Fungal pathogen identification

Diagnostic Capacity for Fungal Infections in Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria and Ghana – An Onsite Baseline Audit of 9 Sites

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Researchers audited laboratory facilities in 9 major hospitals (8 in Nigeria, 1 in Ghana) to see how well they could test for fungal infections. They found that most hospitals lacked basic equipment, trained staff, and proper procedures for fungal testing. This is a serious problem because fungal infections can be deadly if not caught early and treated quickly.

The association of Yarrowia lipolytica with onychomycosis

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A 20-year-old woman had a persistent toenail infection that did not respond to multiple antifungal treatments. Researchers identified the cause as Yarrowia lipolytica, an unusual yeast that had never been found causing nail infections before. The yeast was resistant to several common antifungal medications, explaining why previous treatments failed. This case shows the importance of identifying the exact fungus causing an infection to develop effective treatment strategies.

High-Resolution Melting assays development for discrimination of fungal pathogens causing Grapevine Trunk Diseases

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Grapevine Trunk Diseases cause major losses in vineyards worldwide but are difficult to diagnose early because symptoms may not appear for years. This study developed fast and affordable DNA-based tests called HRM assays that can identify ten different disease-causing fungi in grapevines. These tests work by analyzing DNA melting patterns and can even detect infections before symptoms appear, helping vineyard managers make better decisions about plant treatment and removal.

The first described case of Fomitiporella micropora infection in humans: A heart transplant recipient diagnosed by fungal PCR

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A patient who received a heart transplant developed a small, slowly-growing lump on his shin over many years. After surgical removal, genetic testing revealed it was caused by a rare fungus never before identified in humans. The surgical removal likely cured the infection, and the case shows how important advanced genetic testing methods are for identifying unusual infections in transplant patients.

Diversity and Pathogenicity of Colletotrichum Species Causing Coffee Anthracnose in China

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Researchers identified seven different fungal species causing anthracnose disease on coffee plants in China. Two of these species, Colletotrichum nupharicola and C. cliviicola, were reported for the first time as coffee pathogens. All seven species were capable of infecting coffee leaves, though with varying degrees of severity. These findings will help coffee farmers develop better strategies to control this major disease.

Isolation and molecular identification of pathogens causing sea turtle egg fusariosis in key nesting beaches in Costa Rica

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Scientists discovered that two harmful fungi, Fusarium falciforme and Fusarium keratoplasticum, are present on sea turtle nesting beaches across Costa Rica. These fungi can infect turtle eggs and cause high mortality rates in developing embryos. The researchers used advanced genetic techniques to accurately identify these pathogens and found them widespread at important nesting sites, highlighting the need for monitoring and protection strategies to prevent this emerging disease from becoming a major threat to sea turtle populations.

Botryosphaeriaceae Species Causing Stem Blight and Dieback of Blueberries in Serbia

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Researchers in Serbia studied fungal diseases affecting blueberry plants and identified four different disease-causing fungi. They found that Lasiodiplodia iraniensis, a fungus previously unknown on blueberries worldwide, is now infecting Serbian blueberry orchards. The study shows that the ‘Duke’ blueberry variety is more susceptible to infection than other varieties, and that the disease likely spreads through infected planting materials used to establish new orchards.

Diversity and pathogenicity of pestalotioid fungi infecting Camellia oleifera in China

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Tea oil plants in China’s Sichuan Province are being infected by three types of fungi that cause serious diseases like leaf spots and blighting. Researchers identified a new fungal species and found that two previously known species can also infect tea oil plants. All three fungi were tested for their ability to cause disease, and they successfully infected tea oil plant leaves under laboratory conditions.

High-Resolution Melting assays development for discrimination of fungal pathogens causing Grapevine Trunk Diseases

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Researchers developed quick and affordable DNA tests to identify fungal diseases in grapevines before they show visible symptoms. Using a technique called High-Resolution Melting, the tests can detect ten different disease-causing fungi that damage grape plants. These early detection tools help vineyard owners treat infected plants faster and save money on crop losses.

Morpho-Molecular Identification and Pathogenic Characterization of Fusarium and Colletotrichum Species Associated with Intercropped Soybean Pod Decay

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This research identified harmful fungi that cause soybean pod and seed decay in China’s Sichuan Province. Scientists found eight different Fusarium species and six different Colletotrichum species affecting soybean pods, with some species identified for the first time as soybean pathogens. Laboratory tests showed that certain fungal species, particularly Fusarium proliferatum and Colletotrichum fructicola, were the most damaging to soybean plants. These findings help farmers understand and better manage fungal diseases in soybean crops grown in intercropping systems.

Research Keyword: Fungal pathogen identification