Disease: Vaginal candidiasis

Clinical Isolate of Candida tropicalis from a Patient in North Carolina: Identification, Whole-Genome Sequence Analysis, and Anticandidal Activity of Ganoderma lucidum

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Researchers in North Carolina identified a drug-resistant yeast infection (Candida tropicalis) from a hospital patient and tested whether extracts from reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) could kill it. Using genetic analysis, they found mutations in the yeast that help it resist antifungal drugs. All three types of mushroom extracts tested successfully stopped the yeast’s growth and damaged its cells, suggesting that reishi mushrooms could be a promising natural treatment option for hard-to-treat candida infections.

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Candida albicans Goliath cells pioneer biofilm formation

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Researchers discovered that Candida albicans produces giant-sized cells called Goliath cells when zinc is scarce. These oversized cells are extremely sticky and can cling to plastic surfaces like catheters even when exposed to blood flow. Once attached, they form thicker, more resilient biofilms that can seed infections into the bloodstream, making Goliath cells particularly dangerous in hospital settings where catheters are commonly used.

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Candida albicans Goliath cells pioneer biofilm formation

mycolabadmin

When Candida albicans fungi run out of zinc, they transform into larger cells called ‘Goliath cells’ that are exceptionally sticky to plastic surfaces. Scientists found that these Goliath cells are much better at sticking to catheters and other medical devices than regular yeast cells, even when blood is flowing past them. This discovery helps explain why fungal infections on catheters are so common and could lead to better ways to prevent these dangerous infections that affect hospitalized patients.

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