Metabolites produced by gut bacteria may protect against fungal infection

A metabolic byproduct formed when gut bacteria break down dietary fiber appears to protect against dangerous fungal infections common in immunocompromised patients, a study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers shows.

The findings, published in Cell Host & Microbe, could lead to new therapies to shield this vulnerable population from Candida albicans, a leading human fungal pathogen. ...