antifungal resistance – Page 4

The impact of climate change on the epidemiology of fungal infections: implications for diagnosis, treatment, and public health strategies

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Climate change is making it easier for dangerous fungi to grow and spread to new areas where people have never encountered them before. As temperatures rise and weather becomes more extreme, fungi are becoming resistant to our medicines, especially antifungal drugs used in both farming and hospitals. People living in poverty, displaced by natural disasters, and those without good healthcare access are most vulnerable to these infections. We need to act quickly by developing new treatments, improving diagnosis, reducing agricultural fungicide use, and strengthening healthcare systems in vulnerable communities.

Aspergillus terreus sectorization: a morphological phenomenon shedding light on amphotericin B resistance mechanism

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This study investigated why some strains of the fungus Aspergillus terreus are resistant to amphotericin B, an important antifungal medicine. Researchers compared a resistant strain with a mutated version that became susceptible to the drug. They found that certain genes called P-type ATPases are more active in resistant strains and may help the fungus pump ions and alter its cell membrane to survive the drug. Additionally, mutations in genes responsible for producing secondary metabolites were linked to the visible changes seen when fungal cultures degenerate.

Breakthrough Invasive Mould Infections Under Posaconazole Prophylaxis in Patients With Haematologic Malignancies: A Case–Control Study

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This study examined cases where patients receiving posaconazole to prevent fungal infections still developed serious mould infections despite the medication. Researchers compared 29 patients who developed these breakthrough infections with 46 control patients who did not. They found that over half of patients with breakthrough infections died, compared to only 20% of controls, and that surgical treatment significantly improved survival for certain types of fungal infections.

New Strategies to Combat Human Fungal Infections

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Fungal infections are becoming a major global health threat, causing millions of deaths annually. This research collection presents new and improved ways to treat these infections, including natural compounds like chitosan, beneficial bacteria, new drug combinations, and tests to better understand which treatments work best. The papers showcase innovative approaches beyond traditional antifungal medications to help combat resistant infections.

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 by using tiny particles called nanomicelles to deliver genetic material (microRNAs) directly into fungal cells. These microRNAs target and reduce the production of melanin, a protective pigment that helps the fungus resist immune attacks. By weakening this defense, the fungal cells become more vulnerable to the body’s immune system and to stress, offering a novel approach to treat serious fungal infections that have become resistant to standard antifungal drugs.

Climate Change, Natural Disasters, and Cutaneous Fungal Infections

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Climate change and natural disasters are creating conditions that allow fungal infections to spread more easily and affect people in new ways. Warmer temperatures help fungi adapt to infect humans, while floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes expose people to fungal spores and create wounds through which infections can enter. Doctors need to be alert for unusual fungal infections after disasters, especially since some of these infections can cause serious complications and resist common treatments.

SUB6 Subtilisin is Involved During the Initial Adhesion of Trichophyton benhamiae and T. mentagrophytes onto Reconstructed Human Epidermis

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Researchers studied a fungal protease called SUB6 produced by common skin infection-causing fungi. Using engineered fungi lacking this protein, they found that SUB6 helps fungi initially stick to skin but isn’t absolutely required for infection. The fungi can compensate by producing other proteases, suggesting SUB6 might be better used as a diagnostic marker to detect fungal infections rather than as a drug target.

Occurrence of Pathogenic and Allergenic Molds in the Outdoor and Indoor Environment of a Major Hospital and Molecular Epidemiology of Aspergillus fumigatus in Kuwait

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Researchers studied molds found in and around a major hospital in Kuwait over 17 months, collecting over 6,000 mold samples. They discovered various mold species, including some that can cause serious infections in hospital patients. Importantly, they found drug-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus strains both outdoors and inside the hospital, suggesting the environment may be a source of infection for vulnerable patients. The findings highlight the need for better monitoring and control of molds in hospital settings.

Emerging antifungal resistance in Trichophyton mentagrophytes: insights from susceptibility profiling and genetic mutation analysis

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This study examined how common skin fungal infections caused by Trichophyton species are becoming resistant to standard antifungal treatments. Researchers tested 131 fungal isolates from China and analyzed their resistance genes to understand why some strains no longer respond to terbinafine and other antifungal drugs. They found that certain genetic mutations, particularly in the SQLE gene, make these fungi resistant to treatment and that different species have different resistance patterns. These findings help doctors better choose treatments and guide the development of new antifungal medications.

Invasive Trichoderma longibrachiatum breakthrough infection in a hematology patient

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A 61-year-old woman with blood cancer developed a severe and unusual double fungal infection caused by two mold species while being treated for a known fungal infection. Despite receiving multiple antifungal medications, her condition worsened and she ultimately died from multiple organ failure. The case is important because it demonstrates how Trichoderma fungi are becoming dangerous pathogens in very sick, immunocompromised patients, and a new drug called olorofim showed promising activity against this infection in laboratory tests.

Research Keyword: antifungal resistance