General Information
You can contact the FIT at the following address:
The Secretary
The Fungal Infection Trust,
PO Box 482,
Macclesfield,
Cheshire SK10 9AR
United Kingdom
Phone 01625 500228
Email: secretary@fungalinfectiontrust.orgCharity Commission number 1147658
Press Release
April 29th 2013International burden of fungal disease presented at Berlin meeting ECCMID 2013
The number of people suffering from serious fungal infections has been estimated for China, India, Brazil, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Senegal, Spain, Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, Israel and Singapore for the first time. A series of LIFE coordinated abstracts have been presented at one of the world’s the most prestigious infectious diseases meetings in Berlin on Saturday 27th April, the 23rd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
Highlights from these posters include:
- An extraordinarily high rate of the life-threatening mucormycosis in India amongst the estimated 50 million diabetic patients, 14 cases per 100,000, almost 70 times the generally accepted rate, an estimated annual total of 171,500 patients with a 38% mortality.
- Nearly 29,000 cases of candidaemia in Brazil, a rate of 249 per 100,000 hospital admissions each year.
- Cryptococcal meningitis cases in AIDS in Uganda of 2783 (2086 deaths), 16,000 cases in Nigeria (1 per 100,000 population) in contrast to no cases in the Netherlands.
- Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis complicating asthma cases in Brazil of 390,500, in India 592,700, in China 648,300, in Kenya 39,000 and in Netherlands 13,000 cases.
The Chairman of the Fungal Infection Trust commented: “It is so important to have realistic estimates of the number of people
developing fungal diseases for service planning and treatment. While some of the estimates presented clearly need refinement with epidemiological studies, the variations seen are extraordinary and provocative.’
The Fungal Infection Trust supported a discussion meeting of the poster presenters and those working on estimates for other countries, to refine methodology and discuss publication strategy. The abstracts and posters are available on the LIFE website and ECCMID website.
NOTE TO EDITORS:For further information please contact John Morgan tel: 01625 500228 or secretary@fungalinfectiontrust.org
The Fungal Infection Trust (www.fungalinfectiontrust.org) Is a UK Company limited by Guarantee approved as a charity by the Charity Commissioners.
The Aspergillus Website (www.aspergillus.org.uk) was set up in 1998 by the Fungal Research Trust. It is the most comprehensive source of information about Aspergillus and the diseases it causes available on the internet. There are extensive sections for clinicians, scientists and laypeople (patients) including comprehensive collection of treatment protocols covering 43 distinct therapeutic areas, antifungal information and other unapproved non-herbal treatments. The number of monthly pages read has been >1.5 million per month in 2012. An estimated 59,000 distinct IP addresses log on monthly (an underestimate of actual numbers of users) a year on year increase. Well over 70% of our users in any month are new visitors from over 125 countries. More than 43,000 people are registered on the site (32% medics, 23% scientists, 6% vets and 39% laypeople). 1000 patients are currently registered with the support discussion group on Yahoo! and another 150 on Facebook with 280 LinkedIn members (Aspergillus and Aspergillosis Group).
LIFE is the international education and advocacy brainchild of the Fungal Research Trust. LIFE’s goal is to improve the health of patients suffering from serious fungal nfections primarily through health professional education and increased awareness internationally. (www.LIFE-Worldwide.org)
April 23rd 2013
John Wood Collins Joins the Fungal Infection Trust Board
John Wood Collins, an economist, has joined the Board of the Fungal infection Trust (FIT). John has spent all his working life in the oil and gas industry. After graduation from the LSE John joined BP and worked in the UK and N. America. After a spell in investment analysis he joined the US consulting firm Arthur D Little and worked in Europe and N Africa. In 1995 he set up his own firm to provide consultancy services on a range of commercial issues. He now primarily works as an expert witness in dispute resolution and international arbitration in the global gas industry.
John was particularly keen to contribute to the work of the FIT having had a fungal infection himself for decades. He told his story as part of the LIFE art competition. John was astonished to learn that “there are no national estimates of the number of patients with ABPA complicating asthma.” A recent publication put the number at 178,000 (2.5%) of the 7 million estimated adult asthmatics. However the estimates in this paper are based on modelling the number of asthmatics in the UK, rather than direct estimation and an average of 5 studies from other countries of the frequency of ABPA in adults seen in hospital clinics.He went on to say, that ‘The patient engagement programs run through the National Aspergillosis Centre are obviously of great benefit to many patients and relatives.” The Fungal Infection Trust has supported the Manchester-based clinical and laboratory research group for over 20 years, gradually contributing to building a centre of excellence, that was recognised in 2009 with national designation. Patient support has been an increasing feature the Fungal Infection Trust’s work since the merger with the Aspergillus Trust.
Richard Gourlay stepped down as a Board member, having served the Fungal Infection Trust since its inception in 1991.
NOTE TO EDITORS:For further information please contact John Morgan tel: 01625 500228 or secretary@fungalinfectiontrust.org
The Fungal Infection Trust (www.fungalinfectiontrust.org) Is a UK Company limited by Guarantee approved as a charity by the Charity Commissioners.
