molecular identification – Page 10

Saksenaea oblongispora Rhinosinusitis in Advanced HIV: A Rare and Lethal Mucormycosis

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A 32-year-old man with advanced HIV developed a severe fungal infection of his sinuses caused by a rare fungus called Saksenaea oblongispora, which typically doesn’t affect people with HIV. The patient presented with severe facial swelling that rapidly worsened, and despite doctors identifying the fungus through biopsies and lab tests, he did not receive antifungal treatment or surgery before his condition became critical. This is the first case of this particular fungal infection documented in sub-Saharan Africa and in HIV patients, highlighting how dangerous this rare infection can be and how challenging it is to diagnose quickly enough to save lives.

Biological characterization and in vitro fungicide screening of a new pathogen of basal stem rot of Schisandra chinensis in Jilin Province, China

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Researchers discovered that a fungus called Ilyonectria robusta is causing a serious disease in Schisandra chinensis plants grown in northern China. This plant is used to make traditional Chinese medicine. The disease causes the base of the plant stems to rot and die. Scientists tested seven different fungicides (medicines that kill fungi) and found that fluazinam was the most effective at stopping this fungus from growing.

Optimizing a modified cetyltrimethylammonium bromide protocol for fungal DNA extraction: Insights from multilocus gene amplification

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Researchers developed an improved method for extracting fungal DNA that is faster, cheaper, and safer than current commercial kits. The new protocol works by using a special chemical solution and simple crushing tools instead of expensive equipment like liquid nitrogen or bead beaters. They tested it on 40 different fungal species found in dry fruits and successfully identified them all using genetic markers, showing the method could help diagnose fungal diseases in plants, animals, and humans.

Novel secondary metabolite from a new species of Hypoxylon saxatilis sp. nov. for suppressing bacterial wilt in tomato

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Researchers discovered a new fungus species (Hypoxylon saxatilis) living inside medicinal plants that produces a novel compound called tetrahydrofuran. This compound kills the bacterium that causes tomato wilt disease by damaging bacterial cell walls. In greenhouse tests, extract from this fungus reduced wilt disease severity by over 83%, suggesting it could be developed as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting tomato crops.

Candidemia due to Candida lambica in a neutropenic oncology patient: A rare case report

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A 56-year-old cancer patient developed a serious bloodstream infection caused by a rare yeast called Candida lambica despite taking antifungal medications. Doctors identified the infection using genetic sequencing and found that the organism was sensitive to a different antifungal drug called voriconazole. After switching medications and removing the patient’s central line, the infection cleared up. This case demonstrates the importance of accurately identifying fungal infections and testing which medications work best against them.

Phylogenetic Analysis of Trichoderma Species Associated with Green Mold Disease on Mushrooms and Two New Pathogens on Ganoderma sichuanense

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Researchers identified a new species of Trichoderma fungus that causes green mold disease in cultivated medicinal mushrooms, particularly Ganoderma sichuanense. Using DNA analysis and genetic comparison, they showed that this new species belongs to a group of Trichoderma fungi that are close relatives of species used for controlling plant diseases. The study suggests this fungus might have potential as a biocontrol agent while currently being problematic for mushroom farmers in China.

Caspofungin therapy in prosthetic valve endocarditis and candidemia due to itraconazole-resistant Candida glabrata (Nakaseomyces glabratus): A case report

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A 13-year-old boy developed a serious fungal infection of his heart valve after surgery. The infection was caused by a resistant yeast that didn’t respond to initial antifungal treatment. Doctors used molecular testing to identify the exact fungal species and tested how it responded to different medications. After switching to a different antifungal drug called caspofungin, the patient recovered completely and remained healthy.

Epidemiology of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients in northwest Iran: Rhizopus arrhizus as the predominant species

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, some patients developed a severe fungal infection called mucormycosis alongside their coronavirus infection. This study found that 63 COVID-19 patients in Iran developed mucormycosis, which primarily affected the sinuses and brain. The researchers identified that a fungus called Rhizopus arrhizus caused most infections, and patients who received corticosteroids (used to treat severe COVID-19) had a higher risk, especially those who developed diabetes from the steroids.

Distribution of fungal agents in the respiratory system of patients with underlying lung diseases; molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility profiles

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This research examined fungal infections in hospitalized patients with lung diseases in Iran, identifying which fungi were most common and which antifungal medications worked best against them. Researchers found that Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus were the most prevalent fungi, particularly in COPD patients. Notably, some Candida isolates showed resistance to certain antifungal drugs, particularly voriconazole. The study emphasizes the importance of proper fungal identification and susceptibility testing for effective treatment.

A Rare Case of Alternaria citri Keratitis Successfully Treated with Voriconazole

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A 71-year-old woodworker developed a serious eye infection caused by a rare fungus called Alternaria citri that damaged his cornea. Doctors identified the fungus using genetic testing and treated it with the antifungal drug voriconazole combined with surgery. After one year, his vision improved and the infection did not return, marking the first documented case of this particular fungal infection in humans.

Research Keyword: molecular identification