Search Results (295)

Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus are opportunistic pathogens that cause life-threatening infections. This study focused on using photodynamic inactivation (PDI) to eliminate mixed biofilms of C. albicans–S. aureus formed on poly (urethane) (PU) discs functionalized with a nanocomposite layer containing phloxine B (PhB). Additionally, the effect of PDI on the ALS3 and HWP1 genes of C. albicans was examined in mixed biofilms. Spectral analysis showed a continuous release of PhB from the nanocomposite in Mueller–Hinton broth within 48 h, with a released amount of PhB < 5% of the total amount. The anti-biofilm effectiveness of the light-activated nanocomposite with PhB showed a reduction in the survival rate of biofilm cells to 0.35% and 31.79% for S. aureus and C. albicans, respectively, compared to the control biofilm on PU alone. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the nanocomposite effectively reduced the colonization and growth of the mixed biofilm. While PDI reduced the regulation of the ALS3 gene, the HWP1 gene was upregulated. Nevertheless, the cell survival of the C. albicans–S. aureus biofilm was significantly reduced, showing great potential for the elimination of mixed biofilms. Full article

Mycosis is caused by, among other factors, filamentous fungi, ubiquitous molds belonging to Aspergillus spp. which are often opportunistic pathogens. Over 100 species of Aspergillus have been described. The most common species responsible for diseases in humans and animals are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger, with Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus clavatus being somewhat rarer. Aspergillus causes a range of diseases, from localized colonization and hypersensitivity reactions, through chronic necrotizing infections, to rapidly progressing angioinvasion and dissemination, leading to death. Testicular mycosis is extremely rarely described in both humans and animals. No studies in the literature report a simultaneous occurrence of testicular tumors and fungal infection of the organ, so the aim of this paper was to describe, for the first time, a case of two independent testicular tumors coexisting with testicular mycosis. A histopathological examination was performed on the left testicle of a male dog, specifically a mixed-breed dog resembling a husky weighing 22 kg and with an age of 8 years. Bilateral orchidectomy was performed for medical reasons due to the altered outline of the left testicle, leading to scrotal deformation. The dog did not show any clinical signs of illness, and the testicles were not painful. The right testicle, according to the operating veterinarian, showed no macroscopic changes, so histopathological verification was not performed. Microscopic imaging of the changes clearly indicated the coexistence of a tumor process involving Leydig cells (Leydigoma, interstitial cell tumor, ICT), Sertoli cells (Sertolioma), and fungal infection of the testis. The case suggests the possibility of the coexistence of tumor processes, which may have impaired local immune response of the tissue, with an infectious, in this case fungal, inflammatory process. Based on the literature, this paper is the first report on the occurrence of two independent histotype testicular tumors and their associated mycosis. Full article

The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens (WA, USA) presented a unique opportunity to observe primary succession in a post-eruption landscape previously dominated by conifer forests. The eruption scoured soil and biological communities adjacent to the mountain, and species of conifers have generally been slow to colonize the nutrient-poor substrate surrounding the volcano. Further, different species of conifer establish and grow at different rates. The recent advancement of conifers in the post-eruption landscape has highlighted a research gap related to conifer growth patterns. We measured the height, age, and incremental growth of 472 trees representing three common conifers, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies procera, and Pinus contorta, on debris avalanche (80 sites) and pyroclastic flow (82 sites) disturbance zones of the 1980 eruption. We paired annual incremental growth with recent climate data. We found that height, age, and growth rates differ among species and sites. All species had higher growth rates on the debris avalanche deposit compared to the pyroclastic flow due to either climate or substrate. Climate influences were mixed, where one species increased growth with temperature, another declined, and another was unrelated. Nevertheless, more than 40 years after the eruption, we find rapid height growth in species with implications for future forests. Full article

