Tag

Fungal Disease

All articles tagged with #fungal disease

health-climate-change1 year ago

"California's Rain-Driven Surge in Deadly Fungal Infections"

Intensifying winter rainstorms in California are spreading the deadly fungal disease valley fever, with cases reaching record numbers. Climate change, particularly the oscillation between extreme dryness and wetness, is creating ideal conditions for the spores to spread. Rising global temperatures and increasingly intense atmospheric rivers are fueling the growth of valley fever, posing a profound threat to public health in California.

health1 year ago

Understanding Candida Auris: The Deadly Fungal Outbreak in Washington and Across the US

Candida auris, a deadly fungal disease, is spreading rapidly across the US, particularly in healthcare settings, with a high fatality rate. It primarily affects individuals with weakened immune systems and is often resistant to antifungal treatments. The first case was reported in 2016, and recent outbreaks have been observed in states like Washington, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. Treatment options are limited due to resistance, but prevention measures such as colonization screening, clinical specimen testing, and hand hygiene can help curb its spread.

health1 year ago

"Rapid Spread of Deadly Fungal Disease Candida Auris in Washington State Raises Concerns"

The deadly fungal infection Candida Auris, resistant to many treatments, has been spreading rapidly across the United States since its first reported case in 2016, with an exponential growth in recent years. Health experts warn of its high fatality rate and rapid spread in healthcare settings. Symptoms can include fever, chills, and sweating, and the infection can be difficult to identify. Hand hygiene is crucial in curbing its spread, and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk.

gardening2 years ago

"Conquer Garden Powdery Mildew with a Kitchen Staple"

Vinegar, specifically apple cider vinegar, can be an effective remedy against powdery mildew in gardens. The acetic acid in vinegar has antimicrobial properties that disrupt the growth of mildew, acting as a natural alternative to commercial fungicides. To use vinegar, dilute a solution of 2 to 3 tablespoons in a gallon of water and apply it to the affected areas of the plant using a spray bottle. However, caution should be exercised to avoid harming the plant or altering the soil's pH balance. Good gardening practices, such as improving air circulation and choosing resistant plant varieties, can also help manage powdery mildew.

science2 years ago

Ancient Fossil Unveils World's Oldest Disease-Causing Fungus

Researchers have discovered a 407-million-year-old fossilized fungus, named Potteromyces asteroxylicola, which is the oldest evidence of a disease-causing fungus ever found. The ancient microbe sheds light on the early history of disease and the crucial role fungi played in shaping life on Earth. The discovery was made in fossil samples from the Rhynie Chert in Scotland, a site known for its remarkably preserved Early Devonian community. This finding provides insight into the evolution of different fungus groups and pays tribute to the work of mycologist Beatrix Potter.

health2 years ago

Outbreak of Fungal Disease Hits UK Chandler Hospital Patients

UK Chandler Hospital has confirmed five cases of patients with the drug-resistant fungal disease Candida auris. The patients are isolated on one floor, and while the fungus is present on their skin, it is not causing active infections. Candida auris is a type of yeast that can spread easily in healthcare facilities and is resistant to antifungal treatments. Screening and specimen testing can determine if a patient is infected or colonized with the fungus.

health2 years ago

Experts warn of catastrophic threat to global food supply from fungal attacks.

Fungal disease, which destroys more crops than any other cause, is likely to become a greater global danger, especially to the food supply, warn researchers. Rising temperatures are greatly increasing the problem, and fungal pathogens are moving to higher latitudes. Fungi can adapt, and many have developed resistance to common fungicides. Malnutrition could become a more imminent threat than disease, and rising temperatures could make the fungi more tolerant of heat, making it possible they could jump to warm-blooded animals and humans.

health2 years ago

Beauty influencer contracts ringworm from shared makeup kit.

A beauty influencer on TikTok claimed that she got ringworm after someone else used her makeup kit. She noticed a flare-up on her face, which progressed into large rashes. Doctors were unsure of the issue, but she later found out that it was ringworm. She warned others to clean their makeup brushes and sponges to avoid getting the fungal disease. Treatment for ringworm varies depending on the body part that is affected.

health2 years ago

TikTok Beauty Horror Stories: Ringworm and Flesh-Eating Parasites

A beauty influencer on TikTok claimed that she got ringworm after someone else used her makeup kit. She noticed the skin on her face had flared up and showed pictures of how the flare-up progressed. The doctors she consulted did not know what the issue was and believed it could have been either discoid eczema or Steven-Johnson syndrome. In her subsequent video updates, she shared that the flare-ups spread to the rest of her face and are burning. She eventually found out that the flare-ups on her face were caused by ringworm, which she believed she got from someone who had previously used her makeup kit.

health2 years ago

"Unprecedented: Tree fungus infects humans for the first time"

A 61-year-old mycologist in India contracted a fungal disease caused by Chondrostereum purpureum, a fungus that typically affects trees and had never been reported in humans before. The patient had difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, cough, lack of appetite, fatigue, and recurrent inflammation of the throat for about three months before seeking medical care. The infection was successfully treated with a procedure to drain the pus from his neck followed by a two-month regimen of broad-spectrum antifungal pills. Since this is the first time a C. purpureum infection has been observed in a human, it's unclear how likely it is to occur in others or how such infections can best be treated.

health2 years ago

World's First Case of Human Infection by Killer Plant Fungus Reported in India

A 61-year-old Indian mycologist appears to have contracted a serious case of silver leaf disease caused by the fungus Chondrostereum purpureum in his own throat, providing a rare example of a pathogen seemingly making an enormous leap across entire kingdoms in the tree of life. This is the first reported case of its kind, and it is unclear how the infection occurred. Fungal diseases pose a significant risk, and similarities in fungal and animal biochemistry make the design of suitable vaccines and therapies that can prevent or manage infection a real challenge.

health2 years ago

Killer plant fungus infects and kills human in world-first case.

A 61-year-old Indian mushroom hunter has caught a fungal disease deadly to plants in a world-first case. The fungus causes silver leaf disease in plants, which is spread by airborne spores and turns plants' leaves the metallic colour before slowly killing them. The man was given two courses of antifungal medication for two months. It is thought he got infected while carrying out research as a plant mycologist, which involves working directly with moulds, yeast and mushrooms. The case 'raises serious questions' because it proves the infection can affect both 'healthy as well as immunocompromised individuals', they warned.

science2 years ago

The Importance of Addressing Africa's Frog Fungal Disease

A deadly fungal disease called chytridiomycosis is infecting amphibians, including frogs, toads, and salamanders, causing ulcers and peeling skin, joint locking, and cardiac arrest. The disease has caused the decline or extinction of over 200 species of amphibians and is now spreading across Africa, where it may be killing off animals in hordes without scientists realizing. The disease is caused by a pathogen called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and has been a major contributor to the threat of extinction facing amphibian species worldwide. Scientists warn that these outbreaks are crucial to understanding how fungal pathogens spread and learning how to wrap our heads around a mass extinction event plaguing our amphibious friends.

health2 years ago

Rapid spread of deadly fungal infection in US prompts CDC warning.

A new study from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that a deadly fungal disease, Candida auris or C. auris, is spreading through the US at an alarming rate, with infections found in 29 states and at least 2,377 confirmed cases in 2022. C. auris is resistant to multiple traditional antifungal medications, is difficult to identify with standard lab methods, and has caused outbreaks in healthcare settings. The CDC is concerned about the sharp increase in cases, which is especially concerning because echinocandins are first-line therapy for invasive Candida infections, including C. auris.