Articles tagged with Fungal Infections
A new study found that spraying barley crops with an RNA molecule inhibits fungus growth, while the plant's vascular system transports it to distant infection sites. The researchers also identified a key protein involved in the process.
Researchers discovered that trans-kingdom small RNAs can protect crops from fungal pathogens, including the causal agent of 'Cotton Cancer'. The study found that specific sRNAs can be expressed in cotton cultivars to confer resistance to Verticillium wilt disease.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends latent TB infection screening in primary care settings, but challenges remain in identifying high-risk patients. Current tools are insufficient to predict progression from latent to active disease, hindering personalized medicine for those with latent TB infection.
Researchers identified Mp1p as a key virulence factor in Talaromyces marneffei, allowing it to survive in macrophages and cause disease. The protein's homologs were also found to contribute to pathogenicity, highlighting a potential target for treatment.
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.
Researchers have identified a potential antifungal mechanism by targeting mitochondrial respiration in pathogenic fungi, which could enable combination therapy with fluconazole and prevent drug resistance. The approach has shown promise in treating severe invasive fungal infections, including those caused by Candida albicans.
Researchers have discovered the DNA of a fungus that causes black Sigatoka disease in bananas, which could lead to more effective disease control methods. The findings provide insights into the interaction between the fungus and banana plants, offering opportunities for developing resistant banana crops.
Valley fever, caused by Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii, affects over 150,000 people annually. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent unnecessary tests and treatment, reducing the impact of complications. Pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and those with diabetes are at high risk for severe outcomes.
A new study by University of Maryland School Medicine researchers has identified key aspects of the Mucorales fungi that may lead to treatment development. The fungus invades weakened immune systems, causing sometimes-deadly mucormycosis infections.
Researchers have identified molecular pathways required for the development of mucormycosis, a fatal infection in patients with weakened immune systems. The study provides new insights into the evolution of Mucorales fungi and offers potential therapeutic targets.
A research team found that a fungus, Pneumocystis carinii, plays a more important role in pneumonia than previously thought. The fungus was detected in piglets of all ages and appeared to proliferate before bacterial pathogens, suggesting it may be a 'door opener' for secondary infections.
Researchers at Ohio State University have identified a potential gene-based treatment for Candida albicans, which can cause deadly hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. By targeting the CBLB gene, the immune system can be boosted to effectively combat the infection.
Scientists developed a novel algorithm to predict synergistic antifungal drug combinations for treating drug-resistant fungal infections. The algorithm, NLLSS, integrates various information types and experimentally validated 7 out of 13 predicted combinations for Candida albicans, providing new treatment options.
Two studies suggest that frogs' ability to withstand high temperatures can help them survive disease outbreaks, such as the deadly fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Climate change may outpace deforestation as a habitat threat in tropics, and species with high thermal tolerance are less susceptible to infection.
The updated guidelines highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for invasive aspergillosis, a potentially deadly fungal infection. New therapies, including isavuconazole and posaconazole, have improved care, but aggressive diagnosis is still critical.
Researchers found that fendiline hydrochloride can stimulate patient's own white blood cells to fight cryptococcosis more effectively. The compound may inhibit the survival of Cryptococcus neoformans, a pathogen causing fatal infections in immunocompromised patients.
Researchers will study pollinators at various sites to identify the insects responsible for spreading mummy berry disease and investigate how variations in insect visitation affect resistance levels among blueberry varieties. The study aims to reduce reliance on fungicides and help growers cope with the disease.
A new rain frog species, Pristimantis pluvialis, has been described from Amazonian Peru and the Amazonian foothills of the Andes. The discovery highlights the need for continued study of tropical regions to uncover new species.
A global study by TGen found six new species of Histoplasma fungus, linked to bat evolution, which causes histoplasmosis and poses a deadly risk to HIV and other immunocompromised patients. The disease is known for its high mortality rate in Latin America and is becoming more frequent globally.
A newly compiled database of insect-fungi interactions has revealed that 65 percent of insect orders can be infected by fungi and Oomycetes. Sap-sucking insects, such as cicadas, are the most frequently attacked by fungi due to their specialized mouth parts for sucking sap.
