Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Scientists develop fungus-fighting vaccine

Scientists develop fungus-fighting vaccine

September 06, 2005

A group of scientists in Italy have developed a vaccine with the potential to protect against fungal pathogens that commonly infect humans, according to a study by Torosantucci and colleagues in the September 5 issue of The Journal of Experimental Medicine. Although these fungi pose little threat to people with healthy immune systems, they can cause fatal infections in those whose immune systems have been weakened by cancer treatments or post-transplant immunosuppressive therapies. No anti-fungal vaccines are currently available.

The new vaccine was made of a sugar-like molecule called beta-glucan that is found on the cell wall of the fungus and that the fungus needs to grow and survive. To induce a robust immune response to the vaccine, the group attached the relatively innocuous beta-glucan to a protein called diptheria toxin that is known to stimulate the immune system and has been used in other human vaccines.




The vaccine protected rodents from fatal fungal infections by triggering the production of anti-beta-glucan antibodies. These antibodies stuck to the invading fungal cell wall and prevented the fungus from growing. The authors now plan to test the vaccine in humans and hope the results are equally promising.

Journal of Experimental Medicine



Related Fungus Current Events and Fungus News Articles Fungus Current Events and Fungus News RSS Fungus Current Events and Fungus News RSS
WPI Researchers Take Aim at Hard-to-Treat Fungal Infections
A team of researchers at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center at Gateway Park has developed a new model system to study fungal infections.

Smithsonian scientists find the frog legs trade may facilitate spread of pathogens
Most countries throughout the world participate in the $40-million-per-year culinary trade of frog legs in some way, with 75 percent of frog legs consumed in France, Belgium and the United States.

Amphibians as environmental omen disputed
Amphibians, for years considered a leading indicator of environmental degradation, are not uniquely susceptible to pollution, according to a meta-analysis to be published in Ecology Letters.

DNA barcodes: Creative new uses span health, fraud, smuggling, history, more
The scientific ability to quickly and accurately identify species through DNA "barcoding" is being embraced and applied by a growing legion of global authorities - from medical and agricultural researchers to police and customs authorities to palaeontologists and others.

Pathogen protection and virulence: Dark side of fungal membrane protein revealed
Researchers at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) at Virginia Tech and Montana State University have discovered a fungal protein that plays a key role in causing disease in plants and animals and which also shields the pathogen from oxidative stress.

Rot resistant wheat could save farmers millions
CSIRO researchers have identified wheat and barley lines resistant to Crown Rot - a disease that costs Australian wheat and barley farmers $79 million in lost yield every year.

Pumpkin skin may scare away germs
The skin of that pumpkin you carve into a Jack-o'-Lantern to scare away ghosts and goblins on Halloween contains a substance that could put a scare into microbes that cause millions of cases of yeast infections in adults and infants each year.

Catching a killer one spore at a time
A workshop at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama has dramatically improved the ability of conservationists and regulatory agencies to monitor the spread of chytridiomycosis-one of the deadliest frog diseases on Earth.

Coral bleaching increases chances of coral disease
Mass coral bleaching has devastated coral colonies around the world for almost three decades. Now scientists have found that bleaching can make corals more susceptible to disease and, in turn, coral disease can exacerbate the negative effects of bleaching.

Canker disease in eucalyptus in the Basque Country
The first experiences with exotic species in the Basque Country, and alternative to Pinus radiata, were undertaken in 1957, concretely in Laukiz, Lezama and Alonsotegui (Muro, 1975) where the eucalyptus, amongst other forest species, was introduced.
More Fungus Current Events and Fungus News Articles
FungaSoap Cleansing Wash

FungaSoap Cleansing Wash
by Pedifix

Washes Away Fungus & Bacteria fro Skin's SurfaceSoothes Itching from Athlete's Foot & Skin IrritationsCleans & Deodorizes. Enriched with Tea Tree Oil

Fungus Link, Volume 1 (Volume 1,2nd Series)

Fungus Link, Volume 1 (Volume 1,2nd Series)
by Doug Kaufmann (Author)



Tineacide Antifungal Cream, 1.25-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 2)

