A new blood test, T2Candida Panel, detects candidemia with high accuracy, reducing time to diagnosis by nearly two days. The test shows promise in speeding up treatment and potentially improving patient survival rates.
A new antifungal compound has been shown to effectively treat drug-resistant Candida auris, a major contributor to hospital outbreaks and deadly infections. The novel mechanism of action suggests the potential for broader treatment applications across fungal species.
Researchers discovered that Mycoplasma agalactiae uses a molecular stealth mechanism to evade the immune system. The bacteria can compensate for gene inactivation through an alternative mechanism, allowing them to survive and persist in infected hosts.
Researchers found that patients with Crohn's disease have higher levels of fungus Candida tropicalis compared to healthy family members. Antifungals and probiotics could help restore balance to the microbiome, reducing inflammation.
Scientists have developed a systematic approach to screen for molecules produced by molds, finding 17 new natural products in three species. The technology, called FAC-MS, uses genomics and data analytics to identify gene clusters that produce valuable chemicals.
Dr. Jack Edwards, a leading researcher at LA BioMed, has been recognized with the Rhoda Benham Award for his continuous outstanding contributions to medical mycology. His work focuses on understanding fungal diseases, aiming to develop new anti-fungal agents and immunotherapies to prevent life-threatening infections.
A preclinical study found that an antimicrobial protein called EntV reduces the severity of oral thrush in a mouse model, blocking fungal growth and development. This new strategy may lead to the development of a novel antifungal drug that can combat multidrug-resistant yeast strains.
The study provides evidence that a new investigational drug (SCY-078) may help to cure Candida auris infections. The fungus is multidrug-resistant and has been linked to invasive infections with high death rates globally.
Specific Technologies has developed a new paradigm for quantitative determination of antibiotic efficacy with minimal sample preparation and at a low cost. The SpeciFAST system offers phenotypic MIC matching CLSI gold standard results in most cases within 3 hours from positive blood culture.
Researchers have discovered two distinct growth forms of Candida auris, a fungus resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, which can cause fatal infections in hospital patients. The strain's ability to cause disease is surprisingly high, rivaling that of the most invasive Candida species.
The Italian Botanical Society has launched an online open-access journal called Italian Botanist, which covers both Italian and international research in botany and mycology. The new journal is part of Pensoft's portfolio and aims to boost scientific value and international visibility.
Researchers at Purdue University have found that the fungus Moniliophthora roreri reproduces clonally rather than sexually, producing billions of spores that destroy cocoa pods. This discovery could help improve cacao breeding programs and develop resistant cultivars.
The European Respiratory Society and ESCMID have published the world's first clinical guidelines for chronic fungal lung infections, describing key features of the disease and providing comprehensive treatment recommendations. Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis affects an estimated 240,000 people in Europe and 3 million worldwide.
The Pan-European Species-directories Infrastructure (PESI) project provides a harmonized taxonomic reference system and high-quality data sets to efficiently handle big taxonomic data. It integrates five pillars, including knowledge, consensus, standards, data, and dissemination, to standardize taxonomic information across platforms.
A landmark paper recommends monitoring beach sand to safeguard human health. The study, based on data from beaches in the US, UK, Portugal, and other countries, identifies key indicators and methods to assess public health risks from pathogens in the sand.
A team of researchers used DNA from frozen and dried specimens to analyze a dataset of 39 genomes, defining seven new suborders and the 'trunk' of the Agaricales tree. The study provides a framework for testing hypotheses of mushroom evolution and highlights the importance of fungaria as scientific resources.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a new agent in fungi that kills bacteria, known as copsin, which has the same effect as traditional antibiotics but belongs to a different class of biochemical substances. The substance was found in the common inky cap mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea and is responsible for its antibiotic effect.
Jason Stajich, a UC Riverside microbiologist, has been awarded the 2014 Alexopoulos Prize for his groundbreaking research on fungal biology and evolution. His work focuses on building new methods for comparative and evolutionary genomics.
CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre's official journal Studies in Mycology will be published by Elsevier, enabling interactive links to live databases and multimedia. The journal, first launched in 1972, is renowned for its systematic monographs of filamentous fungi and yeasts.
Scientists discovered that Pichia holds at bay a harmful fungal yeast Candida by secreting material that controls Candida's growth and biofilm formation. This finding holds promise for therapeutic agents to stave off not only thrush but also other life-threatening systemic fungal infections.
