Disease: dermatophyte infections

Prevalence of Tinea pedis in military personnel: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection affecting military personnel at rates around 17% globally. Military environments create perfect conditions for this infection through close living quarters, humidity from sweat and boots, and shared facilities. The study found that regions with hot, humid climates have higher infection rates, and proper diagnosis using both microscopy and culture tests is important for accurate detection. Improved hygiene, better-designed footwear, and access to antifungal treatments can significantly reduce infection rates in military settings.

Read More »

Rediscovery of viomellein as an antibacterial compound and identification of its biosynthetic gene cluster in dermatophytes

Researchers discovered that dermatophytes, fungi that cause common skin infections like athlete’s foot, produce a red pigment called viomellein that kills bacteria. By studying the genes responsible for making this compound, scientists found that most dermatophytes produce it, which may help explain how these fungi establish infections on skin despite the presence of protective bacteria. This discovery opens new possibilities for understanding skin infections and potentially developing new treatments.

Read More »

Contamination of fungal genomes of Onygenaceae (Phylum Ascomycota) in public databases: incidence, detection, and impact

Scientists found that many fungal genome sequences stored in public databases contain unwanted bacterial DNA that can interfere with research results. They developed a method to identify and remove this contamination using related high-quality fungal genomes as reference. After cleaning four contaminated genomes, the quality improved significantly and the contamination dropped from 5-12% to below 3%, demonstrating that careful screening is essential for reliable genetic research.

Read More »

Recognizing the Importance of Public Health Mycology

This editorial highlights how fungal infections are a growing but overlooked global health crisis, killing about 2.5 million people annually. The paper brings together seven research articles studying different fungal diseases, from lung infections to skin conditions, showing how these diseases spread differently in different populations and how resistance to antifungal medications is increasing. The authors emphasize that better testing, treatment access, and worldwide disease tracking are urgently needed, especially in poorer countries where the burden of fungal disease is highest.

Read More »
Scroll to Top