UCD Scientists Crack 'Sticky' Superbug Code

Irish scientists have uncovered the 'sticky' nature of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections.

Scientists in UCD have cracked the genetic code of several fungi species, which cause infections in hospital patients with suppressed immune systems.

The findings by scientists from University College Dublin, MIT, and Harvard, published in the leading scientific journal Nature, uncovered the 'sticky' genetic nature of the pathogenic fungi known as Candida parapsilosis.

The scientists claim that its ability to stick to hands and medical devices allows it to take hold on feeding tubes and other medical devices from where it enters the patient’s bloodstream.

One of the lead scientists involved in the research, UCD Professor Geraldine Butler said: "Premature babies, newborns and patients recovering from surgery are most at risk from this pathogenic yeast-like fungus that is an emerging major human pathogen, and an important cause of bloodstream infection and invasive disease.

"In order to understand how to treat the infection we first have to understand how the fungi interact with the host."

Professor Butler added: "Before this discovery little was known about the genetic nature of Candida parapsilosis, one of the main causes of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. Our findings will help scientists to develop potential therapies for the acquired infection."

Treatment of the stubborn fungal infections is difficult, and with standard antibiotics powerless against them, antifungal drugs are applied instead.

The hospital-acquired bloodstream infection caused by Candida parapsilosis can lead to deep infections in body tissues and wounds, and almost 30% of patients who acquire these infections die as a result.

(DW/BMcC)