A dangerous fungus annually kills about 200,000 people worldwide. Millions of people suffer from lung diseases and allergies caused by this pathogen. An international research team has found new treatments for fungal diseases.
New research on mold control
An international research team is finding new therapeutic approaches against the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Aspergillosis kills about 214,000 lives annually.
Researchers have found:
- which dye in the fungus plays an important role in infection;
- how the body's immune system responds to the dye melanin in the fungus;
- how a fungal infection can be detected early.
In collaboration with numerous institutions, scientists led by Professor Gordon Brown have studied the harmful Aspergillus fumigatus.
Specialists have identified a mechanism that can be used to develop new treatments for fungal infections. The results of the study were recently published in the journal Nature.
Aspergillus fumigatus Killer Fungus
Infection with Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the worst complications after surgical procedures. More than 50% of patients who become infected with the fungus after surgery do not survive. The fungus causes millions of lung diseases and allergies.
The fungus is very dangerous because it is difficult to diagnose and treat.
When Aspergillus fumigatus enters the bloodstream, it can infect internal organs and cause sepsis - blood poisoning. Especially in people with a weak immune system, the fungus causes life-threatening complications.
In medical research, they have long been trying to understand the exact processes for fungal infection in order to develop more effective treatments.
How does the immune system respond to an attacker?
Contrary to previous assumptions, the immune system does not recognize sugar in the cell wall of fungi. Researchers have found that an unexpected component of the fungus triggers an immune response.
The pigment "melanin" contained in the fungus is responsible for the immune response. This dye binds to a special receptor in the human body. A specific receptor variant is even associated with increased susceptibility to infection.
Understanding how the immune system responds to an attacker can help improve the diagnosis of fungal diseases. Researchers are also hoping to develop more effective treatments for fungal disease.
The research team has demonstrated that the immune system responds to parts of the fungus that were previously unknown to detect. Although this discovery is a big step forward, it emphasizes how difficult the fight against these fungi is.
Dr. Axel Brackhage is a renowned expert on fungal infections. In the study, he discovered the pigment melanin and its importance in the pathogenic action of the fungus.
In the course of evolution, even a separate receptor for mushroom melanin has appeared.
Complex mechanisms
The dye plays an important role in human infection, but its mechanism of action is poorly understood. According to the expert, human colonization with fungi and the immune response directed against them cannot be studied by one group or even one scientist.
The research team studied various aspects of fungal infections at the molecular level and combined the knowledge gained. About 9 different countries participated in the scientific work. A successful fight against infections is possible only with the international cooperation of scientists.
How fast does mold kill?
Aspergillus is ubiquitous - in homes, fences, or household items. Aspergillosis infections are very rare in healthy people. The most vulnerable group is immunocompromised patients.
Transmission of the disease occurs by inhalation of spores, although infections due to a small wound are also known. Fungi penetrate into the blood vessels, causing thrombosis and subsequent tissue death, edema and hemorrhage.
Even with timely treatment, the prognosis is very poor. A person can die 1 week after infection with fungi.
