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Tanwar M, Singh A, Singh TP, Sharma S, Sharma P. Comprehensive Review on the Virulence Factors and Therapeutic Strategies with the Aid of Artificial Intelligence against Mucormycosis. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1431-1457. [PMID: 38682683 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Mucormycosis, a rare but deadly fungal infection, was an epidemic during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in cases (COVID-19-associated mucormycosis, CAM) is attributed to excessive steroid and antibiotic use, poor hospital hygiene, and crowded settings. Major contributing factors include diabetes and weakened immune systems. The main manifesting forms of CAM─cutaneous, pulmonary, and the deadliest, rhinocerebral─and disseminated infections elevated mortality rates to 85%. Recent focus lies on small-molecule inhibitors due to their advantages over standard treatments like surgery and liposomal amphotericin B (which carry several long-term adverse effects), offering potential central nervous system penetration, diverse targets, and simpler dosing owing to their small size, rendering the ability to traverse the blood-brain barrier via passive diffusion facilitated by the phospholipid membrane. Adaptation and versatility in mucormycosis are facilitated by a multitude of virulence factors, enabling the pathogen to dynamically respond to various environmental stressors. A comprehensive understanding of these virulence mechanisms is imperative for devising effective therapeutic interventions against this highly opportunistic pathogen that thrives in immunocompromised individuals through its angio-invasive nature. Hence, this Review delineates the principal virulence factors of mucormycosis, the mechanisms it employs to persist in challenging host environments, and the current progress in developing small-molecule inhibitors against them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansi Tanwar
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Anamika Singh
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Tej Pal Singh
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Sujata Sharma
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Pradeep Sharma
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
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Sharma C, Kadosh D. Post-transcriptional control of antifungal resistance in human fungal pathogens. Crit Rev Microbiol 2023; 49:469-484. [PMID: 35634915 PMCID: PMC9766424 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2080527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Global estimates suggest that over 300 million individuals of all ages are affected by serious fungal infections every year, culminating in about 1.7 million deaths. The societal and economic burden on the public health sector due to opportunistic fungal pathogens is quite significant, especially among immunocompromised patients. Despite the high clinical significance of these infectious agents, treatment options are limited with only three major classes of antifungal drugs approved for use. Clinical management of fungal diseases is further compromised by the emergence of antifungal resistant strains. Transcriptional and genetic mechanisms that control drug resistance in human fungal pathogens are well-studied and include drug target alteration, upregulation of drug efflux pumps as well as changes in drug affinity and abundance of target proteins. In this review, we highlight several recently discovered novel post-transcriptional mechanisms that control antifungal resistance, which involve regulation at the translational, post-translational, epigenetic, and mRNA stability levels. The discovery of many of these novel mechanisms has opened new avenues for the development of more effective antifungal treatment strategies and new insights, perspectives, and future directions that will facilitate this process are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheshta Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - David Kadosh
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
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3
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Keck JM, Cretella DA, Stover KR, Wagner JL, Barber KE, Jhaveri TA, Vijayvargiya P, Garrigos ZE, Wingler MJB. Evaluation of an Antifungal Stewardship Initiative Targeting Micafungin at an Academic Medical Center. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020193. [PMID: 36830104 PMCID: PMC9952013 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Delays in the treatment of proven invasive fungal disease have been shown to be harmful. However, empiric treatment for all patients at risk of infection has not demonstrated benefit. This study evaluates the effects of a micafungin stewardship initiative on the duration of therapy and clinical outcomes at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. This single-center quasi-experiment evaluated patients who received micafungin. Adult inpatients who received at least one treatment dose of micafungin in the pre-intervention (1 October 2020 to 30 September 2021) or post-intervention (1 October 2021 to 30 April 2022) groups were included. Patients were placed on micafungin for prophylaxis and those who required definitive micafungin therapy were excluded. An algorithm was used to provide real-time recommendations in order to assess change in the treatment days of micafungin therapy. A total of 282 patients were included (141 pre-group versus 141 post-group). Over 80% of the patients included in the study were in an intensive care unit, and other baseline characteristics were similar. The median number of treatment days with micafungin was 4 [IQR 3-6] in the pre-group and 3 [IQR 2-6] in the post-group (p = 0.005). Other endpoints, such as time to discontinuation or de-escalation, hospital mortality, and hospital length of stay, were not significantly different between the groups. An antifungal stewardship initiative can be an effective way to decrease unnecessary empiric antifungal therapy for patients who are at risk of invasive fugal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Myles Keck
