Search Results (119)

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a significant global health concern, affecting millions of people worldwide, particularly sexually active adolescents and young adults. These infections, caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi, can have profound implications for women’s reproductive health and fertility. This review explores the role of vaginal and uterine infections in women’s infertility, focusing on the most common pathogens and their impact on reproductive outcomes. Bacterial infections, such as those caused by intracellular bacteria (Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, and Chlamydia), Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and bacterial vaginosis, are among the most prevalent causes of infertility in women. Studies have shown that these infections can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, tubal occlusion, and endometrial damage, all of which can impair fertility. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in particular, is a significant cause of genital tuberculosis and infertility in high-incidence countries. Viral infections, such as Human papillomavirus (HPV) and Herpes simplex virus (HSV), can also affect women’s fertility. While the exact role of HPV in female infertility remains unclear, studies suggest that it may increase the risk of endometrial implantation issues and miscarriage. HSV may be associated with unexplained infertility. Parasitic infections, such as trichomoniasis and schistosomiasis, can directly impact the female reproductive system, leading to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and other complications. Fungal infections, such as candidiasis, are common but rarely have serious outcomes related to fertility. The vaginal microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining reproductive health, and alterations in the microbial balance can increase susceptibility to STIs and infertility. Probiotics have been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy to restore the vaginal ecosystem and improve fertility outcomes, although further research is needed to establish their efficacy. In conclusion, vaginal and uterine infections contribute significantly to women’s infertility, with various pathogens affecting the reproductive system through different mechanisms. Early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and preventive measures are essential to mitigate the impact of these infections on women’s reproductive health and fertility. Full article

Background: Fungal infections, particularly those caused by Candida species, pose a serious threat to immunocompromised individuals, and therapeutic options are limited due to toxicity and resistance concerns. This in vitro study aimed to explore the feasibility of using liquid fractions of autologous platelet concentrates (APCs), namely concentrated platelet-rich fibrin (c-PRF) and liquid-phase concentrated growth factor (LPCGF), as carriers for antifungal drugs. Methods: The research was conducted in two phases: first, to evaluate the inherent antifungal properties of different APCs; and second, to assess their effectiveness as drug carriers for fluconazole and voriconazole against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Candida krusei. Results: Results showed that APCs alone exhibited no direct antifungal effects. However, when combined with antifungal agents, notable inhibition zones were observed—especially with voriconazole against C. krusei and fluconazole against C. glabrata using c-PRF. Both c-PRF and LPCGF were compatible with the drugs and did not hinder clot formation. Conclusions: These findings suggest that APCs can act as effective vehicles for localized antifungal drug delivery and warrant further investigation for clinical application in treating fungal-related oral diseases. Full article

Background/Objectives: Candidiasis, primarily caused by Candida albicans, and sporotrichosis, mainly caused by Sporothrix schenckii, are skin fungal infections that pose serious threats to global health. The Candida auris is a great concern in immunocompromised individuals, and while Sporothrix brasiliensis cause sporotrichosis, an infection commonly found in cats, this disease can be transmitted to humans through scratches or bites. Existing treatments for these fungal infections often cause problems related to resistance and significant side effects. Consequently, development of alternative therapeutic approaches such as nanotechnology-based topical lipid-based formulations is interesting. Thus, the objectives of this study were to prepare clove oil (CO)-in-water nanoemulsions (NEs) containing amphotericin B (AmB) and characterize them with respect to stability, release profile, and in vitro cytotoxic activity against Candida and Sporothrix strains. As a future alternative for the treatment of fungal skin diseases. Methods: Chemical analysis of clove oil was obtained by GC-MS. The NEs were produced using an ultrasound (sonicator) method with varying proportions of CO, Pluronic^® F-127, and AmB. The NEs were characterized by droplet size, morphology, stability and in vitro release profile. The antifungal and cytotoxic activity against C. albicans, C. auris, S. schenckii, and S. brasiliensis were ascertained employing agar diffusion and colorimetric MTT assay methods. A checkerboard assay was carried out using clove oil and amphotericin B against C. auris. Results: Eugenol was the major compound identified in CO at a concentration of 80.09%. AmB-loaded NEs exhibited particle sizes smaller than 50 nm and a polydispersity index below 0.25. The optimal Ne (NEMLB-05) remained stable after 150 days of storage at 4 °C. It exhibited rapid release within the first 24 h, followed by a slow and controlled release up to 96 h. NEMLB-05 more effectively inhibited C. auris compared to free AmB and also demonstrated greater activity against C. albicans, S. schenckii, and S. brasiliensis. Clove oil and amphotericin B presented synergism inhibiting the growth of C. auris. Conclusions: The selected CO-in-water NEs containing AmB demonstrated promising potential as a topical therapeutic alternative for treating fungal infections. Full article

