Disease: fungal infections

Unlocking Reishi’s secrets: nutritional and medicinal traits of Ganoderma lucidum isolated from tree bark in Egypt

Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) from Egypt show promise as natural medicine. Researchers tested extracts and found they can fight bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells in laboratory tests. The mushrooms are rich in beneficial compounds like vitamins and antioxidants. While the extract was not as strong as conventional drugs, it showed good safety profiles and potential for development into new medicines.

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Evaluation of Clinical, Microbiological Profiles and Management Patterns with Outcomes of Patients with Fungal Isolates in An Intensive Care Unit of A Tertiary Care Center: A Prospective Observational Study

This study examined fungal infections in intensive care unit patients at a major hospital in India. Researchers found that diabetes was the most common risk factor, and most infections were caused by Candida species found in urine samples. Many fungal isolates were resistant to common antifungal drugs like fluconazole, suggesting doctors need to be more careful about which medications they use to treat these infections.

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Dendritic Cell-Based Therapeutic Immunization Induces Th1/Th17 Responses and Reduces Fungal Burden in Experimental Sporotrichosis

Researchers developed a vaccine using special immune cells called dendritic cells loaded with proteins from the fungus that causes sporotrichosis. When vaccinated mice were later infected with the fungus, they showed stronger immune responses and had lower levels of the fungus in their bodies. This suggests that dendritic cell-based vaccines could be a promising new treatment approach for sporotrichosis, a serious fungal infection that is difficult to treat with current medicines, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

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Clinical Significance and Therapeutic Challenges of Scedosporium spp. and Lomentospora prolificans Isolates in a Single-Center Cohort of Lung Transplant Recipients

This study examined dangerous fungal infections caused by Scedosporium and Lomentospora species in lung transplant patients at a Spanish hospital. Researchers found these infections were uncommon but very serious, with high death rates especially from the Lomentospora type. Current antifungal drugs often don’t work well against these fungi, highlighting the need for better treatment options.

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Progress of Antimicrobial Mechanisms of Stilbenoids

Stilbenoids are natural compounds found in plants that can fight harmful bacteria and fungi in multiple ways. Unlike traditional antibiotics that only kill microbes, stilbenoids can also prevent infections by disrupting biofilm formation and weakening pathogen virulence. These compounds show promise in combating drug-resistant infections without promoting further resistance development, making them valuable candidates for new antibiotic medicines.

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Survey of clinical microbiology and infectious disease testing capabilities among institutions in Africa

This study surveyed laboratory facilities across Africa to understand what infectious disease tests are available. Researchers found that basic tests like bacterial identification are common, but advanced tests for viruses (other than HIV) and fungi are less available. The study highlights the need for investment in laboratory infrastructure to improve disease diagnosis and help countries respond to health emergencies.

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FTIR Characterization and Bioactivity Assessment of Cinnamomum camphora Essential Oil: Antioxidant, Anti-Enzymatic, and Antifungal Properties Against Phytopathogens

Camphor tree essential oil has been studied for its ability to fight fungal diseases that harm crops and its potential health benefits. The research found that this natural oil completely stops the growth of several harmful fungi at high concentrations, making it a promising eco-friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides. The oil also showed antioxidant properties and may help regulate blood sugar levels, suggesting uses in both agriculture and medicine.

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Bioactive Properties of Selected European Phellinus Species: A Comprehensive Study

This research examined 30 samples of medicinal mushrooms from the Phellinus genus collected across Europe, including Poland, Italy, Portugal, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. Scientists found that three species—Phellinus igniarius, Fomitiporia robusta, and Porodaedalea pini—are particularly rich in beneficial compounds, especially polysaccharides and antioxidants. These mushroom extracts showed impressive abilities to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria and protect cells from oxidative damage, suggesting they could become valuable sources for new medicines and functional foods.

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Targeted long-read sequencing analysis and antifungal susceptibility profiles of Sporothrix schenckii isolates from Thailand

Researchers in Thailand studied a fungal infection called sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix schenckii, which infects both cats and humans. Using advanced DNA sequencing technology from Oxford Nanopore, they identified and classified 26 fungal samples and tested how well common antifungal medications worked against them. They found that calmodulin gene sequencing was better than the standard ITS test for identifying the fungus species, and that about one-third of the samples showed reduced sensitivity to the main treatment drug, itraconazole.

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Breaking down biofilms across critical priority fungal pathogens: proteomics and computational innovation for mechanistic insights and new target discovery

This comprehensive review examines how scientists are fighting dangerous fungal infections that form protective biofilms resistant to current antifungal drugs. Researchers are using advanced protein analysis techniques (proteomics) and artificial intelligence-based computational tools to identify new targets for drug development against four critical fungal pathogens that cause life-threatening infections like meningitis and lung infections. By combining these technologies, scientists can better understand how these fungal biofilms form and develop more effective treatments.

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