A 53-year-old patient developed a serious eye infection caused by a fungus called Clonostachys rosea, which had never been reported before as causing eye disease. The infection caused a painful ulcer on the cornea (the clear front part of the eye). Doctors treated the infection with antifungal medications applied as eye drops and taken as tablets, and the patient recovered well within about a month.
Burn patients are at high risk for serious fungal infections that can cause death. This study from a Mexican burn hospital found that a fungus called Fusarium was the most common cause of these infections, affecting over half of patients with fungal infections. This finding differs from other parts of the world where Aspergillus is usually most common, suggesting that Mexican burn patients face unique fungal threats that doctors should watch for carefully.
Scientists studied tiny particles called extracellular vesicles released by a common fungus (Neurospora crassa) under different growth conditions. Using advanced techniques, they identified hundreds of proteins within these vesicles and found that what the fungus eats and how long it grows significantly changes the types and amounts of proteins the vesicles carry. The findings reveal that fungi release different types of vesicles than previously thought, expanding our understanding of how cells communicate and transport materials.
Researchers isolated six types of fungi from mining-contaminated soil in Mexico that can survive in extremely toxic environments with high levels of lead and cadmium. These fungi have developed special strategies to handle these dangerous metals, with one species, Paecilomyces lilacinus, showing exceptional ability to tolerate both metals simultaneously. These findings suggest these fungi could be used to clean up contaminated soils in mining regions, offering hope for environmental remediation efforts.
Nail fungal infections (onychomycosis) are difficult to treat, especially as fungi become resistant to standard antifungal medications. Researchers tested a new gel made from Zataria multiflora (Shirazi thyme) packaged in special nanoparticles that help the medicine penetrate the nail better. In a clinical trial comparing this gel to placebo, the Zataria multiflora treatment showed better results after just 2 weeks, with 70% of patients experiencing fungal cure compared to 55% with placebo.
Researchers used three types of fungi to naturally create tiny silver particles that can kill harmful bacteria and fungi. These particles were much smaller than the width of a human hair and proved especially effective against dangerous bacteria like those causing hospital infections and Candida yeast infections. This green manufacturing method is safer for the environment than traditional chemical approaches and could help address the growing problem of drug-resistant infections.
Fungi navigating through tight spaces like soil use sophisticated biological programs similar to computer algorithms. Researchers studied how three fungal species move through confined microfluidic channels, discovering they use a three-level system: individual threads sense passages and remember direction, groups of threads avoid each other and share resources, and entire fungal networks solve problems through local independent decisions. This hierarchical approach efficiently explores space while balancing energy use.
A 74-year-old farmer developed a serious fungal eye infection caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae, a rare tropical fungus. Instead of requiring eye surgery, the patient was successfully treated with a combination of two antifungal medications applied as eye drops and taken orally for eight weeks. This case is significant because it’s the first documented successful medical treatment of this particular fungal infection, highlighting the importance of quick diagnosis and avoiding corticosteroid eye drops that can worsen fungal infections.
Researchers created strong, eco-friendly composite materials by growing fungi inside delignified wood. The fungi naturally aligned with the wood fiber structure, which significantly strengthened the resulting material. By adjusting the type of wood, fungal species, and nutrient content, scientists could fine-tune the material properties. These sustainable composites show promise for use in building materials and packaging applications.
A heart transplant patient developed multiple nodular skin lesions caused by two rare types of mold fungi growing together. Doctors diagnosed the infection through skin biopsy and identified the fungi using laboratory techniques. The patient was successfully treated with the antifungal medication voriconazole for six months and made a full recovery without relapse.