Articles tagged with Fungal Infections
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A new study explores how plants respond differently to useful and harmful microbes, revealing that accessory chromosomes from fungal strains dictate these responses. Most plant genes are expressed similarly in response to both beneficial and pathogenic fungi, but with key differences occurring just 12 hours after interaction.
A study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators found that antibodies secreted in the gut help control pathogenic forms of gut fungi like Candida albicans. However, patients with Crohn's disease often have impaired antibody function, leading to an overgrowth of harmful fungi.
Researchers from Louisiana State University discovered the molecular architecture of fungal cell walls and how they respond to stresses, paving the way for new antifungal compounds. The study's findings reveal the structural role of each major carbohydrate in the cell wall and provide a revised model of fungal cell wall organization.
Researchers have identified compounds that interfere with fungal enzymes required for fatty acid synthesis, potentially overcoming resistance to current treatments. These compounds show promise as antifungal agents, effective even against drug-resistant strains of fungi.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers identified key proteins in fungal biofilms that control resistance to antifungal drugs and dispersal throughout the body. These proteins provide potential drug targets to impair a pathogen's antimicrobial defenses, including the fungus Candida albicans.
Researchers studied bicyclic monoterpene alcohols' fungicidal activity against various fungi, finding (−)-myrtenol to be most promising. The compounds also showed antioxidant and membrane-protective activities, suggesting potential practical applications.
A team of scientists tracked individual endangered Indiana bats and northern long-eared bats to understand their foraging behaviors and habitat preferences. The results show that most timber harvest strategies are neutral or even positive for the bats, with smaller patch cuts and thinning being compatible with conservation.
A recent study found that adding tamoxifen to standard antifungal treatment did not speed up the clearance of fungal infection from spinal fluid in patients with meningitis. The study also showed increased heart toxicity in the tamoxifen group, highlighting the need for new anti-cryptococcal drugs.
A new vaccine has shown significant protection against Valley fever in dogs, offering hope for a potential human vaccine. The study found that two doses provided high levels of protection against the fungal disease.
Researchers have identified eight genes in the Candida glabrata fungus that confer resistance to various drugs. The study allows for genetic testing to diagnose potential drug resistance, guiding treatment choices. The findings also highlight cross-resistance phenomena, where exposure to one drug can lead to resistance to another.
A study in the Atlantic Rainforest detected high mortality rates among tiny frogs known as pumpkin toadlets infected with the chytrid fungus. The infection causes a physiological imbalance leading to death from a heart attack. Climate change and drought may exacerbate the threat to terrestrial amphibians.
A recent study has revealed that Fusarium wilt of cotton is more aggressive and diverse than previously understood, affecting Pima and Upland varieties. The researchers identified a population shift towards FOV4, a fourth race of the fungus, which has overcome some resistance in commercial Pima varieties.
Researchers have successfully used double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules as a bio-fungicide to suppress the production of a toxin in soybean plants. The study found that dsRNAs produced in bacterial cells can effectively manage fungal diseases, reducing the need for toxic chemicals and potentially mitigating fungicide resistance.
Researchers found that complex mixtures of microbes isolated from closely related plant species increased the resistance of endangered Hawaiian plant Eugenia koolauensis to myrtle rust. This microbial treatment may be an important tool for combating disease-driven declines of endangered plants.
A new study led by Rachel Penczykowski investigates the hydra effect in water fleas, where parasite infections trigger a counterintuitive increase in population density. The researchers found that infected water fleas consume less algae, leading to an abundance of resources for uninfected individuals.
Researchers discovered azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus strains isolated from a tulip bulb have genetic recombination and resistance to multiple fungicide classes. Plant bulbs serve as an ideal niche for the pathogens to evolve their resistance, posing a global health threat.
Studies on mice and septic patients show that a specific B lymphocyte subpopulation produces large amounts of CD39, leading to increased adenosine levels and reduced macrophage activity. This results in heightened susceptibility to opportunistic infections, with survivors experiencing a sevenfold higher risk of severe infections.
Researchers have identified five Bacillus strains with antibiotic ability against the deadly Fusiarium wilt TR4 fungus, which is threatening global banana production. The study found that these strains can trigger direct or indirect antagonism on the fungus, providing a new biocontrol method to combat TR4.
Researchers at UC Riverside have engineered yeast to produce proteins that block fungal cell walls, reducing crop losses and reliance on fungicides. This approach could lead to a new method for controlling plant disease with minimal environmental impact.
