Articles tagged with Fungal Pathogens
Scientists have discovered the first live culture of Candida auris in dogs, a drug-resistant pathogen that can cause severe infections. The finding suggests pets could act as reservoirs for superbugs, potentially transmitting infections to humans.
A recent study found that seven per cent of Aspergillus fumigatus samples from the Three Parallel Rivers region in Yunnan, China were drug resistant, capable of propagating quickly and taking over local populations.
Researchers discovered that ants sniff out diseased fungus by detecting chemicals called peptaibols, which are produced by the fungus. This finding suggests that the ants may be responding to a disease of their beneficial symbiotic partner rather than their own body, highlighting an extended defense response.
A team of scientists used CRISPR-Cas genome editing to create a disease-resistant rice variety, which showed high yields and resistance to the fungus that causes rice blast. The new rice variety produced five times more yield than the control rice in small-scale field trials.
A new study found that a vaccine against the deadly chytrid fungus in frogs can shift the composition of the microbiome, making frogs more resilient to future exposure. The researchers applied a non-lethal dosage of a metabolic product created by the chytrid fungus to tadpoles and observed a protective shift in the microbiome.
The Sooty Bark Disease, caused by Cryptostroma corticale, is a growing threat to European maples and human health. Researchers have developed a DNA-based diagnostic method to detect the pathogen in air samples using volumetric air samplers.
Researchers at the Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University have discovered that symbiotic and pathogenic fungi use a similar group of proteins to interact with and live within plants. This finding suggests that both pathogens and symbionts are using universal mechanisms to colonise plant cells.
Researchers identified four fungal proteins responsible for suppressing host plant immunity in infectious diseases, leading to distinct host specificity in over 70% of plant diseases. Understanding the mechanism of this specificity may lead to new crop protection technologies.
Researchers develop microrobotic system using magnetic nanoparticles to target and eliminate fungal pathogens, achieving rapid eradication within 10 minutes. The nanozyme-based approach offers a potent and concentrated antifungal effect without affecting uninfected areas.
Researchers at the Center for One Health Research have found that antiviral drugs can make antifungals work again by blocking efflux pumps in Candida auris. This approach may be a key treatment strategy against the deadly fungal pathogen, which has a 60% mortality rate.
Scientists developed a new diagnostic test for chytridiomycosis, identifying previously undetected strains and detecting pathogens in amphibians worldwide. The test's success verified its affordability as an alternative for widespread surveillance, addressing the urgent need for rapid detection of the disease.
Researchers at the University of Córdoba have developed a new strategy to control Fusarium oxysporum, a fungal infection affecting over 150 crops. By eliminating a specific gene, they found that the fungus becomes 'confused', receiving signals it has sufficient resources and thus loses its virulence.
A significant increase in Candida auris infections has been observed worldwide, including in the USA and Europe, with resistance development and potential for hospital outbreaks. The fungus can be efficiently transmitted from patient to patient via direct contact, making control difficult.
A devastating fungal disease, Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), caused by Tropical Race 4 (TR4) is spreading in Mozambique, jeopardizing banana production. The Cavendish banana variety is highly susceptible to the disease, and lack of access to on-farm data hinders effective containment.
Experts warn that fungal disease in crops could lead to unprecedented challenges in food production, causing losses equivalent to enough food for millions of people. The increasing prevalence of fungal infections is due to rising temperatures and the development of resistance to antifungals.
Scientists have found a rare yeast pathogen, Lodderomyces elongisporus, causing neonatal outbreaks in India despite strong disinfectant bleach. The fungus is rapidly evolving and has been linked to hospital equipment and apples treated with fungicides.
Researchers found that a patented microbe, UD1022, protects alfalfa plants from fungal diseases, but it also disrupts the beneficial relationship between plants and rhizobium bacteria. This discovery highlights the complexity of bacteria-bacteria interactions and their impact on plant health.
Researchers are studying the impact of climate change on basement pathogens, moisture, and air quality in urban environments, focusing on Black Americans in Pittsburgh. The study aims to document conditions and understand the link between weather events and cumulative health impacts for residents across the adult lifespan.
Researchers developed a multifunctional patch that detects plant diseases and abiotic stresses like drought or salinity. The patch can detect viral infections up to a week before symptoms appear, enabling growers to take action earlier.
Researchers in Southern Nevada have detected Candida auris genetic material in untreated sewage samples from seven wastewater treatment facilities. The fungus was also found in nearly 80% of untreated sewage samples, indicating its spread in the region. Wastewater surveillance may provide an early warning system for public health actio...
