Articles tagged with Fungal Infections
Tuberculosis bacteria produce a molecule called sulfolipid-1 (SL-1) that triggers coughing in infected animals and human cells, facilitating the spread of disease. The findings could lead to new treatments to prevent tuberculosis transmission.
Researchers investigated how white blood cells respond to co-infection with fungal and viral infections. The study found that viruses can trigger a rapid expulsion of fungal cells from white blood cells, potentially weakening their ability to fight off both pathogens.
Researchers at Swansea University have published two international studies on antifungal drug resistance, which highlights the growing threat of this disease. The studies investigated different aspects of resistance and examined drug resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus that causes life-threatening infections.
Researchers at Florida State University discovered a fungus that stabilizes key proteins involved in cancer and neurological disease signaling pathways. The natural product fusicoccin has been identified as a tool to study these networks, leading to the discovery of 14 promising protein-protein interaction targets.
Soil pathogens like Pythium ultimum spread more easily under heat and drought stress, causing widespread crop failure. Soils from Scotland are less resistant to these pathogens than those from Hungary.
Researchers have identified chickpea genes that offer robust non-host resistance to Alternaria blight, a devastating fungal disease affecting Brassica crops. The study reveals these genes can suppress fungal development and colonization in mustard plants, paving the way for blight-resistant crop varieties.
Researchers have developed a new treatment that completely kills the bacterial infection causing severe decline in lung function and death in cystic fibrosis patients. The treatment combines three antibiotics with no side effects, improving quality of life and survival chances for infected CF patients.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science discovered that extremely low concentrations of acetic acid can alter cellular processes in rice blast fungus, leading to appressorium formation and infection. The study reveals the novel role of acetic acid in metabolic switching and cell differentiation in eukaryotic cells.
Researchers found that probiotic yeasts derived from food can reduce the virulence of non-albicans Candida species by up to 53% and prevent biofilm formation. The study suggests that these food-derived yeasts could be a safe and cost-effective alternative to current antifungal medications.
A study by Indiana University researchers found that two immune receptors, Dectin-1 and TLR2, work together to trigger an inflammatory response against fungal infections. The discovery could lead to new treatments for diseases and improve cancer immunotherapies.
Recent analysis examined safety of oral fluconazole and itraconazole in pregnant women, finding slight increases in risk of congenital heart defects and limb defects. Oral agents were not associated with increased risk of overall birth defects.
Biologists have documented the widespread presence of the notorious chytrid fungus in 80 species of frogs from lowland rainforest sites in the Peruvian Amazon. The study found that even lowland frogs with high levels of fungal infection showed no external signs of disease, suggesting they could serve as a large disease reservoir.
A six-year study has uncovered the existence of a sensor in appressoria that tells the fungus when to rupture the rice leaf. This discovery provides a platform for developing fungicides against rice blast, one of the deadliest crop killers, and could also apply to other septin-mediated fungi.
A study found high rates of 'cold-loving' fungus infection in frogs from the Peruvian Amazon, a region previously thought to be free from disease. The discovery suggests that important reservoirs of infection may exist beyond areas with high mortality rates, threatening global frog populations.
A new survey confirms that muscadine grapes are susceptible to parasitic nematodes, which can impact yield and grape quality. The study found seven types of nematodes associated with muscadines in Georgia and North Carolina.
Researchers at UMD have identified a new pathway by which liver macrophages capture fungi in the bloodstream, preventing their spread and potentially treating various types of fungal infections. This discovery has significant implications for the treatment of invasive fungal infections, which kill 1.5 million people worldwide each year.
A new study suggests that tsunamis after the Great Alaskan Earthquake of 1964 brought a tropical fungus ashore, leading to subsequent outbreaks of often-fatal infections among people in coastal regions. The fungus, Cryptococcus gattii, is typically found in warm climates but was discovered in the Pacific Northwest region.
New research from Washington University School of Medicine shows that infectious disease specialists can significantly improve outcomes for hospitalized patients with fungal bloodstream infections. With a 20% lower risk of death and increased use of life-saving treatments, specialist consultation is crucial in reducing mortality rates.
A new compound derived from eushearilide has shown significant antibacterial properties against various disease-causing bacteria, including MRSA. This finding offers relief for immunocompromised people who are susceptible to life-threatening fungal and bacterial infections.
