February 2026

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the February Newsletter for 2026. We are incredibly proud of NCIC PhD candidates Dr Tori Hall and Dr Anna Khnanina, who recently presented their PhD seminars. Their work is truly outstanding, and it was wonderful to see their dedication and achievements showcased. We also held a special Peter Mac weekly meeting highlighting the recently published neutropenic fever guidelines. If you were unable to attend, you can watch the video recording of the session. It was fantastic to see such a large group tuning in from across Australasia and the APAC region. We are excited about the many conferences coming up in the next few months, where members of the NCIC team will be presenting their work on both national and international stages!

Research Highlight

“Through this contemporary, multicentre study across Australia and New Zealand, our team identified significant shifts in species distribution and emerging risk groups that are reshaping the epidemiological landscape of non-Aspergillus mould infections. Notably, L. prolificans, an intrinsically resistant pathogen to multiple antifungal agents, was frequently observed causing breakthrough infections. With novel antifungal agents entering late-phase clinical trials, understanding the evolving epidemiology of non-Aspergillus mould infections is critical to guide empirical therapy and improve outcomes” - Dr Zoe Neoh

A 21-centre study examined 421 non-Aspergillus mould cases across Australia and New Zealand.

Key takeaways:

• L. prolificans, Scedosporium spp. and Mucorales are the most frequent pathogens in Australasia

• Emerging species and mixed infections are increasing

• L. prolificans was the most common cause of breakthrough infections 

• 90-day mortality is highest with L. prolificans infections, followed by Mucorales

PhD Candidate Anna khanina Delivered her Seminar

Coinciding with International Women and Girls in Science Day, we were proud to announce the outstanding achievement of one of our PhD candidates, Anna Khanina, who delivered her PhD seminar earlier this month. Congratulations to Anna and her supervisors on this significant milestone. Her PhD titled: Meeting the challenges of invasive fungal infection: Antifungal Stewardship and effective surveillance in high-risk groups, and we are incredibly proud of the women who continue to lead and drive research excellence at the NCIC.

Watch the 2024 Neutropenic Fever Guidelines Showcase

Hear directly from the authors of the Australasian Consensus Guidelines for the Management of Neutropenic Fever in Patients with Cancer | 2024 as they present each chapter and discuss the latest recommendations. This recorded showcase offers practical insights into current best practice and is available to watch at your convenience.

Tandem 2026

This past week, Professor Monica Slavin and Doctor Abby Douglas represented NCIC at Tandem 2026 hosted by American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) and Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Monica presented on Challenging Cases in Transplant, while Abby debated “Is Advanced Imaging in ID Worth the Cost?”, taking the “Con” position.

It was a fantastic opportunity to share their expertise and engage with international colleagues in the field.

Visiting Fellow – Dr Rebekah Lane

We were delighted to welcome Doctor Rebekah Lane to NCIC as a two-week Visiting Fellow from Auckland City Hospital.

It was a pleasure to host Doctor Lane and share knowledge and expertise during her time with us. We thank her for her valuable contribution and wish her all the very best.

We look forward to welcoming her again and to continuing to strengthen our collaboration with colleagues in New Zealand.

Recent Publications

• Sastre-Escolà, E., Yong, M. K., Tio, S. Y., Douglas, A., Morrissey, C. O., Reynolds, G., Chee, L., Bajel, A., Rex, J. H., Slavin, M., & Neoh, C. F. Rhino-sino-orbital and/or central nervous system infections due to Lomentospora prolificans and Scedosporium spp. in onco-haematology patients. Medical Mycology.

• MacPhail, A., Loke, J., Houston, B. L., Dendle, C., Henden, A. S., Weinkove, R., Morrissey, O., Neofytos, D., Buetti, N., Parker, C., Slavin, M. A., Craddock, C., Stanworth, S. J., & McQuilten, Z. Prevention and management of febrile neutropenia in acute myeloid leukaemia and higher risk myelodysplastic syndrome: An international survey of current practice. British Journal of Haematology.

• Desoubeaux, G., Mikulska, M., Lemaignen, A., Gyan, E., Stemler, J., Vanbiervliet, Y., Maertens, J., Lortholary, O., Paccoud, O., Slavin, M. A., Cornely, O. A., Neofytos, D., & Lanternier, F. Which trial do we need? Defining the optimal duration of antifungal therapy for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis: Duration of therapy in invasive aspergillosis. Clinical Microbiology and Infection.

Upcoming Events

Join Safer Care Victoria for a clinical conversation focused on penicillin allergies and what ward staff need to know in everyday practice. This session will cover how to assess patients with a penicillin allergy, how to identify low-risk penicillin allergies, and understand the testing process. This session will be of interest to all ward staff, including nurses, pharmacists, and doctors. 

When: Tuesday, 5 May 2026, 1:00pm  

Where: Online 

Cost: Free 

Presenters: Belinda Lambros and Rebecca Hall 

Click here to register  

Please join us for the ICHS symposium, the event offers comprehensive scientific programming, insights into cutting-edge research, innovative care practices, and effective management strategies for immunocompromised hosts.

The ASID Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) is the Society’s flagship event and the leading professional gathering for adult and paediatric ID physicians, clinical microbiologists, public health leaders, One Health, veterinarian and ecology specialists, nurses, scientists, pharmacists, policy makers, and researchers across Australasia. Together, we shape the future of infectious diseases.

27-30 May, Hobart

Follow us!

We look forward to connecting with you on both LinkedIn and BlueSky.

Kind regards,

Prof Monica Slavin, MBBS, MD, FRACP, FAAHMS
Head, Department Infectious Disease, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Professor of Infection in Cancer and Transplantation, University of Melbourne Department of Infectious Diseases and the Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology

Director, National Centre for Infections in Cancer