Latest news with #fungalInfections
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Fungal infections are getting harder to treat
Fungal infections are getting harder to treat as they grow more resistant to available drugs, according to research published Wednesday in The Lancet Microbe. The study focused on infections caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus that is ubiquitous in soil and decaying matter around the world. Aspergillus spores are inhaled all the time, usually without causing any problems. But in people who are immunocompromised or who have underlying lung conditions, Aspergillus can be dangerous. The fungus is one of the World Health Organization's top concerns on its list of priority fungi, which notes that death rates for people with drug-resistant Aspergillus infections range from 47%-88%. The new study found that the fungus' drug resistance is increasing. On top of that, patients are typically infected with multiple strains of the fungus, sometimes with different resistance genes. 'This presents treatment issues,' said the study's co-author, Jochem Buil, a microbiologist at Radboud University Medical Centre in the Netherlands. Buil and his team analyzed more than 12,600 samples of Aspergillus fumigatus taken from the lungs of patients in Dutch hospitals over the last 30 years. Of them, about 2,000 harbored mutations associated with resistance to azoles, the class of antifungals used to treat the infections. Most of them had one of two well-known mutations, but 17% had variations of the mutations. Nearly 60 people had invasive infections — meaning the fungi spread from the lungs to other parts of the body — 13 of which were azole-resistant. In those people, nearly 86% were infected with multiple strains of the fungi, making treatment even more complicated. 'It is an increasingly complicated story and physicians may have trouble identifying whether or not they are dealing with a drug-resistant fungal infection,' said Dr. Arturo Casadevall, chair of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, who wasn't involved with the research. Before treating an Aspergillus fungal infection, doctors look for resistance genes that can give them clues about which drugs will work best. If someone is infected with multiple strains of the same type of fungus, this becomes much less clear-cut. Oftentimes, different strains will respond to different drugs. 'Azoles are the first line of treatment for azole-susceptible strains, but they do not work when a strain is resistant. For those, we need to use different drugs that don't work as well and have worse side effects,' Buil said, adding that some people will require treatment with multiple antifungal drugs at the same time. The findings illustrate a larger trend of growing pressure on the few drugs available to treat fungal infections — there are only three major classes of antifungal drugs, including azoles, that treat invasive infections, compared with several dozen classes of antibiotics. Resistance to such drugs is growing, and new ones are uniquely difficult to develop. Humans and fungi share about half of their DNA, meaning we're much more closely related to fungi than we are to bacteria and viruses. Many of the proteins that are essential for fungi to survive are also essential for human cells, leaving fewer safe targets for antifungal drugs to attack. 'The big problem for all of these fungal species is that we don't have a lot of antifungals,' said Jarrod Fortwendel, a professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, who was not involved with the research. 'Typically the genetic mutations that cause resistance don't cause resistance to one of the drugs, it's all of them, so you lose the entire class of drugs.' Further complicating matters, the vast majority of azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus stems from agriculture, which widely uses fungicides. The fungicides typically have the same molecular targets as antifungal drugs. Farmers spray them on crops, including wheat and barley in the U.S., to prevent or treat fungal disease. (The first instance of azole resistance was documented in the Netherlands, where antifungals are widely used on tulips.) Aspergillus fungi aren't the target, but exposure to the fungicides gives them a head start developing genes that are resistant to the targets, sometimes before an antifungal drug with the same target even hits the market. This was the source of the vast majority of the drug resistance analyzed in the study. Fortwendel noted that fungal resistance is increasingly found around the world. 'Basically everywhere we look for drug-resistant isotopes, we find them,' he said. 'We are seeing this azole drug-resistance happening throughout the U.S. Those rates will likely climb.' Any individual person's risk of having an azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus is low, Casadevall said. Infections typically affect people who are immunocompromised and amount to around a few thousand cases per year in the U.S., Casadevall said. While relatively uncommon, the bigger risk is the broader trend of drug-resistant fungal infections. 'The organisms that cause disease are getting more resistant to drugs,' he said. 'Even though it's not like Covid, we don't wake up to a fungal pandemic, this is a problem that is worse today than it was five, 10 or 20 years ago.' This article was originally published on
