Research Topic: mycosis

Three cases of easy to be misdiagnosed tinea of vellus hair

This case report describes three patients (ages 2-24) who had skin infections caused by a fungus called Microsporum canis that initially was misdiagnosed as eczema or other simple skin conditions. The infections involved fine vellus hair and required prolonged combined treatment with both oral and topical antifungal medications to fully resolve. The key lesson is that proper fungal testing and extended treatment similar to scalp ringworm protocols are necessary for treating these easily-missed infections.

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

A young wild Chilean fox was found with a skin infection caused by a fungus called Nannizzia gypsea, which lives in soil and can infect animals and humans. This is the first time this fungus has been documented in foxes anywhere. Doctors treated the fox with an antifungal cream and it recovered completely. The case highlights how increasing urbanization and contact between domestic pets, wild animals, and humans can spread fungal diseases, emphasizing the need for a coordinated public health approach.

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Dectin-1 and dectin-2 drive protection against Sporothrix brasiliensis in experimental sporotrichosis

Researchers studied how the body fights a dangerous fungus called Sporothrix brasiliensis that causes sporotrichosis. They found that two immune receptors called dectin-1 and dectin-2 are crucial for protecting against this infection in mice. Surprisingly, these receptors work by activating killer immune cells and controlling regulatory immune cells, rather than through the typical immune response pathway scientists expected.

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Ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by a new-found opportunistic fungal pathogen—Myceliophthora heterothallica: a case report

A 67-year-old woman suffered cardiac arrest and required a breathing machine to survive. While on the ventilator, doctors discovered an unusual fungal infection in her lungs caused by Myceliophthora heterothallica, which had never been documented as a human pathogen before. With standard bacterial antibiotics and supportive care, the patient recovered and was discharged after four weeks, suggesting this fungus may be less dangerous than related species.

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Simplicillium sinense sp. nov., a novel potential pathogen of tinea faciei

Researchers identified a new fungal species called Simplicillium sinense that caused a facial skin infection (tinea faciei) in a 46-year-old man with diabetes. The fungus was resistant to most common antifungal medications but responded well to terbinafine treatment. This is the first reported case of a Simplicillium infection causing facial ringworm, expanding our understanding of rare fungal pathogens.

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Insecticidal Action of Local Isolates of Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Bactrocera oleae Pupae

Olive farmers in Mediterranean countries struggle with the olive fruit fly, which damages olives and reduces oil production. Researchers tested special fungi that naturally infect and kill insects to see if they could control this pest at the soil stage when fly pupae are developing underground. Several fungal species, especially Beauveria bassiana, were effective at reducing survival of emerged adult flies by about 40% compared to untreated flies. This offers a promising natural alternative to chemical pesticides that can harm olive oil quality and lose effectiveness over time.

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