Colorectal surgery has undergone significant advances over the past few decades, driven by the evolution of minimally invasive techniques, particularly laparoscopy and robotics. While laparoscopy is widely recognized for its short-term benefits and oncological safety, the increasing adoption of robot-assisted surgery (RAS) has generated considerable debate regarding its clinical benefits, economic implications, and overall impact on patient outcomes. This narrative review synthesizes the existing evidence, highlighting the clinical and economic aspects of RAS in colorectal surgery, while exploring areas for future research. The findings suggest that RAS offers potential technical advantages, including increased precision, three-dimensional visualization, and improved ergonomics, particularly in anatomically complex scenarios such as low rectal resections. Still, its superiority over laparoscopy remains inconclusive and current evidence is mixed. For colon cancer, meta-analyses and analyses of large cohorts suggest lower conversion rates and faster recovery with RAS, although data are mostly retrospective and lack long-term oncological endpoints. In rectal cancer, emerging evidence from randomized controlled trials demonstrates improved short-term outcomes. Additionally, the recently published three-year results of the REAL trial are the first to demonstrate enhanced oncological outcomes following RAS. However, findings remain inconsistent due to methodological heterogeneity, the absence of patient stratification, and limited data on long-term survival and cost-effectiveness. The available evidence indicates that RAS may offer advantages in selected patient populations, particularly for anatomically complex procedures. Yet, its overall utility remains uncertain. Future studies should emphasize high-quality randomized trials, stratified subgroup analyses, and standardized economic evaluations to better define the role of RAS in colorectal surgery. Full article

Yeasts possess a range of environmental adaptations that allow them to colonize soil and sand. They can circulate seasonally between different components of lake ecosystems, including beach sand, water, and the coastal phyllosphere. The accumulation of people on beaches promotes the development and transmission of yeasts, posing an increasing sanitary and epidemiological risk. The aim of this study was to determine the species and quantitative composition of potentially pathogenic and pathogenic yeasts for humans present in the sand of supervised and unsupervised beaches along the shores of lakes in the city of Olsztyn (northeastern Poland). The study material consisted of sand samples collected during two summer seasons (2019; 2020) from 12 research sites on sandy beaches of four lakes located within the administrative boundaries of Olsztyn. Standard isolation and identification methods used in diagnostic mycological laboratories were applied and are described in detail in the following sections of this study. A total of 259 yeast isolates (264, counting species in two-species isolates separately) belonging to 62 species representing 47 genera were obtained during the study. Among all the isolates, five were identified as mixed (two species from a single colony). Eight isolated species were classified into biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) and risk group 2 (RG-2). The highest average number of viable yeast cells was found in sand samples collected in July 2019 (5.56 × 10² CFU/g), August, and September 2020 (1.03 × 10³ CFU/g and 1.94 × 10³ CFU/g, respectively). The lowest concentrations were in samples collected in April, September, and October 2019, and October 2020 (1.48 × 10² CFU/g, 1.47 × 10² CFU/g, 1.40 × 10² CFU/g, and 1.40 × 10² CFU/g, respectively). The results indicate sand contamination with yeasts that may pose etiological factors for human mycoses. In light of these findings, continuous sanitary-epidemiological monitoring of beach sand and further studies on its mycological cleanliness are warranted, along with actions leading to appropriate legal regulations. Full article

The metabolic hyperactivity of tumor cells demands a substantial amount of energy and molecules to build new cells and expand the tumor, diverting these resources from healthy cells. Amino acids (AAs) are the only totipotent and essential molecules for protein construction. Previous in vitro studies in human and murine cancer cells, along with in vivo studies in mice, have shown that an excess of essential amino acids (EAAs) exerts an inhibitory effect on tumor proliferation by promoting apoptosis and autophagy. In this study, both in vitro and in vivo, we evaluated whether a mixture based on EAA can influence the development of human colon cancer (HCT116). To this end, in vitro, we assessed the proliferation of HCT116 cells treated with a special mix of EAA. In vivo, immunosuppressed athymic nude mice, injected with HCT116 cells subcutaneously (s.c.) or intraperitoneally (i.p.), were given a modified EAAs-rich diet (EAARD) compared to the standard laboratory diet (StD). In vitro data showed that the EAA mix impairs cancer growth by inducing apoptosis and autophagy. In vivo, the results demonstrated that EAARD-fed mice developed s.c. tumors significantly smaller than those of StD-fed mice (total mass 3.24 vs. 6.09 g, respectively). Mice injected i.p. and fed with EAARD showed a smaller and more limited number of intra-peritoneal tumors than StD-fed mice (total mass 0.79 vs. 4.77 g, respectively). EAAs prevents the growth of HCT116 cells by inducing autophagy and apoptosis, increasing endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inhibiting inflammation and neo-vascularization. In addition, the EAARD-fed mice, maintained muscle mass and white and brown adipose tissues. A diet with an excess of EAAs affects the survival and proliferative capacity of human colon cancer cells, maintaining anabolic stimuli in muscular cells. Full article

