antifungal resistance – Page 19

Invasive fungal infections caused by rare yeast-like fungi in adult patients: results of a prospective study

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This study examined rare fungal infections in 30 critically ill adult patients over 18 years, finding that infections caused by uncommon yeasts like Trichosporon and Rhodotorula affected mainly long-term ICU patients with central lines. Despite treatment with antifungal medications, about 37% of patients died, highlighting the serious nature of these infections. The research emphasizes the importance of quickly identifying the specific fungus causing infection and using appropriate medications, along with removing infected catheters, to improve patient survival.

A zinc-chelating cyclic alkyl polyamine compound is efficient and safe in a murine model of multidrug-resistant Candida auris infection

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Researchers tested a new drug called APC6 that works by trapping zinc, which fungi need to survive. In mouse studies of a dangerous resistant fungus called Candida auris, APC6 saved all treated mice while most untreated mice died. The drug also reduced fungal infections in organs without causing serious side effects, suggesting it could become a new treatment option for serious fungal infections resistant to current medicines.

The transcription factor RttA contributes to sterol regulation and azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus

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Researchers corrected the mislabeled rttA gene in the dangerous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus and discovered it acts as a master control switch for sterol production and antifungal drug resistance. When this gene is active, it helps fungi survive azole medications by boosting production of ergosterol, a critical component of fungal cell membranes. This discovery reveals how fungi develop resistance to our frontline antifungal treatments and suggests new ways to combat these life-threatening infections.

Candida krusei Empyema: A Lung Transplant Case and Systematic Review of the Literature

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Candida krusei is a dangerous yeast that causes a serious lung infection called empyema, where pus collects around the lungs. This infection is particularly difficult to treat because the yeast is resistant to common antifungal drugs like fluconazole and can form protective biofilms. This systematic review identified only ten cases of this rare infection in the medical literature, showing how uncommon but serious it is, and found that patients need aggressive treatment with multiple antifungal medications combined with surgical drainage to survive.

Improving treatment of chromoblastomycosis: the potential of COP1T-HA and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy against Fonsecaea monophora in vitro

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Chromoblastomycosis is a stubborn skin fungal infection that is difficult to treat with current medications and often comes back after treatment. Researchers tested a new treatment using a special light-activated compound called COP1T-HA combined with blue light, which successfully killed the fungus in laboratory tests. The treatment worked quickly and at low doses, showing promise as a potential new therapy for this challenging infection.

Breaking down the wall: Solid-state NMR illuminates how fungi build and remodel diverse cell walls

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Scientists have developed a new technique called solid-state NMR that can examine fungal cell walls without damaging them, revealing how these structures are built and reorganized. This research shows that different fungi have different wall architectures made of sugar-like molecules including chitin and various glucans, and that fungi can quickly adapt their walls when exposed to antifungal drugs. These findings could help develop better antifungal treatments by targeting the specific structural features that different fungi rely on for survival.

Genome sequences of Aspergillus fumigatus strains isolated from wildfowl in Southern Ontario, Canada

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Researchers sequenced the genomes of four Aspergillus fumigatus fungi isolated from infected birds (an osprey, peregrine falcon, and two hawks) brought to wildlife rehabilitation centers in Ontario. This fungus causes a serious infection called aspergillosis that damages the lungs and air sacs of birds. The genetic information from these four strains is now publicly available for scientists studying how this fungus infects birds and how it resists antifungal treatments.

A human-relevant alternative infection model for mucormycosis using the silkworm Bombyx mori

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Scientists developed a new way to test antifungal drugs using silkworms instead of expensive and ethically problematic mammal studies. They infected silkworms with mucormycosis-causing fungi and found that the infections behaved similarly to human cases, especially when they simulated human risk factors like steroid use and iron overload. The silkworm model successfully demonstrated that existing antifungal drugs work, while also revealing differences in fungal virulence that were linked to specific surface proteins.

Speciation analysis of fungi by liquid atmospheric pressure MALDI mass spectrometry

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Scientists developed a fast new method using a technique called LAP-MALDI mass spectrometry to identify dangerous fungal infections within minutes instead of days. The method analyzes the unique fatty acids and proteins in fungal cells to distinguish between different species. This could help doctors quickly identify which fungal infection a patient has and choose the right treatment, potentially saving lives.

Screening of yeasts in the oral microbiota of bats (Chiroptera) in Piauí, Brazil

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Researchers collected oral samples from 47 bats in Brazil and found that over 40% carried yeast species, including some dangerous types like Candida albicans that cause infections in humans. The study identified that bats living near human settlements may serve as reservoirs for these disease-causing fungi, especially during rainy seasons when conditions favor yeast growth. This discovery highlights the importance of monitoring wildlife for infectious diseases to prevent them from spreading to humans.

Research Keyword: antifungal resistance