candidiasis – Page 2

Clinical Mycology Today: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities

mycolabadmin

Fungal infections are becoming more common because of new medical treatments that suppress immune function, and some fungi are developing resistance to standard medications. However, exciting new antifungal drugs are in development that work in different ways and may be easier to use. The article discusses how doctors need better ways to identify patients at risk, design better clinical trials, and train more specialists to handle these increasingly complex fungal infections.

Plants, fungi, and antifungals: A little less talk, a little more action

mycolabadmin

Researchers propose looking at how plants communicate with fungi to discover new antifungal medicines. Plants send chemical signals to fungi, and understanding these signals could help us develop better treatments for fungal infections in humans and crops. By studying a simple yeast model, scientists found that plant molecules called strigolactones control fungal phosphate metabolism, suggesting they could become new drug targets.

Medical Mycology Education in Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Medical Schools

mycolabadmin

This study examined how medical schools in southern Brazil teach students about fungal infections. The researchers surveyed 19 medical schools and found that while all schools include some mycology teaching, it is not offered as a standalone course and there are significant gaps in practical training, laboratory facilities, and instructor expertise. The study highlights that despite Brazil’s burden of serious fungal infections, future doctors are often not adequately prepared to recognize and manage these diseases.

Sarocladium implicatum: an unusual agent of opportunistic infection in a COVID-19 patient

mycolabadmin

A patient hospitalized with severe COVID-19 developed an unusual infection caused by a mold called Sarocladium implicatum, which typically affects plants. Due to weakened immune system from his illness and medications, the fungus spread to his bloodstream and lungs, causing persistent fever and a cavity in his lung. After molecular testing identified the fungus, he was treated with an antifungal medication called voriconazole, which successfully cured the infection.

Clinical aspects and recent advances in fungal diseases impacting human health

mycolabadmin

Fungal infections are increasingly common health threats affecting over a billion people worldwide, ranging from minor allergies to serious life-threatening infections. The biggest problems are that fungi are becoming resistant to current medications, diagnosis can be difficult and slow, and treatment options are limited. Recent developments include new antifungal drugs like ibrexafungerp and rezafungin that work differently from older medications, offering hope for treating resistant infections. Better awareness among doctors and patients, faster diagnostic methods, and responsible use of antifungals are essential to combat this growing public health challenge.

Beyond division and morphogenesis: Considering the emerging roles of septins in plasma membrane homeostasis and cell wall integrity in human fungal pathogens

mycolabadmin

Septins are protein structures inside fungal cells that help them divide and maintain their outer layers. This review explains how these proteins play crucial roles in fungal infections by helping pathogens survive stress conditions and respond to host defenses. By understanding how septins work, scientists might develop new antifungal medications that target these proteins to fight stubborn fungal infections.

The impact of climate change on the epidemiology of fungal infections: implications for diagnosis, treatment, and public health strategies

mycolabadmin

Climate change is making it easier for dangerous fungi to grow and spread to new areas where people have never encountered them before. As temperatures rise and weather becomes more extreme, fungi are becoming resistant to our medicines, especially antifungal drugs used in both farming and hospitals. People living in poverty, displaced by natural disasters, and those without good healthcare access are most vulnerable to these infections. We need to act quickly by developing new treatments, improving diagnosis, reducing agricultural fungicide use, and strengthening healthcare systems in vulnerable communities.

Prevalence and antifungal susceptibility profiles of Candida isolates among patients with candiduria: a multiplex PCR assay

mycolabadmin

This study examined Candida yeast infections in urine samples from hospitalized patients in Iran. Researchers identified seven different Candida species using a specialized PCR test and tested how well they responded to three antifungal medications. They found that while Candida albicans was most common, other species showed much higher resistance to fluconazole treatment. The findings highlight the importance of proper species identification for choosing the right treatment.

New Strategies to Combat Human Fungal Infections

mycolabadmin

Fungal infections are becoming a major global health threat, causing millions of deaths annually. This research collection presents new and improved ways to treat these infections, including natural compounds like chitosan, beneficial bacteria, new drug combinations, and tests to better understand which treatments work best. The papers showcase innovative approaches beyond traditional antifungal medications to help combat resistant infections.

Spatial distribution of pathogenic fungal isolates from clinical samples in Uganda: Diagnostic gaps and trends, January 2020 – May 2024

mycolabadmin

This study examined fungal infections detected in Uganda’s laboratories from 2020 to 2024, finding that common yeast infections called Candida were the most frequently identified. Most cases occurred in women aged 16-35 years, particularly in the cities of Kampala and Mbarara. The research reveals that Uganda’s laboratories can only identify two types of fungi and cannot test which medications work best against them, highlighting the need for better diagnostic tools and training.

Disease: candidiasis