Research Topic: Medical

Dermatophytosis in a Chilean fox: first case of Nannizzia gypsea in Lycalopex griseus and the need for a one health approach

Researchers reported the first case of a fungal skin infection caused by Nannizzia gypsea in a wild South American grey fox found near Santiago, Chile. The fox developed crusted and scaly lesions on its tail, which were successfully treated with topical antifungal cream. This discovery highlights how increasing contact between domestic pets, wild animals, and humans due to urbanization can spread fungal infections, emphasizing the need for integrated health approaches that consider human, animal, and environmental health together.

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A case of flexor tenosynovitis caused by Cyberlindnera rhodanensis – First reported human infection

A patient developed a fungal wrist infection caused by a yeast never before seen in humans, called Cyberlindnera rhodanensis. The infection required six surgeries and five months of antifungal medications to treat. This case shows that new fungal pathogens can cause serious infections even in healthy people, and highlights the importance of proper identification of organisms in medical cultures.

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Dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton benhamiae in a sea lion. First report

A 13-year-old sea lion in a marine park developed ringworm-like skin lesions caused by a fungus called Trichophyton benhamiae, marking the first time this fungus has been identified in this species. Scientists identified the fungus using DNA testing and found it was resistant to common antifungal drugs, so they treated it with a combination of oral medication (terbinafine), topical ozonized oil, and a liver-protecting supplement. After three months of treatment, the sea lion’s skin healed completely.

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Breaking down biofilms across critical priority fungal pathogens: proteomics and computational innovation for mechanistic insights and new target discovery

This comprehensive review examines how scientists are fighting dangerous fungal infections that form protective biofilms resistant to current antifungal drugs. Researchers are using advanced protein analysis techniques (proteomics) and artificial intelligence-based computational tools to identify new targets for drug development against four critical fungal pathogens that cause life-threatening infections like meningitis and lung infections. By combining these technologies, scientists can better understand how these fungal biofilms form and develop more effective treatments.

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A Rare Battle: Multidisciplinary Care for a Child with Rhino-Orbital Cerebral Mucormycosis in Somali Region of Ethiopia

A 12-year-old girl with poorly controlled diabetes developed a serious fungal infection in her sinuses and eye that spread to her brain. Despite the infection being extremely dangerous, doctors successfully treated her using multiple approaches including antifungal medication, surgery to remove infected tissue, and careful management of her blood sugar. She recovered and went home, though she lost vision in one eye.

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Microbial links to Alzheimer’s disease

This review examines whether germs like bacteria, fungi, and viruses might play a role in causing Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists have found that certain bacteria from the mouth and gut, fungal infections, and cold sores (herpes viruses) appear more frequently in Alzheimer’s patients and may trigger the brain changes that damage memory and thinking. While the evidence is promising, researchers still need to determine whether these infections actually cause Alzheimer’s or simply make it worse once it develops.

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Microfungus Podosphaera fusca and the Fungus-like Organism Peronospora ficariae as Potential Inhalant Allergens in a Mouse Model of Asthma

This study investigated whether two plant parasites that cause powdery and downy mildew could trigger asthma-like reactions in mice. Researchers found that extracts from these fungi induced immune responses similar to those caused by known allergens like ovalbumin, though somewhat weaker. The results suggest these organisms should be recognized as potential sources of respiratory allergies in humans. This finding may help explain some cases of allergies where the specific cause has been difficult to identify.

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A case report of Saksenaea vasiformis mucormycosis infection of a lower segment caesarean section wound

A young woman developed a rare fungal infection (mucormycosis) in her caesarean section wound seven days after surgery. Despite initial antibiotic treatment, she required multiple surgical debridement procedures combined with antifungal medications to eliminate the infection. The surgical team successfully reconstructed her abdominal wall using specialized mesh and skin grafting techniques, resulting in complete healing.

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Atypical Adult-onset Still’s disease with flagellate morphology in a patient with skin of color

A 28-year-old African American woman was diagnosed with Adult-onset Still’s disease, a rare inflammatory condition causing fever, joint pain, and skin rashes. Her rash had an unusual linear, stripe-like pattern with dark pigmentation that doesn’t typically appear in standard descriptions of this disease. She was successfully treated with anakinra and later tocilizumab, medications that reduce inflammation, leading to complete symptom resolution and sustained improvement over nine months.

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Basidiobolomycosis caused by a rare species – Basidiobolus meristosporus

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.

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