A fungus that has become a major threat to hospital patients may have a hidden weakness, according to research published on Monday that highlights the bug's ability to bind to human tissue.

Candida albicans is widespread among humans, but normally does not affect health other than as vaginal or oral yeast infections, also called thrush.

But in medical settings, C. albicans is a peril for sick people or individuals whose immune system has been compromised by cancer, HIV or organ transplant.

The latest research, published in a US journal on Monday, highlights a promising target: The mechanism that the yeast uses to latch on to human cells and colonize them, thanks to a tiny part of a protein call Als adhesin.

"Als adhesin proteins give the yeast an ability to thrive throughout the human body, which is what makes it such a dangerous infections," says Ernesto Cota, a medical biologist at Imperial College London.

The next step is to test experimental compounds on lab-dish samples of the fungus to see whether this will block the binding action.

AFP-Reuters