New family of enzymes reveals the Achilles' heel of fungal pathogens

(Canadian Glycomics Network) Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungal species that can cause serious illnesses in immunocompromised individuals. Infections caused by A. fumigatus are difficult to eliminate because the fungus often aggregates into small communities called " biofilms, " which protect the pathogens from antifungal agents and help the fungus evade the immune system. GlycoNet scientists Drs. Lynne Howell and Don Sheppard recently identified a key enzyme in A. fumigatus that could lead to therapeutics to treat these fungal infections.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news