invasive candidiasis – Page 4

Changing Climate, Changing Candida: Environmental and Social Pressures on Invasive Candidiasis and Antifungal Resistance in Latin America

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Invasive fungal infections caused by Candida yeasts are becoming more serious in Latin America, with drug-resistant strains spreading rapidly in hospitals. The problem is worsened by climate change and overuse of antifungal medicines in agriculture, which help resistant fungi survive and spread. Many hospitals in the region lack modern diagnostic tools to quickly identify the specific type of infection, delaying treatment. The authors recommend a comprehensive approach combining better environmental monitoring, smarter use of antifungal drugs, improved diagnostic access, and coordinated public health efforts across the region.

Awareness and perception of invasive fungal diseases among the Nigerian population

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This study found that very few Nigerians (only about 19%) are aware of serious fungal infections like candidiasis and aspergillosis, and most people don’t understand how dangerous these diseases can be. The researchers surveyed over 1,200 people and discovered that people with more education and higher incomes were more likely to know about these infections. The findings suggest that Nigeria urgently needs public health campaigns and education programs to help people recognize fungal diseases early so they can get proper treatment.

Epidemiology of Candidemia, Candiduria and Emerging Candidozyma (Candida) auris Across Gulf Cooperative Council Countries and Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula

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This comprehensive review examines fungal bloodstream and urinary tract infections caused by Candida species across Middle Eastern countries. The study shows that while Candida albicans remains common, dangerous antibiotic-resistant strains like Candidozyma auris are increasingly appearing in hospitals. The research highlights that better diagnostic tools and infection prevention practices are urgently needed in the region to protect patients and reduce deaths from these serious infections.

Genomic Insights of Candida krusei, an Emerging Fungal Pathogen With Intrinsic Antifungal Resistance

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Candida krusei is a yeast that causes serious bloodstream infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems. Unlike many other fungi, it naturally resists common antifungal drugs like fluconazole, making infections hard to treat. The organism can form protective biofilms and has multiple genetic mechanisms that help it survive antifungal treatment. Researchers are exploring new drugs and treatment strategies to combat this growing health threat, especially in hospitals.

Antifungal Agents in the 21st Century: Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

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This review examines how doctors treat serious fungal infections and the growing problem of fungi becoming resistant to medications. The authors discuss different antifungal drugs, how they work, and why some fungi are becoming harder to treat. They emphasize that controlling fungal resistance requires coordinated efforts across hospitals, farms, and communities, especially since some agricultural pesticides are creating resistant strains that spread to sick patients.

HIV protease inhibitors restore amphotericin B activity against Candida

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Researchers discovered that HIV protease inhibitors, medications commonly used to treat HIV, can significantly enhance the effectiveness of amphotericin B, a powerful antifungal drug. When combined, these medications work synergistically to kill the dangerous fungus Candida auris, reduce its ability to form protective biofilms, and lower infection levels. This finding suggests a promising new treatment strategy for multidrug-resistant fungal infections that currently pose a serious global health threat.

Antifungal activity and mechanism of novel peptide Glycine max antimicrobial peptide (GmAMP) against fluconazole-resistant Candida tropicalis

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Scientists developed a new antimicrobial peptide called GmAMP that can effectively kill drug-resistant fungal infections caused by Candida tropicalis, a pathogen resistant to common antifungal medications. The peptide works by damaging the fungal cell membrane and is safe for human use. In laboratory tests using insect larvae, the peptide successfully treated infections and reduced the fungal burden, suggesting it could become a new treatment option for patients with resistant fungal infections.

A Pragmatic Strategy for Improving Diagnosis of Invasive Candidiasis in UK and Ireland ICUs

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Diagnosing invasive candidiasis (a serious fungal infection in ICU patients) is challenging because current blood culture tests are slow and insensitive. This paper presents a practical five-step diagnostic guide for UK and Ireland hospitals that combines risk assessment, biomarker tests, and rapid identification methods to diagnose the infection faster and more accurately. Using this strategy helps doctors avoid unnecessary antifungal drugs while ensuring seriously ill patients receive appropriate treatment quickly, ultimately improving survival rates.

Diagnostic Capacity for Fungal Infections in Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria and Ghana – An Onsite Baseline Audit of 9 Sites

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Researchers audited nine hospital laboratories in Nigeria and Ghana to assess their ability to diagnose fungal infections. They found that most laboratories lack basic equipment like microscopes and trained staff for fungal testing. The study revealed critical gaps in infrastructure and resources needed to identify serious fungal diseases, highlighting the need for investment in laboratory capacity building in African healthcare systems.

Effects of Short-Chain Fatty Acid Combinations Relevant to the Healthy and Dysbiotic Gut upon Candida albicans

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Short-chain fatty acids produced by healthy gut bacteria appear to slow the growth and reduce the invasive characteristics of Candida albicans, a fungus that normally lives harmlessly in the gut but can cause infections when the microbiota is disrupted by antibiotics. This study tested whether healthy gut SCFA levels inhibit Candida more effectively than dysbiotic levels and found that the healthy SCFA mix was somewhat more effective at preventing fungal hyphal formation, which is important for tissue invasion. However, different Candida strains responded differently to the SCFAs, suggesting that individual variation affects how protective these bacterial metabolites can be.

Disease: invasive candidiasis