biofilm formation – Page 6

Characterization of ORF19.7608 (PPP1), a biofilm-induced gene of Candida albicans

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Researchers studied a gene called PPP1 in Candida albicans, a common fungal infection in hospitals. They found that this gene is highly active when the fungus forms protective biofilms on medical devices like catheters. Although the protein appears in a distinctive spotted pattern only during biofilm formation, removing this gene did not prevent biofilm formation or affect how the fungus responds to stress or antifungal drugs.

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

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This study examines how Trikafta, a new cystic fibrosis medication, affects a common fungal lung infection (Aspergillus fumigatus). The researchers found that Trikafta doesn’t directly kill the fungus but does make it more susceptible to antifungal drugs and improves lung clearance. Surprisingly, at high concentrations, the medication actually reduced the immune response against the fungus in immune cells, suggesting the need for careful monitoring of patients on this therapy.

Movement of bacteria in the soil and the rhizosphere

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Bacteria in soil move around using several different strategies to find nutrients and colonize new areas. They can swim using whip-like flagella, hitchhike on fungal networks or other microbes, or get transported by predatory organisms like nematodes. These different movement mechanisms help bacteria spread through soil at varying speeds and distances, which affects how soil communities are structured and function.

Bacillus velezensis CNPMS-22 as biocontrol agent of pathogenic fungi and plant growth promoter

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A bacterial strain called Bacillus velezensis CNPMS-22 shows promise as a natural pest control agent for crops. When applied to maize seeds, it reduced fungal diseases and increased plant productivity as effectively as chemical fungicides. The bacteria produces natural compounds that kill harmful fungi while also promoting plant growth, offering a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic chemicals.

Enhanced biodegradation of fluorinated pharmaceutical by Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella elegans biofilms: kinetics and mechanisms

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This study demonstrates that two types of fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella elegans, can effectively remove persistent pharmaceutical pollution from wastewater when grown as biofilms on foam carriers. The fungi achieved removal rates of 92-98% for three common medications (atorvastatin, ciprofloxacin, and fluoxetine) much faster than previously reported methods. Unlike traditional fungal treatments that depend on lignin, these fungi can work in diverse environments, making them practical for wastewater treatment plants and offering a sustainable biological solution to pharmaceutical pollution.

Characterization of Biofilm Formation by the Dermatophyte Nannizzia gypsea

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This study examined how Nannizzia gypsea, a fungus that causes skin infections in humans and animals, forms protective biofilms that make it resistant to antifungal drugs. Researchers found that the fungus creates a robust protective layer with specific molecular components and highly expresses genes related to virulence and drug resistance when in biofilm form. These findings help explain why dermatophyte infections are difficult to treat and recur frequently.

Caspofungin therapy in prosthetic valve endocarditis and candidemia due to itraconazole-resistant Candida glabrata (Nakaseomyces glabratus): A case report

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A 13-year-old boy developed a serious fungal infection of his heart valve after receiving an artificial valve replacement. The initial antibiotic (itraconazole) did not work because the fungus became resistant, likely by forming a protective biofilm. After identifying the resistant fungus through specialized testing, doctors switched to a different medication called caspofungin. The patient fully recovered with this new treatment and remained healthy during follow-up, showing that combination of precise identification and targeted treatment can overcome antibiotic resistance.

Editorial: Fungal virulence

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This editorial discusses how fungi are becoming more dangerous to human health due to climate change and rising temperatures. Researchers are studying the specific mechanisms that make fungi harmful, including how they stick to human cells and form protective biofilms. The review highlights several important discoveries about different pathogenic fungi and suggests better ways to diagnose and treat fungal infections through understanding how environmental factors influence fungal behavior.

Virulence factors of Candida spp. isolated from COVID-19 patients: hydrolytic enzyme activity and biofilm formation

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitalized patients developed fungal infections caused by Candida yeasts alongside their coronavirus infection. Researchers studied 71 Candida samples from COVID-19 patients to understand how these fungi cause disease by examining three damaging enzymes they produce and their ability to form protective biofilm layers. The findings showed that these fungi are highly virulent, producing strong enzyme activity that helps them invade tissues and resist treatment, which helps explain why these infections are particularly dangerous in COVID-19 patients.

Breaking down biofilms across critical priority fungal pathogens: proteomics and computational innovation for mechanistic insights and new target discovery

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Fungal infections like cryptococcal meningitis and invasive aspergillosis are becoming increasingly difficult to treat because fungi form protective structures called biofilms that resist our current medications. Researchers are using advanced techniques like mass spectrometry to identify the proteins that help fungi build these biofilms, combined with artificial intelligence tools to design new drugs that could break down these protective shields. This combined approach offers hope for developing better antifungal treatments that could save millions of lives.

Research Keyword: biofilm formation