Bacterial meningitis is a major cause of death and disability in children worldwide. Two human restricted respiratory pathogens, Streptococcus pneumoniae Haemophilus influenzae , are the causative agents bacterial meningitis, attributing to 200,000 deaths annually. These pathogens often part nasopharyngeal microflora healthy carriers. However, what factors elicit them disseminate invasive disea...

Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) are critical front line contributors to host defense against invasive bacterial infection. These immune factors have direct killing activity toward microbes, but many pathogens are able to resist their effects. Group A Streptococcus, group B Streptococcus and Streptococcus pneumoniae are among the most common pathogens of humans and display a variety of p...

Fungi belong amongst the severest pathogens of humans, animals, and plants. For example, Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. account for most invasive mycoses, and such infections are associated with high rates of mortality in hematology and oncology patients. Worrisomely, it has been estimated that 4% of all patients who die in hospitals die of invasive aspergillosis and 2% die of candidiasis [1...

The harlequin ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis has been introduced in many countries as a biological control agent, but has become an invasive species threatening the biodiversity of native ladybirds. Its invasive success has been attributed to its vigorous resistance against diverse pathogens. This study demonstrates that harmonine ((17R,9Z)-1,17-diaminooctadec-9-ene), which is present in H. ...

In recent decades, many fungal species have emerged as major causes of human disease. While invasive candidiasis, aspergillosis, and cryptococcosis remain very common, rates of infection by other opportunistic fungal pathogens such as Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis, Fusarium spp. and other yeasts and molds are on the rise. Adding to this bleak picture is the fact that treatment an...

Malaria and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are very common causes of human suffering with overlapping global geographic distributions. With the growing incidence of HCV infections in malaria-endemic zones and malaria in areas with exceptionally high HCV prevalence, coinfections and syndemism of both pathogens are likely to occur. However, studies of malaria and HCV coinfections are very rar...

Pathogenic yeast forms are commonly associated with invasive fungal disease in the immunocompromised host, including patients with haematological malignancies and patients of haemopoietic stem cell transplants. Yeasts include the Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp., Pneumocystis jirovecii and some lesser-known pathogens. Candida species remain the most common cause of invasive yeast infections (and...

Abstract In recent years, insect immunology has expanded rapidly in research interest, and available literature kind. Insects combat pathogens through a range of behavioral physiological immune defenses. The need for robust immunity is especially important to eusocial insects; nestmate proximity increases exposure transmission pathogens. Further, eusociality involves cohabitation thousands indi...

Surveillance for early detection of non-native, invasive pathogens requires simple, sturdy, and easy-to-use collecting devices. In this study, we compared the fungal species detected in wet collection cups Lindgren traps vs . those on slides with oiled cheesecloth as aerial spore collectors. DNA was extracted amplified from both using primers ITS1F gITS7, Illumina sequencing used metabarcoding ...