Researchers found that fungi acquired a protein from a virus that hijacked their cell division control machinery, allowing them to grow and divide uncontrollably. This discovery could lead to the development of new antifungal drugs that target only fungal cells, not plant or animal hosts.
Researchers discovered that fungal spores can infect human immune cells, allowing them to transport themselves and cause systemic infections. The discovery sheds light on the ecological adaptation of Aspergillus terreus and its potential for detrimental effects in human infections.
A Polish Academy of Sciences team devised a chemical sensor to detect fungi in just a few minutes, reducing detection time from days to hours. The sensor uses D-arabitol, a compound indicating fungal presence, detected with high certainty even in the presence of interfering substances.
Scientists at TGen tracked the likely origins and dispersal of Valley Fever using genomic analysis technologies, revealing a history spanning 2 million years. The study identifies two distinct species of the fungus Coccidioides and estimates their divergence dates, providing insights into future outbreak tracking.
A study found that commercial bumble bee pollination operations coincided with infections and declines in wild bumble bees. The fungus, N. bombi, was present in the US as early as 1980, well before wild bumble bee species began to decline.
A recent study published in HortScience provides new recommendations to increase the stock of blight-resistant American chestnut trees. Genetic engineering is proposed as a solution, with the addition of one gene, oxalate oxidase, protecting the tree from the fungus. The study also examined optimized propagation protocols using activat...
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.
A novel study has found that higher biodiversity reduces infectious disease severity in a Tibetan alpine meadow, supporting the dilution hypothesis. Artificial fertiliser weakens this effect, increasing disease load.
Researchers discovered Asian bat species have lower levels of infection and fungal loads compared to North American bats, suggesting host resistance as a possible explanation. This finding provides hope that some declining North American bat species could evolve resistance to the devastating disease.
A team from the University of Sheffield has discovered a white blood cell in birds that can completely block the growth of Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungus that causes fatal infections in humans. The researchers found that this macrophage cell is able to destroy the fungus when it tries to invade the bird's body.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has imposed a ban on importing 201 species of salamanders to prevent the spread of deadly fungal disease Bsal. Researchers will discuss lessons learned from controlling another closely related fungus, Bd, which has decimated frog populations worldwide.
A new clinical imaging method has been developed to tackle one of the main killers of patients with weakened immune systems. The method uses a combination of PET and MRI imaging to identify invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, allowing for faster and more accurate diagnosis.
A new study suggests that climate change may reduce the range of the deadly chytrid fungus in Africa's Albertine Rift, potentially saving some amphibian populations. Microscopic examination revealed that most infected frogs appeared to be in good health, indicating regional resistance to the disease.
A study published by University of Delaware plant scientists has identified a stress hormone that appears to increase the virulence of the rice blast fungus. The research may lead to new control methods for the devastating disease.
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.
A study reveals how CARD9 specifically protects the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) from fungal infections. Researchers found that mice and humans lacking functional CARD9 cannot recruit neutrophils to control Candida infection in the CNS, highlighting the critical role of CARD9 in promoting antifungal immunity.
Candidiasis is a life-threatening fungal infection requiring early treatment. New guidelines update recommendations for its diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the importance of consulting an infectious diseases (ID) specialist to ensure a good outcome.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered that plants can predict when they'll be infected with a fungal pathogen and increase their resistance levels accordingly. The key finding is a single protein called JAZ6, which connects the plant clock to its immune system.
Researchers have developed a new diagnostic method for a deadly fungal lung infection in leukemia patients, offering improved early detection and treatment options. The breakthrough uses distinct test results to identify the infectious mold, potentially refining diagnostics and improving survival rates.
A US expert is urging a unified global response to the growing threat of zombie infections. Emerging outbreaks have been identified worldwide, with a range of potential causes including viruses and fungi.
Researchers successfully eliminated a lethal chytrid fungus in a wild amphibian population using antifungal treatment and environmental disinfection. The breakthrough study, published in Biology Letters, marks the first time a fatal fungal infection has been eradicated from a wild population.