Cryptococcosis is a serious fungal infection mainly caused by two Cryptococcus species, Cryptococcus gattii and Cryptococcus neoformans species complexes. Even though it is considered a dangerous disease, this infection is also neglected worldwide and its research is not adequately funded. The molecular understanding of the infection, which could help in the development of specific treatments and appropriate management, is hampered, as molecular data are not of easy access. With that purpose, our group developed a Cryptococcus molecular database, grouping published molecular data on gene and protein differential expression that occurred due to the infection. CRYPTOMICSDB presents a user-friendly interface, and users can search for both pathogen or host information and visualize data on experimental approaches, animal models or cell culture, Cryptococcus species and strain, genes and proteins. The database features 19,462 and 986,507 total genes related to the pathogen and host views, respectively. CRYPTOMICSDB is a powerful tool that can help health workers and microbiology researchers to better understand the molecular impact caused by cryptococcosis infection process. Full article

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a plant of high economic and practical importance valued for its fiber and oil, which have diverse applications in industries such as textiles, food, pharmaceuticals, and construction. Fungal pathogens of the genus Fusarium, however, pose one of the most serious threats to flax cultivation. They are responsible for a number of disease manifestations, notably Fusarium wilt and root rot. In the case of fusariosis, there is a lack of plant protection products, and often the only effective approach is to use resistant flax cultivars or to discontinue cultivation for several years. Currently, much attention is paid to biological methods of plant protection, which do not exert a negative influence on the environment or human health and are important for sustainable agriculture. The aim of the present study was to assess the potential of the non-pathogenic endophytic fungal strain Fusarium oxysporum Fo47 in protecting plants against pathogenic fungi. The results showed that pretreatment of flax plants with Fo47 increased resistance of plants to all tested fungi (F. oxysporum, Fusarium culmorum, Rhizoctonia solani). Fo47 was the most effective for protection against F. culmorum for the Jan flax cultivar and R. solani for the Bukoz cultivar. Pretreatment with Fo47 of flax plants inoculated with F. culmorum caused an increase in the level of secondary metabolites involved in plant resistance (phenolics) and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b) compared to plants treated only with the pathogenic fungal strain. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed structural changes in the polymers of cell walls. The highest intensities of vibrations characteristic of lignin and pectin were observed for flax treated with Fo47 and infected with F. culmorum, suggesting the highest level of these polymers, higher than in plants treated only with pathogenic fungi. Thus, it can be concluded that application of the non-pathogenic strain strengthened the immune response of flax plants. These results highlight the strong potential of the non-pathogenic strain as a biological control agent, especially for Fusarium infection in flax. Full article

Tuberculosis (TB) poses serious challenges to healthcare personnel as it continues to be highly prevalent in a developing country like India. Several prominent strategies have been adopted to control this contagious infection, but the incidence rate remains high. Many studies have linked fungal infections to TB, apparently elevating concerns in the TB elimination program. Hence, it is essential to understand the mechanisms underlying TB co-infection and pulmonary mycoses to combat the problems caused by these diseases successfully. In addition, differential diagnosis of TB and fungal infections is equally essential to initiate appropriate treatment. This review attempts to describe misdiagnosis of TB and fungal disease and their relative coexistence in the context of the Indian perspective. Full article