Gizmodo
18-06-2025
- Health
- Gizmodo
A Vaccine for Yeast Infections Could Soon Be Reality
Hold your horses, The Last of Us. Scientists have created an experimental vaccine that could be effective against multiple types of fungal germs, including those that cause vaginal yeast infections. Researchers at the University of Georgia developed the vaccine candidate, code-named NXT-2. In their latest study with mice, NXT-2 appeared to protect the animals from a common culprit of yeast infection, Candida albicans. The team is now planning to forge ahead with human trials of the vaccine. Compared to bacteria or viruses, fungi don't make people sick as often. But there are some common fungal illnesses that cause plenty of misery, including yeast infections and ringworm. Fungi can also cause serious, life-threatening infections in people with weakened immune systems or otherwise poor health. And fungal infections in general are becoming more common, possibly due to factors like climate change (fungi usually prefer temperatures cooler than our bodies, but some species have likely already become more tolerant to us). Another reason why fungi are becoming more dangerous is the lack of weapons available against them. We have far fewer antifungals than antibiotics, for instance, and no approved vaccines whatsoever. While new antifungals are needed, they're ultimately a stopgap, since fungi can adapt and evolve resistance to them. So the UGA researchers are hoping that their 'pan-fungal' vaccine can provide more of a long-term solution to the most worrying fungi out there. In previous animal studies, the team's NXT-2 vaccine appeared effective at preventing or reducing harm from three of the most common sources of invasive fungal infections in people (collectively representing 80% of fatal infections). This latest research, published this month in NPJ Vaccines, tested NXT-2 in a mouse model of vulvovaginal candidiasis. NXT-2 provoked a strong immune response in the mice to C. albicans fungi, the researchers found, including in vaginal tissue. Vaccinated mice infected with the fungi also experienced reduced fungal burden and less vaginal tissue damage and inflammation. 'These studies provide supportive evidence of broad efficacy of NXT-2 and support the rationale for its further development as a single, pan-fungal vaccine for local and systemic fungal infections,' they wrote. Though the vaccine may be able to tackle the most serious fungal infections, the researchers plan to first test it out in humans as a vaccine against recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). These infections affect over 100 million women worldwide every year and can be incredibly stressful, the researchers note. Young and otherwise healthy women also tend to experience these infections more often, which should make recruiting potential volunteers for trials easier. 'RVVC is not life-threatening, but it is miserable. As many as one in 10 women develop the condition during their lifetime, suffering three or more yeast infections per year,' said lead author Karen Norris, a professor of immunology and translational biomedicine in the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, in a statement from the university. 'This is a huge need.' Norris is also the CEO and founder of NXT Biologics, the biotech company developing NXT-2 commercially. And should NXT-2 succeed as hoped against yeast infections, the next step will be targeting the most dangerous fungi in the world. 'That's where I believe this vaccine will do the most good: in people who are at high risk for highly dangerous, life-threatening infections,' Norris said.
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Terrifying rise of fungal infection sweeping US
The killer fungi that led to the tragic death of Hollywood stylist Jesus Guerrero is exploding among people who previously have not been at risk. Guerrero, known for working with stars like Kylie Jenner and Jennifer Lopez, died at a Los Angeles hospital in February. The medical examiner confirmed the celebrity stylist died from two deadly fungal infections: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) and Cryptococcus neoformans, most likely a complication of AIDS, which was listed as a secondary cause of death. It is not known how he became infected. People with HIV or AIDS historically represent the largest population affected by the fungi, because of their weakened immune systems. However, cases are now alarmingly rising among broader populations, including non HIV or AIDS-immunosuppressed patients. North-American cryptococcal cases have jumped 62 percent since 2014, while UK Pneumocystis infections doubled. Aside from those battling HIV, these infections can more easily strike other people with weakened immunity, including patients undergoing cancer treatments, those who are on immunosuppressants after an organ transplant - and even those with a Covid infection. 