Israeli Scientists Found an Effective and Safe Way to Combat Fungi

Researchers from the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa announced that they have discovered a bacterium whose natural properties enable it to effectively combat fungal infections. Although the method they invented has only been tested on rodents so far, the scientists are confident that it will prove equally effective for treating fungal diseases in humans. They published the results of their research in the scientific journal Advanced Functional Materials.

Fungal infections are widespread among both animals and humans. It is believed that every person encounters diseases caused by various types of fungi at least once in their lifetime. Most often, the skin, nails on the hands and feet, gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive system are affected. Researchers believe that the uncontrolled use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, the general aging of the population, and even global warming contribute to the spread of fungal infections.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, the culprit of infectious diseases is the yeast-like fungus Candida. It is a permanent resident of the human body but begins to harm it only under certain conditions. A key factor is the reduction of immune system functions, which can occur against the backdrop of taking certain medications that affect the composition of the human microbiome, unbalanced and/or insufficient nutrition. As a result, there is an imbalance in the bacterial balance, Candida begins to multiply actively, and can provoke an infectious disease.

The medications that doctors currently use to treat fungal infections demonstrate low effectiveness and also have a number of negative side effects, causing headaches, skin rashes, and problems with the liver and kidneys. As for the Candida fungus itself, some of its strains are characterized by resistance to the drugs available in modern medicine.

Bacteria Against Fungi

Israeli researchers from the Technion, led by Professor Boaz Mizrahi, discovered that the bacterium Bacillus subtilis, also known as hay bacillus, has the potential to destroy Candida. They were prompted by the microorganism's ability to release substances that suppress fungal growth in the upper layers of soil, on plant roots, etc., in the struggle for access to nutrients. They decided to test their hypothesis in a corresponding study.
According to the scientists, their main task was to develop a delivery system that would ensure the transportation of live bacteria to the infected fungal area without disrupting their ability to reproduce and produce "therapeutic" substances. To achieve this, the Israeli researchers created a special gel that remains in liquid form when cold and at room temperature but solidifies instantly after being applied to the skin. The unique substance contains thermosensitive polymers and nutrients that support the viability of the bacteria and their ability to synthesize the necessary compounds after delivery to the skin.

The scientists' experiment consisted of two stages. First, they applied the innovative gel to a section of skin, having previously treated it with a fluorescent material. It turned out that the composition is capable of deeply penetrating the skin but does not enter the bloodstream, localizing the therapeutic effect. Therefore, the drug testing continued on laboratory mice that were infected with a fungal infection. The rodents were divided into three groups: one group was given ketoconazole, a drug widely used to treat fungal diseases, the second group received no therapy at all, and the third group had the affected area treated with the bacterial gel.

After some time, it became clear that the infection continued to develop in the first and second groups of mice, while in the third group, where the scientists' developed composition was used, the skin in the treated area began to heal and recover rapidly. Moreover, unlike ketoconazole, the new gel did not cause side reactions, so its advantages include not only high effectiveness but also absolute safety for health.

Bacteria Factory

Israeli scientists stated that they will not limit themselves to developing a method for targeted delivery of "therapeutic" bacteria. They have already created a kind of mini-factory of beneficial bacteria that will produce active substances only when they are directly in the treatment zone. In the standard pharmaceutical model, the drug passes through the entire body, which often leads to the destruction of its important components before reaching the target. The researchers emphasized that the delivery model they developed could also be applied in the treatment of other diseases, particularly psoriasis, inflammatory processes, acne, and even oncology.