Mixed silage can disrupt the girder structure of rape straw, and thus facilitate ruminal degradation. Further investigation is warranted to validate this observation in vivo. The objective of this study was to investigate the degradation kinetics and bacterial colonization of mixed silage during digestion using an in situ ruminal incubation technique. The experiment comprised two treatments: a mixture of rape straw and corn silage (control), and a mixed silage treatment of rape straw and whole crop corn (mixed silage). Three ruminally cannulated Holstein bulls were employed. Substrates were incubated for varying durations (4, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 216 h) to assess substrate degradation kinetics. Bacterial colonization were analyzed after 4- and 48-h incubation time. Mixed ensiling disrupted the fiber structure of rape straw, and thus had lower fiber content compared to the control, as NDF and ADF content ‌decreased by 55 g/kg (678 vs. 623 g/kg) and 27 g/kg (440 vs. 413 g/kg), respectively. Compared to the control group, ruminal DM disappearance of mixed silage significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased from 315 to 366 g/kg (+16.2%) at an incubation time of 4 h, 552 to 638 g/kg (+15.6%) at 120 h, and 563 to 651 g/kg (+15.6%) at 216 h. Similarly, compared to the control group, NDF disappearance of mixed silage significantly (p ≤ 0.05) rose from 112 to 201 g/kg (+79.5%) at 4 h, 405 to 517 g/kg (+27.7%) at 120 h, and 429 to 532 g/kg (+24.0%) at 216 h. Compared to the control group, soluble and washout nutrient fractions (a) of DM or NDF fraction in mixed silage significantly (p ≤ 0.05) rose from 289 to 340 g/kg (+17.6%), potentially degradable fractions (b) of NDF increased from 310 to 370 g/kg (+19.4%), and the undegraded fraction of NDF (μNDF) decreased from 582 to 471 g/kg (−19.1%). Incubation time, apart from in the mixed ensiling treatment, altered the bacterial community. The study highlights that higher total potentially degradable fractions account for enhanced ruminal substrate degradation of mixed silage. Full article

The Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) is one of the primary pests affecting buckwheat, and its management has become increasingly critical. Entomopathogenic fungi offer a promising way to solve this problem by providing both pest control and disease resistance, as well as promoting plant growth through endophytic colonization. This study investigated the effects of applying Isaria cateniannulata (Liang) Samson & Hywel-Jones and Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. on different buckwheat varieties, and analyzed the physiological indices of buckwheat, the population of T. urticae and Euseius nicholsi (Ehara & Lee). Results showed that the optimum concentration for fungal colonization on buckwheat was 1 × 10⁷ spores/mL. The combined application of I. cateniannulata and B. bassiana significantly enhanced buckwheat growth, with root length, plant height, main stem diameter, fresh weight, and dry weight reaching 63.3 mm, 24.1 cm, 2.1 mm, 2.0 g, and 0.1 g, respectively. The highest escape rate of T. urticae was 76.33%. Furthermore, the combined application of mixed fungal suspension and E. nicholsi had the best control effect on T. urticae, with pest suppression exceeding 97.83% and an oviposition as low as 0.25 eggs per female. This study is the first to demonstrate that the joint application of I. cateniannulata and B. bassiana can promote buckwheat growth and, when combined with predatory mites, effectively control T. urticae. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of integrated biocontrol strategies combining entomopathogenic fungi and predatory mites. Full article

