candidiasis – Page 14

New approaches to tackle a rising problem: Large-scale methods to study antifungal resistance

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Fungal infections are becoming increasingly resistant to antifungal drugs, creating a serious public health challenge. Scientists are using advanced genetic sequencing and laboratory techniques to understand how fungi develop drug resistance and identify the specific genetic changes responsible. By cataloging resistance mutations and creating shared databases, researchers aim to develop better diagnostic tests and treatment strategies to combat these dangerous infections.

Graphene nanomaterials: A new frontier in preventing respiratory fungal infections

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Scientists are exploring nano-graphene oxide, a microscopic material made from graphene, as a new treatment for serious lung fungal infections. These tiny particles can kill fungal cells through multiple mechanisms and deliver antifungal drugs directly to infection sites while reducing harmful side effects. Researchers found that graphene oxide can be combined with existing antifungal medications to make them work better and even help overcome drug-resistant fungal infections.

First isolation of Prototheca bovis from a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

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A 13-year-old bottlenose dolphin at a Japanese aquarium developed a stomach infection caused by Prototheca bovis, a type of alga rarely found in marine animals. The dolphin initially received treatment with itraconazole for a suspected fungal infection, but this was ineffective. When doctors identified the actual culprit as P. bovis through genetic testing, they switched to fos-ravuconazole, which successfully resolved the infection and returned the dolphin to good health.

Pan-Indian Clinical Registry of Invasive Fungal Infections Among Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: Protocol for a Multicentric Prospective Study

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Fungal infections are a serious hidden threat in hospital intensive care units, particularly for patients with weakened immune systems. This study establishes India’s first comprehensive database system to track fungal infections across 8 major medical centers nationwide. By collecting detailed information about these infections and how they respond to treatments, the research aims to help doctors diagnose and treat fungal infections faster and more effectively. The findings will guide better clinical practices and public health policies to combat these often-neglected but deadly infections.

Five-Year Retrospective Analysis of Superficial Fungal Infections: Insights from Hospital Experience

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This study examined fungal skin infections in over 3,900 patients at a Serbian military hospital over five years. Researchers found that common fungi like Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. rubrum caused most infections, with patterns varying by season, patient gender, and body location. Men were more likely to have foot infections while women showed more diverse fungal types. The findings suggest doctors should use more precise identification methods like MALDI-TOF testing to prescribe better treatments and help prevent recurring infections.

Insights into the structure, function, and impact of Candida albicans UPC2 gene on azole resistance; a mini-review

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Candida albicans is a common fungal infection that doctors treat with azole medications, but the fungus is increasingly developing resistance to these drugs. Scientists have discovered that a gene called UPC2 plays a key role in this resistance by controlling the production of enzymes that help the fungus survive azole treatment. Understanding how UPC2 works could help develop new strategies to overcome drug-resistant fungal infections.

In vitro activity of SF001: a next-generation polyene versus amphotericin B

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This study tested a new antifungal drug called SF001 against a well-established antifungal called amphotericin B. Researchers tested both drugs against common fungal infections affecting vulnerable patients. SF001 was found to work as well as or better than amphotericin B, particularly against harder-to-treat Aspergillus fungi, while potentially causing fewer side effects.

The antifungal mechanism of EntV-derived peptides is associated with a reduction in extracellular vesicle release

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Researchers discovered that a small peptide derived from a bacterium called EntV can fight Candida fungal infections by targeting specialized vesicles (tiny sacs) that fungi use to spread infections. Unlike traditional antifungal drugs that kill fungi, EntV works by blocking the release of these vesicles, reducing the fungus’s ability to infect and form protective biofilms. This new approach could lead to treatments that work against drug-resistant fungi without the toxicity issues of current antifungals.

Discovery of novel targets for important human and plant fungal pathogens via an automated computational pipeline HitList

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Scientists developed a computer program called HitList that searches through fungal genes to find new targets for antifungal medicines. The program identifies proteins that are unique to harmful fungi and missing from humans and plants, making them ideal drug targets. The study found several promising new protein targets that could lead to development of more effective antifungal drugs to treat both human fungal infections and crop diseases caused by fungi.

Disease: candidiasis