ITS sequencing – Page 7

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

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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.

Disseminated Scytalidium philadelphianum infection in a Belgian Malinois

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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.

Black mold in the bag room: First case of Arthrocladium tropicale peritonitis in a peritoneal dialysis patient

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A peritoneal dialysis patient contracted a rare fungal infection caused by Arthrocladium tropicale, a mold found in damp environments and associated with ant nests. The infection was diagnosed through microscopy and genetic testing, revealing resistance to one antifungal drug but susceptibility to amphotericin B. Treatment with this antibiotic and removal of the dialysis catheter led to full recovery, highlighting the importance of keeping medical equipment storage areas dry and pest-free.

Integrated peloton and fruiting body isotope data shed light on mycoheterotrophic interactions in Gastrodia pubilabiata (Orchidaceae)

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This study examined how a special orchid called Gastrodia pubilabiata obtains nutrients from fungi by comparing the chemical signatures of fungal cells found inside the orchid’s roots with those of mushroom fruiting bodies. The researchers found that the fungal cells inside the roots had nearly identical chemical signatures to the mushroom fruiting bodies, confirming that scientists can accurately study this relationship by analyzing extracted fungal cells. This finding helps validate a scientific method that has been increasingly used to understand how orchids feed on fungi without performing photosynthesis.

Essential Oils as an Antifungal Alternative to Control Several Species of Fungi Isolated from Musa paradisiaca: Part III

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This research tested six common cooking and medicinal herbs to see which could stop the growth of fungi that spoil bananas after harvest. Scientists found that thyme oil was the most effective, followed by cinnamon and oregano, successfully preventing fungal growth at practical concentrations. These natural oils could replace synthetic chemical fungicides that harm the environment, offering a safer way to keep bananas fresh and healthy during storage and transport.

New insights into Cortinarius: Novel taxa from subtropical China

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Scientists studying mushroom diversity in subtropical China have discovered and formally named several new species of Cortinarius mushrooms, a type that forms beneficial relationships with forest trees. By examining the mushrooms’ physical characteristics and analyzing their DNA, researchers identified one new section, six completely new species, and several other previously undescribed forms. These findings demonstrate that subtropical China harbors remarkable fungal diversity that is still largely unknown to science, and more species are likely waiting to be discovered in this region’s forests.

Deciphering the morphological, molecular, and pathogenic variability in Fusarium species associated with potato dry rot disease

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Researchers studied potato dry rot disease in India by collecting diseased potatoes from storage facilities and identifying the fungal pathogens responsible. They found that three Fusarium fungi species cause this disease, with Fusarium sambucinum being the most aggressive and damaging. The study provides important information for farmers and agricultural scientists to better control this disease and reduce potato losses during storage.

Diversity of culturable fungi in six Tibetan Plateau lakes, with descriptions of eight new taxa

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Scientists collected samples from six high-altitude salt lakes on the Tibetan Plateau and grew fungi in laboratory cultures. They found over 800 fungal strains representing 156 different species. Eight of these species had never been identified before, representing an exciting discovery of new fungi adapted to extreme cold and salty environments.

Twenty-nine new host records of powdery mildew fungi (Erysiphaceae) in Taiwan with an updated checklist

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Scientists in Taiwan have updated a comprehensive list of powdery mildew fungi that infect plants, adding 29 new host plant records. They identified 13 different species of these fungi using both traditional microscopy and modern DNA sequencing techniques. This updated list is important for farmers and gardeners to identify and manage powdery mildew diseases on their crops and plants.

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

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A heart transplant patient developed a slow-growing lump on his shin that turned out to be caused by a rare fungus never before seen in humans. Doctors removed the lump surgically and used advanced genetic testing to identify the unusual fungus as Fomitiporella micropora. The patient received antifungal medication and the wound healed completely, highlighting how modern genetic tests can identify rare infections that traditional methods might miss.

Research Keyword: ITS sequencing