'These individuals might not be on doctors' radar for infections like PJP, so they often aren't given preventive treatments the way HIV-positive patients are,' Dr Ehsan Ali, an internal medicine specialist. 'That delay in recognition and care can be life-threatening. The killer fungi that led to the death of Hollywood stylist Jesus Guerrero is exploding among people who previously have not been at risk Guerro, pictured with one of his former clients Kylie Jenner, succumbed to Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) and Cryptococcus neoformans, two fungal infections which are on the rise He likely developed the infections due to being HIV positive as AIDS was listed a secondary cause of death, however doctors are warning the infections are reaching other immunocompromised patients who don't have HIV or AIDS 'The growing number of non-HIV patients developing these infections is a sign that we need to rethink how we monitor and protect people with suppressed immune systems. 'Just because someone doesn't have HIV doesn't mean they're not at risk, and catching these infections early can be the difference between recovery and tragedy.' Pneumocystis jirovecii is a silent airborne killer whose spores float undetected. It attacks the lungs with deadly inflammation that drowns victims in fluid and deprives the body of oxygen, leading to multi-organ failure. Cryptococcus, meanwhile, hides in soil and bird droppings, invading lungs before migrating to the brain to cause fatal meningitis. There it unleashes a double onslaught of meningitis and encephalitis - brain swelling - often with fatal consequences. A trio of telltale signs of PJP – a dry cough (95 percent of patients), trouble breathing, and a low-grade fever (around 80 percent) – is a key indication of the fungal infection in the lungs. Since its discovery in the 1980s, PJP has been considered a disease solely of the immunocompromised, particularly in people suffering from AIDS. While typically believed to be a condition associated with HIV/AIDS, Dr Ali said patients undergoing chemotherapy, recovering from organ transplants, or taking medications like steroids or immunosuppressants for conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Crohn's disease, represent a growing patient population. In 2005, three-year-old Eliza Jane [center] died from pneumocystis pneumonia caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii Eliza Jane began vomiting and within hours, she collapsed. Tests revealed a severe case of pneumonia that had advanced past the ability to treat. Eliza Jane died the next day. In 2005, three-year-old Eliza Jane Scovill, who later tested HIV-positive, died from a pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii. Eliza Jane was born to a mother with HIV who denied the virus caused AIDS and so did not test her daughter for the condition. This which severely weakened the little girl's immune system and left her susceptible to infection. The youngster had been suffering from common cold symptoms and collapsed on May 15, 2005. She died the next day and an autopsy revealed she'd had pneumonia for weeks. But PJP has been shown to be even deadlier in non-HIV-positive patients with weakened immune systems. Global death rates in people with weakened immune systems but without HIV range from 30 to 60 percent, compared to 10 to 20 percent of HIV patients. Meanwhile, the global mortality rate of Cryptococcus neoformans infection is high in people with HIV – roughly 41 to 61 percent — and the early warning signs can be easy to miss. Doctors say it typically starts out with headaches, fever, cough, and shortness of breath. As it spreads, it can cause stiff neck, nausea, confusion, and sensitivity to light — signs the infection has reached the brain and triggered life-threatening meningitis. Cryptococcus hides in soil and bird droppings, invading lungs before migrating to the brain to cause fatal meningitis Your browser does not support iframes. Around 19 percent of AIDS-related deaths are due to meningitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. Scientists are still trying to pinpoint the exact cause of the rising rates of fungal infections. The number of people with weakened immune systems is on the rise as rates of chronic illness and disease increase. Cancer rates and people being treated for the disease are steadily ticking up, translating to a growing population of immunocompromised people. Climate change also has a major role to play - with rising global temperatures potentially forcing fungi to grow in places it previously hasn't or evolve to become more adaptable and resistant to treatments. Robin May, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Birmingham in England, said: 'Since we have far fewer drugs against fungi than we do against bacteria, the antifungal arsenal is very limited, and resistance to only one or two drugs can render a fungus essentially untreatable.'
