invasive aspergillosis – Page 4

Re-Identification of Aspergillus Subgenus Nidulantes Strains and Description of Three Unrecorded Species From Korea

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Researchers in Korea re-examined 53 fungal samples from the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection to accurately identify Aspergillus species. Using genetic analysis and microscopic examination, they confirmed 14 different species, including three that were new to Korea: A. griseoaurantiacus, A. puulaauensis, and A. sublatus. These findings help scientists better understand which fungal species are present in Korea and their potential impacts on food, air quality, and human health.

Fungus-targeted nanomicelles enable microRNA delivery for suppression of virulence in Aspergillus fumigatus as a novel antifungal approach

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Researchers developed a new way to fight dangerous fungal infections caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, which increasingly resists standard antifungal drugs. They used tiny molecules called microRNAs packaged in even tinier delivery vehicles to turn off genes that help the fungus survive. When these microRNAs were introduced, the fungus became much more vulnerable to the body’s immune system and to stress. This novel approach could eventually help treat infections that are otherwise difficult to cure.

Antifungal Effects of the Phloroglucinol Derivative DPPG Against Pathogenic Aspergillus fumigatus

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Scientists developed a new antifungal compound called DPPG based on a natural antibacterial molecule produced by soil bacteria. This synthetic derivative showed strong activity against dangerous fungal pathogens like Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida species, which cause serious infections in humans. The compound works by disrupting the fungal cell membrane, causing it to leak and die. Testing in insect models demonstrated effectiveness comparable to current clinical antifungal medications.

Antifungal effect of soil Bacillus bacteria on pathogenic species of the fungal genera Aspergillus and Trichophyton

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Scientists found that certain bacteria naturally occurring in soil can effectively kill harmful fungi that cause infections in humans. By isolating and testing different Bacillus bacteria species, researchers discovered that some were even more effective at inhibiting fungal growth than commonly used antifungal medications. This finding suggests a promising natural alternative to combat fungal infections, especially as many fungi are becoming resistant to traditional antifungal drugs.

Antifungal stewardship in the UK: where are we now?

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Fungal infections are becoming more common and dangerous because some fungi are developing resistance to antifungal medicines. UK hospitals struggle to manage these infections due to lack of funding, staffing, and limited access to fungal testing services. The paper recommends creating regional fungal expertise centers and setting national standards to improve how antifungal medications are used and monitored across the country.

Loss of the Aspergillus fumigatus spindle assembly checkpoint components, SldA or SldB, generates triazole heteroresistant conidial populations

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This research reveals that disabling certain cell division checkpoint proteins in the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus creates populations resistant to triazole antifungal drugs. The resistant fungal cells appear to have abnormal amounts of genetic material, suggesting that loss of these checkpoint controls allows cells with extra chromosomes to survive drug exposure. This discovery provides new insight into how dangerous fungal infections can develop resistance to our most important antifungal treatments.

Estimated burden of serious mycoses in Poland

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This study reveals that Poland has a significant but underreported problem with serious fungal infections affecting thousands of people annually. The most common fungal infections are yeast infections like candidosis, while mold infections like aspergillosis are the most serious in immunocompromised patients. The research shows that current reporting systems severely underestimate the true burden of these infections, highlighting the need for better surveillance and diagnostic practices.

Isavuconazole: Need for therapeutic drug monitoring and CYP polymorphism testing

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A patient with a serious fungal infection of the sinuses caused by Rhizopus arrhizus received the antifungal drug isavuconazole. However, blood tests showed the drug was building up to dangerously high levels in her body. Genetic testing revealed she had a mutation that made her body unable to break down the drug normally. The doctors had to give her much smaller and less frequent doses while carefully monitoring her drug levels to keep her safe.

Population structure in a fungal human pathogen is potentially linked to pathogenicity

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A. flavus is a common fungal pathogen that causes serious infections in humans and damages crops. Researchers analyzed DNA from hundreds of fungal samples collected from both infected patients and environmental sources. They found that clinical isolates cluster into specific genetic groups, especially a newly identified group called population D that contains most of the disease-causing strains. This suggests that certain genetic variations make some fungal strains more likely to infect humans than others.

Aspergillus fumigatus ctf1 – a novel zinc finger transcription factor involved in azole resistance

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Researchers discovered that a gene called ctf1 in a harmful fungus called Aspergillus fumigatus helps control how resistant the fungus is to antifungal medications like voriconazole. When this gene is removed, the fungus becomes more resistant to these drugs because it pumps them out more efficiently. Understanding this mechanism could help doctors develop better treatments for serious fungal infections in vulnerable patients.

Disease: invasive aspergillosis