fungal pathogenesis – Page 4

Interaction with amoeba drives virulence-associated phenotypes in the Candida haemulonii complex

mycolabadmin

Researchers discovered that when fungal pathogens called Candida haemulonii are exposed to soil amoebae in laboratory conditions, they develop enhanced disease-causing abilities. These fungi undergo multiple changes including forming stronger protective biofilms, producing more virulence factors, and becoming harder to kill by immune defenses. This suggests that fungal pathogens might develop some of their dangerous traits not from infecting humans, but from surviving in soil environments where they must evade predatory organisms like amoebae.

Onychomycosis in the US Pediatric Population—An Emphasis on Fusarium Onychomycosis

mycolabadmin

This study examined nail fungus infections in American children using advanced molecular testing. Researchers found that elementary school-aged children (ages 6-11) have the highest rates of nail fungus, usually caused by common fungi like Trichophyton rubrum. Notably, Fusarium, an environmental fungus that was once rare in nail infections, is becoming increasingly common, especially in older teenagers, which may require different treatment approaches.

John Perfect Shares Insights on Infectious Diseases, Antifungal Therapy, and Drug Resistance

mycolabadmin

This interview with Dr. John Perfect, a leading expert in fungal infections, discusses how antifungal treatments have evolved over his 48-year career. He explains that while fungal resistance is a concern, it’s less problematic than bacterial antibiotic resistance because fungi don’t spread resistance through plasmids. Dr. Perfect emphasizes the importance of newer, faster-acting antifungal drugs and combining drug therapy with immune system support to better treat serious fungal infections like cryptococcal meningitis and candidemia.

A conserved fungal Knr4/Smi1 protein is crucial for maintaining cell wall stress tolerance and host plant pathogenesis

mycolabadmin

Researchers discovered a fungal protein called Knr4 that is essential for fungal diseases in wheat crops. This protein helps fungi survive stress and cause disease. Importantly, this protein is found in many fungal pathogens but not in other organisms, making it an ideal target for developing new disease control strategies. When this protein is removed from fungal pathogens, they lose their ability to survive stress and infect plants, suggesting it could be used to combat fungal crop diseases.

Healthcare-associated fungal infections and emerging pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic

mycolabadmin

During the COVID-19 pandemic, fungal infections became a serious complication in hospitalized patients, especially those receiving steroids and other immune-suppressing treatments. Common fungal pathogens like Candida and Aspergillus caused dangerous coinfections, with infection rates varying significantly by region. Current antifungal medications have significant limitations including toxicity and resistance, highlighting the urgent need for new and safer antifungal treatments.

John Perfect Shares Insights on Infectious Diseases, Antifungal Therapy, and Drug Resistance

mycolabadmin

Dr. John Perfect, a leading expert in fungal infections, shares his 48 years of experience studying infectious diseases, particularly focusing on Cryptococcus and candida infections. He discusses how antifungal medications have evolved from highly toxic drugs to more effective treatments, while emphasizing the need for faster-acting drugs that require shorter treatment periods. The interview covers emerging diagnostic tools using molecular methods, the promise of combining drugs with immune-boosting therapies, and the importance of understanding how fungi survive in the human body to develop better treatments.

Interference with sexual mating of Sporisorium scitamineum by verrucarin A isolated from Paramyrothecium sp

mycolabadmin

Scientists discovered a fungus called Paramyrothecium that produces a natural compound called verrucarin A, which stops sugarcane smut disease by preventing infected fungus cells from mating with each other. In greenhouse experiments, using this compound reduced disease symptoms from 80% infection down to 37%, and it didn’t harm the sugarcane plants. This provides a safe, natural way to control an important crop disease without using chemical pesticides.

Pathogenic mucorales: Deciphering their cell wall polysaccharidome and immunostimulatory potential

mycolabadmin

Researchers studied three dangerous fungi that cause serious infections called mucormycosis. They examined the outer coating of these fungi, called the cell wall, which is made of sugar-like molecules called polysaccharides. When these fungi were exposed to human immune cells, they triggered strong inflammatory responses. Understanding these fungal components could help develop better treatments and vaccines for this life-threatening infection.

Cryptococcus: Emerging host risk factors for infection

mycolabadmin

This scientific review examines why some people without HIV are getting serious Cryptococcus infections and becoming very sick. Researchers found that people with liver problems, kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune diseases face much higher risk. The review also identifies new drugs and therapies that can surprisingly increase infection risk, highlighting the importance of understanding individual patient factors when treating these dangerous fungal infections.

Do farnesol and tyrosol production in Candidozyma auris biofilms reflect virulence potential?

mycolabadmin

Researchers discovered that a dangerous fungus called Candidozyma auris produces signaling molecules called farnesol and tyrosol in biofilms. These molecules appear to be linked to how dangerous the fungus is—strains that produce more of these molecules were more virulent in infection studies. Understanding these signaling molecules could help develop new strategies to fight this drug-resistant pathogen.

Research Keyword: fungal pathogenesis