Search Results (931)

Dermatophytes are fungi that infect the human skin and its appendages. With new pathogenic species emerging and resistance to first-line drugs rising, microbiologic diagnosis and species identification are becoming even more important. In this study, the DermaGenius^® 2.0/3.0 Complete multiplex real-time PCR and the EUROArray Dermatomycosis kits were compared to fungal culture and with each other; 78 reference strains and 124 clinical samples were analyzed. Both the DermaGenius^® kit (97%; 95%CI 89–100%) and the EUROArray assay (91%; 95% CI: 82–96%) were sensitive when analyzing on-panel reference strains. In clinical samples, the DermaGenius^® assay provided a positive result in 63 out of 124 (51%) samples and the EUROArray assay in 74 out of 124 (60%) samples. Both kits supported the diagnosis and species identification of culture-negative samples, and samples with growth of unconventional species. However, there was suspicion of false-positive results with F. solani in the EUROArray kit both in clinical and reference strains. The most common conventional dermatophytes in this study combining all methods were T. rubrum/soudanense (n = 40) and T. interdigitale/mentagrophytes (n = 11). In summary, both PCR kits were sensitive for the diagnosis and species identification of dermatophytoses. Combining culture and a PCR-based method can increase the diagnostic yield and compensate for the weakness of the other methods. The optimal PCR-based kit, and especially the optimal panel size, depends on the local epidemiology of dermatophytes. Full article

“Milky disease” of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), caused by Metschnikowia bicuspidata, leads to substantial economic losses. Despite extensive research on its pathogenesis, the genetic basis of host resistance and underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear, limiting the development of disease-resistant varieties. This study aimed to (1) evaluate resistance differences among 10 E. sinensis families (five highly resistant and five sensitive) via artificial challenge; (2) identify disease-resistance-associated genetic loci using genome-wide association analysis (GWAS). Our findings revealed that the F05 family exhibited the strongest resistance, with a mortality rate of only 3% and a molting rate of 73%, accompanied by superior growth performance. Whole-genome resequencing identified 10,161,545 high-quality SNPs, and GWAS detected 767 loci significantly associated with disease-resistance traits, among which two pleiotropic SNPs (Chr46:18395778 and Chr1:20680490) were simultaneously associated with both “dead or not” and “qPCR fixed amount of fungi”, reflecting their functional relevance in regulating survival and pathogen load. Notably, we propose for the first time that E. sinensis achieves resistance by inducing M. bicuspidata into a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state, in which the fungal cells remain metabolically active but cannot form colonies on conventional culture media. This study establishes a multidimensional resistance evaluation system, clarifies the genetic basis and novel mechanism of resistance, and provides valuable molecular markers for marker-assisted breeding. The findings contribute to reducing disease-related losses and promoting sustainable development of the E. sinensis aquaculture industry. Full article

Candida albicans is a major fungal pathogen associated with vulvovaginal candidiasis, and rapid, sensitive detection remains challenging, particularly in amplification-free formats. Here, we report NaPddCas, a microfluidic-free, droplet-based CRISPR/Cas12a detection strategy for qualitative identification of Candida albicans DNA. Unlike conventional bulk CRISPR assays, NaPddCas partitions the reaction mixture into vortex-generated polydisperse droplets, enabling spatial confinement of Cas12a activation events and effective suppression of background fluorescence. This compartmentalization substantially enhances detection sensitivity without nucleic acid amplification or microfluidic devices. Using plasmid and genomic DNA templates, NaPddCas achieved reliable detection at concentrations several orders of magnitude lower than bulk CRISPR/Cas12a reactions. The assay further demonstrated high specificity against non-target bacterial and fungal species and was successfully applied to clinical vaginal secretion samples. Importantly, NaPddCas is designed as a qualitative or semi-qualitative droplet-dependent digital detection method rather than a quantitative digital assay. Owing to its simplicity, sensitivity, and amplification-free workflow, NaPddCas represents a practical approach for laboratory-based screening of Candida albicans infections. Full article