Research suggests that fungi in the healthy gut can have a beneficial effect on health, while invasive forms may contribute to inflammatory bowel disease. Vaccines targeting specific proteins may help restore balance to the microbiome.
A novel molecular assay has been developed to investigate how plant fungal pathogens circumvent the bioactivity of SDHIs. The study successfully validated known mechanisms of fungicide resistance in several agriculturally important fungal pathogens.
Two California hospitals, Scripps Memorial and UCLA Health, detail their proactive responses to stop the spread of Candida auris. They implemented aggressive measures, including isolating patients, working with public health departments, and using effective disinfectants, to prevent transmission and successfully contain the outbreak.
A study tested over 150 sorghum germplasm lines for resistance to a fungus likely to hamper production. Researchers found sources of resistance to anthracnose leaf blight, including improved lines from various regions. The findings will help develop better recommendations for sorghum growers in Pennsylvania.
Researchers have detected Candida auris, a microorganism with high drug resistance, in Brazilian hospitals. The fungus can cause severe infections and mortality rates of up to 60%, posing a significant threat to patients with severe COVID-19.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo discovered that Fusarium verticillioides uses volatile compounds to manipulate Diatraea saccharalis moths and sugarcane plants, promoting its own dissemination. This study revolutionizes the science of red rot disease, considered the most serious threat to sugarcane.
Researchers at Kanazawa University found that nicotinamide can activate plant immune systems, preventing or reducing fungal disease in wheat plants. The substance also increases the production of antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds.
A recent commentary published in Annals of Internal Medicine highlights the growing concern of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis, or 'black fungus', in India. Experts recommend nonpharmacological measures and careful corticosteroid use to prevent and manage this syndemic.
A new disease called halo blight is threatening Michigan's hop production, causing yield losses and altering hop quality. Genetic testing revealed a novel fungal pathogen, Diaporthe sp. 1-MI, which can infect healthy hop plants and cause yellow margins on leaf lesions and browning of cones.
Researchers re-animated a 70-year-old fungus that causes coffee wilt to understand its evolution and spread. By studying the fungus's genes, they identified how it acquired traits to infect specific coffee varieties, shedding light on potential prevention methods.
A study by ISGlobal reveals that Histoplasma infections are a leading cause of death among people with HIV in the Brazilian Amazon. The research highlights the need for sensitive detection methods to combat this fungal disease.
Researchers have developed color-changing threads that turn bright pink in the presence of Candida albicans, a common cause of yeast infections. These threads can be embedded in tampons or sanitary napkins to allow women to quickly and discreetly self-diagnose vulvovaginal yeast infections.
COVID-19 patients are at risk of developing another bacterial, viral, or fungal infection simultaneously or subsequently. Research reveals that such co-infections can lead to poorer health outcomes for these patients.
Researchers at the Lundquist Institute have discovered an antibody that can protect against mucormycosis, a deadly fungal infection with a high mortality rate. The humanized monoclonal antibodies are being manufactured by Vitalex Biosciences and aim to improve treatment outcomes for patients with COVID-19.
Researchers discovered that the Sir2 protein facilitates Candida albicans' transition from yeast to hypha, which is essential for infection. The protein's removal resulted in fewer true hyphae being formed, and its function may impact the pathogen's virulence.
Researchers have developed a new superbug-destroying coating that could be used on wound dressings and implants to prevent and treat potentially deadly bacterial and fungal infections. The material is effective against a broad range of drug-resistant bacteria and fungal cells, while leaving human cells unharmed.
Researchers successfully engineered a probiotic yeast called Saccharomyces boulardii to produce beta-carotene in the mouse gut. The production of beta-carotene was achieved using widely used genetic engineering tools, and its feasibility for human application is being explored.
Researchers discovered fungi present in both healthy and diseased lungs, with no difference in composition between individuals with COPD using or not using inhaled steroids. The unique lung environment is dominated by the fungus Candida, which can cause disease when outcompeted.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University developed a novel transdermal mixture of terbinafine and clotrimazole to combat Candida auris, a highly resistant fungus. The study found that this formulation can effectively reduce the presence of C. auris on skin and prevent its spread.
A team of international scientists has created a new diagnostic procedure for pulmonary aspergillosis, eliminating the need for invasive techniques. The breakthrough uses a patent-pending Aspergillus-specific monoclonal antibody to rapidly recognize infection in the lungs.
Scientists have identified unique infection patterns used by four Candida species, which cause 90% of candidiasis cases. The study reveals that human vaginal epithelial cells respond similarly to different species, with their response modulated according to the severity of the infection.