At weaning, piglets deal with numerous changes and stressors, which can lead to reduced feed intake, digestive disturbances, and gut inflammation. In this context, there is a compelling need to develop new and innovative nutritional strategies aimed at restoring intestinal balance in piglets after weaning and controlling the weaning-associated intestinal inflammation. This study investigated the effect of a diet, including a synbiotic additive (a mix of grape seed and camelina meals as the prebiotic and a lactobacilli mixture as the probiotic) on intestinal inflammation in piglets after weaning. An acute inflammation was induced by the intraperitoneally challenge with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The experimental groups were as follows: Control group (piglets fed a conventional corn-soybean meal-based diet), LPS group (piglets fed the Control diet and challenged with 80 µg/b.w. of LPS), SYN group (piglets fed a basal diet, including 5% prebiotic mix and 0.1% probiotic mix, SYN diet), and SYN+LPS group (piglets fed the SYN diet and challenged with 80 µg/b.w. of LPS). Using genomic and proteomic techniques, genes and proteins related to intestinal inflammation were measured in both the jejunum and colon. The results showed that the LPS challenge induced an exacerbated inflammatory response in the jejunum and colon of piglets, inducing an overexpression of a large palette of inflammation-related mediators, including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, cytokines (e.g., interleukin (IL)—IL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha—TNF-α), and chemokines (e.g., monokine induced by interferon-gamma—MIG, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted—RANTES). All these effects are prevented by the SYN diet, which controls the amplitude of intestinal inflammation induced by the LPS challenge in piglets. Overall, these results suggested that piglets, after weaning, fed the synbiotic diet are less susceptible to the LPS challenge. This diet might be used as a nutritional strategy to alleviate intestinal inflammation in piglets after weaning. Full article

Background:Salmonella Typhimurium is a major zoonotic pathogen, in which type 1 fimbriae play a crucial role in intestinal colonization and immune modulation. This study aimed to improve the protective immunity of a previously developed growth-deficient strain—a double auxotroph for D-glutamate and D-alanine—by engineering the inducible expression of type 1 fimbriae. Methods: P_tetA-driven expression of the fim operon was achieved by λ-Red mutagenesis. fimA expression was quantified by qRT-PCR, and fimbriation visualized by transmission electron microscopy. Adhesive properties were evaluated through FimH sequence analysis, yeast agglutination, mannose-binding/inhibition assays, and HT-29 cell adherence. BALB/c mice were immunized orogastrically with IRTA ΔΔΔ or IRTA ΔΔΔ P_tetA::fim. Safety and immunogenicity were assessed by clinical monitoring, bacterial load, fecal shedding, ELISA tests, and adhesion/blocking assays using fecal extracts. Protection was evaluated after challenging with wild-type and heterologous strains. Results: IRTA ΔΔΔ P_tetA::fim showed robust fimA expression, dense fimbrial coverage, a marked mannose-sensitive adhesive phenotype and enhanced HT-29 attachment. Fimbrial overexpression did not alter intestinal colonization or translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes (mLNs). Immunization elicited a mixed IgG1/IgG2a, significantly increased IgA and IgG against type 1 fimbriae-expressing Salmonella, and enhanced the ability of fecal extracts to inhibit the adherence of wild-type strains. Upon challenge (IRTA wild-type/20220258), IRTA ΔΔΔ P_tetA::fim reduced infection burden in the cecum (−1.46/1.47-log), large intestine (−1.35/2.17-log), mLNs (−1.32/0.98-log) and systemic organs more effectively than IRTA ΔΔΔ. Conclusions: Inducible expression of type 1 fimbriae enhances mucosal immunity and protection, supporting their inclusion in next-generation Salmonella vaccines. Future work should assess cross-protection and optimize FimH-mediated targeting for mucosal delivery. Full article

