‘Hospital’ superbug Clostridioides difficile reveals ‘weak spots’
The superbug Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff, can cause dangerous intestinal infections. There are limited treatment options, and patients often face repeated infections, which can be fatal. Now, a new study shows that this dangerous bacterium can quickly develop resistance to antibiotics, although this resistance comes at a cost to the superbug itself. Researchers have identified two different mechanisms of drug resistance in C. difficile.
Scientists in China have discovered a previously unknown fungal pathogen that can infect humans
Scientists have discovered a type of fungus that has never been seen in humans before. They say warmer temperatures may be making it evolve for the worse. The fungus, called Rhodosporidiobolus fluvialis, was found in clinical samples from two unrelated hospital patients. In experiments, the researchers found that the yeast was resistant to several first-line antifungal drugs at higher temperatures – around human body temperature. This temperature also led to the emergence of “hypervirulent mutants” that could cause more severe illness in lab mice.
A hard-to-treat form of ringworm can be transmitted sexually and has now been found in the US
A difficult-to-treat form of ringworm can be sexually transmitted and has now been found in the United States. Ringworm, also known as tinea, is a skin infection caused by a variety of fungi. In this case, the culprit is a fungus called Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII). It has previously been reported in Southeast Asia and Europe. In 2023, for example, doctors in Paris published a case series of 13 infections reported among men in the city. These recent cases occurred among men who have sex with men, suggesting that the fungus may now be circulating in this demographic, although anyone can become infected.
Wild Gorillas Eat Plants With Antibacterial Properties Against Drug-Resistant E. Coli
Wild gorillas eat the same tree bark used by traditional healers that can inhibit the growth of E. coli in petri dishes, according to a new study. Scientists have found that wild gorillas in Gabon eat some of the same plants used by traditional healers in the region, and these plants show antibacterial properties in the lab.
Arctic expedition discovers actinobacteria that could contain next-generation antibiotics
An analysis of samples collected during an expedition to the Arctic Ocean suggests that marine microbes could be a promising new source of antibiotics. Scientists have found that substances produced by Arctic Ocean microbes called actinobacteria can stop harmful bacteria from growing and causing disease.
CRISPR Will Allow to Cure Genetic Diseases That Were Previously Incurable
The MHRA has approved Casgevy to treat sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent beta thalassaemia. These are lifelong genetic disorders caused by mutations in the genes that code for haemoglobin, the protein red blood cells need to transport oxygen around the body. CRISPR could treat a common form of inherited blindness. The 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has gone to two women who developed a gene-editing tool called CRISPR-Cas9, which cuts DNA like molecular scissors.
The drug “Lenacapavir” provides long-term protection and guarantees 100% protection against HIV infection
The American company Gilead Sciences, Inc. has conducted the first clinical trials of the last, third phase of its new drug for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) lenacapavir. And the medicine has shown absolute effectiveness: according to the manufacturer, this is the first medication in history that protects against HIV by 100%.