Soybean root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani is a yield-limiting disease in Northeast China, particularly under continuous monoculture and cool climatic conditions. Despite its agronomic impact, the epidemiology and fungicide resistance profile of the pathogen remain inadequately characterized. In this study, a comprehensive survey conducted in Heilongjiang Province yielded 990 pathogenic isolates belonging to 11 fungal species. Among them, 55 strains were identified as R. solani based on combined morphological and molecular analyses. These isolates induced typical symptoms of root and stem browning with constriction. Pathogenicity tests on 30 R. solani isolates indicated that 83.3% were highly pathogenic. The pathogen exhibited a distinct geographic distribution, with the highest percentage of pathogen isolation recorded in Jiamusi (26.6%), which accounted for 61.8% of all R. solani isolates. In vitro fungicide sensitivity assays demonstrated that fludioxonil and prochloraz were highly effective (EC₅₀ < 0.0050 µg·mL⁻¹), whereas resistance was observed to tebuconazole, difenoconazole, pyraclostrobin, and carbendazim. Pot experiments confirmed that fludioxonil seed treatment (15 g a.i./100 kg seeds) provided superior control efficacy (63.07%) compared to prochloraz (46.85%). These findings establish R. solani as a dominant causal agent of soybean root rot in the region and support the prioritized use of fludioxonil for sustainable disease management. By elucidating the pathogenicity, distribution, and resistance patterns of R. solani, this study provides critical insights for controlling soybean root rot in cold-climate production systems and facilitates the development of targeted management strategies. Full article

Erysiphe corylacearum, the causal agent of powdery mildew in hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.), has become an emerging pathogen of concern in Italian hazelnut production requiring rapid and accurate detection to support timely disease management and phytosanitary measures. We developed and validated a field-deployable loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the specific detection of E. corylacearum and evaluated three primer sets targeting the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region, RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2), and glutamine synthetase (GS) genes; the GS-targeting Ecg set showed the highest sensitivity and specificity. The assay was shown to be sensitive down to 200 fg of fungal DNA, efficiently detected E. corylacearum from diluted crude leaf extracts, and produced results within half an hour, allowing the detection of latent infections before visible symptoms emerged. On-site validation with a portable LAMP instrument showed the assay’s suitability for field-deployable diagnosis and early-warning applications in hazelnut orchards. Full article

Background: Fungal infection of pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is under-recognized and associated with poor outcomes. Overlap with bacterial infections and the need for invasive sampling often delay diagnosis, leading to prolonged antibiotic use without the use of antifungal agents. Methods: We report three cases of SAP complicated by fungal infection of PFCs. Two patients, one with alcohol-related pancreatitis and the other with biliary pancreatitis, developed symptomatic encapsulated necrosis. Both were successfully managed with endoscopic drainage and targeted antifungal therapy against Candida albicans, achieving full resolution. The third patient, with necrotizing biliary pancreatitis, underwent multiple surgical and endoscopic interventions and developed an infection with a non-albicans Candida species. Reduced susceptibility requires individualized antifungal adjustment guided by susceptibility testing. Despite aggressive multimodal therapy, the patient progressed to multiorgan failure and died subsequently. Results: These cases emphasize the clinical impact of fungal infections in patients with SAP, particularly their association with severe disease, prolonged hospitalization, and prior antibiotic exposure. These findings highlight the prognostic value of early microbiological sampling, species-level identification, and prompt initiation of antifungal therapy. Infections caused by non-albicans species pose additional challenges due to their reduced sensitivity to standard antifungal agents. Conclusions: Fungal infection of PFCs is a clinically significant and frequently underestimated complication of SAP. Early recognition and species-directed antifungal therapy are critical for improving outcomes in high-risk patients. Full article

As an emerging threat to global food security, wheat blast necessitates the development of a rapid and field-deployable detection system to facilitate early diagnosis, enable effective management, and prevent its further spread to new regions. In this study, we aimed to validate and improve a Recombinase Polymerase Amplification coupled with PCRD lateral flow detection (RPA-PCRD strip assay) kit for the rapid and specific identification of Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT) in field samples. The assay demonstrated exceptional sensitivity, detecting as low as 10 pg/µL of target DNA, and exhibited no cross-reactivity with M. oryzae Oryzae (MoO) isolates and other major fungal phytopathogens under the genera of Fusarium, Bipolaris, Colletotrichum, and Botrydiplodia. The method successfully detected MoT in wheat leaves as early as 4 days post-infection (DPI), and in infected spikes, seeds, and alternate hosts. Furthermore, by combining a simplified polyethylene glycol-NaOH method for extracting DNA from plant samples, the entire RPA-PCRD strip assay enabled the detection of MoT within 30 min with no specialized equipment and high technical skills at ambient temperature (37–39 °C). When applied to field samples, it successfully detected MoT in naturally infected diseased wheat plants from seven different fields in a wheat blast hotspot district, Meherpur, Bangladesh. Training 52 diverse stakeholders validated the kit’s field readiness, with 88% of trainees endorsing its user-friendly design. This method offers a practical, low-cost, and portable point-of-care diagnostic tool suitable for on-site genomic surveillance, integrated management, seed health testing, and quarantine screening of wheat blast in resource-limited settings. Furthermore, the RPA-PCRD platform serves as an early warning modular diagnostic template that can be readily adapted to detect a wide array of phytopathogens by integrating target-specific genomic primers. Full article

