Zinc-Fungal Infection Theory in Covid related Black & White fungus cases

This theory explains Zinc metabolism and its connection to Fungal Virulence.

by Dr Gurudutt Tyagi

👉Why we’re talking about this theory? 

We chronically used steroids in diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis, but the problem is emerging now. 

Is something else related in Black & White Fungus cases?

Is there any role of Zinc in Pathogenesis ?

👉What you should know before? 

• Zinc is consumed in large amount due to fear of COVID. 

• There are some binding proteins present inside organisms for certain molecules. 

• Zinc-binding proteins are present in various infectious fungus species.

• These proteins acts a transcription regulator & are associated with regulation of gene expression.

👉Virulence factors in Pathogenesis:- 

Zinc Binding Proteins (ZBP) has 3 mechanisms capable of fungal disease formation :-

(1) Biological Process:  Transcriptional Regulation (like lactose in lac operon) – “Zap1” transcription factors are fundamental in fungal pathogenesis in mammalian hosts (infected person).

(2) Molecular function (virulence determinants) :

Ligase, peptidase, oxidoreductase, metalloproteinase or Sods

(3) Zap Transporters: Presence of these transporters in fungus further elucidate pivotal role of Zinc-binding proteins (ZBP) in infectious process.

👉Evidence 

Analysis of the Fungal Transcription Factor Database (Park et al.,2008) revealed that fungal species are characterised by a high diversity of zinc finger transcription factors, ranging from 116 in C. albicans to 311 in A. fumigatus.

👉Treatment – Future Goals

As active deprivation of zinc by body of host (infected person) is an important anti-fungal mechanism and Zinc is a metal, so CHELATING AGENTS can be introduced as a chemotherapeutic alternative to control in vivo fungal development .

Note: Use Zinc only when indicated as it has a pivotal role in development of fungal diseases like Black fungus & White fungus.

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