fungal infection – Page 17

Three new species of Talaromyces sect. Talaromyces discovered in China

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Scientists discovered three new species of Talaromyces fungi in Chinese soil samples. These fungi are important because they can break down plant material, produce useful enzymes for industries, and create compounds with medical potential. However, some species in this group can cause infections in people with weakened immune systems. The new species were identified by examining their physical characteristics and comparing their genetic sequences.

Phaeoacremonium iranianum – a new corneal pathogen

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A 66-year-old man developed a serious eye infection from a fungus called Phaeoacremonium iranianum after his eye was scratched by a leaf. This is the first reported case of this fungus causing a corneal infection. Doctors treated the infection with antifungal eye drops and surgery to remove infected tissue, and the patient’s condition improved over time, though with some permanent scarring of the cornea.

Odontogenic-onset mucormycosis: A case series from a tertiary care institute in North India

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This study describes five cases of a serious fungal infection called mucormycosis that started in the mouth following dental procedures like tooth extraction. All patients had uncontrolled diabetes, which made them vulnerable to this infection. The infection was treated with antifungal medications and surgery, with good recovery. The findings highlight how important it is for dentists to follow strict hygiene practices and for diabetic patients to keep their blood sugar controlled before dental work.

Roles of the Sec2p Gene in the Growth and Pathogenicity Regulation of Aspergillus fumigatus

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Researchers studied a gene called Sec2p in a dangerous fungus that causes serious lung infections in people with weak immune systems. By removing this gene, they found the fungus grew slower, caused less damage, and fewer infected mice died. This discovery suggests that blocking Sec2p could be a new way to treat these fungal infections.

Schizophyllum commune infection following chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in a patient with lymphoma

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A 71-year-old woman receiving CAR T-cell therapy for lymphoma developed a rare fungal lung infection caused by Schizophyllum commune six months after treatment. The infection presented similarly to other fungal diseases affecting the lungs and was diagnosed through bronchoscopy and fungal culture despite negative blood antibody tests. Standard antifungal medication (voriconazole) taken by mouth for four months completely resolved the infection, highlighting the need to consider rare fungi in patients receiving advanced cancer immunotherapies.

Biological characterization and in vitro fungicide screening of a new pathogen of basal stem rot of Schisandra chinensis in Jilin Province, China

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Researchers discovered that a fungus called Ilyonectria robusta is causing a serious disease in Schisandra chinensis plants grown in northern China. This plant is used to make traditional Chinese medicine. The disease causes the base of the plant stems to rot and die. Scientists tested seven different fungicides (medicines that kill fungi) and found that fluazinam was the most effective at stopping this fungus from growing.

Pathogenic mucorales: Deciphering their cell wall polysaccharidome and immunostimulatory potential

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Mucormycosis is a serious fungal infection that primarily affects people with weak immune systems and carries high mortality rates. Researchers studied three common mucormycosis-causing fungi to understand how their outer cell layers interact with the human immune system. They found that all three fungi trigger strong inflammatory responses, which may explain why the disease is so damaging. This research helps us better understand how these infections work and could lead to improved treatments or vaccines.

Fungal pathogens and symbionts: Living off the fat of the land

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Certain fungi that live exclusively in or on hosts have evolved a clever survival strategy: they stopped making their own fatty acids and instead steal them from their hosts. This includes fungi that cause pneumonia in immunocompromised patients, yeasts on skin, and beneficial fungi that help plants absorb nutrients from soil. By examining how these fungi scavenge fatty acids from their hosts, scientists hope to develop better treatments and diagnostic tools for fungal infections.

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.

Aspergillus Bronchitis at Localised Mucus Plug in an Immunocompetent Patient

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A 55-year-old woman developed a rare fungal infection called Aspergillus bronchitis in a mucus plug within her lung over a 9-year period. Although she was otherwise healthy with a normal immune system, the fungus gradually grew and eventually caused serious bleeding in her lungs. Doctors treated the bleeding with artery embolization and then surgically removed the affected lung tissue. The fungus was identified as Aspergillus udagawae, a type that is harder to treat with standard antifungal medications.

Research Keyword: fungal infection