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - David A. Cretella
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Kayla R. Stover
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Jamie L. Wagner
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Katie E. Barber
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Tulip A. Jhaveri
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Prakhar Vijayvargiya
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Zerelda Esquer Garrigos
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Mary Joyce B. Wingler
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
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Rogers TR, Verweij PE, Castanheira M, Dannaoui E, White PL, Arendrup MC. OUP accepted manuscript. J Antimicrob Chemother 2022; 77:2053-2073. [PMID: 35703391 PMCID: PMC9333407 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkac161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing incidence and changing epidemiology of invasive fungal infections continue to present many challenges to their effective management. The repertoire of antifungal drugs available for treatment is still limited although there are new antifungals on the horizon. Successful treatment of invasive mycoses is dependent on a mix of pathogen-, host- and antifungal drug-related factors. Laboratories need to be adept at detection of fungal pathogens in clinical samples in order to effectively guide treatment by identifying isolates with acquired drug resistance. While there are international guidelines on how to conduct in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing, these are not performed as widely as for bacterial pathogens. Furthermore, fungi generally are recovered in cultures more slowly than bacteria, and often cannot be cultured in the laboratory. Therefore, non-culture-based methods, including molecular tests, to detect fungi in clinical specimens are increasingly important in patient management and are becoming more reliable as technology improves. Molecular methods can also be used for detection of target gene mutations or other mechanisms that predict antifungal drug resistance. This review addresses acquired antifungal drug resistance in the principal human fungal pathogens and describes known resistance mechanisms and what in-house and commercial tools are available for their detection. It is emphasized that this approach should be complementary to culture-based susceptibility testing, given the range of mutations, resistance mechanisms and target genes that may be present in clinical isolates, but may not be included in current molecular assays.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Maiken Cavling Arendrup
- Unit of Mycology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Szarvas J, Rebelo AR, Bortolaia V, Leekitcharoenphon P, Schrøder Hansen D, Nielsen HL, Nørskov-Lauritsen N, Kemp M, Røder BL, Frimodt-Møller N, Søndergaard TS, Coia JE, Østergaard C, Westh H, Aarestrup FM. Danish Whole-Genome-Sequenced Candida albicans and Candida glabrata Samples Fit into Globally Prevalent Clades. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7110962. [PMID: 34829249 PMCID: PMC8622182 DOI: 10.3390/jof7110962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans and Candida glabrata are opportunistic fungal pathogens with increasing incidence worldwide and higher-than-expected prevalence in Denmark. We whole-genome sequenced yeast isolates collected from Danish Clinical Microbiology Laboratories to obtain an overview of the Candida population in the country. The majority of the 30 C. albicans isolates were found to belong to three globally prevalent clades, and, with one exception, the remaining isolates were also predicted to cluster with samples from other geographical locations. Similarly, most of the eight C. glabrata isolates were predicted to be prevalent subtypes. Antifungal susceptibility testing proved all C. albicans isolates to be susceptible to both azoles and echinocandins. Two C. glabrata isolates presented azole-resistant phenotypes, yet all were susceptible to echinocandins. There is no indication of causality between population structure and resistance phenotypes for either species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Szarvas
- Division for Global Surveillance, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (A.R.R.); (V.B.); (P.L.); (F.M.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ana Rita Rebelo
- Division for Global Surveillance, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (A.R.R.); (V.B.); (P.L.); (F.M.A.)
| | - Valeria Bortolaia
- Division for Global Surveillance, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (A.R.R.); (V.B.); (P.L.); (F.M.A.)
| | - Pimlapas Leekitcharoenphon
- Division for Global Surveillance, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (A.R.R.); (V.B.); (P.L.); (F.M.A.)
