Whole-genome sequencing reveals new secrets about killer fungus

Date:
March 2, 2022
Source:
University of Exeter
Summary:
New research reports the largest ever whole-genome sequencing
project for the potentially fatal yeast infection Candida glabrata
from hospitals across Scotland.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
New research from the University of Exeter reports the largest ever whole- genome sequencing project for the potentially fatal yeast infection
Candida glabrata from hospitals across Scotland.


========================================================================== Candida glabrata is a type of yeast that can cause disease in
humans. It most commonly affects the urinary tract, genitals, mouth,
and the bloodstream. If it is not caught, these infections can become
deadly. It also has a very high resistance to certain antifungal drugs,
so understanding why resistance occurs is key to knowing how to treat
it effectively.

The new research, published in Genetics, used samples from eight hospitals
in Scotland to sequence the genome of Candida glabrata. This led to the discovery of a variety of new information on the species. This includes information on how they reproduce and the genetic diversity. It also found
that genes that make it more likely to be infectious have an advantage
for survival, and the drug-resistance genes often evolve within patients.

The discovery of this information gives scientists an advantage when it
comes to treating candida glabrata. A better understanding of the genes involved allows researchers to focus their work in ways that were not
possible before.

It also helps aid understanding on how the pathogen spreads, which is
important to identifying infections.

Dr Rhys Farrer, one of the Principal Investigators at the MRC Centre
for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, said: "Our study
sheds new light on the genetic diversity of Candida glabrata. We have demonstrated that this deadly human fungal pathogen is being spread
between continents, probably by humans, and recombining to form new populations, which is likely contributing to its high virulence and
increasing drug resistance." The research was funded by the Medical
Research Council and the Wellcome Trust.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Exeter. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Nicolas Helmstetter, Aleksandra D Chybowska, Christopher Delaney,
Alessandra Da Silva Dantas, Hugh Gifford, Theresa Wacker, Carol
Munro, Adilia Warris, Brian Jones, Christina A Cuomo, Duncan Wilson,
Gordon Ramage, Rhys A Farrer. Population genetics and microevolution
of clinical Candida glabrata reveals recombinant sequence types
and hyper-variation within mitochondrial genomes, virulence genes
and drug-targets. Genetics, 2022; DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac031 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220302210007.htm

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