Tineacide Antifungal Cream, 1.25-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 2)
by Tineacide

Dr. Blaine's Tineacide Antifungal Cream 1.25 oz Kills the Fungus That Causes Fungal Nails The remedy for Ugly Nail Syndrome Medical Strength Clinically Proven See Results in Just Weeks

Fungus Amongus

Fungus Amongus
by Incubus

As Incubus themselves note about Epic's 2000 rerelease of 1996's Fungus Amongus: "The recording's are basically a snapshot of our band, circa 1993-1995. As even the most discriminating ear could deduce, [we were] still struggling to find our feet." It's a caveat not really necessary for Incubus fans, of which there are now many, thanks to their diverse, unique, and thoughtful brand of funky, sometimes-acoustic rock, exemplified on 1999's impressive Make Yourself. This early effort, written and recorded when band members were in their teens, smacks heavily of Primus and Faith No More fanaticism, influences which, on later discs, are blended into an evolving signature sound. Songs such as "Speak Free," "Trouble in 421," and the aggressive, linear "The Answer" are decent, but not as heavy,...

  Acta Edulis Fungi
by China Natl Publ Industry Trade



CPR for Your Plants! Revive Your Dead Soil Indoors/Out - 11,2000,000 Mycorrhizal Friendly Fungi Spores

CPR for Your Plants! Revive Your Dead Soil Indoors/Out - 11,2000,000 Mycorrhizal Friendly Fungi Spores
by Hirt's Gardens

CPR (Correct Planting Routine) 100% Organic and Natural Contains a blend of vitamins, minerals and mycorrhizae root nutrients (Friendly Fungi) designed to reduce plant loss, increase root mass, improve soil conditions, and promote healthy growth. Guaranteed to contain 11,200,000 mycorrhizal spores per lb. One container will feed 5 flats of flowers or vegetables or 5 trees or shrubs with a 1 foot root ball. Or us 1 tablespoon of "CPR" per Flower, Vegetable or Indoor Plant. Mycorrhizal Fungi? The word mycorrhiza (plural: mycorrhizae or mycorrhizas) comes from the Greek language and literally means fungus roots. You may not know it, but mycorrhizal fungi are a crucial part of the health of 95% of the plants growing throughout the world. In fact, theyve been helping plants grow for...

Fungus Link: An Introduction to Fungal Disease Including the Initial Phase Diet

Fungus Link: An Introduction to Fungal Disease Including the Initial Phase Diet
by Doug Kaufmann (Author)



Mushroom Men: Rise of the Fungi

Mushroom Men: Rise of the Fungi
by South Peak Interactive

Mushroom Men: Rise of the Fungi on Nintendo DS is the prequel to Mushroom Men: Spore Wars on Wii. Play both to get the complete story! Mushroom Men gives players the opportunity to jump into the fantastic microcosm that is the backyard battlefield. Take control of the crusade, creating devastating weapons from everyday items and teaming up with other sentient plant forms that'll leave the enemy sliced and diced. Let the stylus be your rapier and the Wii Remote your bazooka as you cut down the multitude of household pests that threaten our very existence! Mushroom Men inhabit the world that goes on while we humans are looking the other way, in the twilight hours when we sleep. We tower above them and go about our business completely unaware of the war waged at our feet. After the...

Fungus the Bogeyman

Fungus the Bogeyman
Starring: Fungus the Bogeyman
Directed By: Stuart Orme

In a vast underground construct called Bogeydom, live the blissfully disgusting Bogeys, who spend their days wallowing in their own filth. Come night time, they venture "up there," into the world of the humans, and, when these two worlds collide,everything filthy about the Bogeys is threatened by one impossibly wholesome family.

Shellie Shirt Color: FUNGI WALNUT

Shellie Shirt Color: FUNGI WALNUT
by FOSSIL

Vintage-inspired prints and clever blocks of color at the neckline make for one flattering top. We like Shellie with just about anything. Material: 60% cotton/40% modalDetails: Sleeveless, scoop neck, colorblocking at necklineCare Instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry lowOrigin: Imported

© 2009 BrightSurf.com