The Sun
29-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Warning as deadly fungal infections that enter the bloodstream on the rise – and scientists identify those most at risk
SEVERAL deadly fungal infections are on the rise in England, health chiefs warn - including one labeled a 'huge threat to humanity'. In 2024, cases of fungi entering the bloodstream rose slightly from 3.8 to 3.9 per 100,000 people, new figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveal. 2 Most were found in vulnerable patients in hospitals, particularly those with weakened immune systems. Bloodstream infections caused by a type of fungus called yeast usually happen in hospitals, from yeasts that naturally live on our skin or inside our bodies. The main culprits behind these new infections are yeast species like Candida albicans, Nakaseomyces glabratus, and Candida parapsilosis. Candida albicans, or C. albicans as it is sometimes called, has already been named by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of 19 deadly fungi posing a serious threat to humanity. It's branded a superbug because it's becoming harder and harder to treat due to growing drug resistance. But UKHSA chiefs are most concerned about Candidozyma auris - a tougher, drug-resistant fungus that has also been reported and can be deadly and spreads easily in hospitals. Between 2013 and 2024, there were 637 reported cases of in England, with 178 just last year alone, data suggests. Once rare, it's been steadily rising, especially since the Covid pandemic restrictions ended. Experts say the rise may be linked to more complex surgeries, longer hospital stays, and increased antibiotic use – all of which can weaken the body's defenses. 'Our surveillance shows that serious fungal infections are having an increasing impact on public health," Professor Andy Borman from the UKHSA said. "The rise of drug-resistant C. auris means we must remain vigilant to protect patient safety.' To tackle this threat, UKHSA has stepped up surveillance and made C. auris a notifiable infection. This means hospitals must report cases quickly to help control outbreaks. What is antimicrobial resistance? Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health and development threat. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat. Source: WHO
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Climate change fuelling spread of deadly fungal infections, study warns
The climate crisis is rapidly expanding the global reach of life-threatening fungal infections, with rising temperatures enabling dangerous species to thrive in new regions, according to a new study. Two major fungal pathogens – Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus – are set to spread faster across new parts of Europe and other regions as warming continues, researchers warn. The findings raise fresh concerns about the growing health burden posed by fungal diseases, which remain understudied compared to other infectious threats. Using climate modelling, researchers from the University of Manchester found that A fumigatus, which causes aspergillosis, a severe and often fatal lung infection, could expand its geographical range by 77 per cent by 2100 under high-emission scenarios. The shift would potentially expose an additional nine million people across Europe to the fungus. Meanwhile, A flavus, which infects crops and produces carcinogenic aflatoxins, is projected to spread over 16 per cent more land globally. Its spread threatens both human health and food security, particularly in regions already vulnerable to climate stress. 'Changes in environmental factors, such as humidity and extreme weather events, will change habitats and drive fungal adaptation and spread,' Dr Norman van Rhijn, one of the authors of the study, said. The findings come amid growing concern that fungal infections – long neglected by global health policy – could spark a major public health crisis in coming decades. Unlike bacterial infections, fungi are harder to treat and resistant to many existing drugs. Despite the threat, less than 10 per cent of the world's estimated fungal species have been described. In 2022, the World Health Organisation listed fungal pathogens among its top priority threats for the first time. Despite this, fungal research remains underfunded. In response to the growing risks, the Wellcome Trust has announced over £50 million in funding for fungal disease research over the next year. 'We have already seen the emergence of the fungus Candida auris due to rising temperatures, but, until now, we had little information of how other fungi might respond to this change in the environment,' said Dr van Rhijn. 'Fungi are relatively under researched compared to viruses and parasites, but these maps show that fungal pathogens will likely impact most areas of the world in the future. Raising awareness and developing effective interventions for fungal pathogens will be essential to mitigate the consequences of this.' Experts warn that the spread of fungal infections may also be accelerated by extreme weather events such as storms, droughts and wildfires, all of which can disturb spores and create ideal conditions for fungal proliferation. While the study found that warmer climates could drive fungal spread across new parts of Europe, some parts of Africa may become too hot for certain fungi to survive. However, researchers warned that fungi's resilience, large genomes, and rapid adaptability make them capable of evolving in response to new conditions. Antifungal resistance is also increasing, driven in part by the widespread use of fungicides in agriculture. Many infections have high mortality rates, and existing antifungal treatments are limited due to toxicity and the biological similarity between fungi and humans. 'Fungal pathogens pose a serious threat to human health by causing infections and disrupting food systems. Climate change will make these risks worse,' Viv Goosens, research manager at Wellcome, said. 'To address these challenges, we must fill important research gaps. By using models and maps to track the spread of fungi, we can better direct resources and prepare for the future.'
