fungal infection – Page 9

Pathogen identification and biological fungicides screening for Plumbago auriculata blight in China

mycolabadmin

Researchers in China identified a fungal disease affecting Plumbago auriculata (cape leadwort), a popular ornamental plant. The disease was caused by Fusarium ipomoeae, a fungus that causes yellowing and death of plant tissue. Scientists tested seven biological pesticides and found that osthole, a natural compound, was most effective at controlling the fungus and preventing disease.

Disseminated Scytalidium philadelphianum infection in a Belgian Malinois

mycolabadmin

A Belgian Malinois dog developed a serious fungal infection caused by Scytalidium philadelphianum, a rare mold, that affected the spine and eventually the brain. The infection was diagnosed through imaging, fluid samples, and fungal culture from the dog’s urine and spine tissue. Despite treatment with multiple antifungal medications over seven months, the dog’s condition worsened with seizures and nerve damage, leading to euthanasia. This case marks the first documented instance of this particular fungal species causing widespread disease in animals.

Identification of fungal agents isolated from burn lesions using mycological and molecular methods in patients admitted to Velayat burn hospital in Rasht city during 2022–2023

mycolabadmin

Researchers studied fungal infections in burn patients at a hospital in Iran and found that non-albicans Candida fungi, particularly a species called Candida parapsilosis, were the most common culprits. Using laboratory cultures and genetic testing, they identified 101 fungal infections out of 380 burn patients. Understanding which fungi cause these infections is important for doctors to choose the right treatment and improve patient outcomes.

Oxaloacetate anaplerosis differently contributes to pathogenicity in plant pathogenic fungi Fusarium graminearum and F. oxysporum

mycolabadmin

Two important crop-destroying fungi, Fusarium graminearum and F. oxysporum, rely differently on a metabolic enzyme called pyruvate carboxylase to cause disease. Researchers found that removing this enzyme completely eliminates the ability of F. oxysporum to infect tomato plants by blocking its capacity to penetrate roots and break down plant cell walls. However, the same enzyme deletion has minimal effect on F. graminearum’s ability to infect wheat, suggesting these fungi have evolved different metabolic strategies for attacking their hosts.

Clinical Significance and Therapeutic Challenges of Scedosporium spp. and Lomentospora prolificans Isolates in a Single-Center Cohort of Lung Transplant Recipients

mycolabadmin

This study examined rare but serious fungal infections caused by Scedosporium and Lomentospora in lung transplant patients. Of 576 transplant recipients, 11 (2%) developed these infections, which are difficult to treat due to natural resistance to most antifungal medications. The infection type greatly influenced outcomes, with disseminated Lomentospora infections causing 100% mortality despite treatment. The research highlights the urgent need for new diagnostic methods and more effective antifungal drugs to combat these emerging pathogens.

The dark side of avocados: a review of anthracnose and stem-end rot in postharvest fruit

mycolabadmin

Avocados are a valuable global fruit crop, but two fungal diseases—anthracnose and stem-end rot—cause major economic losses by making fruit unmarketable. These fungi infect avocados in the orchard but remain hidden until the fruit ripens, making them difficult to detect and control. Recent advances in detection technology and disease management strategies, including biological controls and natural treatments, offer promising solutions to reduce losses and keep avocados fresh from farm to table.

Performance of the VITEK® MS system for the identification of filamentous fungi in a microbiological laboratory in Chile

mycolabadmin

Researchers tested a fast machine called VITEK® MS for identifying dangerous mold infections in patients. The machine correctly identified over 91% of fungal samples, which is much better than waiting weeks for traditional laboratory methods. This technology could help doctors start treatment much faster for patients with serious mold infections, potentially saving lives.

Frequency, Interval, and Patient Factors Associated With Recurrence of Disseminated Cutaneous Coccidioidomycosis

mycolabadmin

This study looked at how often a serious fungal skin infection called coccidioidomycosis comes back after treatment. Researchers found that about 25% of patients experienced at least one recurrence after stopping antifungal medications, with the average time before it returned being 14 months. Some patients had multiple recurrences, and most of the time the infection returned to the same location on the body.

Cell wall remodeling in a fungal pathogen is required for hyphal growth into microspaces

mycolabadmin

Researchers discovered how fungi squeeze through tiny spaces inside plant tissues to cause disease. They found that fungi need to soften and remodel their cell walls to reduce their width and fit through spaces that are much narrower than normal fungal filaments. This ability to change shape is critical for the fungus to invade and colonize plants, ultimately causing wilting diseases in crops like tomatoes.

Non-wounding contact-based Inoculation of fruits with fungal pathogens in postharvest

mycolabadmin

Researchers developed a new laboratory method to test how fungal molds spread between fruits during storage without damaging the fruit surface. Using oranges, tomatoes, and apples infected with common storage molds, they showed that disease can successfully spread through simple contact between fruits. The method achieved infection rates of 80% or higher and even detected infections before visible mold appeared using special imaging technology.

Research Keyword: fungal infection