drug resistance – Page 3

Antifungal Activity of Selected Naphthoquinones and Their Synergistic Combination with Amphotericin B Against Cryptococcus neoformans H99

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Researchers tested five compounds called naphthoquinones for their ability to fight a dangerous fungal infection called cryptococcosis. They found that one compound called 2-MNQ works especially well when combined with the standard antifungal drug amphotericin B, making the treatment more effective. This discovery could lead to better treatments for people with weakened immune systems who are vulnerable to this infection.

Superficial Fungal Infections in Children—What Do We Know?

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Superficial fungal infections like ringworm and athlete’s foot are common in children and are caused by fungi, yeasts, or molds that spread through contact with infected people, animals, or contaminated surfaces. These infections primarily affect the scalp, skin, and nails, with scalp infections being most common in young children. Treatment typically uses topical creams for mild cases or oral medications for more severe infections, particularly those affecting nails or the scalp. Proper hygiene, avoiding contaminated areas, and limiting contact with infected individuals or animals are key to prevention.

Antifungal Effects of the Phloroglucinol Derivative DPPG Against Pathogenic Aspergillus fumigatus

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Scientists developed a new antifungal compound called DPPG based on a natural antibacterial molecule produced by soil bacteria. This synthetic derivative showed strong activity against dangerous fungal pathogens like Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida species, which cause serious infections in humans. The compound works by disrupting the fungal cell membrane, causing it to leak and die. Testing in insect models demonstrated effectiveness comparable to current clinical antifungal medications.

Peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis caused by Fusarium: a case report and literature review

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A 61-year-old farmer with kidney disease on peritoneal dialysis developed a rare fungal infection caused by Fusarium, a fungus found in soil and water. After initial antibiotics failed, doctors identified the fungus and switched to an antifungal medication called voriconazole. By carefully monitoring drug levels in the patient’s blood and adjusting doses, pharmacists helped achieve a successful recovery with complete resolution of symptoms.

Phytochemicals as promising agents in Axl-targeted cancer treatment

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This review examines natural plant compounds that can block Axl, a protein that helps cancer cells survive and spread. Scientists found that compounds from common foods like apples, grapes, green tea, ginger, and chamomile can reduce Axl levels and kill cancer cells. These natural compounds work through different mechanisms and show promise for treating various cancers, including those resistant to standard chemotherapy drugs.

Loss of the Aspergillus fumigatus spindle assembly checkpoint components, SldA or SldB, generates triazole heteroresistant conidial populations

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This research reveals that disabling certain cell division checkpoint proteins in the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus creates populations resistant to triazole antifungal drugs. The resistant fungal cells appear to have abnormal amounts of genetic material, suggesting that loss of these checkpoint controls allows cells with extra chromosomes to survive drug exposure. This discovery provides new insight into how dangerous fungal infections can develop resistance to our most important antifungal treatments.

Structural and functional characterisation and regulatory mechanisms of SWI/SNF and RSC chromatin remodelling complexes in fungi

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This review examines two important protein complexes in fungal cells that help control which genes are turned on and off. These complexes, called SWI/SNF and RSC, use energy from ATP to move and adjust nucleosomes—the structures that package DNA. The researchers analyzed these complexes across different fungal species and found that while they share similar core components, fungi have evolved unique variations that allow them to survive and cause infections in different ways. Understanding how these complexes work could help scientists develop new antifungal drugs.

RttA, a Zn2-Cys6 transcription factor in Aspergillus fumigatus, contributes to azole resistance

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Researchers discovered that a protein called RttA helps a common fungus called Aspergillus fumigatus resist azole medicines, which are used to treat serious fungal infections. By studying how this protein works and which genes it controls, scientists found that RttA could be a new target for developing better antifungal treatments. The findings are important because azole-resistant fungal infections are becoming more common worldwide and harder to treat.

RttA, a Zn2-Cys6 transcription factor in Aspergillus fumigatus, contributes to azole resistance

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Researchers discovered that a fungal protein called RttA plays a key role in helping Aspergillus fumigatus resist azole antifungal drugs. By studying mutant strains, they found that RttA acts as a master switch controlling genes that reduce the effectiveness of antifungal medications. This finding is important because it could help develop new strategies to treat fungal infections that are becoming resistant to current medications.

Anticancer drugs targeting topoisomerase II for antifungal treatment

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Researchers found that several anticancer drugs commonly used to treat human cancers can also effectively kill fungal infections, especially resistant strains of Candida. The most promising drug, idarubicin, works by targeting an essential enzyme in fungi called topoisomerase II, causing DNA damage and cell death. This discovery suggests a new strategy for treating serious fungal infections by repurposing existing cancer medications, particularly for patients with drug-resistant infections.

Research Keyword: drug resistance