invasive fungal diseases – Page 2

Deep learning application to hyphae and spores identification in fungal fluorescence images

mycolabadmin

Researchers developed an artificial intelligence system using two deep learning models to automatically identify fungal infections in microscope images. The system analyzes fluorescence-stained samples to detect fungal spores, hyphae, and mycelium with accuracy matching experienced doctors. This automated approach can significantly reduce the time clinicians spend examining samples and help prevent misdiagnosis, especially in hospitals with fewer specialist technicians.

Clinical Mycology Today: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities

mycolabadmin

Fungal infections are becoming more common due to new cancer treatments and other medical advances, while some fungal species are developing resistance to standard antifungal medications. The good news is that several new antifungal drugs are in development with better safety profiles and novel mechanisms to fight these infections. However, the field faces challenges including limited specialized mycologists and difficulty designing clinical trials to properly test new treatments.

Persister cells in human fungal pathogens

mycolabadmin

Some fungal infections fail to respond to antifungal drugs even when the fungus should be susceptible to treatment. This happens because certain fungal cells can enter a dormant ‘sleep-like’ state that helps them survive drug exposure. These dormant cells, called persisters, are able to hide from medications by reducing their metabolism and enhancing their protective defenses. Understanding how these persister cells form and survive could lead to better treatments for serious fungal infections.

Editorial: Fungal virulence

mycolabadmin

This editorial discusses how fungi are becoming more dangerous to human health due to climate change and rising temperatures. Researchers are studying the specific mechanisms that make fungi harmful, including how they stick to human cells and form protective biofilms. The review highlights several important discoveries about different pathogenic fungi and suggests better ways to diagnose and treat fungal infections through understanding how environmental factors influence fungal behavior.

Increasing postgraduate medical mycology research dissertations at Uganda’s higher institution of learning

mycolabadmin

A study from Makerere University in Uganda found that funding has significantly boosted research on fungal diseases among graduate students. The number of students focusing on medical mycology jumped from 16% to 40% between 2023 and 2024, with more advanced laboratory techniques being used. The research focused on serious fungal infections like cryptococcal meningitis, which particularly affects people with HIV/AIDS. The university’s creation of a collaborative research group helped students work together and complete their projects on time.

Deep learning application to hyphae and spores identification in fungal fluorescence images

mycolabadmin

Researchers developed an artificial intelligence system that can automatically identify fungal infections in microscope images as accurately as experienced doctors. The system uses two different AI models working together to spot fungal spores, thread-like hyphae, and mycelium in fluorescence images. This technology could significantly reduce the time doctors spend analyzing samples and help ensure more accurate diagnoses, especially in hospitals with fewer experienced specialists.

Breaking the mould: challenging the status quo of clinical trial response definitions for invasive fungal diseases—a debate

mycolabadmin

Doctors and researchers use standard definitions to determine if antifungal treatments work in clinical trials. This debate examines whether the standards created in 2008 are still appropriate today. Key concerns include whether stable disease should always count as treatment failure, how to handle deaths from other causes, and whether newer testing methods should be incorporated. The expert panel concluded these definitions need updating to reflect modern treatment options and patient needs.

Advancing Patient Advocacy in Mycology: Cultivating Collaboration in Education, Research, and Policy

mycolabadmin

Fungal infections are a serious public health problem, but unlike cancer and AIDS, they lack strong patient advocacy movements to raise awareness and secure funding. This paper argues that patients with fungal diseases have important insights about their care needs that could help improve policies and research if their voices were heard. The authors propose establishing unified advocacy organizations, like the MyCARE Foundation, to bring patients, doctors, and policymakers together to better address this neglected health challenge.

Disease: invasive fungal diseases