A Dartmouth study reveals that the way human fungal pathogens form colonies can significantly impact their ability to cause disease. The researchers identified a specific mutation that causes key changes in gene function, leading to improved virulence and host damage. Understanding these characteristics is crucial for developing effect...
Researchers map distribution of deadly chytrid fungus using skin swabs, revealing four known lineages and a new one originating in Asia. The study provides key insights into the disease's origins and geographic spread.
Fungicides can negatively impact aquatic fungi growth, altering their role in decomposing organic matter and as a food source for higher trophic levels.
A new study predicts climate change will cause Valley fever's range to more than double in size this century, reaching previously unaffected areas across the western U.S. The disease is expected to become more widespread in states like Colorado, Idaho and Oklahoma.
A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found a significant reduction in UK ICU bloodstream infections over an 8-year period. The research used data from over 1 million patients admitted to 276 NHS adult ICUs, showing a 95% decline in MRSA infections and a 57% drop in E. coli infections.
The guideline covers the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, invasive candidiasis, and three common endemic mycoses. Effective treatment depends on rapid and accurate diagnosis, with recommendations for laboratory tests such as galactomannan testing and polymerase chain reaction approaches.
Researchers have discovered fungi that flourish in people infected with C. difficile, suggesting a potential new way to treat the disease. The findings suggest that fungal species may contribute to the development of C. difficile infections and could be used as a therapeutic target.
Researchers at UTEP are studying Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungus that causes life-threatening meningitis in AIDS patients. The team aims to understand the fungus's entry into the brain and develop therapeutics to block this process and stimulate immune cells.
A new study demonstrates dual DNA barcoding improves diagnosis of invasive fungal diseases, enabling faster treatment and reducing morbidity and mortality. The technique uses two specific regions of DNA to identify fungal pathogens, increasing accuracy and speed of diagnosis.
Researchers found that around 21% of dermatologists rarely/never perform fungal preparations due to perceived adequacy or time concerns, while 25% with CLIA certification reported difficulty in obtaining the necessary certifications. The study emphasizes the need for increased education and policy-based interventions to ease the process.
A new study by University of Würzburg researchers found that five out of 13 German grass species contain poisonous toxins produced by fungal endophytes. The risk of mass poisoning for grazing animals is low, but farmers are advised to increase pasture diversity and avoid monocultures, especially of perennial ryegrass.
Candida auris is a highly contagious, deadly fungus that causes severe infections; its emergence has highlighted gaps in fungal identification capacity worldwide. Early detection is crucial to controlling the spread of this drug-resistant fungus, which can be transmitted between patients in healthcare settings.
Scientists suggest that global warming may have enabled the emergence of Candida auris as a deadly human-infecting pathogen. The fungus can grow at higher temperatures than its relatives, hinting at recent adaptation.
A new study suggests global warming may have played a pivotal role in the emergence of Candida auris, a serious public health threat. The fungus can grow at higher temperatures than its closely related species, adapting to climate change and breaking through human protective temperatures.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a novel genomics-based method to detect the simultaneous presence of hundreds of organisms in a stream. The study used water sampling for environmental DNA, capturing biodiversity and ecosystem health data from hundreds of organisms in a single sample.
Researchers have discovered how a fungus controls zombie ants by invading their mandibular muscles, breaking open membrane covering muscle fibres and causing the muscle to contract forcefully, resulting in the ant's death grip.
A new study identifies a genetic vulnerability in Hmong people that makes them more susceptible to blastomycosis. The research found that Hmong individuals produce less interleukin-6 (IL-6), an essential immune response, leading to reduced Type 17 cytokine T helper cells and increased disease severity.
A recent study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases investigated the expression levels of two immune proteins, interleukin-17 and matrix metalloprotein-9, in mycetoma grains. The researchers found that these molecules are present in specific zones of the grains and correspond with disease duration and lesion size.
Scientists propose alternative biological concepts to combat fungal disease in aquatic organisms, including increasing host diversity, vaccination, probiotics, hyperparasitism, and using 'parasite eaters'. These methods aim to reduce environmental harm and promote sustainable aquaculture practices.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that pathogenic fungal spores can escape the lung and infect the brain, causing fatal disease. The research sheds light on how Cryptococcus, a common human fungal pathogen, causes meningitis.
Researchers discovered that lung macrophages in mice act as 'Trojan horses' carrying fungal spores into the bloodstream. The study sheds light on why certain strains of a fungus are deadly while others are harmless.