The Aspergillus Website (www.aspergillus.org.uk) was set up in 1998 by the Fungal Research Trust. It is the most comprehensive source of information about Aspergillus and the diseases it causes available on the internet. There are extensive sections for clinicians, scientists and laypeople (patients) including comprehensive collection of treatment protocols covering 43 distinct therapeutic areas, antifungal information and other unapproved non-herbal treatments. The number of monthly pages read has been >1.5 million per month in 2012. An estimated 59,000 distinct IP addresses log on monthly (an underestimate of actual numbers of users) a year on year increase. Well over 70% of our users in any month are new visitors from over 125 countries. More than 43,000 people are registered on the site (32% medics, 23% scientists, 6% vets and 39% laypeople). 1000 patients are currently registered with the support discussion group on Yahoo! and another 150 on Facebook with 280 LinkedIn members (Aspergillus and Aspergillosis Group).
LIFE is the international education and advocacy brainchild of the Fungal Research Trust. LIFE’s goal is to improve the health of patients suffering from serious fungal nfections primarily through health professional education and increased awareness internationally. (www.LIFE-Worldwide.org)
The National Aspergillosis Centre (www.nationalaspergillosiscentre.org.uk) is the referral clinic for patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and related conditions.
It is housed at the University Hospital of South Manchester and funded through the National Health Service (NHS) Specialised Services.
November 2nd 2012
Project LIFE Competition has announced it's top three prize winners from the student's Art Competition where young people in more than 400 schools were invited to express their opinions on the deadly role that fungus can play in disease.
Over 350 entries were examined by the judges who took in to account use of resources, originality and relevance to the competition, the entries were of extremely high quality throughout. Bob Devereaux one of the judges and Geoff Scott chairman of the FRT were there to present the prizes.
The first prize winner was Sophie Wills from Millom School, Cumbria. Millom school will share the prize with Sophie.
Sophie receives the top prize from Dr Geoff Scott, Chairman of the Trust.
Second prize was awarded to Erica Inglis from Stockport College. Erica also shares the second prize with Stockport College.
Erica's award winning art.Third prize was awarded to Jason Rhodes also from Stockport College. Jason's work was entitled " Immune" .
A total of 13 entries were awarded a highly commended certificate which included an opportunity to choose a work experience placement.
These included Anna Beaumont and Lauren Jones, both from Stockport College,
and Megan Ward and Rachel Collett
from Ellesmere Port Catholic High School (Pictured with Mr Bowland their teacher).
Sarah Palmer from Priestley College, receives her certificate. Geoff Scott (FRT), Jenny Bartholomew ( FRT), Bob Deveraux - Judge and David Denning (FRT) (left to right).
November 1st 2012
Manchester Entrepreneur joins Rebranded Fungal Infection Trust
March 1st 2012
LIFE announces its competition to encourage children to explore the relationship between fungi and illness - through art and music. Thousands of young people in more than 400 schools will be invited to express their opinions on the deadly role that fungus can play - through creative arts and music. All yr 9 -13 students in Northwest of England and North Wales are eligible to enter. Read more
October 6th 2011
Tragically, Becky lost her courageous fight for survival and she passed away on September 25th, 2011. Link
June 17th 2011
Manchester Hospital announces double world first: -- Becky Jones is only 20 but already she has made history twice by being the first patient to have a lung transplant with multi-resistant Aspergillus and also multiple fungal balls in her old lungs. (See Becky's story)
The 20th Anniversary of the Fungal Research Trust ( Now FIT) will be celebrated with a meeting on Saturday June 18th, for Scientists & Doctors and a special meeting for Patients, to be held at The Medical Society of London, Lettsom House, 11 Chandos Street, London W1G 9EB, from 11- 4pm. All are welcome to attend.
- View Meeting Report
- View Programme
- What are fungal diseases
- How common are fungal diseases
News Links:
Daily Mail
Irish TimesFebruary 2010. The Fungal Research (Infection) Trust hosted the world’s first ever international gathering of patients affected by a devastating fungus - Aspergillosis. The meeting is taking place at the Sheraton Hotel, Rome alongside the ‘Advances Against Aspergillosis’ scientific meeting and will bring together patients, carers and clinical experts. Link
The following links may be helpful:
The Aspergillus Website, Mycology Online, Mycology Wiki, Aspergillus for Patients.
Research Proposals
The focus of the Fungal Infection Trust (FRT) research and educational effort is on human disease. The Fungal Infection Trust is particularly interested in supporting proposals in the following 3 areas, although none will be excluded if they are of high quality and meritorious:
• Basic science aspects of Aspergillus and other airborne fungi,
• Clinical and related research work, in all types of fungal disease,
• Training in diagnostic sciences related to fungal disease.Applications to the Fungal Infection Trust should be directed to the secretary in the first instance.
You can contact the FIT at the following address:
The Secretary
The Fungal Infection Trust,
PO Box 482,
Macclesfield,
Cheshire SK10 9AR
United Kingdom
Phone 01625 500228
Email: secretary@fungalinfectiontrust.orgCharity Commission number 1003361
