a significant prevalence in these demographics.
In a case study, a renal transplant patient with Cryptococcus gattii pneumonia took 28 days to be diagnosed, emphasizing the importance of prompt management in transplant patients.
Out of six children with meningococcemia-induced purpura fulminans, five required limb amputations, highlighting the severe outcomes of untreated infections.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Formosa study coccidioidomycosis?
Yes, Dr. Formosa conducts research on coccidioidomycosis, particularly its epidemiology and severity in Argentina.
What is the significance of Dr. Formosa's work for patients with paracoccidioidomycosis?
Her research helps improve diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients with paracoccidioidomycosis, especially in endemic regions.
Has Dr. Formosa published findings related to COVID-19?
Yes, her work includes examining the impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis and occurrence of paracoccidioidomycosis.
What kind of patients can benefit from Dr. Formosa's research on fungal infections?
Patients with conditions like paracoccidioidomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and those undergoing organ transplants can benefit from her findings.
What are Dr. Formosa's contributions to understanding intestinal conditions?
Dr. Formosa has researched how blood flow issues affect the intestines, which can aid in treating patients with intestinal damage or blockages.
Publications in plain English
Epidemiology of coccidioidomycosis in Argentina, an update.
2024
Medical mycology
Viale MN, López-Joffre MC, Motter AN, Mansilla PE, Vivot FG +24 more
Plain English Researchers in Argentina studied cases of coccidioidomycosis (a fungal infection) from 2010 to 2022 and found 100 instances of the disease. The number of cases increased by 36.5% over a decade, with most patients being men around 41 years old. Alarmingly, over half of these cases were serious, indicating that many people are not diagnosed early enough, which highlights the need for better training for healthcare workers and increased public awareness.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients, especially those at risk of coccidioidomycosis in Argentina.
Impact of COVID-19 on paracoccidioidomycosis. Which was the most influential: The pandemic or the virus?
2024
Mycoses
Giusiano G, Tracogna F, Messina F, Sosa V, Rojas F +23 more
Plain English This study looked at how COVID-19 affected the diagnosis and occurrence of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) in Argentina. From 2018 through three years after the pandemic began, 285 patients with PCM were identified, but PCM cases dropped significantly to very low levels in 2020. The pandemic led to delays in diagnosis and more severe cases, highlighting issues like underdiagnosis due to overlapping symptoms and insufficient testing.
Who this helps: This helps patients with PCM and healthcare providers involved in diagnosing and treating the disease.
Clinical and Demographic Features of Paracoccidioidomycosis in Argentina: A Multicenter Study Analysis of 466 Cases.
2023
Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
Giusiano G, Tracogna F, Santiso G, Rojas F, Messina F +26 more
Plain English This study examined the characteristics of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), a fungal infection, in Argentina by analyzing 466 patient cases over ten years. It found that most cases (86%) occurred in northeast Argentina, with a predominance of chronic infections (85.6%) and a notable male to female ratio of 9.5:1. Understanding the distribution and type of this disease is crucial for improving diagnosis and treatment strategies in areas where PCM is common.
Who this helps: This research benefits doctors and health care providers working in endemic regions.
Care for well-being or respect for dignity? A commentary on Soofi's 'what moral work can Nussbaum's account of human dignity do in the context of dementia care?'.
A rare case of Cryptococcus gattii pneumonia in a renal transplant patient.
2015
Transplant infectious disease : an official journal of the Transplantation Society
Cicora F, Petroni J, Formosa P, Roberti J
Plain English This study describes a rare case of a 44-year-old man who developed pneumonia caused by a fungus called Cryptococcus gattii after receiving a kidney transplant. He had symptoms like fever, vomiting, and weight loss, and it took 28 days to confirm the fungus was the cause of his illness. Treatment involved a strong antifungal medication for 18 months, but the man’s response to treatment was slow, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and prompt management for patients with transplants in areas where this fungus is common.
Who this helps: This helps patients with organ transplants and their doctors by raising awareness of the risks associated with Cryptococcus gattii.