Researchers at West Virginia University have discovered a fungus that infects cicadas, causing them to lose their limbs and engage in abnormal behavior. The fungus contains psychoactive compounds similar to those found in hallucinogenic mushrooms, but further research is needed to determine its potential benefits.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have identified novel combinations of antifungal and antibacterial drugs that demonstrate activity against multidrug resistant Candida auris. The study used a modified inkjet printer to test multiple combinations, finding three effective treatments in under two hours.
A transgenic fungus engineered to deliver a toxin to mosquitoes safely reduced mosquito populations by over 99% in a simulated village setting. The fungus is selective and won't harm beneficial species like honeybees, making it a promising new approach to controlling malaria.
Researchers found that limiting iron levels in saliva reduced the growth of Candida albicans, a common yeast causing illness in those with weakened immune systems. The treatment also altered gene expression and caused a two-fold reduction in the organism's survival rate.
Researchers discovered microRNA-like RNAs that regulate the transition from saprophytes to pathogens in Arthrobotrys oligospora. The study provides new insights into understanding fungal adaptation and potential bio-control agents.
A new study from The Westmead Institute for Medical Research has found that Cryptococcus neoformans remodels lipids to release phosphate when phosphate is scarce. This strategy allows the fungus to conserve phosphate and survive in humans, a key finding with potential implications for treatment.
New research shows that climate change has increased the risk of Black Sigatoka disease in banana crops by over 44% since the 1960s. The fungus spreads via aerial spores and can reduce fruit production by up to 80%.
Researchers at the University of Bath have discovered that targeting fungal G-protein coupled receptors could be key to controlling Fusarium head blight, a devastating disease that affects wheat crops worldwide. By studying these receptors, scientists hope to develop new approaches to control the disease and reduce crop losses.
A recent study has identified microRNA-like RNAs as key regulators in the lifestyle transition of Arthrobotrys oligospora, a nematode-trapping fungus. The researchers found that these microRNAs are essential for the development of adhesive networks and the capture of nematode prey.
A new study highlights the significant risk posed by bloodstream infections (BSIs), which are associated with a much higher mortality rate compared to the general hospitalised population. The research found that certain species of microorganisms, such as Acinetobacter and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), were linked ...
Researchers discovered how specific fungal prostaglandins deactivate immune cells, allowing fungi to grow and increase infection. This finding provides insight into the interaction between fungal pathogens and the human immune system.
The study reveals Bd as one of the most destructive invasive species, causing at least 501 amphibian species decline. Despite this, some species show recovery and host resistance.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that inflammatory monocytes facilitate the progression of Cryptococcus neoformans infection in mice, contrary to their expected role as immune cells. In the absence of these monocytes, murine survival is improved and fungal burden decreases.
Researchers discover Malassezia yeasts in gut of patients with Crohn's disease, exacerbating intestinal inflammation. Genetic variation associated with immune response to fungi links to disease progression.
New research from Brown University shows how Candida albicans fungus can adapt to different host environments. The study found that patient samples of the fungus frequently lack one copy of a gene that serves as a vital master regulator, allowing cells to switch phenotype and thrive in various environments.
Researchers have obtained the highest-resolution structure of the fungal protein Hsp104, a hexameric AAA+ protein that helps repair misfolded proteins. The study's findings reveal a helical structure for Hsp104 hexamers, contrary to previous beliefs, and provide new insights into its function.
Researchers found that multiple variants of the same resistance gene can bind dissimilar pathogen proteins in distantly related plant species, enabling direct recognition of disease-causing fungi. This discovery has significant implications for generating disease-resistant crops and could lead to rationally designed synthetic receptors.
Research published in CMAJ found that taking oral fluconazole during pregnancy may be associated with a higher chance of miscarriage and birth defects. The study analyzed data from 441,949 pregnancies and linked it to filled prescriptions, highlighting the need for safe prescribing practices.
Researchers discovered that gliotoxin, a mycotoxin from Aspergillus fumigatus, inhibits the production of leukotrieneB4 in neutrophilic granulocytes, disrupting communication between immune cells. This allows fungal spores to infiltrate tissues and organs, posing a fatal threat to people with weakened immune systems.
Researchers discovered that fluconazole treatment makes fungi sexually active, combining different resistance mechanisms and producing highly resistant offspring. This finding can help develop better drugs and overcome resistance.