Research Keyword: fungal infection

A Rare Battle: Multidisciplinary Care for a Child with Rhino-Orbital Cerebral Mucormycosis in Somali Region of Ethiopia

A 12-year-old girl with poorly controlled diabetes developed a serious fungal infection in her sinuses and eye that spread to her brain. Despite the infection being extremely dangerous, doctors successfully treated her using multiple approaches including antifungal medication, surgery to remove infected tissue, and careful management of her blood sugar. She recovered and went home, though she lost vision in one eye.

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The cysteine-rich virulence factor NipA of Arthrobotrys flagrans interferes with cuticle integrity of Caenorhabditis elegans

Researchers discovered how a predatory fungus attacks roundworms by producing a special protein called NipA that weakens the worm’s protective outer layer. This cysteine-rich protein causes blister-like formations in the worm’s skin and disrupts the genes responsible for maintaining the protective barrier. Understanding this mechanism helps scientists learn how fungi infect organisms and could lead to better control methods for parasitic nematodes.

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Melatonin-Producing Microorganisms: A Rising Research Interest in Their Melatonin Biosynthesis and Effects on Crops

Scientists are discovering that certain microorganisms like yeast, algae, and bacteria naturally produce melatonin, the same molecule that helps humans sleep. These melatonin-producing microbes could help farmers grow healthier crops by sharing their melatonin with plants and protecting them from stress like drought and disease. This discovery offers an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic melatonin and could make agriculture more sustainable as climate change poses increasing challenges.

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Effects of simulated microgravity on biological features and virulence of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans

Scientists studied how a dangerous fungus called Cryptococcus neoformans behaves in space-like conditions. They found that in simulated microgravity, this fungus becomes more dangerous by developing thicker protective capsules, producing more protective pigment, and becoming more deadly to organisms in laboratory models. This research is important because astronauts in space have weaker immune systems, making them vulnerable to infections from fungi that may have adapted to thrive in space environments.

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Characterization of Fusarium Diversity and Head Microbiota Associated with Rice Spikelet Rot Disease

Rice spikelet rot disease is a serious problem affecting rice crops in China. Researchers identified five different Fusarium fungal species causing this disease in the Hangzhou region. The study found that two fungal species work together to cause the disease, and that temperature affects how well the fungi grow. Understanding which fungi are present locally will help farmers develop better strategies to prevent and control this damaging disease.

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Flood Inoculation of Fusarium eumartii in Tomato Seedlings: Method for Evaluating the Infectivity of Pathogen Spores

Scientists have developed a simple laboratory method to test how effectively a fungus called Fusarium eumartii infects young tomato plants. The technique involves growing tomato seedlings on special nutrient plates and then exposing them to fungal spores suspended in water, allowing researchers to measure how much damage occurs and how much fungus remains in the plant tissue. This method can be used to quickly test whether different compounds, like chitosan, can prevent fungal infections or help plants defend themselves naturally. The straightforward approach makes it useful for farmers and researchers developing better ways to protect tomato crops from fungal diseases.

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Effect of Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Incubation Time on the Mycotoxin Production by Fusarium spp. Responsible for Dry Rot in Potato Tubers

This research examines how temperature and humidity during potato storage affect the growth of disease-causing fungi and their toxic byproducts. The study found that warmer, more humid storage conditions dramatically increase both fungal growth and dangerous toxin production in potatoes. Certain potato varieties became more susceptible to disease as they were stored longer. The toxin levels detected exceeded European safety limits, suggesting contaminated potatoes should be removed to protect consumer health.

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A case report of Saksenaea vasiformis mucormycosis infection of a lower segment caesarean section wound

A young woman developed a rare fungal infection (mucormycosis) in her caesarean section wound seven days after surgery. Despite initial antibiotic treatment, she required multiple surgical debridement procedures combined with antifungal medications to eliminate the infection. The surgical team successfully reconstructed her abdominal wall using specialized mesh and skin grafting techniques, resulting in complete healing.

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Emerging Infections Network Survey of Screening for Cryptococcal Antigenemia, United States, 2024

Researchers surveyed infectious disease doctors across the United States about how often they screen HIV patients for cryptococcal infections using a simple blood test. They found that only about one-third to two-thirds of doctors regularly perform this screening despite guidelines recommending it. Many doctors expressed uncertainty about whether the screening is beneficial or weren’t sure about the official recommendations, suggesting a need for better education about this potentially life-saving test.

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The Novel Disease Vicia unijuga Caused by Colletotrichum tofieldiae in China: Implications for Host Growth, Photosynthesis, and Nutritional Quality

Scientists in China discovered that a fungus called Colletotrichum tofieldiae causes a disease called anthracnose in perennial vetch (Vicia unijuga), an important forage crop used for animal feed. When plants get infected with this fungus, they become weak, their ability to photosynthesize decreases, and the nutritional quality of the plant drops significantly, reducing its value as animal feed. The fungus can also infect other legume crops like alfalfa and clover, showing it has a broad range of potential host plants.

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