The clinicopathologic and molecular features of serrated lesions with dysplasia in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain poorly understood. We examined a total of 2396 patients treated for IBD at the University of Szeged between 2011 and 2023. Among them, 177 (7%) patients were diagnosed with colorectal neoplasia, of which only 11 (6%) had serrated dysplasia (n = 13). Of the 13 lesions, 5 (38%) showed features of sessile serrated lesion (SSL)-like dysplasia; 1 (8%) exhibited characteristics of traditional serrated adenoma (TSA)-like dysplasia; 6 (46%) were classified as serrated dysplasia, not otherwise specified (NOS); and 1 (8%) displayed mixed features of SSL-like and TSA-like dysplasias. At the time of the serrated dysplasia diagnosis, the mean age of the patients was 56 years. Ten (91%) patients had ulcerative colitis, and one (9%) had Crohn’s disease. Pancolitis was observed in seven (64%) patients. The mean duration of IBD at the time of the serrated dysplasia diagnosis was 26 years. Most lesions (n = 9; 69%) were found in the left colon, including SSL-like dysplasia (3/5; 60%) and serrated dysplasia NOS (5/6, 83%). Eleven (85%) lesions had a polypoid endoscopic appearance. The mean size of the serrated dysplasia was 0.8 cm. Most lesions (n = 8; 62%) showed low-grade dysplasia. Serrated dysplasia was often associated with conventional (n = 3; 27%) or nonconventional dysplasia (n = 3; 27%). During the follow-up, 5 (45%) of the 11 patients developed colorectal cancer, including 3 patients with serrated dysplasia NOS, 1 with SSL-like dysplasia, and 1 with TSA-like dysplasia. Whole-exome sequencing revealed that the SSL-like dysplasia harbored mutations in BRAF (p.V600E), MLH1, KRAS, PTEN, POLE, KMT2C, and/or EXT1, whereas the serrated dysplasia NOS showed mutations in TP53, POLG, BRAF (p.G469A), KMT2C, and/or EXT1. One patient with both SSL-like dysplasia and mixed SSL-like/TSA-like dysplasia carried a pathogenic MUTYH (p.R217H) mutation, along with mutations in MADD. Serrated dysplasia was rare in IBD, with a prevalence rate of 6%. The SSL-like dysplasia exhibited distinct clinicopathologic and molecular characteristics compared with its sporadic counterpart. Similarly, serrated dysplasia NOS displayed unique molecular features compared with SSL-like dysplasia and could carry a higher risk of malignancy. Full article

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium living abundantly on our skin and mucous membranes. When there is an imbalance in microbiota, they are the main protagonists of various infections, such as soft tissue infections and bacteremia. However, Staphylococcus epidermidis also colonizes this microbiome, is able to compete with pathogenic bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and can contribute to treatments such as photodynamic inactivation (PDI) by inhibiting infection progression and restoring a healthy microbiota. In vitro photodynamic inactivation experiments were carried out using synthetic curcumin at a concentration of 5 μM as a photosensitizer and varying light doses (1, 2 and 5 J/cm²) at a wavelength of 450 nm, on pure cultures (S. aureus, S. epidermidis and MRSA) and mixed cultures, in which bacteria were placed together proportionally. This study revealed that pure cultures of these bacteria obtained statistically significant results with varying light doses of 2 and 5 J/cm². In addition, in an attempt to bring infections closer to reality, experiments were carried out on mixed cultures. The results were not only significant but also increased reduction of bacteria, including resistant bacteria. Study offers new perspectives on the importance of themicrobiota for treatment of infections caused by the Staphylococcus genus. Full article

Background: Sepsis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm and low birth weight (LBW) neonates, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Lactoferrin, a glycoprotein present in breast milk with antimicrobial activity, is a low-cost, readily available, and promising intervention currently under investigation. The available literature presents conflicting results on the impact of lactoferrin on the risk of late-onset sepsis (LOS). This study evaluated the effectiveness of two doses of bovine lactoferrin (bLF) supplementation in preventing LOS and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm and LBW neonates in Pakistan. Methods: A three-arm, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial in the neonatal intensive care unit of Aga Khan University was conducted from July 2019 to August 2020. Preterm (28 to 36 + 5 weeks gestational age) and low birth weight (≥1000 g to <2500 g) neonates who established enteral feeding by 72 h were eligible. The exclusion criteria included sepsis before randomization, maternal history of chorioamnionitis or group B streptococcus colonization, and congenital anomalies. Enrolled neonates were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio using a computer-generated random allocation sequence to receive placebo (D-glucose), 150 mg bLF, or 300 mg bLF mixed with breast milk once daily for 28 days. The study staff, parents, and outcome assessors were blinded to the allocation. The primary outcome was late-onset sepsis from the trial entry to 28 days. The secondary outcome was NEC from the trial entry to 28 days. Neonates were followed weekly for 28 ± 2 days, and episodes of LOS and NEC were recorded. Results: Of 305 neonates enrolled, 102, 102, and 101, respectively, were randomized to receive a placebo (arm A), 150 mg bLF (arm B), and 300 mg bLF (arm C), respectively. Outcome data of 291 participants (99 in arm A, 95 in arm B, and 97 in arm C) were available for inclusion in the intention-to-treat analysis. The frequency of culture-proven sepsis was 8/102 (7.8%) in arm A compared to 1/102 (0.98%) (p = 0.020) in arm B and 5/101 (4.9%) in arm C (p = 0.390). We did not find any difference in episodes of NEC between arms A (n = 3, 3%) and B (n = 0, 0%) (p = 0.087) or between arms A and C (n = 2, 2%) (p = 0.650). We reported compliance rates of 79 (79.79%) in arm A, 78 (82.1%) in arm B, and 82 (84.53%) in arm C for investigational products. Arm C recorded two deaths, but neither was attributed to the intervention. Conclusions: Bovine lactoferrin supplementation did not prevent late-onset sepsis in neonates of preterm and low birth weight in our trial. However, given the small sample size, further trials with larger sample sizes are required to investigate its efficacy in these at-risk groups. Full article

