dimorphic fungi – Page 2

Fungal vaccines: so needed, so feasible, and yet so far off

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Fungal infections kill millions of people worldwide each year, particularly those with weakened immune systems, yet no vaccines exist to prevent them. Scientists have discovered that a specific fungal enzyme called Eng2 can trigger protective immune responses against three major disease-causing fungi. A vaccine containing this enzyme from all three fungi species could potentially protect against multiple dangerous fungal infections, though challenges like cost and the need to work in immunocompromised patients remain before such vaccines reach patients.

Sporothrix davidellisii: A new pathogenic species belonging to the Sporothrix pallida complex

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Scientists have identified a new fungal species called Sporothrix davidellisii that causes an infection in cats. This fungus was found in an infected cat in Australia and is related to other fungi that cause sporotrichosis, a skin disease in humans and animals. The discovery shows that cats can help scientists identify new fungal pathogens in their environments, making them important sentinels for tracking emerging diseases.

Disseminated histoplasmosis with bone marrow infiltration in a newly diagnosed HIV patient

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A Colombian patient living in Spain developed a serious fungal infection (histoplasmosis) that spread throughout his body and affected his bone marrow, which was discovered during his HIV diagnosis. Doctors identified the infection by examining bone marrow cells under a microscope and confirmed it with fungal culture and genetic testing. The patient was treated with antifungal medication (liposomal amphotericin B) along with HIV medications and recovered well, highlighting the importance of bone marrow testing in severely immunocompromised HIV patients.

Photo Quiz: Asteroid bodies in a skin biopsy of a farmer

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A farmer developed a chain of red nodules on his arm after a wrist injury, which was diagnosed as sporotrichosis, a fungal infection caused by Sporothrix globosa. The diagnosis was confirmed through tissue biopsy, which showed distinctive asteroid bodies – yeast cells surrounded by radiating material that represents the body’s immune response. The infection was successfully treated with oral potassium iodide over 6 months, resulting in complete healing.

Infection caused by a cryptic fungal species, Blastomyces gilchristii, in a tiger

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A tiger at a veterinary hospital developed a serious fungal infection that affected its brain and lungs. Using advanced DNA sequencing technology, researchers identified the infection was caused by a previously unrecognized fungal species called Blastomyces gilchristii. This discovery was important because it showed that this dangerous fungus exists in areas where scientists previously thought it wasn’t found, and it highlights the importance of using modern genetic testing to identify unusual infections.

A case of Blastomyces helicus pneumonia in a dog from a non-endemic region: diagnostic challenges and successful treatment outcome

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A dog developed severe pneumonia from an emerging fungal infection called Blastomyces helicus after traveling to Utah and Idaho. Initial blood tests incorrectly suggested a different fungus, but laboratory culture and genetic testing identified the true culprit. The dog was successfully treated with an antifungal medication called itraconazole and made a complete recovery with careful monitoring over 6 months.

Mucor germinans, a novel dimorphic species resembling Paracoccidioides in a clinical sample: questions on ecological strategy

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Researchers identified a new fungal species called Mucor germinans from a patient with Burkitt lymphoma that can switch between filamentous and yeast-like forms. This is unusual because Mucor species are typically identified by their thread-like filaments, not budding yeast cells. The yeast form appeared at body temperature and resembled a different fungus called Paracoccidioides, potentially causing misdiagnosis. The discovery emphasizes the importance of recognizing that some Mucor infections may present with yeast-like cells and highlights the need for rapid, accurate identification to guide appropriate antifungal treatment.

Current taxonomic status of the cultivable and uncultivable Paracoccidioides species

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Researchers have clarified the scientific names and classification of five species of fungus that cause disease in humans and dolphins. Some previously proposed species names were found to be invalid because they didn’t follow proper naming rules. The paper recommends that scientists use updated disease names like paracoccidiodomycosis instead of the older term lobomycosis to maintain consistency in medical terminology.

Research Keyword: dimorphic fungi