New research shows that eosinophils, immune cells usually linked to allergies, also play a protective role against Candida infections by using the CD48 receptor to recognize the fungus and release proteins that stop its growth. This discovery is important because it reshapes how we understand the immune system and opens the door to new therapies that could strengthen natural defenses against life-threatening fungal infections, a growing challenge in hospitals worldwide.

Scientists from the Institut Pasteur have genetically analyzed the remains of former soldiers who retreated from Russia in 1812. They detected two pathogens, those responsible for paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever, which correlate with the symptoms described in historical accounts. The study was published as a preprint on bioRxiv on July 16, 2025. It will be published in the journal Current Biology on October 24.