A new study suggests that coconut oil can effectively control the overgrowth of a fungal pathogen called Candida albicans in mice. The research found that a coconut oil-rich diet reduced C. albicans in the gut by more than 90% compared to other dietary fats.
Researchers have identified Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola as the definitive cause of snake fungal disease (SFD) in eastern US snakes. The fungus causes skin lesions and can lead to mortality rates of up to 100% in some species, threatening extinction.
A new study found that Mycoplasma genitalium, a previously unknown sexually transmitted infection, affects up to 1% of the UK population aged 16-44. The infection was more prevalent among those with multiple sexual partners and in areas of higher deprivation.
A team of researchers has discovered the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in caves where bats hibernate in northeast China. The finding greatly expands the known distribution of the fungus, which has decimated bat populations in North America since its appearance in upstate New York in 2006.
The study found that fungi change the nutritional and medicinal chemistry of milkweed leaves, affecting monarch caterpillars' susceptibility to parasitic infections. The dosage and nutrient phosphorous levels also play crucial roles in determining the outcome.
Researchers are exploring plasma-based treatments for fungal infections, as well as using plasmas to extend the shelf life of seafood. Additionally, advancements in plasma propulsion technology are being made for small spacecraft, offering potential solutions for satellite thrusters.
Researchers found that hibernating bats infected with the white nose fungus exhibited a partial immune response, including acute inflammation and wound healing. However, the influx of white blood cells into infected tissue was missing, which may be related to the unique characteristics of the Pd pathogen.
Researchers at UCSC are conducting field trials of two strategies to protect bats from white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungal disease that has devastated bat populations in eastern North America. The team aims to understand how some populations are surviving and develop effective treatments to improve their chances of survival.
The OPATHY network aims to create innovative diagnostic tools for yeast diseases by leveraging high-throughput technologies like genomics and transcriptomics. The project will provide multidisciplinary training for PhD students to develop original scientific and clinical strategies for treating yeast infections.
A biofilm with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties has been developed to prevent or control post-operative infections on medical devices. The film reduces inflammation and prevents bacterial and fungal infections, offering a promising alternative to antibiotics.
Researchers discovered that Candida albicans, a deadly fungus, uses copper to fuel an enzyme designed to neutralize free radical attacks, but can switch to manganese when copper levels drop. This clever adaptation allows the fungus to survive in tissues like the kidney.
Scientists have identified 18 proteins crucial to the transformation of fungal spores into disease-causing yeast, offering hope for preventative treatments. By blocking these proteins, researchers aim to prevent the spread of meningitis and other fungal diseases.
Scientists at Australian National University discovered three previously undiscovered fungi causing the disease, which affects Southern Queensland and South Australia's wheat crops. The finding provides growers with confidence in managing the disease, crucial for a $6 billion industry.
Researchers at University of Helsinki found that black ants can change their food taste in response to fungal pathogens. By consuming a diet with high levels of free radicals, the ants show improved resistance to infections.
Researchers from the University at Buffalo have successfully disguised an antifungal protein with spermidine and a sugary compound to combat oral thrush. The new approach aims to improve treatment options for people with weakened immune systems, such as those with diabetes or undergoing chemotherapy.
A deadly fungal infection, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), threatens North America's wild salamander population via the international pet trade. The fungus is highly virulent and has caused mass die-offs in Europe.
A recent fungus, Bsal, threatens American salamanders with a 96% fatality rate, highlighting the urgent need for a U.S. ban on salamander imports. The fungus's spread could imperil North American ecosystems, which rely heavily on these small, often overlooked animals.
A team of scientists has identified potential probiotics for frogs to combat the devastating chytrid fungus. The researchers found dominant bacterial species that may provide disease resistance and antifungal properties to their host. This discovery holds promise for protecting vulnerable amphibian populations worldwide.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have identified a genetic error that makes children susceptible to two unrelated diseases: aggravating fungal infections and invasive, potentially fatal bacterial disease. The mutation affects the RORC gene, which controls the production of cytokines crucial for fighting off mycobacteria.