Medical researchers uncover mechanisms of Candida auris and liver protection via inulin

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have identified how the fungal pathogen Candida auris evades the immune system. By studying the fungus on mouse skin, scientists discovered that C. auris triggers a specific immune response that allows it to colonize hair follicles easily. This characteristic contributes to its status as a major global threat, as the fungus is highly resistant to common antifungal drugs and can colonize the skin of healthy individuals, potentially causing life-threatening bloodstream infections in immunocompromised patients.

In a separate study, researchers at the University of California, Irvine have found that the dietary fiber inulin can protect the liver from fructose damage. Published in Nature Metabolism, the research demonstrates that inulin, found in vegetables like garlic and onions, reshapes gut bacteria to process fructose before it reaches the liver. This mechanism prevents fat accumulation and potential fatty liver disease, even in individuals who do not appear obese.