antifungal resistance – Page 6

Molecular Identification of Candida Species among Iranian Patients: Pursuing Candida auris

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Researchers in Iran studied 136 hospital patients to identify different types of Candida fungal infections using a molecular laboratory technique called PCR-RFLP. They found that while Candida albicans remained the most common species, other Candida species were increasingly prevalent in hospitalized patients. The study developed a cost-effective diagnostic method that could help developing countries identify these fungal infections faster and more accurately, though the dangerous multidrug-resistant Candida auris was not found in their samples.

Detection of Multiple Nosocomial Trichosporon asahii Transmission Events via Microsatellite Typing Assay, South America

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Researchers developed a test to identify different strains of a dangerous fungus called Trichosporon asahii that causes serious infections in hospitals. Using this test on samples from South America, they discovered that multiple patients in different hospitals were infected with genetically identical strains, suggesting the fungus was spreading between patients. This typing method is faster and cheaper than other genetic tests, making it useful for hospitals in countries with limited resources to track and control fungal outbreaks.

Condition-dependent effects of Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (Trikafta) on Aspergillus fumigatus growth

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Researchers studied how Trikafta, a new cystic fibrosis medication, affects Aspergillus fungus growth. While Trikafta doesn’t directly kill the fungus, it makes antifungal drugs more effective and improves patients’ lung function to help clear infections naturally. However, high concentrations of the drug may reduce the immune system’s ability to fight the fungus, suggesting careful monitoring of patients is needed.

Pathogenic mucorales: Deciphering their cell wall polysaccharidome and immunostimulatory potential

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Scientists studied three types of dangerous fungi that cause serious infections in people with weak immune systems. They looked at the outer coating of these fungi cells, which is what the body’s immune system first encounters during infection. They found that this coating contains multiple types of sugar-like substances that trigger strong inflammatory responses in immune cells. Understanding these fungi better could help develop better treatments for these serious infections.

Investigation of the antifungal activity of panobinostat, tamoxifen, and miltefosine alone and in combination with some conventional antifungal drugs against fluconazole-resistant Candida species

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Researchers tested whether three cancer drugs (panobinostat, tamoxifen, and miltefosine) could enhance the effectiveness of common antifungal medications against drug-resistant yeast infections. When combined with antifungals, some of these cancer drugs showed promise in killing resistant Candida species, though the effectiveness varied depending on which type of yeast was being treated. These findings suggest that combination therapies using already-approved drugs could help treat difficult fungal infections in cancer patients.

Rasamsonia argillacea brain abscess in a lung transplant recipient: an unexpected infection by an unusual fungal pathogen

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A 65-year-old woman who received a lung transplant developed a serious brain infection caused by a rare fungus called Rasamsonia argillacea. Doctors initially struggled to identify this unusual fungus and treated her with multiple antifungal medications, but the infection proved difficult to control because the fungus was resistant to common antifungal drugs. Investigations revealed that the patient had an undiagnosed immune system disorder called chronic granulomatous disease, which made her vulnerable to this rare infection. Despite aggressive treatment including surgery and powerful antifungal medications, the patient’s condition worsened and she eventually passed away.

Characteristics of Chrysosporium spp. Pathogens Causing Skin Mycoses in Horses

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Researchers in Kazakhstan discovered two new fungal pathogens affecting horses’ skin for the first time. These fungi, called Chrysosporium kreiselii and Chrysosporium zonatum, cause skin lesions and dandruff in horses. One strain is resistant to most antifungal medications, making it particularly challenging to treat.

In vitro and in vivo efficacy of the antimycobacterial molecule SQ109 against the human pathogenic fungus, Cryptococcus neoformans

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Researchers discovered that SQ109, an antimycobacterial drug, can effectively kill Cryptococcus fungi that cause serious brain infections in people with weakened immune systems. Unlike current treatments, cryptococcal cells don’t easily develop resistance to SQ109, and it works even better when combined with fluconazole. In mouse studies, SQ109 successfully treated cryptococcal infections, suggesting it could be a valuable new treatment option for patients worldwide, especially in resource-limited regions.

Discovery of novel targets for important human and plant fungal pathogens via an automated computational pipeline HitList

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Researchers created a computer program called HitList that searches fungal DNA to find new targets for antifungal medications. The program identified 16 promising protein targets that could be attacked by new antifungal drugs, including 8 completely new targets never before considered. This discovery could help develop new antifungal treatments to fight drug-resistant fungal infections in both humans and crops.

Interaction with amoeba drives virulence-associated phenotypes in the Candida haemulonii complex

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Researchers discovered that when fungal pathogens called Candida haemulonii are exposed to soil amoebae in laboratory conditions, they develop enhanced disease-causing abilities. These fungi undergo multiple changes including forming stronger protective biofilms, producing more virulence factors, and becoming harder to kill by immune defenses. This suggests that fungal pathogens might develop some of their dangerous traits not from infecting humans, but from surviving in soil environments where they must evade predatory organisms like amoebae.

Research Keyword: antifungal resistance