Eyespot is one of the most important fungal diseases of wheat in the Czech Republic. As part of a long-term study (2015–2024), the occurrence, population structure, and pathogenic variability of Oculimacula yallundae and Oculimacula acuformis were investigated. In total, 356 O. yallundae, 24 O. acuformis, and 33 mixed cultures were collected and identified using PCR. The study also included small-plot inoculation trials (2022–2023) to assess the response of widely grown winter wheat cultivars. Disease severity was evaluated visually, pathogen DNA was quantified using qPCR, and the presence of the resistance gene Pch1 was determined with the STS marker Xorw1. In addition to these analyses, monitoring of fungicide resistance to two commonly used fungicides (fluxapyroxad and prothioconazole) was performed. The results showed significant differences among cultivars and seasons. Genotypes carrying Pch1—including Annie, Campesino, Illusion, KWS Donovan, LG Absalon, and Pallas—exhibited the lowest levels of infection, whereas Mercedes and Dagmar were the most susceptible. The qPCR reliably detected and distinguished both pathogens, with O. yallundae occurring at higher concentrations. Fungicide sensitivity testing revealed EC₅₀ values (mean ± SD) of 0.09 ± 0.13 μg·mL⁻¹ for fluxapyroxad and 0.30 ± 0.22 μg·mL⁻¹ for prothioconazole, indicating that eyespot pathogens remain largely sensitive, with only minor signs of reduced sensitivity. Full article

Leccinum is an ecologically significant and taxonomically complex genus of ectomycorrhizal fungi widely distributed across boreal, temperate, Mediterranean, and selected tropical regions. Despite its ecological, nutritional, and applied importance, no comprehensive review has previously synthesized global knowledge on this genus. This work provides the first integrative assessment of Leccinum research, combining a bibliometric analysis of 293 peer-reviewed publications with an in-depth qualitative synthesis of ecological, biochemical, and environmental findings. Bibliometric results show increasing scientific attention since the mid-20th century, with major contributions from Europe, Asia, and North America, and dominant research themes spanning taxonomy, ecology, chemistry, and environmental sciences. The literature review highlights substantial advances in phylogenetic understanding, species diversity, and host specificity. Leccinum forms ectomycorrhizal associations with over 60 woody host genera, underscoring its functional importance in forest ecosystems. Nutritionally, Leccinum species are rich in proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, bioactive polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and umami-related peptides, with demonstrated antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antitumor activities. At the same time, the genus exhibits notable bioaccumulation capacity for heavy metals (particularly Hg, Cd, and Pb) and radionuclides, making it both a valuable food source and a sensitive environmental bioindicator. Applications in biotechnology, environmental remediation, forest restoration, and functional food development are emerging but remain insufficiently explored. Identified research gaps include the need for global-scale phylogenomic frameworks, expanded geographic sampling, standardized biochemical analyses, and deeper investigation into physiological mechanisms and applied uses. This review provides the first holistic synthesis of Leccinum, offering an integrated perspective on its taxonomy, ecology, nutritional composition, environmental significance, and practical applications. The findings serve as a foundation for future mycological, ecological, and biotechnological research on this diverse and understudied fungal genus. Full article