Extremity amputations in meningococcemia-induced purpura fulminans.
1992
Plastic and reconstructive surgery
Genoff MC, Hoffer MM, Achauer B, Formosa P
Plain English The study examined six children who had severe infections called meningococcemia that led to a serious skin condition known as purpura fulminans. Out of these children, five needed to have parts of their arms or legs amputated, totaling 14 amputations, and eight of these amputations were later revised to higher levels than initially planned. This is important because it highlights the severe impact of this infection and the need for careful medical management in these cases.
Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors in managing severe infections and their devastating effects.
Bollettino della Societa italiana di biologia sperimentale
Santacroce S, Nicolardi G, Sinigaglia E, Formosa P, Bartoli F +4 more
Plain English This study examined how certain chemicals behave in the intestines during a condition called intestinal ischemia, where blood flow is cut off. Researchers found that in rats, when blood vessels were completely blocked, there was a significant increase in the activity of enzymes (peroxidase and catalase) in the affected intestinal walls. This is important because it suggests that the body’s response to the lack of blood flow involves these enzymes, which could impact treatment strategies for similar conditions in humans.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers studying intestinal conditions and developing treatments for them.
Bollettino della Societa italiana di biologia sperimentale
Santacroce S, Nicolardi G, Sinigaglia E, Formosa P, Demundo M +2 more
Plain English This study looked at how certain enzymes in the intestines are connected to damage caused by blockages in the intestines. The researchers found that when the levels of these enzymes increased, the harm to the intestinal wall also became more severe. This matters because understanding these changes can help improve treatment for patients with intestinal blockages and prevent serious complications.
Who this helps: Patients suffering from intestinal blockages.
Bollettino della Societa italiana di biologia sperimentale
Santacroce S, Nicolardi G, Sinigaglia E, Formosa P, Bartoli F +3 more
Plain English This study looked at changes in the intestines when blood supply is cut off and found that damage to the last part of the small intestine decreases the number of certain immune cells called lymphocytes. Specifically, they noted that the intestinal wall shows clear stages of damage, and another type of immune cell becomes very active as it responds to the injury. This research is important as it helps us understand how blood flow problems can damage the intestines and affects the immune response.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers focusing on intestinal diseases and treatments.
Laser Doppler velocimetry in critically ill patients.
1987
Critical care medicine
Waxman K, Formosa P, Soliman H, Tominaga G, Police A +1 more
Plain English This study looked at how well a method called laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) can measure blood flow in critically ill patients, comparing it to the actual cardiac output (how well the heart pumps blood). In 67 patients, the researchers found that changes detected by LDV matched the quick changes in cardiac output, but the specific LDV readings alone weren't good indicators of exact cardiac output numbers. This is important because even though LDV can help monitor blood flow changes, it should not be used alone to determine precise heart function.
Who this helps: This helps doctors monitor blood flow in critically ill patients more effectively.
Waxman K, Soliman MH, Braunstein P, Formosa P, Cohen AJ +2 more
Plain English This study looked at how well a specific imaging test called thallous chloride Tl 201 single-photon-emission computed tomography can identify heart injuries in patients who have experienced blunt chest trauma. Out of 48 patients, 23 had normal test results and showed no serious heart rhythm problems, while 5 of the 25 patients with abnormal results (20%) did develop serious arrhythmias that needed treatment. This finding is important because it shows that this imaging test can help identify which patients may need extra care and monitoring after chest injuries.
Who this helps: This helps doctors assess and treat patients with chest injuries more effectively.
Waxman K, Edrich L, O'Neal K, Formosa P, Stellin G +2 more
Plain English This study explored a new surgical method called "continent jejunal gastrostomy," which creates a permanent opening in the abdomen for feeding while preventing leakage. In tests on dogs, this method showed better results than the traditional gastric tube method, with dogs experiencing no leaks or stomach ulcers. A human patient also had a successful outcome one month after the procedure, indicating strong potential for this technique.
Who this helps: This benefits patients who require long-term feeding support without the complications of traditional methods.