Research Keyword: Immune response

A Review on Aspergillosis in Turkey: As a Main Fungal Disease in Poultry

Aspergillosis is a serious fungal disease affecting turkeys, especially young birds, caused by breathing in fungal spores from moldy hay, compost or poorly ventilated housing. The disease causes respiratory problems, can spread to other organs, and can kill 30-50% of affected flocks. Prevention through good ventilation, clean housing and dry feed is more effective than treatment since few antifungal drugs are approved for food animals. Understanding how environmental conditions promote this disease is key to protecting turkey populations.

Read More »

Recent Discoveries on Marine Organism Immunomodulatory Activities

Scientists are discovering that creatures from the ocean produce powerful substances that can help our immune system fight diseases like cancer and inflammation. These marine organisms—from tiny algae to sponges to fish—create natural compounds that can either boost or calm down our immune response depending on what we need. Several of these ocean-derived medicines are already approved for treating serious diseases, and many more are being tested in clinical trials. The ocean covers 70% of our planet and most of it remains unexplored, suggesting there are many more beneficial compounds waiting to be discovered.

Read More »

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

Fungal extracellular vesicles are tiny particles released by fungal cells that play important roles in how fungi cause disease and how our immune system responds. These particles can either help fight infections or make them worse depending on the type of fungus and conditions involved. Scientists are discovering that these vesicles could potentially be used as vaccines and may explain why some antifungal drugs stop working.

Read More »

The expression of fungal CotH, human glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), and predicted miRNAs in macrophages and diabetic mice infected with Rhizopus oryzae

Mucormycosis is a serious fungal infection caused by Rhizopus oryzae that is particularly dangerous for people with diabetes. This study shows that a fungal protein called CotH3 attaches to a human cell receptor called GRP78, allowing the fungus to invade cells more easily in diabetic patients. The research found that diabetes increases GRP78 production, making fungal invasion more likely, while antifungal treatment (liposomal amphotericin B) can reduce the expression of both CotH3 and GRP78.

Read More »

Recent Knowledge in the Application of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Aquaculture: A Bibliometric and Narrative Review

This comprehensive review examines how baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is being used as a probiotic supplement in fish farming and aquaculture. The research shows that adding this yeast to fish feed improves growth rates, helps fish fight off diseases, and creates healthier gut bacteria in aquatic animals. Scientists worldwide are increasingly studying this natural alternative to antibiotics, with studies demonstrating benefits across various fish species including tilapia, trout, and catfish, making it an important tool for sustainable and healthier aquaculture practices.

Read More »

Ex Vivo Host Transcriptomics During Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus gattii, and Candida albicans Infection of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells From South African Volunteers

Researchers studied how human immune cells respond to three different fungal infections that commonly affect people with weakened immune systems. By examining gene activity in blood cells exposed to these fungi, they discovered that each fungus triggers different immune responses, with Candida albicans causing a much stronger reaction than the two Cryptococcus species. Only one shared immune pathway was activated by all three fungi, suggesting each infection requires different immune mechanisms to fight off. These findings could help develop new treatments for serious fungal infections.

Read More »

Phospholipase PlcH is involved in the secretion of cell wall glycoproteins and contributes to the host immune response of Aspergillus fumigatus

Researchers discovered that an enzyme called PlcH helps a dangerous mold called Aspergillus fumigatus release protective proteins into its cell wall. These proteins help the fungus survive and evade the immune system. When scientists removed the gene for PlcH, the fungus became weaker and more vulnerable to both antifungal drugs and immune cells, suggesting PlcH could be a target for new antifungal treatments.

Read More »

Strategies and materials for the prevention and treatment of biofilms

Biofilms are sticky communities of bacteria that form on medical devices and surfaces, making infections very difficult to treat with antibiotics. This review explains how biofilms develop in stages and describes different ways to stop them from forming or to destroy them once they exist. Solutions include special coatings on medical implants, natural plant extracts like essential oils, and engineered proteins called antimicrobial peptides that fight bacteria without creating antibiotic resistance.

Read More »

Fluconazole worsened lung inflammation, partly through lung microbiome dysbiosis in mice with ovalbumin-induced asthma

Fluconazole is an antifungal medication that works well for treating asthma caused by fungal infections, but may actually worsen asthma from other causes. In mice with allergic asthma, fluconazole killed beneficial bacteria and promoted the growth of harmful bacteria that increased inflammation. This study suggests that fluconazole should only be used for fungal-related asthma and careful monitoring is needed if used in patients with regular asthma.

Read More »

Immunometabolic reprogramming in macrophages infected with active and dormant Cryptococcus neoformans: differential modulation of respiration, glycolysis, and fatty acid utilization

This research examines how immune cells (macrophages) respond differently to active versus dormant forms of a dangerous fungus called Cryptococcus neoformans. The dormant form causes the immune cells to accumulate fatty acids differently than the active fungus, which may help the fungus establish long-term infections. Understanding these differences could lead to better treatments for cryptococcal infections, which are particularly dangerous for immunocompromised individuals.

Read More »
Scroll to Top