Infectious diseases are a serious problem here in Syracuse as elsewhere. The problem of infectious diseases is considered such a potentially critical medical issue here in Syracuse WebMD offers a listing of Syracuse Infectious Disease Specialists.
BioScholar has reported a new study shows that simple baker’s yeast protects against the fatal fungal infection, aspergillosis, when it is injected in mice, "Baker’s yeast may cure fatal fungal infections." It is possible that this study could lead to the development of a human vaccine which protects immuno compromised people against a wide range of life-threatening fungal infections, for which current anti-fungal therapy generally does not work.
The researchers for this study gave three injections of killed Saccharomyces (baker’s yeast) to mice, one week apart.
It was discovered that vaccinated mice were able to survive high doses of Aspergillus, which is the fungus that causes aspergillosis. The mice that survived also showed a reduced infection load of Aspergillus in their organs. Aspergillosis has been found to be the leading fungal killer among immuno-compromised people. Aspergillosis is an invasive infection which attacks the lungs, can disseminate to other organs, such as the brain, and can also lead to kidney and liver failure.
It was discovered that vaccinated mice were able to survive high doses of Aspergillus, which is the fungus that causes aspergillosis. The mice that survived also showed a reduced infection load of Aspergillus in their organs. Aspergillosis has been found to be the leading fungal killer among immuno-compromised people. Aspergillosis is an invasive infection which attacks the lungs, can disseminate to other organs, such as the brain, and can also lead to kidney and liver failure.
Dr. David A. Stevens, one of the researchers, has commented “Our results suggest that the protective component of the yeast is in the cell wall. What”s more, the simple preparation we used has been shown by us to also protect against infection due to three other fungi that cause human disease – Candida, Cryptococcus and Coccidioides." And so simple baker's yeast may prove to be a life safer when dealing with Aspergillosis.
Photographer: posterize