Many industrial sectors are concerned about microbiological contamination and the associated risk of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). This applies in particular to the transmission and storage of fuels in the refining industry. Exceeding a certain level of these contaminants poses a serious risk to fuel quality and can cause storage and pipeline infrastructure corrosion. This situation requires an urgent evaluation of microorganism levels in the fuel to avert such detrimental consequences. Diesel fuels containing biofuel additives are particularly susceptible to these phenomena. Traditional detection methods are limited by low sensitivity, high costs, and long turnaround times, making them unsuitable for quick, on-site, and real-time detection and monitoring. A novel approach involves the application of microwave dielectric testing to quantify microbial load in diesel fuel. Microwave dielectric spectroscopy offers a non-destructive, label-free solution, providing rapid information on microorganism presence. Combined with chemometric techniques, it effectively estimates total microorganism counts in diesel fuel. Measurement in the X-band range (8.2–12.4 GHz) takes a few seconds. Calibration with known bacterial and fungal concentrations (10³ to 10⁷ CFU/mL) and principal component analysis (PCA) of the spectroscopic data allow for clear differentiation of contamination levels, categorizing them from acceptable to hazardous. The sensitivity limit of the proposed method corresponds to a bacterial concentration of 10³ CFU/mL. Full article

Invasive fungal disease (IFD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised pediatric patients. This is a multicenter prospective cohort study with a nested retrospective analysis aimed at identifying risk factors for IFD in immunocompromised children with cancer and episodes of persistent high-risk febrile neutropenia (HRFN). One hundred and seventy-four episodes of persistent HRFN were analyzed, of which 34 (19.5%) were confirmed as IFD, 52.9% were caused by filamentous fungi, and 47.1% by yeasts. Logistic regression and survival analyses identified the following significant risk factors for IFD: male sex (OR 4.04), adolescence (OR 4.65), C-reactive protein ≥ 90 mg/L at admission (OR 3.13), and transfer to a critical care unit (OR 10.73). The predictive model demonstrated strong discriminatory capacity (AUC 0.84), with 79.4% sensitivity and 82.1% specificity. These findings highlight that adolescents, particularly males with severe clinical conditions and elevated inflammatory markers, are at the highest risk for IFD during episodes of HRFN. The proposed risk factor-based model may support early risk stratification and guide targeted antifungal prophylaxis or therapy, potentially improving outcomes in this population. Validation an external cohort is required to confirm these results and optimize clinical applicability. Full article

Introduction: A group of approximately 15 Candida species are frequently found to be responsible for human invasive candidiasis, an infection that appears in patients with prolonged hospitalization, particularly in Intensive Care Units, and in immunosuppressed individuals. Given the considerable burden if not rapidly treated, clinicians face diagnostic challenges in distinguishing infection. The objective of this narrative review is to summarize the clinically applicable biomarkers used for invasive candidiasis and to evaluate their performance and create a diagnostic algorithm for clinical practice. Methods: This narrative review was conducted by searching PubMed and Scopus for studies published between 1990 and 2025, using keywords related to invasive candidiasis and non-culture diagnostic biomarkers. Clinical guidelines and consensus documents from major infectious diseases societies were additionally reviewed to supplement. Results: Blood cultures, which are considered the “gold standard” for diagnosis, face important fallouts caused by the limited sensitivity of 50%. Polymerase Chain Reaction assays can identify Candida species at an early stage when compared to blood cultures, demonstrating high specificity that ranges between 91% and 98, due to their high cost, and the limitations regarding only the identification of certain species, their widespread use remains limited. Non-culture serological tests such as mannan, anti-mannan and 1-3-β-D-glucan can detect fungal cell wall components or antibodies directed towards them. These tests have the advantage of being performed directly from blood samples. Reported sensitivity and specificity are 83% and 86% for mannan/anti-mannan, and 73% and 80% for 1-3-β-D-glucan, respectively. They are used for early detection of candidemia in high-risk patients, including immunocompromised individuals. Conclusions: Our report suggests that the traditional “gold standard” for diagnosing invasive candidiasis can be improved by integrating and combining novel biomarkers in the diagnostic pathways, and, thus, potentially reducing the time spent for diagnosing and facilitating early treatment access. Full article