Researchers have developed an online tool, the 'Tree-Based Alignment Selector (T-BAS) toolkit', to identify and monitor plant pathogens, including Phytophthora species responsible for devastating plant diseases. The tool provides a living 'tree of life' with genetic sequence data, evolutionary history, and relationships within groups.
A new strategy balances disease control with resistance management by balancing resistance to both fungicides until it increases enough to fail. The approach is robust to variations in parameters and could influence policy recommendations.
A study published in the Journal of Infection found that mNGS was significantly more effective at detecting bloodstream infections than conventional microbiological tests (CMTs), identifying 187 infection cases compared to CMTs' 81. Viral infections were the most common type, with CMV being the leading cause.
A recent study found that the highly contagious chytridiomycosis fungus has become more prevalent and widespread in Africa since 2000, posing a new threat to amphibian populations. The disease, which can cause skin sloughing, lethargy, weight loss, and cardiac arrest, may be linked to climate change-induced stress.
Researchers have discovered that fungal spores can exploit the human protein p11 to hijack lung cells and prevent them from destroying the fungus. This finding offers a promising new target for treatment against Aspergillus fumigatus infections, which affect over 300,000 people worldwide each year.
A study found that a commercial water purifier may have caused Mycobacterium abscessus infections in 4 cardiac surgery patients due to chlorine depletion. The hospital's water system was contaminated via municipal water, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and preventing mycobacteria.
The fungi Neofusicoccum mediterraneum and Neofusicoccum parvum have been found infecting pines in Southern California, causing a deadly disease known as pine ghost canker. The pathogens are native to the US but have recently started infecting trees in urban forest areas.
Researchers have found that iron treatment increases rice's resistance to infection by the pathogenic fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. Exposure to moderate levels of iron triggers a process called ferroptosis, which limits the progression of the fungus and controls the infection.
Researchers used AgRenSeq genomic discovery method to identify two genes protecting experimental wheat plants against wheat blast. The study highlights the power of heritage wheat varieties and wild grass relatives in providing disease-fighting diversity.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered that a fungus secretes an enzyme that punches holes in rice leaves, making it vulnerable to chemical blockers. The team is now screening chemicals to find ones that block the enzyme's ability to digest plant cell walls.
Researchers have discovered licorice leaf extract as a potent bactericide and fungicide, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides. The extract modulates plant immune responses to pathogens and acts against resistant oomycetes, making it a potential solution for naturally controlling plant diseases.
Researchers at Rice University have developed light-activated nanoscale drills that can kill pathogenic fungi, providing a potential new treatment option for fungal infections. The molecular machines target the mitochondria of fungal cells, disrupting cellular metabolism and leading to cell death.
A new vaccine has shown efficacy in protecting against three common fungal pathogens responsible for fatal fungal infections. The experimental vaccine targets Aspergillus, Candida, and Pneumocystis, with broad, cross-protective antifungal immunity demonstrated in preclinical animal models.
A new study finds that warmer temperatures cause a pathogenic fungus to experience adaptive responses, leading to increased disease-causing potential. The research, led by Asiya Gusa at Duke University, suggests that rising global temperatures may contribute to the evolution of more virulent fungal pathogens.
Researchers have characterized the tar spot pathogen on a molecular level, revealing its virulence molecules target specific plant organelles. This study advances our understanding of plant-pathogen interactions and contributes to developing disease control strategies.
A study in a subtropical forest found that arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) trees outperform ectomycorrhizal (EcM) trees in high-diversity ecosystems due to more efficient nutrient-acquisition strategies. In contrast, EcM tree monocultures had reduced net primary production and were dominated by pathogenic fungi.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown property of certain immune cells called Th17 cells, which produce the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1α. This finding sheds light on autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis in children and provides new insights into the defense against fungal infections.
A fungus infecting salamanders has evolved to contain multiple copies of jumping genes, which contribute to its increased virulence. The 'copy and paste' mechanism allows the fungus to amplify skin-destruction genes, making it more deadly.
A study analyzed the potential of a bacterium to combat coffee rust, a major challenge for Brazilian coffee growers. The researchers found that the bacterium produces antibacterial and antifungal compounds, as well as proteins associated with protection against water stress, making it a promising candidate for biological control.
Researchers developed an efficient engineered pathogen capture method to quickly identify infectious microbes in tiny blood samples. This advanced technology could significantly improve clinical outcomes for children with bloodstream infections and sepsis.