Isolation of neurons and glia from the enteric nervous system (ENS) enables ex vivo studies, including the analysis of genomic and transcriptomic profiles. While we previously reported a fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-based isolation protocol for human ENS cells, no equivalent exists for mice. As directly applying the human protocol to mouse tissue resulted in low recovery of live ENS cells, we optimized tissue dissociation using mouse colons. A 30 min Liberase-based digestion showed optimal recovery of viable ENS cells, with CD56 and CD24 emerging as the most reliable markers to select and subdivide these cells. ENS’ identity was further validated by FACS, using neuronal (TUBB3) and glial (SOX10) markers and reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR on sorted fractions. Overall, the mouse ENS expression profile significantly overlapped with the human one, showing that current dissociation protocols yield a mixed population of enteric neurons and glia. Nonetheless, using the imaging flow cytometer BD S8 FACS Discover and ELAVL4 as a neuronal soma-associated marker, we observed enrichment of neurons in a CD56/CD24^TIP population. In conclusion, we present here a protocol for high-purity FACS-based isolation of viable mouse ENS cells, suitable for downstream applications. Full article

Background: Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) represents a progressively adopted life-sustaining intervention worldwide, particularly in the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Nevertheless, data concerning the prognostic significance of fungal isolation in this setting remain unclear. This study aims (i) to assess the incidence of fungal infection and colonization in a homogeneous cohort of V-V ECMO patients, and (ii) to evaluate the association between fungal infection or colonization and 1-year mortality, with a focus on the impact of specific fungal species. Methods: All consecutive adults admitted to the Intensive Care Units of five Italian university-affiliated hospitals and requiring V-V ECMO were screened. Exclusion criteria were age < 18 years, pregnancy, veno-arterial or mixed ECMO-configuration, incomplete records and survival < 24 h after V-V ECMO placement. A standard protocol of microbiological surveillance was applied and the distinction between different fungal species were made through in vivo and vitro tests. Cox-proportional hazards models, Kaplan–Meier curves and linear logistic regressions were applied for investigating mortality. Results: Two-hundred and seventy-nine V-V ECMO patients (72% male) were enrolled. The overall fungal isolation was 41% (n. 114): 23% infections and 18% colonizations. The overall 1-year mortality, among fungal isolations, was 40%, with no different risk in case of fungal infection (26 out of 63, 41%) (aHR 0.85, 95% CI [0.53–1.37], p-value 0.505) and colonization (20 out of 51, 39%) (aHR 0.86, 95%CI [0.51–1.43], p-value 0.556), as compared to patients never detecting fungi (68 out of 165, 41%, reference). According to the isolated mycotic species, as compared to Candida sp. group (reference), the risk of death was greater when different fungal species (e.g., Aspergillus sp. and Candida sp.) were concomitantly isolated in the same patient (OR 1.17, 95%CI [1.12–11.07], p-value 0.031. Conclusions: In the overall population, 23% V-V ECMO patients recorded ‘late’ fungal infections and 18% fungal colonizations, with a similar risk of death as compared to patients never experiencing fungi during the V-V ECMO course. The detection of concomitant different fungal species was an independent risk factor for 1-year mortality. Full article