Disease: cryptococcal infection

Pathogenic potential of polyextremotolerant fungi in a warming world

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Certain fungi can survive extremely harsh conditions like extreme temperatures and dry environments, and many of these same species can cause infections in humans. As the planet warms due to climate change, these fungi are becoming better adapted to higher temperatures, which makes them more dangerous as human pathogens. Scientists are working to better understand these fungi and develop new treatments and vaccines to protect people from fungal infections.

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Antifungal persistence: Clinical relevance and mechanisms

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Some fungal infections don’t respond well to antifungal medications even though the fungi aren’t drug-resistant. This happens because a small percentage of fungal cells enter a dormant, low-energy state that protects them from being killed by the drugs. Understanding how these persistent cells survive and finding ways to target them could help prevent recurring fungal infections and improve treatment outcomes.

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Immunomodulatory activity of Pleurotus pulmonarius crude extract to human monocyte against Cryptococcus neoformans

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This research shows that an extract from the Phoenix oyster mushroom (Pleurotus pulmonarius) can boost the body’s immune cells to fight dangerous fungal infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. When immune cells are pre-exposed to this mushroom extract and then encounter the fungus, they become more effective at killing it through increased production of immune-signaling molecules and reactive oxygen species. This natural supplement approach offers a promising alternative to traditional antifungal drugs, which often have significant side effects and can lead to drug resistance.

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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.

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