ABSTRACT
Peptic Ulcer Disease, PUD, is a major public concern, globally, and affects every age, sex, race, and socioeconomic status. There is growing interest in phytomedicinal treatment of PUD. Patients’ compliance to orthodox drugs management of the disease declines. The psycho-economic burden worsens. The ulcers mostly occur in the stomach and proximal duodenum, characterized by mucosal damage, predominantly caused by Helicobacter pylori, antiplatelet agents, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking. Symptoms of peptic ulcer disease include abdominal pain, vomiting, reflux symptoms, and loss of appetite and weight. The disease may lead to upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage and perforation or may progress to carcinoma. The stomach itself contains hydrochloric acid, but does it cause tissue injury, very frequently? What may be the best approach to the management of PUD and the complications? We have therefore attempted a review of history, available findings, recent advances, and challenges in gastrointestinal tract research.

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Over the past decade, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has transitioned from a promising novelty to an indispensable tool in clinical microbiology. This review examines the successes, limitations, and profound clinical impact of MALDI-TOF MS in the identification of fungal pathogens since its widespread adoption. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to synthesize the progress of MALDI-TOF MS in mycology over the last ten years. The focus was placed on its application to filamentous fungi and rare yeasts, its current limitations, and its documented effects on patient management. Results: MALDI-TOF MS has achieved remarkable success in the rapid and accurate identification of common and rare yeast species, with identification times reduced from days to minutes. Its application to filamentous fungi (molds) has been more challenging but has matured significantly through improved sample preparation protocols and expanded spectral databases. The technology has proven to be a powerful tool for identifying clinically relevant molds like Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Mucorales. However, limitations persist, including incomplete databases for rare or newly described species, difficulties in distinguishing closely related (cryptic) species, and the lack of standardized protocols for mold extraction. Conclusion: MALDI-TOF MS has fundamentally transformed the workflow of the clinical mycology laboratory. It is a robust, rapid, and cost-effective identification method that has overcome many of the limitations of traditional techniques. While ongoing efforts are needed to expand spectral databases and standardize protocols, its role in improving the diagnosis and management of invasive fungal infections is firmly established.

ABSTRACT
Fungal infections have emerged as a significant global health concern, particularly among immunocompromised individuals, where they can lead to severe morbidity and mortality. Traditional diagnostic methods, primarily reliant on culture techniques, often fall short due to their lengthy turnaround times and inability to detect non-viable or fastidious organisms. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized the diagnostic landscape by enabling rapid and comprehensive identification of fungal pathogens directly from clinical specimens without the need for culture. This article explores the principles of NGS, its applications in clinical mycology, and its potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes. By leveraging metagenomic approaches, NGS facilitates the detection of mixed infections, antifungal resistance profiling, and real-time monitoring of disease progression. Despite its challenges, including cost and the need for bioinformatics expertise, NGS represents a paradigm shift in the diagnosis of fungal infections, paving the way for improved patient management and outcomes.

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Fungal infections caused by Candida glabrata have significantly increased in recent years, particularly in hospital settings, posing a serious public health issue due to their growing resistance to conventional antifungals, especially azoles. In response, combining conventional antifungal agents with natural compounds like essential oils represents an innovative and promising therapeutic strategy. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of fluconazole and Origanum vulgare essential oil, both individually and in combination, against a clinical strain of Candida glabrata isolated from a urinary sample at the Hassan II Regional Hospital in Agadir. The study employed two complementary approaches: the disk diffusion method and liquid microdilution, allowing for the determination of inhibition zones and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of each agent. Results: The results from the diffusion method indicated that fluconazole exhibited moderate activity with an inhibition zone of 29.5 ± 0.5 mm and an MIC of 8 µg/mL, while O. vulgare essential oil demonstrated marked antifungal activity, with an inhibition zone of 62 ± 0.5 mm and an MIC of 0.0435 mg/mL. The combination of both agents resulted in an increased inhibition zone and a significant reduction in their respective MICs, with a Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) of 0.5, indicating a synergistic effect between fluconazole and the essential oil. This combination resulted in a fourfold enhancement of fluconazole's antifungal activity. Conclusion: In conclusion, these findings suggest that Origanum vulgare essential oil could enhance the effectiveness of fluconazole against Candida glabrata, opening interesting perspectives for the development of new combined antifungal approaches, particularly in the context of resistance to conventional treatments.

ABSTRACT
Paragonimiasis, a crustacean borne trematodiasis caused by lung flukes of the genus Paragonimus. Among the species, Paragonimus westermani are an important parasite causing clinical manifestation similar to that of pulmonary tuberculosis. So, the knowledge on their phylogenetic analysis, genetic variation, conserved regions within the isolates can bring out information regarding distribution and specific genes responsible for pathogenecity, which can be utilized in control programmes. In Manipur, North East India, freshwater crab (Barythelphusa lugubris) has been consumed as a local delicacy by endemic people of the region. They are found harbouring with P. westermani metacercaria. The freshwater crab host from the susceptible loci were collected and their genomic DNA was extracted followed with amplification of genetic marker ribosomal DNA ITS2 region. The desired genetic marker were sequenced and analysed for genetic variation, conserved regions and phylogenetic tree construction using various bioinformatics tools of BLAST, ClustalW embedded in Bioedit and MEGA11. The genetic variation analysis revealed the Paragonimus metacercaria under studies show 100% sequence identity with the isolates from the India states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, with only one conserved region of 338 base lengths. The phylogenetic tree constructed reveals the sequence cladding with the isolates of P. westermani from different geographical regions. Among the P. westermani isolates, eight conserved regions were depicted, and can be used as a target for drugs in control programme.

ABSTRACT
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a life-threatening condition that predominantly affects individuals with weakened immune systems. We report the case of a 70-year-old patient with a history of immunosuppression, diagnosed with invasive bronchopulmonary aspergillosis based on a positive galactomannan test. The diagnosis was supported by a combination of clinical history, predisposing factors, and characteristic findings on biological and radiological assessments. Confirmation relied on direct detection of the fungus through culture, antigen testing, and molecular methods. Early initiation of antifungal therapy was critical. The identification and management of this condition are often complicated by the diversity of underlying clinical contexts and nonspecific diagnostic indicators, emphasizing the need for a high index of suspicion and prompt intervention.

ABSTRACT
Malaria continues to remain a serious public health problem, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite substantial investment in malaria control, asymptomatic infections continue to hinder elimination efforts in Nigeria. Individuals with asymptomatic parasitaemia carry transmissible parasites without showing symptoms and therefore remain undetected by routine surveillance. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic malaria infection in selected health facilities in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 apparently healthy participants attending five health facilities: Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Plateau State Specialist Hospital (PSSH), Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BHUTH), Comprehensive Health Centre (CHC) Dadin Kowa, and Vom Christian Hospital (VCH). Blood samples were examined for malaria parasites by Giemsa-stained thick and thin films under light microscopy, and parasite density was estimated per microliter of blood. Demographic and behavioural data were obtained through structured questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square test and bivariate logistic regression to determine associations among asymptomatic malaria, demographic variables, and potential risk factors. The overall prevalence of asymptomatic malaria was 19.5% (78) by microscopy, varying across facilities from 11.2% to 30.0%. Males showed significantly higher infection (26%) than females (15.7%). Low parasite density (<1,000 parasites/µL) dominated (41%), although 24.4% of infected individuals exhibited high parasitaemia despite being asymptomatic. Occupation was significantly (P< 0.05) associated with infection status. Use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) did not show significant protective effect (p>0.05), as infection was still common among regular users (19.3%). These findings underscore the substantial reservoir of silent carriers that may sustain malaria transmission in