Itraconazole resistance in Madurella fahalii linked to a distinct homolog of the gene encoding cytochrome P450 14-α sterol demethylase (CYP51)
A fungal infection called mycetoma caused by Madurella fahalii doesn’t respond to a common antifungal drug called itraconazole. Researchers discovered that this fungus has an extra gene that produces a protein that resists the drug, which isn’t found in a similar fungus that remains susceptible. This finding could help develop better treatments for mycetoma patients in the future.