Research in Navarre's beech groves reveals traditional forestry management reduces fungal diversity, with some species disappearing and families affected. The study highlights the importance of decomposing dead wood for fungal populations, contradicting current forest management practices.
A study published in Medical Mycology found that nearly 5 million asthmatics with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) could significantly benefit from antifungal treatment. Clinical studies have shown a response rate of 60% with oral antifungal drugs, improving symptoms and asthma control.
A new checklist of Cucurbitaceae from India brings up-to-date information on the family's evolution, diversity, and distribution. The list includes 94 species, 79% of which have DNA sequences available in GenBank.
The University of Leicester will receive £340,000 in funding to support its asthma and allergy research. The Midlands Asthma and Allergy Research Association has funded the study, which aims to better understand fungal allergies and develop new treatments.
The US Forest Service's Northern Research Station is part of an international team sequencing 1,000 fungal genomes as part of the DOE's Community Sequencing Program. This project aims to create an encyclopedia of all fungi, which will help researchers understand their roles in ecosystems and develop new products.
Scientists at the US Department of Agriculture have identified yeast species that produce sophorolipids, a type of green surfactant. The study found three new Candida species that can be used to mass-produce these eco-friendly alternatives.
Scientists have developed a new test that can diagnose Aspergillus infection and spot signs of antifungal resistance to azoles. Using this test, the team found 55% of aspergillosis patients had telltale signs of resistance to azoles.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has awarded four new contracts for large-scale clinical trials to evaluate treatment alternatives for diseases caused by resistant bacteria. These trials will focus on acute otitis media, community-acquired pneumonia, and Gram-negative bacterial infections.
Researchers at Vetmeduni Vienna identified a novel mechanism by which Mycoplasma agalactiae switches its surface protein genes. The so-called phase variation is caused by alterations in short DNA sequences controlled by an enzyme called recombinase. This process enables the organism to avoid host defense mechanisms during infection.
Agricultural Research Service scientists analyzed over 160 sugarcane samples from 25 countries to identify genetic resistance to deadly orange and brown rusts. The study provides valuable resources for plant breeders and pathologists, supporting international food security.
Researchers discovered fungal protein TmpL critical for pathogen development, shielding it from oxidative stress while aiding in infection. TmpL-deficient mutants were more sensitive to external oxidative stress, suggesting its role in protecting pathogens from host defense mechanisms.
A study by The University of Manchester found that patients with severe asthma and allergic sensitivity to certain fungi experience significant improvements in quality of life and lung function after taking an antifungal drug. However, symptoms often return after treatment is stopped.
Researchers awarded $2.4 million NEI grant to study corneal infection (keratitis) caused by disease-causing fungi on contact lenses and in the environment. The team will focus on Fusarium solani, a fungus that causes eye infections in warm, humid areas.
Researchers found that biofilms composed of resistant microbial cells are the cause of corneal infections fueled by soft contact lens use. They recommend improved testing with modern fungal strains and adherence to lens care best practices.
MacroChem Corporation has completed patient enrollment in a Phase II efficacy study for EcoNail, a topical antifungal treatment for onychomycosis. The company aims to assess early signs of efficacy and collect 24-week interim data later this year.
A French study suggests modifying therapeutic treatment for individuals with cryptococcosis based on patient sex, serotype, and fungal load. The study found that patients with a high fungal load should receive initial therapy combining two antifungals.
Researchers at the University of Montreal have identified defective immune cells as a primary cause of fungal infections, such as candidiasis, in HIV patients. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments for these debilitating conditions.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have traced cellular pathways that enhance the action of antifungal drugs used to treat fungal infections in people with compromised immune systems. Combining fluconazole with cyclosporin or FK506 was found to potently kill fungal cells, and the team elucidated the molecular targets involved.
Scientists have developed a live recombinant vaccine that protects against a fungal infection in mice, using recombinant DNA technology. The vaccine is safer than traditional live vaccines and more effective than 'killed' vaccines, offering a promising approach to protect against rising fungal diseases.
Scientists have identified mating behavior in Candida albicans, a fungus long thought to reproduce only by splitting itself. This discovery promises to accelerate research into the fungus and enable researchers to better understand its biology and identify new drug targets.
Scientists studying amphibian decline are exploring the role of pathogens like iridovirus and chytrid fungus in causing mass extinctions. The project, funded by a $3 million grant, aims to develop an integrative approach combining expertise from various fields.
Representatives from government agencies, industry, and academia will discuss regulatory aspects of pesticide residues in foods. The symposium will also examine global food safety standards concerning heavy metals, mold toxins, and other contaminants.