Background: The scalp represents a distinct ecological niche within the skin, and the structure of its microbiota, together with the factors shaping it, is considered important for the maintenance of scalp health. Methods: This study systematically analyzed the bacterial and fungal community structures on the scalps of 63 healthy Chinese women aged 18–25, and examined their associations with scalp type, sensitivity, and lifestyle factors. Scalp samples were collected, questionnaire surveys were administered, scalp physiological parameters were measured, and high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and ITS genes was performed. Results: The results showed that, in this unique scalp skin niche, the dominant bacterial phylum was Actinobacteria, while the dominant fungal phylum was Ascomycota. The predominant bacterial genera were Cutibacterium and Staphylococcus, and the fungal community was dominated by Malassezia. When scalp types were categorized according to sebum content, dry scalps showed enrichment of Micrococcus, Streptococcus, Delftia, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus hominis, whereas oily scalps, on the other hand, are primarily colonized by Cutibacterium and Staphylococcus species. In addition, we observed microbial interactions under different physiological conditions. The relative abundance of Cutibacterium decreased with increasing scalp sensitivity. Higher psychological stress, insufficient sleep, and high-sugar/high-fat dietary patterns tended to coincide with shifts in the relative abundance of Malassezia, implying that these influences may act through fungal rather than bacterial components of the scalp microbiota. Scalp sensitivity showed the strongest association with β-diversity among the variables examined, although the effect size was modest and did not reach conventional significance in the multivariable PERMANOVA. Conclusions: In young women, the scalp constitutes a distinct cutaneous niche whose microbiota is jointly shaped by sebum level, barrier sensitivity, and lifestyle factors, with sensitivity emerging as one of the more influential dimensions of community variation. These findings provide guidance for future in-depth research on the scalp microbiome network and offer a foundational reference for preventing suboptimal and pathological scalp conditions. Full article

Cryptococcus neoformans is a pathogenic yeast and the leading cause of cryptococcosis in humans. The calcium-calcineurin signaling pathway plays a central role in stress adaptation and virulence. To identify the uncharacterized regulators of fungal adaptation, we utilized an integrative systems biology approach, combining differential gene expression and network analysis using transcriptomic data from three key components of the calcium-calcineurin pathway (Cna1, Crz1, and Pmc1). Our workflow identified the CNAG_00522 gene product, which we designated tricalbin 1 (TCB1) due to its conserved calcium and lipid-binding C2 domains. TCB1 expression was found to be regulated by both Cna1 and Pmc1. Network analyses positioned Tcb1 as a bottleneck linking general stress response and cellular processes. Further molecular characterization confirmed that TCB1 expression is temperature and calcium-responsive. Functional studies of the tcb1Δ mutant revealed an enlarged capsule, increased GXM shedding, and enhanced viability under host-mimicking conditions. However, phenotypic screening demonstrated that the tcb1Δ mutant does not display sensitivity to cell wall or osmotic stressors, and TCB1 deletion did not attenuate virulence in the Tenebrio larval model. These findings suggest that TCB1 functions as a specialized regulator of fungal growth at 37 °C, capsule size, and GXM shedding. This study validates our integrative approach for guiding the identification of these complex regulators. Full article

Medicinal plants represent an important source of bioactive compounds whose composition and biological activity are strongly influenced by geographical origin and extraction conditions. In this study, six medicinal plants traditionally used in south-eastern Serbia (Galium verum, Filipendula vulgaris, Lythrum salicaria, Sideritis montana, Teucrium chamaedrys, and Teucrium montanum) were investigated for their phytochemical composition and antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, and antimicrobial activities. Aqueous and 40% ethanol extracts were prepared and analyzed for total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), followed by HPLC-DAD profiling of individual polyphenolic compounds. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, and reducing power assays, antihyperglycemic activity by α-glucosidase inhibition, and antimicrobial activity by the microdilution method against selected bacterial and fungal strains. L. salicaria exhibited the highest TPC (113.56–119.09 mg GAE/g DW), while F. vulgaris showed the highest TFC (65.74–66.31 mg RE/g DW). HPLC analysis revealed notable levels of ferulic acid in L. salicaria ethanol extract (39.12 mg/g DW), as well as rutin, luteolin, and myricetin in several species. Ethanol extracts generally demonstrated stronger antioxidant activity, with L. salicaria showing the highest DPPH (378.60 µM TE/g) and reducing power (684.06 µM TE/g), while its aqueous extract exhibited the highest ABTS activity (3621.93 µM TE/g). Strong antihyperglycemic activity was observed for F. vulgaris extracts (100% α-glucosidase inhibition). Antimicrobial assays revealed higher sensitivity of Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, with F. vulgaris and L. salicaria extracts showing the strongest effects. These findings highlight the significant influence of plant species and extraction solvent on bioactivity and support the potential of selected Serbian medicinal plants as sources of multifunctional natural bioactive compounds. Full article