Research from the University of Reading found that sinks and P-traps harbor a surprising number of fungal organisms, including black moulds and relatives of baker's yeast. The study showed that these microorganisms can tolerate high temperatures, low pH, and low nutrients, making them a potential risk to health in certain environments.
A Rutgers study found that COVID-19 patients, especially those treated with antibiotics, experience significant disruptions in their gut microbiome balance. This imbalance may lead to the development of targeted probiotic supplements to improve treatment outcomes.
A new collaborative research centre, DECIDE, will investigate the interactions between pathogens and the human immune system, aiming to improve treatment strategies. The centre combines research on various bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and will involve numerous young researchers.
Climate change is expanding the geographic range of endemic fungal diseases, such as Valley fever, blastomycosis, and histoplasmosis, which can mimic pneumonia. Physicians are often misdiagnosing these conditions due to a lack of training and limited testing options.
The American College of Physicians recommends policies to improve healthcare access and quality for incarcerated patients, including adequate funding and timely access to necessary services. The organization also supports treating substance use disorders as an alternative to incarceration.
The number of Candida auris cases in the EU/EEA nearly doubled between 2020 and 2021, with 11% of cases having no available information on carriage or infection. Early detection is crucial to prevent the spread of this healthcare-associated pathogen.
Researchers at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine have identified a specific type of T cell that produces cytokines necessary for acquiring immunity against fungal pathogens. This finding could lead to the development of effective fungal vaccines.
Scientists have discovered a way to control Panama disease in bananas using specialized anti-fungal chemistries, providing hope for the global banana supply. The study's findings reveal that these chemistries can suppress the disease and maintain plant health, opening new avenues for efficient control strategies.
Research reveals that symbiotic bacteria, Burkholderia gladioli, produce antifungal compound lagriamide to protect Lagria beetles' eggs, larvae, and pupae from fungal infections. The bacterial community remains intact during molting stages, providing crucial defense against pathogens.
The University of Exeter team identified a 'master regulator' that controls the formation of invasive hyphae in the fungus Zymoseptoria tritici. This discovery provides a crucial target for developing new control strategies against Septoria tritici blotch, a destructive fungal disease affecting wheat yields worldwide.
A new study found that small mammals can serve as reservoirs for fungi that cause lung infections in humans. The researchers detected fungal pathogens in the lung tissues of rodents from areas with high rates of disease.
Advanced imaging technology reveals how Candida albicans uses 'alien-like' shape shifting to evade immune cells and trigger harmful immune responses. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms behind this escape, revealing several escape mechanisms enabled by fungal toxin candidalysin.
A study from the University of California, Davis found a clear connection between an amphibian die-off and a spike in malaria cases in Costa Rica and Panama. The research suggests that stable ecosystems are crucial for disease prevention and health, and massive ecosystem disruptions can have significant consequences for human well-being.
Indiana University's Roger Innes leads a $1.2 million research grant project to create Fusarium Head Blight-resistant wheat and barley using genome editing techniques. The goal is to reduce dependence on environmentally damaging pesticides and increase crop yields.
A recent study finds that fungal infections during the pandemic are a significant public health problem with limited treatment options. The interaction between pathogen and host may be different in people with compromised immunity, leading to increased mortality rates among severe COVID-19 patients.
Researchers found two distinct populations of the invasive American bullfrog in Brazil, one descended from 1935 introductions and another from the 1970s. The study highlights the need for law enforcement to prevent escape from frog farms.
A recent study led by Eliza Loo found that plant immune receptors and signaling components confer salt tolerance even in plants challenged by non-pathogenic microbes. This suggests that plants can sense and initiate adaptive responses to abiotic stresses upon detecting alterations in cues presented by plant-inhabiting microbes.
A fungus called Ustilago maydis manipulates the corn plant's auxin signaling pathway by binding to a protein called Topless, suppressing certain pathways while promoting growth and division. This precise control enables the fungus to thrive in infected plants.
Research shows higher concentrations of pathogenic dust landing at lower elevations in the Sierra Nevada mountains, carrying fungi and bacteria that can cause crop failures and human respiratory disease. The study highlights the increasing threat of microbe-laden dust as the Earth dries out.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers reveals a promising genetic method for identifying hundreds of disease agents using next-generation sequencing. The Respiratory Pathogen Infectious Diseases/Antimicrobial Resistance Panel (RPIP) system shows near-comparability to traditional diagnostics in identifying pathogens.