Medicinal – Page 91

Informing the World Health Organization Fungal Priority Pathogens List (WHO-FPPL): A collection of systematic reviews

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The World Health Organization created a priority list of dangerous fungal infections affecting millions of people globally each year. Experts reviewed 19 different fungal pathogens and ranked them by how dangerous they are and how much they need research and treatment development. The list identifies which fungal infections should get the most attention from doctors, researchers, and public health officials to improve patient outcomes and reduce deaths.

Deep cutaneous fungal infection in an immunocompetent individual caused by a biological pesticide: a rare case report

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A 66-year-old farmer developed a deep skin fungal infection from a biological pesticide she used for over 10 years. The pesticide contained a fungus called Purpureocillium lilacinum, which is normally harmless to healthy people but caused repeated skin lesions on her face and arms. She was successfully treated with antifungal medication (itraconazole) for three months, and her skin fully healed without returning. This is the first reported case showing that biological pesticides can pose health risks to workers who handle them regularly.

In vitro antifungal activity of plant extracts against fungal pathogens of onion (Allium cepa L.) and red pepper (Capsicum annum L.) in selected districts of Western Hararghe, Ethiopia

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Onion and pepper farmers in Ethiopia lose significant crops to fungal diseases, and chemical fungicides are expensive and harmful. This study tested plant extracts from garlic, neem, and African wintersweet against disease-causing fungi. Acokanthera schimperi (African wintersweet) was most effective at stopping fungal growth, offering farmers an affordable, natural, and environmentally safe alternative to chemical fungicides.

Tailoring mRNA lipid nanoparticles for antifungal vaccines

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Researchers are exploring mRNA vaccines, similar to those used for COVID-19, as a new approach to prevent fungal infections. These vaccines use fatty particles called lipid nanoparticles to deliver instructions to cells on how to make fungal proteins, triggering an immune response. The review discusses how to optimize these vaccines, what challenges need to be overcome, and why they might be especially useful for people with weakened immune systems who are most vulnerable to serious fungal infections.

Toward the consensus of definitions for the phenomena of antifungal tolerance and persistence in filamentous fungi

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Scientists have proposed clear definitions and testing methods for two drug-resistance phenomena in fungi that cause infections. Unlike typical drug resistance, tolerance and persistence allow fungi to survive antifungal medications but in different ways: tolerance affects most spores while persistence affects only a small fraction. By standardizing how these phenomena are tested using fungal spores and measuring how quickly drugs kill them, researchers can better understand treatment failures and develop better therapies.

New wine in old skins: Scopoletin biosynthesis in cotton

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Cotton farmers face significant crop losses from a soil-dwelling fungus called Verticillium dahliae. Scientists discovered that cotton plants can protect themselves by producing a compound called scopoletin, which damages and kills this fungus. By understanding how cotton activates the genes that make scopoletin, researchers may be able to genetically engineer more disease-resistant cotton varieties, providing farmers with a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides.

John Perfect Shares Insights on Infectious Diseases, Antifungal Therapy, and Drug Resistance

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Dr. John Perfect, a leading expert in fungal infections, shares his 48 years of experience studying infectious diseases, particularly focusing on Cryptococcus and candida infections. He discusses how antifungal medications have evolved from highly toxic drugs to more effective treatments, while emphasizing the need for faster-acting drugs that require shorter treatment periods. The interview covers emerging diagnostic tools using molecular methods, the promise of combining drugs with immune-boosting therapies, and the importance of understanding how fungi survive in the human body to develop better treatments.

Musculoskeletal Manifestations of Disseminated Fungal Infections

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Fungal infections can spread to bones and joints, causing serious complications especially in people with weakened immune systems. These infections are tricky to diagnose because their symptoms are similar to bacterial infections or other diseases. Treatment typically involves antifungal medications and sometimes surgery to remove infected tissue. Early detection and aggressive treatment are crucial for better patient outcomes.

Cloning and Expression Analysis of Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase Gene in the Mycelium and Fruit Body of the Edible Mushroom Flammulina velutipes

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Scientists cloned and studied a gene called PAL in the winter mushroom (Flammulina velutipes), which produces trans-cinnamic acid from phenylalanine. They found that this gene is activated differently depending on the nutrient environment and mushroom developmental stage. The gene is particularly active in the mushroom’s stem during growth, suggesting it helps produce beneficial compounds during mushroom development.

Time- and temperature-dependent Pentraxin 3 stability in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples

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Researchers tested how well Pentraxin 3, a protein that helps detect fungal infections, stays stable when stored under different conditions. They found that this protein remains reliable when kept frozen at cold temperatures (like in a freezer) for up to several months or even years, but breaks down quickly when stored at body temperature. These findings help doctors and laboratories know how to properly store and test patient samples to accurately diagnose serious fungal infections.

Research Topic: Medicinal