pathogenesis – Page 2

Stonebrood Disease—Histomorphological Changes in Honey Bee Larvae (Apis mellifera) Experimentally Infected with Aspergillus flavus

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Stonebrood is a rare fungal disease of honey bees caused by Aspergillus flavus that can kill bee larvae very quickly. Researchers experimentally infected bee larvae with the fungus and tracked how the disease progressed, finding that larvae died within 48 hours of infection. The study revealed that the fungus likely kills bees by producing toxins rather than by physical damage, and poses a health risk to beekeepers who inhale the fungal spores.

Intracellular accommodation of bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes by plants analyzed using transmission electron microscopy

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Scientists used high-powered electron microscopes to examine how plants host different microorganisms inside their cells. They found that whether the microorganism is a helpful nitrogen-fixing bacterium, a nutrient-exchanging fungus, or a disease-causing oomycete, plants always separate it from the rest of the cell with a special membrane. This study reveals fundamental similarities in how plants accommodate different types of microorganisms, despite the very different outcomes for the plant.

Effects of simulated microgravity on biological features and virulence of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans

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Scientists studied how a dangerous fungus called Cryptococcus neoformans behaves in space-like conditions. They found that in simulated microgravity, this fungus becomes more dangerous by developing thicker protective capsules, producing more protective pigment, and becoming more deadly to organisms in laboratory models. This research is important because astronauts in space have weaker immune systems, making them vulnerable to infections from fungi that may have adapted to thrive in space environments.

Is Cryptococcus neoformans a pleomorphic fungus?

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Cryptococcus neoformans is a dangerous fungal pathogen that causes serious infections in humans. For many years, scientists thought this fungus existed primarily as regular yeast cells. However, new research shows the fungus can change into several different cell forms during infection, including larger ‘titan cells’ and smaller ‘seed cells.’ These shape-shifting abilities help the fungus survive in the human body and evade immune responses, making infections harder to treat.

Study on the Effect of Sooty Mould Disease in Tea Plants

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Sooty mould disease is a serious fungal infection affecting tea plants, causing a black coating on leaves that reduces photosynthesis and decreases the quality of tea. The study identified the fungus responsible (Cladosporium pseudocladosporioides) and showed that friendly bacteria can help prevent the disease. The research provides insights into how the disease damages plants at the cellular and genetic level, offering potential solutions for protecting tea crops.

Hyphal swelling induced in the phagosome of macrophages

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When Candida albicans yeast cells are engulfed by immune cells called macrophages, they transform into thread-like hyphae. Researchers discovered that these hyphae sometimes develop swollen, bulbous compartments rather than maintaining their normal shape. Surprisingly, these swollen fungal cells survive much better inside the hostile macrophage environment than normal-shaped hyphae. This swelling appears to be a clever survival strategy that helps the fungus resist being killed by the immune system.

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

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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.

Disseminated cryptococcosis in an HIV patient with hepatitis C as the associated risk factor

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A 29-year-old patient with HIV and hepatitis C developed a serious fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans that spread to the brain. The infection was diagnosed through blood and spinal fluid tests and treated successfully with antifungal medications. This case shows why it is important to recognize and treat fungal infections quickly in people with weakened immune systems and multiple health conditions.

Chalkbrood Disease Caused by Ascosphaera apis in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)—Morphological and Histological Changes in Infected Larvae

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Chalkbrood is a serious fungal disease that kills honeybee larvae, caused by the fungus Ascosphaera apis. This study examined exactly how the infection progresses by infecting larvae in controlled laboratory conditions and observing them over time under a microscope. The researchers found that once infected, larvae die very quickly within 3-7 days as the fungus spreads throughout their bodies, and the fungus continues to grow even after the larvae are dead, eventually forming visible spores on the dead larvae that spread the disease to other bees in the colony.

Selection of reliable reference genes in Colletotrichum scovillei during different growth stages, host interactions, and plant extract treatment for qRT-PCR

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Researchers identified the best internal control genes for measuring fungal gene expression in Colletotrichum scovillei, a fungus that causes serious disease in chili peppers. Different genes worked best under different conditions: one for normal growth, another during infection, and a third when treated with plant extracts. This discovery will help scientists study how this fungus develops and causes disease, potentially leading to better ways to control it using natural plant-based treatments.

Research Keyword: pathogenesis