Monash study exposes key tactic used by deadly fungus

(Monash University) Associate Professor Ana Traven, in collaboration with the Naderer lab, has found that a lethal fungus destroys the immune cell that would ordinarily kill it, by stealing its source of nutrients. Candida albicans is a microscopic fungus commonly found in the body but which can become a dangerous infection in vulnerable hospital patients. The study demonstrated that the fungus competes with disease-fighting macrophages by rapidly consuming glucose and causing the macrophages to die.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news