Fungal infection articles from across Nature Portfolio

Coccidioidomycosis, a WHO-listed mycosis, is neglected in South America. Analysis of 292 cases in Brazil, often tied to armadillo hunting, unveils unique disease patterns, environmental factors and pathogen genetics causing the disease.

Invasive candidiasis is a fungal disease caused by Candida pathogens. In this Primer, Lass-Flörl et al. summarize current knowledge of epidemiology and mechanisms and discuss the diagnosis, treatment and quality of life of patients with invasive candidiasis. They also highlight outstanding research questions.

Whole-genome analysis of 876 Aspergillus fumigatus strains including 171 strains from Japan highlights the diversity in the A. fumigatus strains isolated in Japan as well as the complexity in the global distribution of the pathogenic strains.

Candidalysin is a toxin secreted by Candida albicans. Although critical for pathogenesis, its intracellular targets are not well mapped. Here, Zhang et al screen for interacting proteins and identify that candidalysin can modulate the DNA damage repair pathway to promote fungal infection.

Micro- and nanorobots present a promising approach for navigating within the body and eliminating biofilm infections. Their motion can be remotely controlled by external fields and tracked by clinical imaging. They can mechanically disrupt the biofilm matrix and kill the dormant bacterial cells synergistically, thereby improving the effectiveness of biofilm eradication.

Severe COVID-19 is marked by excessive inflammation that can persist after infection. The commensal yeast Candida albicans is now implicated in the acute and chronic immunopathology of COVID-19.