fungal infection – Page 22

First report of infections due to Candidozyma (formerly Candida) auris in Botswana, 2022–2024

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Researchers in Botswana discovered the first documented cases of a dangerous fungal infection called Candidozyma auris in their country. This yeast was found in 10 patients at a major hospital, mostly in intensive care units, between 2022 and 2024. The fungus was resistant to common antifungal drugs like fluconazole but could still be treated with other medications. The findings highlight how this emerging pathogen is spreading across Africa and stress the importance of improved laboratory testing and disease monitoring in developing countries.

Pathogenic characterization of Phialophora submersa, a new black yeast isolated from freshwater sediments in Spain

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Scientists discovered a new black yeast fungus called Phialophora submersa in Spanish river sediments and tested whether it could infect humans. Using laboratory macrophage (immune cell) models, they found that this environmental fungus exhibits pathogenic potential similar to known disease-causing Phialophora species, though at intermediate levels. The fungus showed resistance to some antifungal drugs and displayed strain-dependent ability to survive various stress conditions. This research suggests that environmental fungal species may pose unexpected health risks despite not being able to grow at normal human body temperature.

Deep Fungal Infection of the Skin with Two Rare Fungi in a Dog Being Treated with Immunosuppressant Therapy: A Case Report

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An 8-year-old dog receiving long-term immunosuppressive medication for brain inflammation developed rare fungal skin infections caused by two unusual fungi not previously reported together in veterinary medicine. Diagnosis required multiple tests including tissue samples, staining techniques, and genetic testing. Despite treatment with antifungal medications and careful adjustment of immunosuppressive drugs, the infections did not improve, highlighting the difficult balance between fighting infections and controlling the underlying immune disease.

Mixed Infection With Aspergillosis and Actinomycosis in the Maxillary Sinus: A Case Report

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A 74-year-old woman had a purulent nasal discharge for 1.5 years caused by two different infections occurring simultaneously in her maxillary sinus: aspergillosis (a fungal infection) and actinomycosis (a bacterial infection). Imaging initially suggested only a fungal ball, but pathological examination revealed both organisms were present. The patient was successfully treated with surgical removal of the infected material followed by antibiotic therapy.

Trachemys scripta Eggs as Part of a Potential In Vivo Model for Studying Sea Turtle Egg Fusariosis

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Sea turtles around the world face a serious threat from a fungal disease called fusariosis that destroys their eggs before they hatch. Scientists wanted to study how this fungus causes disease, but working with endangered sea turtles in tropical regions is difficult and heavily regulated. They discovered they could use eggs from red-eared slider turtles, an invasive species, as a substitute model to understand how the fungus infects eggs. The research showed that the fungus is highly virulent and modifies the acidity of egg surfaces to help it grow, providing valuable insights that could help protect endangered sea turtles.

Development of Biphasic Culture System for an Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana PfBb Strain and Its Virulence on a Defoliating Moth Phauda flammans (Walker)

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Researchers developed an efficient two-stage fermentation process to mass-produce Beauveria bassiana PfBb, a fungus that kills defoliating moths damaging Ficus trees. The first stage grows the fungus in liquid to produce active spores, which are then transferred to solid substrates to produce hardy, long-lasting conidia. The optimized process produces high quantities of effective fungal spores that can be stored at refrigerator temperature for over a year while maintaining their pest-killing ability.

Life-threatening airway stenosis due to Scedosporium infection during nontuberculous mycobacteria treatment: A case report

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A 73-year-old woman with arthritis treated with immunosuppressive drugs and a lung infection developed a life-threatening narrowing of her airway caused by a rare fungal infection called Scedosporium apiospermum. Doctors used a combination of emergency measures including a breathing support machine, insertion of a special tube to keep the airway open, and strong antifungal medication to treat the infection. After six months of treatment, the fungal infection was completely gone and the special airway tube was successfully removed, allowing normal healing.

Circadian clock is critical for fungal pathogenesis by regulating zinc starvation response and secondary metabolism

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Scientists discovered that Fusarium oxysporum, a fungus that causes plant diseases, uses an internal clock system to time its attacks on plants. The fungus is most dangerous at dawn, when it activates special genes to survive the plant’s defenses and produce toxins. By disrupting the fungus’s clock genes, researchers found they could make it harmless. This discovery could lead to new ways to protect crops by targeting the pathogen’s timing system rather than using traditional fungicides.

A New Species and Five New Records of Talaromyces (Eurotiales, Aspergillaceae) Belonging to Section Talaromyces in Korea

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Researchers surveying fungal diversity in Korea discovered one new species of Talaromyces fungus and confirmed five additional species previously unknown to the country. These fungi were isolated from soil, freshwater, and indoor air samples and identified using genetic analysis and visual characteristics. Many species in this fungal genus produce valuable compounds with potential medical and agricultural applications, making them important for biotechnology research.

A Case of Sphenoid Sinusitis With Epidural Abscess due to Fungal Infection and Mixed Infection With Eikenella corrodens and Aggregatibacter segnis

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A 60-year-old woman developed a severe headache caused by a fungal and bacterial infection in her sphenoid sinus (located deep in the skull). The infection spread intracranially, creating an abscess. Doctors used imaging scans to diagnose the problem, performed surgery to drain the infection and remove the fungal material, and treated the patient with antibiotics. The patient recovered completely with no recurrence after four years.

Research Keyword: fungal infection