Fusarium avenaceum is the predominant fungal pathogen responsible for root rot in Angelica crops and poses a serious threat to their commercial quality and yield in China. This fungus produces enniatin B (ENN B), a toxin that could be a pathogenicity and virulence factor in plant–pathogen interactions. Yet whether ENN B exacerbates host infection and the onset of root rot in Angelica spp. caused by F. avenaceum is surprisingly understudied. Pathogenicity assays revealed that ENN B co-inoculation with F. avenaceum significantly increased the root rot disease index in Angelica sinensis from 83.33% (pathogen alone) to 92.86% (p < 0.05). Toxin degradation experiments showed that the bacteria Paenibacillus polymyxa and Bacillus tequilensis were capable of degrading 60.69% and 70.02% of ENN B, respectively. Response surface optimization (24.5 °C, 22.01 mg/L ENN B, 0.99% inoculum) enhanced degradation by B. tequilensis to 81.94%, a 11.74% improvement. Three ester compounds were identified by LC-HRMS as potential degradation products of ENN B. In planta trials demonstrated that the disease index was 50.01% for the group co-inoculated with ENN B degradation products and F. avenaceum, a 42.85% reduction compared to the group co-inoculated with ENN B and F. avenaceum. This study provides a new microbial strategy for controlling root rot in Angelica crops from a mycotoxin degradation perspective, which can be applied to promote sustainable agricultural production. Full article

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a serious fungal disease of wheat and other small cereal grains, significantly reducing grain yield and producing mycotoxins that affect food safety. There is a need for disease detection technologies to determine the right time to apply fungicides, as FHB infection begins before visible symptoms appear. Using multispectral remote sensing by an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), wheat plants were observed under field conditions infested with FHB and simultaneously protected with fungicides sprayed with four different types of nozzles, as well as corresponding control plots infested with FHB only. The results showed that the levels of deoxynivalenol (DON) differed significantly between the five treatments, indicating that the control had the highest DON concentration as no fungicide treatment was applied. This study revealed that the assessment of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) after FHB infection could be useful for predicting DON accumulation in wheat, as a significant negative correlation between DON and NDVI values was measured 24 days after anthesis. The decreasing NDVI values at the end of the growth cycle were expected due to senescence and yellowing of the wheat spikes and leaves. Therefore, significant differences in the NDVI were observed between three measurement points on the 13th, 24th, and 45th day after anthesis. Additionally, the green normalized difference vegetation index (GNDVI) and normalized difference red-edge index (NDRE) were in significant positive correlation with the NDVI at 24th day after anthesis. The use of appropriate measurement points for the vegetation indices can offer the decisive advantage of enabling the evaluation of very large breeding trials or farmers’ fields where the timing of fungicide application is particularly important. Full article

Blackleg disease, caused by the hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans, poses a serious threat to Brassica crops and requires a broad understanding of the plant defence mechanisms. The Brassica. napus-L. maculans pathosystem provides a useful model to understand plant resistance response to hemibiotrophs. This review aims to explain the mechanisms underlying R-Avr interaction, signalling cascades, and the hypersensitive response (HR) produced by B. napus towards L. maculans, causing local cell death that restricts the pathogen to the site of infection. The role of transcription factors is pivotal to the process of HR, coordinating the regulation of genes involved in pathogen recognition and the activation of SA responsive genes and production of secondary metabolites. The R-Avr interaction signalling cascade involves production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), calcium ion influx, Salicylic acid (SA) hormonal signalling and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which are critical in the HR in B. napus. The in-depth understanding of molecular signalling pathway of the R-Avr interaction between B. napus-L. maculans pathosystem provides valuable information for future research endeavours regarding enhancing disease resistance in Brassica crops. Full article

