Bose Inst, Hyd hosp show way to treat fungal blindness

Kolkata: Scientists from the Bose Institute, Kolkata, and the LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, identified a novel antimicrobial peptide that could transform the treatment of drug-resistant fungal infections of the cornea, a leading cause of blindness in South Asia. The peptide, named SA-XV, demonstrated strong antifungal activity against pathogens that are increasingly resistant to conventional drugs. The findings were recently published in the peer-reviewed ‘Journal of Biological Chemistry' and were co-authored by Sanhita Roy of LVPEI and Anirban Bhunia of Bose Institute, along with their research teams.
Fungal keratitis, an infection of the cornea, is often described as a "slow epidemic", particularly in developing countries. Agricultural workers are vulnerable, as minor eye injuries caused by plant material or dust allow fungi to enter the eye. Warm, humid conditions promote fungal growth. In urban settings, poor contact lens hygiene and prolonged lens use are emerging risk factors. In severe cases, corneal transplantation becomes the only option to prevent permanent vision loss.In their study, researchers identified SA-XV as a 15-amino-acid peptide derived from the naturally occurring human protein S100A12. Despite its small size, SA-XV acts as a potent molecular weapon. Experiments showed the peptide binds to fungal cell walls, disrupts their protective membranes, and damages critical cellular components, like DNA and mitochondria, leading to rapid fungal death.Importantly, SA-XV also appears to promote healing, Bhunia said. "This strategy could revolutionise treatment options for fungal infections," Roy said. The study was supported by Velux Stiftung, a Switzerland-based foundation that funds research aimed at generating new knowledge with long-term societal impact. Drug-resistant fungal infections are an escalating global health threat. According to estimates, antifungal resistance contributes to approximately 2.5 million deaths worldwide each year, imposing a substantial socio-economic burden.