| | | | - Hans Linde Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aalborg University Hospital, 9100 Aalborg, Denmark;
| | | | - Michael Kemp
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark;
| | - Bent Løwe Røder
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Slagelse Hospital, 4200 Slagelse, Denmark;
| | | | | | - John Eugenio Coia
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sydvestjysk Hospital, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark;
| | - Claus Østergaard
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Vejle Hospital, 7100 Vejle, Denmark;
| | - Henrik Westh
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hvidovre Hospital, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark;
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Frank Møller Aarestrup
- Division for Global Surveillance, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (A.R.R.); (V.B.); (P.L.); (F.M.A.)
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Phytomedicine from Middle Eastern Countries: An Alternative Remedy to Modern Medicine against Candida spp Infection. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:6694876. [PMID: 34335836 PMCID: PMC8298167 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6694876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Candida spp are capable of infecting both normal and immunocompromised individuals. More recently, Candida infections have spread considerably in healthcare settings, especially in intensive care units, where it is the most frequently encountered pathogen. Candida albicans is the commonest species encountered, although infections by non-albicans species have also risen in the past few years. The pathogenicity of Candida is credited to its aptitude to change between yeast and hyphal modes of growth. Candida spp produce biofilms on synthetic materials that protect them and facilitate drug resistance and act as a source for chronic and recurrent infections. Primarily, azoles antifungal agents are utilized to treat Candida infection that targets the ergosterol synthesis pathway in the cell wall. The development of antifungal resistance in Candida species is a major reason for treatment failure, and hence, there is a need to develop newer antifungal molecules and/or modifications of existing antifungals to make them more effective and less toxic. This has led researchers to oversee the plants to discover newer antimicrobials. Middle Eastern countries are well known for their landscape ranging from dry and sandy deserts to snow-capped mountains. However, they comprise enormous plant diversity with over 20,000 different species showing various types of bioactivities, such as anticancer, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities. Especially, the antifungal potential of these phytoproducts could be exploited in the clinical setting for therapy. The present review examines some of the promising alternative natural compounds that have been tested and found effective in treating Candida infections in vitro in some Middle Eastern countries.
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Antifungal Susceptibility of Non-albicans Candida Species in A Tertiary Care Hospital, Bulgaria. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2020. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.101767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Emerging non-albicans Candida (NAC) species are a major threat because of their intrinsic or acquired resistance to routinely applied antifungal agents. Objectives: The purpose of our study was to reveal in vitro activity of nine antifungal agents against NAC isolates. Methods: A total of 67 NAC (27 Candida glabrata, 10 C. tropicalis, 6 C. krusei, 6 C. parapsilosis, 4 C. lusitaniae, 4 C. lipolytica, etc.) were identified and tested. The antifungal susceptibility was estimated on the basis of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Results: Overall, 13 species were determined, of which C. glabrata was the most common (40.3%), followed by C. tropicalis (14.9%), C. krusei, and C. parapsilosis (8.9 % each). Forty-nine NAC isolates (73.13%) demonstrated decreased susceptibility to one or more antifungals, and 18 of them were resistant to all azoles. Out of 27 C. glabrata, 12 (44.4%) were resistant to fluconazole with MICs: 32 - >128 µg/mL and 15 (55.6%) were intermediate with MICs: 8 - 16 µg/mL Non-albicans Candida revealed a good susceptibility to echinocandins. Amphotericin B resistance was found in 5.97% of the isolates. Of particular interest was the detection of 6 (8.95%) multidrug-resistant NAC, which expressed resistance to azoles and echinocandins and/or amphotericin B. Conclusions: About one-fourth of the studied NAC were resistant to all azoles. These findings as well as the detection of several multidrug-resistant isolates determine the necessity of susceptibility testing of clinically important yeast isolates and control of the antifungal drugs in our hospital.
