antifungal therapy – mycolab.ai

Fungi: Pioneers of chemical creativity – Techniques and strategies to uncover fungal chemistry

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This review explores how fungi produce remarkable chemical compounds that have been transformed into important medicines for over a century. Starting with penicillin in the 1940s, scientists have discovered dozens of fungal-derived drugs used to treat infections, prevent organ rejection, lower cholesterol, and fight cancer. Modern technology now allows researchers to discover and analyze these compounds much faster and with smaller samples than ever before.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by sweet cherry and its application against cherry spot disease

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Researchers developed a natural, eco-friendly method to fight a fungal disease that damages sweet cherries after harvest. Using tiny silver particles created from cherry fruit extracts, they successfully stopped the growth of harmful Alternaria fungi. This approach offers farmers an environmentally safe alternative to traditional chemical fungicides while protecting cherry crops from rot.

Inhibitory and synergistic effects of volatile organic compounds from bat caves against Pseudogymnoascus destructans in vitro

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Researchers discovered that two natural compounds found in bat cave environments—isovaleric acid and ethyl methyl carbonate—can effectively kill the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats. When used together, these compounds work even better than alone, disrupting the fungus’s cell membranes, causing it to produce too many reactive molecules (free radicals), and triggering cell death. This discovery offers hope for developing new treatments to protect bat populations that have been devastated by this disease in North America.

Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Rhinocladiella similis mimicking Sporotrichosis

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A 34-year-old factory worker developed multiple nodules on his hand following an injury, initially suspected to be sporotrichosis, a common fungal infection. Through laboratory testing including fungal culture and genetic sequencing, doctors identified the actual cause as a rare fungus called Rhinocladiella similis. The patient was successfully treated with antifungal medication and showed gradual improvement. This is the first case of this fungal infection reported in India.

Fungal Drug Discovery for Chronic Disease: History, New Discoveries and New Approaches

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This article examines how fungi have provided humanity with some of the most important medicines ever created, including penicillin, drugs that prevent organ rejection, and cholesterol-lowering statins. Many of these fungal compounds work as medicines because they target processes that are similar in both fungi and humans, helping them survive competition with other fungi while coincidentally treating human diseases. New researchers are now using modern genetic tools to discover additional fungal medicines, with several promising candidates currently being tested in clinical trials for cancer, depression, and other chronic diseases.

Green-Synthesized Nanomaterials from Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms: A Sustainable Strategy Against Antimicrobial Resistance

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Scientists are developing a new weapon against antibiotic-resistant bacteria using mushrooms. These special nanoparticles derived from edible and medicinal mushrooms can kill harmful bacteria in multiple ways without the toxic chemicals used in traditional manufacturing. The nanoparticles work by disrupting bacterial membranes, creating harmful molecules called free radicals, and even boosting your body’s natural immune response. This environmentally friendly approach could become an important tool in fighting dangerous infections that don’t respond to current antibiotics.

Three cases of easy to be misdiagnosed tinea of vellus hair

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This case report describes three patients (ages 2-24) who had skin infections caused by a fungus called Microsporum canis that initially was misdiagnosed as eczema or other simple skin conditions. The infections involved fine vellus hair and required prolonged combined treatment with both oral and topical antifungal medications to fully resolve. The key lesson is that proper fungal testing and extended treatment similar to scalp ringworm protocols are necessary for treating these easily-missed infections.

The emerging fungal pathogen Cryptococcus gattii: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, immunomodulatory attributes, and drug susceptibility

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Cryptococcus gattii is a dangerous fungal infection that can affect even healthy people, unlike most fungal infections that target those with weak immune systems. The fungus uses clever tricks to hide from the immune system, including creating protective capsules and producing melanin. Current antifungal drugs like fluconazole are becoming less effective as the fungus develops resistance, making this an urgent public health concern that requires better treatments and early detection.

Disseminated sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis with testicular involvement

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A 35-year-old homeless man with HIV developed a serious fungal infection caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis that spread throughout his body, including to his brain and testicles. A testicle lump was initially thought to be cancer and surgically removed, but it was actually a fungal infection. This is only the fifth case ever reported of this fungus infecting testicles. The patient was successfully treated with antifungal medications and remains healthy one year later.

What Do We Know About Cryptococcus spp. in Portugal? One Health Systematic Review in a Comprehensive 13-Year Retrospective Study (2013–2025)

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This study examines cryptococcosis, a fungal infection that affects both animals and humans, across Portugal from 2013-2025. Researchers found that about 4.5% of animal samples tested positive for Cryptococcus species, with infections most common in dogs and cats. The infections peaked during summer months and were most prevalent in central Portugal, with different fungal species affecting different animal types. The research emphasizes the importance of coordinated monitoring across animals, humans, and the environment to better understand and control this disease.

Research Keyword: antifungal therapy