Fungal-bacterial duet worsens infections, study finds

A new study shows that the common fungus Candida albicans and the bacterium Enterococcus faecalis can join forces to cause far more severe tissue damage than either microbe alone. The damage hinges on a toxin called cytolysin and close physical contact between the microbes, with the outcome depending on specific bacterial strains. The findings suggest mixed infections are not just cohabitation but coordinated attacks, potentially guiding more precise diagnosis and targeted treatments.