fungal infection – Page 21

Things you wanted to know about fungal extracellular vesicles (but were afraid to ask)

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Fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) are tiny packages released by fungal cells that play important roles in fungal infections and how our immune system responds to them. Scientists have confirmed these EVs are real biological structures, not laboratory artifacts, and discovered they are produced by many different fungal species. Interestingly, these EVs can have opposite effects on the immune system depending on the fungus involved—sometimes helping our bodies fight infection and sometimes making infections worse, making them both potential vaccines and virulence factors.

Genome sequences of Aspergillus fumigatus strains isolated from wildfowl in Southern Ontario, Canada

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Researchers sequenced the genomes of four Aspergillus fumigatus fungi isolated from infected birds (an osprey, peregrine falcon, and two hawks) brought to wildlife rehabilitation centers in Ontario. This fungus causes a serious infection called aspergillosis that damages the lungs and air sacs of birds. The genetic information from these four strains is now publicly available for scientists studying how this fungus infects birds and how it resists antifungal treatments.

Histoplasma capsulatum as a cause for prolonged pulmonary illness in an immunocompetent returning traveller from Bangladesh

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A 57-year-old man returning from Bangladesh developed a severe lung infection that lasted several weeks and required hospitalization with breathing support. Doctors initially thought he had tuberculosis or bacterial pneumonia, but standard tests came back negative. Advanced fungal testing eventually identified the cause as histoplasmosis, a fungal infection he likely caught while supervising construction work. After treatment with antifungal medications, the patient recovered and was discharged to continue medication at home for a year.

Three new species of Talaromyces sect. Talaromyces discovered in China

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Scientists discovered three new species of Talaromyces fungi in soil samples from China. These fungi are important because they can break down plant material for industrial use and produce compounds with medical value, though some related species can cause serious infections in people with weakened immune systems. The researchers identified these new species by studying their physical characteristics and comparing their DNA sequences to known species.

Phaeoacremonium tuscanicum and Phaeoacremonium indicum sp. nov. associated with subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis

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Researchers identified two cases of rare fungal skin infections caused by Phaeoacremonium species. One case involved a new fungal species named Phaeoacremonium indicum discovered in an Indian patient, while the second case from Australia represented the first documented human infection with P. tuscanicum. Both patients were successfully treated through surgical removal of the infected tissue, though one patient was immunocompromised from a kidney transplant. This study highlights how genetic testing helps identify rare fungal species that cause human infections.

Antifungal Effect of Cinnamon Bark Extract on the Phytopathogenic Fungus Fusarium sporotrichioides

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This study tested whether cinnamon bark extract could stop the growth of a harmful fungus called Fusarium sporotrichioides that damages crops and produces toxins. Researchers used a water-based cinnamon extract at different concentrations on fungal cultures and found that the highest concentration significantly reduced fungal growth and caused visible damage to fungal structures. The cinnamon extract contains natural compounds with antifungal properties that could potentially be used as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fungicides in agriculture.

Extensive erythematous plaques of fungal origin in an overseas student: Cutaneous manifestation of coccidioidomycosis

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A 21-year-old student studying in Arizona developed unusual skin rashes months after returning to China. Doctors had difficulty diagnosing the condition because it lacked typical symptoms of the fungal infection coccidioidomycosis. By using multiple diagnostic methods including DNA sequencing and fungal culture, they identified the infection as caused by Coccidioides posadasii. When the initial antifungal drug didn’t work, testing showed the fungus was resistant, so they switched to a different antifungal called voriconazole, which successfully cured the infection after 12 months.

Naganishia albidus Causing Perioral Cutaneous Infection: A Rare Case Easily Misdiagnosed

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A 37-year-old construction worker developed unusual scaling and itchy sores around his mouth that worsened despite treatment for eczema. Doctors eventually discovered the infection was caused by a rare yeast fungus called Naganishia albidus, which is almost never seen in healthy people. Using advanced laboratory tests and antifungal medications taken by mouth and applied to the skin, the infection completely cleared within six weeks.

Antifungal Activity of Genistein Against Phytopathogenic Fungi Valsa mali Through ROS-Mediated Lipid Peroxidation

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Scientists discovered that genistein, a natural compound found in soybeans and other legumes, can effectively kill the fungus that causes apple tree canker disease. The compound works by creating harmful reactive oxygen species that damage the fungus’s cell membranes and disrupt its normal cellular functions. This research suggests genistein could be developed as a safe, natural alternative to chemical fungicides for protecting apple crops.

Genetic and Genomic Analysis Identifies bcltf1 as the Transcription Factor Coding Gene Mutated in Field Isolate Bc116, Deficient in Light Responses, Differentiation and Pathogenicity in Botrytis cinerea

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Scientists discovered that a particular gray mold fungus collected from vineyards loses its ability to cause disease when exposed to light. They found this is due to a mutation in a single gene called bcltf1, which acts as a light-sensing control switch. When they restored this gene, the fungus regained its disease-causing ability. This discovery helps explain how fungal pathogens sense light and use it to decide when and how to infect plants.

Research Keyword: fungal infection