thermally dimorphic fungi

Select and Resequence Methods Enable a Genome-Wide Association Study of the Dimorphic Human Fungal Pathogen Coccidioides posadasii

mycolabadmin

Scientists developed a new method to understand how different strains of the fungus Coccidioides posadasii, which causes Valley Fever, respond to temperature changes. By mixing multiple fungal strains together and sequencing their DNA after growing them at different temperatures, they identified a gene that helps determine whether the fungus grows better in hot (body temperature) or cool (environmental) conditions. This discovery could help explain how this dangerous fungus adapts to human infection and may lead to better treatments for Valley Fever.

Acidic pH Modulates Cell Wall and Melanization in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Affecting Macrophage Interaction

mycolabadmin

A dangerous fungal infection called paracoccidioidomycosis affects people in Latin America. Researchers found that when this fungus encounters acidic conditions similar to those inside immune cells in the body, it protects itself by producing a dark pigment called melanin and changing its cell surface. These changes help the fungus hide from the immune system and reduce the ability of immune cells called macrophages to attack and destroy it.

Infection caused by a cryptic fungal species, Blastomyces gilchristii, in a tiger

mycolabadmin

A tiger in Tennessee became ill with a serious fungal infection caused by a lesser-known fungus called Blastomyces gilchristii. While blastomycosis is typically caused by a different fungus species, this case represents the first detection of this particular cryptic fungal species in the southeastern United States. Scientists used advanced genetic sequencing to identify the fungus when standard laboratory methods failed. This discovery suggests that this dangerous fungus is spreading to areas where it was not previously thought to exist.

When Emerging Fungal Infections Mimic Tuberculosis: First Reported Case of Invasive Emergomyces europaeus Infection in a Man With Immunocompromise Living in France

mycolabadmin

A 65-year-old man living in France who received a kidney transplant developed a serious fungal infection caused by Emergomyces europaeus, a rare fungus that initially appeared to be tuberculosis. Doctors used advanced genetic testing to identify the unusual fungus in samples from his lungs and bone marrow. The patient was treated with a combination of antifungal medications, which successfully cleared the infection. This is the first time this particular fungal infection has been documented in France and highlights how emerging infections can mimic more common diseases.

Research Keyword: thermally dimorphic fungi

Select and Resequence Methods Enable a Genome-Wide Association Study of the Dimorphic Human Fungal Pathogen Coccidioides posadasii

Acidic pH Modulates Cell Wall and Melanization in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Affecting Macrophage Interaction

Infection caused by a cryptic fungal species, Blastomyces gilchristii, in a tiger

When Emerging Fungal Infections Mimic Tuberculosis: First Reported Case of Invasive Emergomyces europaeus Infection in a Man With Immunocompromise Living in France