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is an important vegetable crop that is rich in carotenoids and is widely cultivated throughout the world. Alternaria leaf blight (ALB), caused by infection with Alternaria dauci (A. dauci), is the most serious fungal disease in carrot production. Although several quantitative trait loci associated with ALB resistance have been identified, the genetic mechanisms underlying this resistance remain largely unelucidated. The aim of the present study was to clarify the infection mode of A. dauci and examine the molecular mechanisms underlying carrot cultivar adaptation to ALB by RNA sequencing. Microscopic observation revealed that A. dauci invades leaf tissues by entering through stomata, and resistant germplasms may significantly inhibit the infection and colonization of A. dauci. In addition, transcriptomic analyses were performed to detect the key pathways and genes associated with the differential responses between ALB-resistant (HB55) and ALB-susceptible (14088) carrot cultivars. These results suggest that the secondary metabolic process, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and tyrosine metabolism might play important roles in the resistance of carrots to A. dauci. Three candidate genes (LOC108208301, LOC108215577, and LOC108224339) that were specifically upregulated in the resistant carrot cultivar ‘HB55’ after A. dauci infection were identified as the key resistance response genes. These findings provide insights into the resistance mechanism of carrots to ALB, as well as key candidate genes and information on expression regulation for the molecular breeding of carrot disease resistance. Full article

Background: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of onychomycosis (ONM) and its causative pathogens in populations with and without diabetes in Spain. The association between the presence of ONM, different risk factors, and comorbidities was also examined. Methodology: A total of 160 patients with diabetes and 160 individuals without diabetes were recruited consecutively. A single investigator recorded the relative data of each patient and sampled nail dust and detritus for microbiological culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses of patients who showed clinical signs of fungal infection. Results: The prevalence of ONM was 36.88% (59/160) in the population with diabetes, 17.5% (28/160) in the population without diabetes, and 34.35% (45/131) in the population with diabetic foot. Dermatophyte fungi were most frequently identified, although the proportion was higher among those without diabetes than those with diabetes (19/28 and 28/59, respectively). However, the rate of mixed infections was higher in the population with diabetes compared to those without diabetes (13/59 and 2/28, respectively). A statistically significant association was found between the presence of diabetes and the risk of ONM (p < 0.001; odds ratio (OR) = 2.754; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.652–4.679). The risk factors associated with ONM among the patients with diabetes were a history of minor amputation, revascularisation, or cardiovascular disease, a low educational level, HbA1c values > 7%, hyperkeratosis, and subungual detritus. Among the patients without diabetes, nail thickening and chromonychia were associated with ONM. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the early diagnosis of ONM and knowledge of risk factors among patients with diabetes could enable the prevention of ONM, complications, and serious injuries through education for professionals and patients. Full article

Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis is a rapidly progressive and often fatal fungal infection caused by molds of the order Mucorales, particularly affecting immunocompromised individuals. This infection is notorious for its angioinvasive properties, enabling the fungi to invade blood vessels and leading to tissue necrosis. We report the clinical course of a 59-year-old Caucasian man with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 16.8%) who presented with unilateral headache, left-sided facial numbness, and incomplete left ocular motor paresis. Initial presentation raised suspicion of orbital phlegmon, leading to antibiotic and later corticosteroid pulse therapy, which worsened the patient’s condition. Subsequent imaging demonstrated extensive inflammatory changes, including wall irregularities of the left intracranial internal carotid artery, accompanied by ocular protrusion and periorbital enhancement. New palatal lesions indicated mucormycosis, which was confirmed by molecular analysis of a palatal biopsy, leading to Amphotericin B treatment. Pre-surgery imaging revealed a malignant middle cerebral artery infarction, and the patient died 16 days after symptom onset and 12 days after initial presentation under palliative care due to a poor prognosis. This case of angioinvasive mucormycosis underscores the severe and often fatal course of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis in an immunocompromised individual. The rapid progression from initially vague and unspecific symptoms to extensive vascular involvement and stroke highlights the critical need for early and accurate diagnosis, as well as prompt intervention to prevent further disease progression. Additionally, this case also illustrates the potential risks associated with corticosteroid therapy in the presence of undiagnosed fungal infections, which can exacerbate the condition and lead to serious complications. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for mucormycosis in similar clinical scenarios, prioritizing adequate antifungal treatment and careful monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Early interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for the effective management of such complex cases. Full article

