Medicinal – Page 92

Comparison of Ergosterol and Vitamin D2 in Mushrooms Agaricus bisporus and Cordyceps militaris Using Ultraviolet Irradiation Directly on Dry Powder or in Ethanol Suspension

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This study shows that exposing mushroom powder suspended in ethanol to ultraviolet light effectively converts ergosterol (a natural compound in mushrooms) into vitamin D2, which is essential for bone health and immunity. The optimal treatment involves UV-C light exposure for 120 minutes at a specific distance, producing about 15 times more vitamin D2 than direct irradiation of dry mushroom powder. After removing the ethanol, these treated mushrooms could serve as a practical natural source of vitamin D for people with deficiency.

Plants, fungi, and antifungals: A little less talk, a little more action

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Plants and fungi communicate through small chemical molecules, and scientists are discovering that understanding this dialogue could lead to new antifungal medicines. Researchers found that a plant hormone called strigolactone affects a specific fungal protein involved in nutrient uptake, suggesting this could be a target for new drugs. By using baker’s yeast as a laboratory model, scientists can study how fungal cells respond to plant chemicals and identify new ways to fight dangerous fungal infections that are becoming resistant to current treatments.

Timely diagnosis and management of Quambalaria cyanescens-induced peritoneal dialysis peritonitis: A rare case highlighting the role of galactomannan testing

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A 53-year-old man on peritoneal dialysis developed a rare fungal infection caused by Quambalaria cyanescens. Doctors used a special blood test (galactomannan testing) to quickly identify it as a fungal infection rather than a bacterial one, leading to timely removal of his dialysis catheter on day 5. After treatment with antifungal medications, he recovered completely with no relapses over two years of follow-up. This case shows the importance of proper hygiene during dialysis and using advanced diagnostic tools for rare infections.

Diagnostic Capacity for Fungal Infections in Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria and Ghana – An Onsite Baseline Audit of 9 Sites

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Researchers audited laboratory facilities in 9 major hospitals (8 in Nigeria, 1 in Ghana) to see how well they could test for fungal infections. They found that most hospitals lacked basic equipment, trained staff, and proper procedures for fungal testing. This is a serious problem because fungal infections can be deadly if not caught early and treated quickly.

Monoclonal Antibodies Can Aid in the Culture-Based Detection and Differentiation of Mucorales Fungi—The Flesh-Eating Pathogens Apophysomyces and Saksenaea as an Exemplar

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This research developed a special antibody test to quickly identify deadly flesh-eating fungi called Apophysomyces and Saksenaea, which cause serious skin and soft tissue infections. These fungi are difficult to identify because they don’t form spores on standard laboratory media. The new test uses a simple method combining antibody detection with a rapid lateral-flow test, similar to a COVID-19 test, making diagnosis faster and more reliable in hospitals that don’t have access to expensive equipment.

Antiviral effects of Pediococcus acidilactici isolated from Tibetan mushroom and comparative genomic analysis

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Researchers found that bacteria from Tibetan mushrooms, particularly Pediococcus acidilactici, can effectively prevent rotavirus infection that causes diarrhea in children and animals. When tested in laboratory cells and in mice, this beneficial bacteria reduced virus levels significantly and protected the intestines from damage. Genetic analysis shows this probiotic strain has the right combination of genes to fight viral infections, making it a promising natural treatment option.

The Impact of the Fungal Priority Pathogens List on Medical Mycology: A Northern European Perspective

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Fungal infections affect over a billion people worldwide but are often overlooked in healthcare. The World Health Organization recently created a priority list of dangerous fungi to help doctors and researchers focus their efforts. This review discusses how this list can improve diagnosis, testing, and treatment of fungal infections across Europe, while also highlighting the need for better training and awareness among healthcare workers.

Identification of fungal agents isolated from burn lesions using mycological and molecular methods in patients admitted to Velayat burn hospital in Rasht city during 2022–2023

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Researchers studied fungal infections in burn patients at a hospital in Iran and found that non-albicans Candida fungi, particularly a species called Candida parapsilosis, were the most common culprits. Using laboratory cultures and genetic testing, they identified 101 fungal infections out of 380 burn patients. Understanding which fungi cause these infections is important for doctors to choose the right treatment and improve patient outcomes.

Neonatal Invasive Candidiasis: Current Concepts

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Neonatal invasive candidiasis is a serious fungal infection affecting premature and very low birth weight babies. The types of fungi causing these infections are changing globally, with more resistant strains appearing, especially in lower-income countries. Treatment options are limited by this resistance, making prevention through hygiene and proper hospital practices increasingly important.

Clinico-epidemiological evaluation of pharmaceutical/non-pharmaceutical poisoning in a referral poisoning emergency in the Central part of Iran

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This study examined over 5,700 poisoning cases in Iran to compare outcomes between people poisoned by medications versus other substances like pesticides. Medication poisonings were more common in women and were usually intentional overdoses, while pesticide poisonings were more common in men and often accidental. People poisoned by non-pharmaceutical substances had worse outcomes with a higher death rate. Understanding these differences helps hospitals and communities develop better prevention strategies and treatment approaches.

Research Topic: Medicinal