molecular identification – Page 7

Epidemiology, Biotic Interactions and Biological Control of Armillarioids in the Northern Hemisphere

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This paper reviews how armillarioid fungi, particularly Armillaria species, cause root rot disease in forests and orchards across the Northern Hemisphere. These fungi spread through underground root-like structures called rhizomorphs and can kill trees and damage crops over large areas. The authors discuss how to identify these fungi using modern genetic methods and explore environmentally friendly biological control options using beneficial bacteria, fungi, and nematodes as alternatives to chemical treatments.

Basidiobolomycosis caused by a rare species – Basidiobolus meristosporus

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A five-year-old girl developed large swollen lumps on her buttock and thigh that were initially thought to be tuberculosis or cancer. Doctors took a tissue sample and found it was caused by a rare fungus called Basidiobolus meristosporus. Using advanced DNA sequencing techniques, they identified the exact fungus species and treated her successfully with an antifungal medication called itraconazole, leading to complete healing within six weeks.

First Report of Trametes hirsuta, Causal Agent White Rot in Avocado Trees Grown in the State of Michoacán, México

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Researchers discovered a wood-destroying fungus called Trametes hirsuta causing serious disease in avocado trees in Mexico’s main avocado-growing region. The fungus attacks tree trunks and branches, causing white rot that can kill trees within 3-5 years. The study confirmed this is a new threat to avocado orchards and suggests controlling it through pruning, chemical fungicides, or biological control methods.

Overexpression of efflux pump and biofilm associated genes in itraconazole resistant Candida albicans isolates causing onychomycosis

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Researchers studied why some fungal nail infections caused by Candida albicans stop responding to the antifungal drug itraconazole. They found that resistant fungal cells have higher activity of genes that pump the drug out of cells and produce slimy protective coatings called biofilms. These resistant fungi also formed less dense biofilms when the drug was present from the start. Understanding these resistance mechanisms could help develop new treatments by targeting the pump systems or breaking down the protective biofilm layers.

Two Cases of Curvularia geniculata Keratitis Successfully Treated with Natamycin-Based Therapy

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Two patients developed rare fungal eye infections caused by Curvularia geniculata after eye injuries from plant material. The infections caused corneal ulcers with characteristic feathery infiltrates. Both patients were successfully treated using natamycin eyedrops, either alone or combined with voriconazole, and both recovered excellent vision. Accurate identification of the fungus using genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis and helped guide treatment decisions.

Disseminated histoplasmosis with bone marrow infiltration in a newly diagnosed HIV patient

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A Colombian patient living in Spain developed a serious fungal infection (histoplasmosis) that spread throughout his body and affected his bone marrow, which was discovered during his HIV diagnosis. Doctors identified the infection by examining bone marrow cells under a microscope and confirmed it with fungal culture and genetic testing. The patient was treated with antifungal medication (liposomal amphotericin B) along with HIV medications and recovered well, highlighting the importance of bone marrow testing in severely immunocompromised HIV patients.

Morphological and molecular identification of Schizophyllum commune causing storage bulb rot disease of Lanzhou edible lily in China and its biological characteristics

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Researchers in China identified Schizophyllum commune as a fungal pathogen causing rot in stored edible lily bulbs, marking the first report of this disease. The fungus was identified using microscopic examination and genetic sequencing, and was shown to cause 100% infection on lily bulbs. The study found that the fungus grows best at 30°C with high humidity and darkness, providing important information for controlling this storage disease that causes significant crop losses.

Dual fungal endocarditis in a pediatric dialysis patient: First case of Aspergillus flavus and Candida parapsilosis co-infection

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A 13-year-old boy with kidney disease requiring dialysis developed a rare dual fungal heart infection caused by two different fungi simultaneously. Doctors diagnosed the infection using heart imaging, blood tests, and tissue examination, then treated him with antifungal medications and two heart surgeries to remove infected tissue and replace a damaged heart valve. Despite the extreme rarity and severity of this condition, the patient survived, which had never been reported in children before.

Exploring fungal pathogens to control the plant invasive Rubus niveus on Galapagos Island San Cristobal

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Hill raspberry is a highly invasive plant that has taken over approximately 30,000 hectares of the Galapagos Islands, threatening native plant species. Traditional control methods like manual removal and herbicide spraying are expensive and ineffective. Researchers identified five species of fungal pathogens that naturally occur on infected Hill raspberry plants and can cause disease on healthy plants, offering promise as biological control agents to suppress this invasive species.

Isolation and characterization of a new Leptobacillium species promoting tomato plant growth

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Researchers discovered a new beneficial fungus called Leptobacillium that lives inside tomato plant roots without causing harm. When tomato seeds were treated with this fungus, the plants grew better, had more chlorophyll in their leaves, and produced tastier fruits with higher levels of lycopene, a beneficial compound in tomatoes. This discovery suggests the fungus could be used to improve tomato crop production naturally, reducing the need for chemical inputs and helping plants cope with heat stress.

Research Keyword: molecular identification