Fusarium oxysporum is a widespread soil-borne fungal pathogen that can infect various plants, causing wilt and root rot diseases. The root rot disease of Atractylodes macrocephala caused by F. oxysporum is among the most serious diseases associated with continuous cropping, significantly hindering its sustainable development. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of exogenous application of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) on silencing the F. oxysporum Tup1 gene to reduce its virulence and to evaluate its potential application in controlling root rot disease in A. macrocephala. The Tup1 gene was amplified from the F. oxysporum genome, and different lengths of Tup1-dsRNA were designed and synthesized. The uptake of dsRNA by the fungus was verified using Tup1-dsRNA labeled with fluorescein, and in vitro dsRNA treatment experiments were conducted to assess its impact on the growth and virulence of F. oxysporum. Additionally, Tup1-dsRNA was applied to the roots of A. macrocephala to evaluate its effectiveness in controlling root rot disease. The experimental results showed that F. oxysporum could effectively uptake exogenously applied Tup1-dsRNA, significantly reducing Tup1 gene expression. All lengths of Tup1-dsRNA inhibited fungal growth and caused morphological changes in the fungal hyphae. Further plant experiments and Reverse Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis indicated that Tup1-dsRNA treatment significantly reduced the incidence of root rot disease in A. macrocephala, which was supported by the reduction in peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and proline (Pro) levels in treated root tissues. This study demonstrated that exogenous dsRNA could reduce the virulence of F. oxysporum by silencing the Tup1 gene and effectively mitigate the root rot disease it causes in A. macrocephala. The successful application of Tup1-dsRNA provided strong evidence for the potential of RNA interference (RNAi) technology in plant disease control. Future research could further optimize the design and application of dsRNA to enhance its practical value in agriculture. Full article

Horticultural crops are vulnerable to diverse microbial infections, which have a detrimental impact on their growth, fruit quality, and productivity. Currently, chemical pesticides are widely employed to manage diseases in horticultural crops, but they have negative effects on the environment, human health, soil physiochemical properties, and biodiversity. Additionally, the use of pesticides has facilitated the development and spread of resistant pathovars, which have emerged as a serious concern in contemporary agriculture. Nonetheless, the adverse consequences of chemical pesticides on the environment and public health have worried scientists greatly in recent years, which has led to a switch to the use of biocontrol agents such as bacteria, fungi, and insects to control plant pathogens. Biocontrol agents (BCAs) form an integral part of organic farming, which is regarded as the future of sustainable agriculture. Hence, harnessing the potential of BCAs is an important viable strategy to control microbial disease in horticultural crops in a way that is also ecofriendly and can improve the soil health. Here, we discuss the role of the biological control of microbial diseases in crops. We also discuss different microbial-based BCAs such as fungal, bacterial, and viral and their role in disease management. Next, we discuss the factors that affect the performance of the BCAs under field conditions. This review also highlights the genetic engineering of BCAs to enhance their biocontrol efficiency and other growth traits. Finally, we highlight the challenges and opportunities of biocontrol-based disease management in horticulture crops and future research directions to boost their efficacy and applications. Full article

Crop disease often leads to field epidemics with serious threats to yield. Early symptoms are sometimes difficult to identify, so the origin of primary inoculum is a critical focal point in the study of plant diseases, as it can help design management strategies to reduce crop losses. Here, we investigated whether anthracnose of water yams (Dioscorea alata L.) caused by the species complex Colletotrichum gloeosporioides can start from infected seed tubers from the previous harvest. Over two years, we collected tubers with varying pathogen prevalence in the field directly from producers and conducted fungal isolations in the lab to sample C. gloeosporioides. We also proceeded to artificially inoculate tubers before planting and monitored disease development. Finally, we genotyped isolates from leaves in the fields and assessed fixation indices between plots based on plot ownership (plots with a common seed tuber origin from a single farmer) vs. samples in plots from unrelated producers in Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Barbados. We were unable to isolate the fungus from harvested tubers in either sampling survey nor did any plants grown from inoculated tubers develop any disease symptoms during growth. Also, the genetic structure of samples within each plot was independent of plot ownership, though this occurred with varying levels in the different islands. These results suggest that contaminated planting material from seed tubers is not the primary source of the disease, which is in contrast to the common perception of yam anthracnose prevalence in the Antilles. Full article