Researchers have discovered an enzyme on the surface of Aspergillus fumigatus that breaks down vital molecule NAD, affecting immune cells and weakening the immune system. The discovery may lead to new treatments for fungal infections.
Researchers have confirmed histoplasmosis, a fungal infection transmitted through bat and bird droppings, is now found in Alberta, extending its known range northwest from the central United States and southern Ontario. Locally-acquired cases were primarily found in rural areas in central Alberta.
Researchers studied the co-evolutionary relationship between wheat stripe rust fungus and its hosts, identifying evolutionarily conserved genes in barberry suggesting an earlier interaction. The work provides insights into the roles of barberry in wheat rust disease and sustainable control strategies.
A University of Tsukuba research team discovered that certain fungi can grow through narrow channels by altering their growth rate. This process allows them to maintain cell polarity and continue growing, whereas slower-growing species are impeded, resulting in defective cellular processes.
A study published in Science reveals that a fungus found in foods like cheese and processed meats can infect sites of intestinal damage in mice and people with Crohn's disease, preventing healing. Treating infected mice with antifungal medication allows wounds to heal.
Researchers successfully targeted Cryptococcus species using reprogrammed CAR T-cells, effectively controlling the growth of fungi. The treatment showed promising results in vitro and in mice, with reduced titan cells indicating a good prognosis for new treatments. This innovative approach could also be applied to other fungal infections.
Fungal infections are rare but deadly, with limited treatment options due to resistance. Developing new antifungals is challenging due to biological similarities between humans and fungi.
A study found that eastern newt populations in the northeastern US, Appalachian Mountains, and southeastern Canada are most vulnerable to Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans infection due to temperature fluctuations. Climate change may exacerbate this risk.
A recent study found that a specific fungus infecting frogs disrupts their skin microbiome, leading to long-term changes. The frog's microbiome fails to recover even after the infection is cured, highlighting the need for further research on microbiome dynamics and disease resistance.
UMass Amherst researchers discovered that the actin networks of a deadly fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), play crucial roles in its pathogenicity. The study provides insights into the evolution of actin cytoskeleton and sheds light on the disease chytridiomycosis affecting amphibian populations.
Researchers found that common fungi in the gut teach the immune system to respond to more dangerous relatives, priming immunity against infection. The discovery offers a potential new therapy to combat deadly fungal infections.
A Rutgers-led study found genetic differences between white-nose syndrome-killed and surviving little brown bat populations, suggesting rapid evolution to resist the disease. The study has significant implications for managing bat populations and may inform strategies for other diseases causing mass mortality.
Researchers found that European greater mouse-eared bats have sufficient baseline levels of key immune parameters to tolerate infection throughout hibernation. In contrast, North American bats frequently arouse from hibernation to trigger an immune response, leading to starvation and death.
A 13-year analysis of wheat rust outbreaks in Ethiopia reveals long-term trends and hotspots, potentially leading to improved surveillance and control efforts. The study found a 'boom-and-bust' outbreak cycle due to genetic resistance breakdowns, emphasizing the importance of sustained pest management for food security.
Researchers in Denmark have found two new fungal species that infect adult flies, creating a hole in their abdomens and keeping them flying for days. The fungi may be producing substances that 'dope' the flies, with potential applications in medicine.
Scientists have identified a group of chemicals present in ash leaves that could be used to look for susceptibility or resistance to ash dieback. The same compounds are also used by trees to deter herbivorous insects, raising concerns about unintended consequences.
Researchers found that socks coated with zinc oxide nanoparticles significantly reduced bromodosis and pitted keratolysis, two common conditions causing smelly feet. The study demonstrated the antibacterial efficacy of ZnO-NPs, making it a promising compound for textile applications.
A study has found fungal disease in snakes on military bases in 19 states and Puerto Rico, infecting 17% of the sampled snakes. The disease, known as ophidiomycosis, can cause a range of clinical signs, including skin lesions and death, and may threaten biodiversity across several habitats.
A single fungicide application at the silking stage provides the best foliar disease control in Kentucky corn crops, according to research by Carl Bradley and colleagues. This approach is more cost-effective than sequential applications, allowing farmers to improve their return on investment.
Researchers discovered a fungal virus that converts a deadly fungal pathogen into a beneficial endophytic fungus in rapeseed plants. The transformed fungus boosts the plant's immune system, leading to increased weight, root growth, and resistance to diseases.