candidiasis – Page 12

Superficial Fungal Infections in Children—What Do We Know?

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Fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails are increasingly common in children worldwide, especially in warm, humid climates and in crowded living conditions. These infections are caused by germs that live on the skin and can spread through contact with infected people or animals. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their developing immune systems, but most infections are treatable with topical creams or oral medications, with terbinafine being the most effective option currently available.

Speciation analysis of fungi by liquid atmospheric pressure MALDI mass spectrometry

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Scientists developed a fast new method using a technique called LAP-MALDI mass spectrometry to identify dangerous fungal infections within minutes instead of days. The method analyzes the unique fatty acids and proteins in fungal cells to distinguish between different species. This could help doctors quickly identify which fungal infection a patient has and choose the right treatment, potentially saving lives.

Screening of yeasts in the oral microbiota of bats (Chiroptera) in Piauí, Brazil

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Researchers collected oral samples from 47 bats in Brazil and found that over 40% carried yeast species, including some dangerous types like Candida albicans that cause infections in humans. The study identified that bats living near human settlements may serve as reservoirs for these disease-causing fungi, especially during rainy seasons when conditions favor yeast growth. This discovery highlights the importance of monitoring wildlife for infectious diseases to prevent them from spreading to humans.

Cracks in the Curriculum: The Hidden Deficiencies in Fungal Disease Coverage in Medical Books

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This study examined how well major medical textbooks teach doctors and medical students about fungal infections. Researchers found that books focused on infectious diseases do a much better job than general medicine textbooks in covering important information about fungal diseases. Many textbooks lack sufficient information about preventing fungal infections and diagnosing them correctly, which could lead to delayed treatment and poor patient outcomes.

Divergent Immunomodulatory Roles of Fungal DNA in Shaping Treg and Inflammatory Responses

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Different types of fungal DNA trigger different immune responses in the body. DNA from the common yeast Candida albicans promotes immune tolerance and protects T cells, similar to beneficial bacterial DNA. In contrast, DNA from the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans triggers strong inflammatory immune responses. This discovery reveals that fungal DNA itself, not just fungal cell wall components, plays an important role in determining whether fungi are treated as friendly commensals or dangerous pathogens by the immune system.

Quality improvement project to reduce beta-D-glucan turnaround times in an NHS pathology network

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Hospitals were taking too long to get results for a fungal blood test (beta-D-glucan) that helps doctors decide whether patients with serious infections need antifungal medicines. A UK hospital pathology network improved this by bringing the test in-house instead of sending samples to a distant reference laboratory. After implementing the new system, they cut the average wait time from over 11 days to just 2.5 days while also saving money, allowing doctors to make faster treatment decisions for critically ill patients.

The protein kinases family in fungi: adaptability, virulence and conservation between species

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Protein kinases are cellular ‘switches’ that help fungi survive harsh conditions by regulating how cells make proteins and adapt to stress. A particularly important kinase called GCN2 acts as a sensor that detects when fungi lack amino acids, triggering a survival response that helps the fungus adapt and maintain pathogenicity. This review shows how understanding GCN2 could help scientists develop new antifungal drugs to treat fungal infections.

Fungal Δ9-fatty acid desaturase: a unique enzyme at the core of lipid metabolism in Aspergillus fumigatus and a promising target for the search for antifungal strategies

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Certain dangerous fungal infections like aspergillosis are difficult to treat because current antifungal drugs have significant side effects or the fungi are developing resistance. Scientists have discovered that a specific enzyme called Δ9-fatty acid desaturase, which fungi need to make fats for their cell membranes, has a unique structure different from human cells. This structural difference offers a new opportunity to design antifungal drugs that could kill fungi without harming human cells, potentially providing safer and more effective treatments for serious fungal infections.

Screening of Basidiomycete Strains Capable of Synthesizing Antibacterial and Antifungal Metabolites

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Researchers tested 18 different types of wood-decay fungi (basidiomycetes) to see if they could produce natural antibiotics and antifungal compounds. They found that 16 of the 18 strains successfully produced antimicrobial substances. Five strains were particularly promising, showing strong activity against dangerous bacteria including antibiotic-resistant strains. The study identified specific chemical compounds from these fungi that could potentially be developed into new medicines.

Extracellular Biosynthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Filamentous Fungi

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Researchers used three types of fungi to naturally create tiny silver particles that can kill harmful bacteria and fungi. These particles were much smaller than the width of a human hair and proved especially effective against dangerous bacteria like those causing hospital infections and Candida yeast infections. This green manufacturing method is safer for the environment than traditional chemical approaches and could help address the growing problem of drug-resistant infections.

Disease: candidiasis