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Fraser M, Borman AM, Thorn R, Lawrance LM. Resistance to echinocandin antifungal agents in the United Kingdom in clinical isolates of Candida glabrata: Fifteen years of interpretation and assessment. Med Mycol 2020; 58:219-226. [PMID: 31111912 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myz053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Candidemia is widely reported as the fourth most common form of bloodstream infection worldwide. Reports of breakthrough cases of candidemia are increasing, especially in the context of a move away from azole antifungals as prophylactic or first line treatment toward the use of echinocandin agents. The global evaluation of echinocandin antifungal susceptibility since 2003 has included switches in testing methodologies and the move to a sentinel echinocandin approach for classification reporting. This study compiles previously unpublished data from echinocandin susceptibility testing of UK clinical isolates of C. glabrata received at the Public Health England Mycology Reference Laboratory from 2003 to 2016 and reevaluates the prevalence of resistance in light of currently accepted testing protocols. From 2015 onward, FKS gene mutation detection using a novel Pyrosequencing® assay was assessed as a predictor of echinocandin resistance alongside conventional susceptibility testing. Overall, our data show that echinocandin resistance in UK isolates of C. glabrata is a rare phenomenon and prevalence has not appreciably increased in the last 14 years. The pyrosequencing assay was able to successfully detect hot spot mutations in FKS1 and FKS2, although not all isolates that exhibited phenotypic resistance demonstrated detectable hot spot mutations. We propose that a rapid genomic based detection method for FKS mutations, as part of a multifactorial approach to susceptibility testing, could help provide accurate and timely management decisions especially in regions where echinocandin resistance has been reported to be emerging in this important pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Fraser
- UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, Public Health England, Bristol, UK.,Centre for Research in Bioscience, University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, UK
| | - Andrew M Borman
- UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, Public Health England, Bristol, UK
| | - Robin Thorn
- Centre for Research in Bioscience, University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, UK
| | - Lynne M Lawrance
- Centre for Research in Bioscience, University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, UK
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do Nascimento Dias J, de Souza Silva C, de Araújo AR, Souza JMT, de Holanda Veloso Júnior PH, Cabral WF, da Glória da Silva M, Eaton P, de Souza de Almeida Leite JR, Nicola AM, Albuquerque P, Silva-Pereira I. Mechanisms of action of antimicrobial peptides ToAP2 and NDBP-5.7 against Candida albicans planktonic and biofilm cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10327. [PMID: 32587287 PMCID: PMC7316759 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67041-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a major cause of human infections, ranging from relatively simple to treat skin and mucosal diseases to systemic life-threatening invasive candidiasis. Fungal infections treatment faces three major challenges: the limited number of therapeutic options, the toxicity of the available drugs, and the rise of antifungal resistance. In this study, we demonstrate the antifungal activity and mechanism of action of peptides ToAP2 and NDBP-5.7 against planktonic cells and biofilms of C. albicans. Both peptides were active against C. albicans cells; however, ToAP2 was more active and produced more pronounced effects on fungal cells. Both peptides affected C. albicans membrane permeability and produced changes in fungal cell morphology, such as deformations in the cell wall and disruption of ultracellular organization. Both peptides showed synergism with amphotericin B, while ToAP2 also presents a synergic effect with fluconazole. Besides, ToAP2 (6.25 µM.) was able to inhibit filamentation after 24 h of treatment and was active against both the early phase and mature biofilms of C. albicans. Finally, ToAP2 was protective in a Galleria mellonella model of infection. Altogether these results point to the therapeutic potential of ToAP2 and other antimicrobial peptides in the development of new therapies for C. albicans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhones do Nascimento Dias
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Calliandra de Souza Silva
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Alyne Rodrigues de Araújo
- Biotechnology and Biodiversity Center Research, Biotec, Federal University of the Delta of Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Jessica Maria Teles Souza
- Biotechnology and Biodiversity Center Research, Biotec, Federal University of the Delta of Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil
| | | | - Wanessa Felix Cabral
- Center for Research in Applied Morphology and Immunology, NuPMIA, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Maria da Glória da Silva
- Center for Research in Applied Morphology and Immunology, NuPMIA, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Peter Eaton
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | | | | | - Ildinete Silva-Pereira
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.
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Mroczyńska M, Brillowska-Dąbrowska A. Review on Current Status of Echinocandins Use. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9050227. [PMID: 32370108 PMCID: PMC7277767 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9050227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are rising all over the world every year. There are only five medical compound classes for treatment: triazoles, echinocandins, polyenes, flucytosine and allylamine. Currently, echinocandins are the most important compounds, because of their wide activity spectrum and much lower sides effects that may occur during therapy with other drugs. Echinocandins are secondary metabolites of fungi, which can inhibit the biosynthesis of β-(1,3)-D-glucan. These compounds have fungicidal and fungistatic activity depending on different genera of fungi, against which they are used. Echinocandin resistance is rare—the major cause of resistance is mutations in the gene encoding the β-(1,3)-D-glucan synthase enzyme. In this review of the literature we have summarized the characteristics of echinocandins, the mechanism of their antifungal activity with pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and the resistance issue.
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Antifungal Susceptibility of Candida albicans Isolates at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bulgaria. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2019. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.92079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
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12
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Chromatographic methods for echinocandin antifungal drugs determination in bioanalysis. Bioanalysis 2019; 11:1217-1228. [DOI: 10.4155/bio-2019-0045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The increase of fungal resistance to drugs, such as azole family, gave rise to the development of new antifungals. In this context, echinocandins emerged as a promising alternative for antifungal therapies. Following the commercialization of caspofungin in 2001, echinocandins became the first-line therapy for invasive candidiasis in different patient populations. The quantification of these drugs has gained importance since pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic and resistance studies are a paramount concern. This fact has led us to exhaustively examine the methodologies used for the analysis of echinocandins in biological fluids, which are mainly based on LC coupled to different detection techniques. In this review, we summarize the analytical methods for the quantification of echinocandins focusing on sample treatment, chromatographic separation and detection methods.
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13
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de Oliveira Santos GC, Vasconcelos CC, Lopes AJO, de Sousa Cartágenes MDS, Filho AKDB, do Nascimento FRF, Ramos RM, Pires ERRB, de Andrade MS, Rocha FMG, de Andrade Monteiro C. Candida Infections and Therapeutic Strategies: Mechanisms of Action for Traditional and Alternative Agents. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1351. [PMID: 30018595 PMCID: PMC6038711 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Candida genus comprises opportunistic fungi that can become pathogenic when the immune system of the host fails. Candida albicans is the most important and prevalent species. Polyenes, fluoropyrimidines, echinocandins, and azoles are used as commercial antifungal agents to treat candidiasis. However, the presence of intrinsic and developed resistance against azole antifungals has been extensively documented among several Candida species. The advent of original and re-emergence of classical fungal diseases have occurred as a consequence of the development of the antifungal resistance phenomenon. In this way, the development of new satisfactory therapy for fungal diseases persists as a major challenge of present-day medicine. The design of original drugs from traditional medicines provides new promises in the modern clinic. The urgent need includes the development of alternative drugs that are more efficient and tolerant than those traditional already in use. The identification of new substances with potential antifungal effect at low concentrations or in combination is also a possibility. The present review briefly examines the infections caused by Candida species and focuses on the mechanisms of action associated with the traditional agents used to treat those infections, as well as the current understanding of the molecular basis of resistance development in these fungal species. In addition, this review describes some of the promising alternative molecules and/or substances that could be used as anticandidal agents, their mechanisms of action, and their use in combination with traditional drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giselle C. de Oliveira Santos
- Programa de Doutorado em Biotecnologia da Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Cleydlenne C. Vasconcelos
- Programa de Doutorado em Biotecnologia da Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Alberto J. O. Lopes
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | | | - Allan K. D. B. Filho
- Departamento de Engenharia Elétrica, Programa de Doutorado em Biotecnologia da Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo M. Ramos
- Department of Information, Environment, Health and Food Production, Laboratory of Information Systems, Federal Institute of Piauí, Teresina, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo S. de Andrade
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Flaviane M. G. Rocha
- Laboratório de Micologia Médica, Programa de Mestrado em Biologia Parasitária, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Cristina de Andrade Monteiro
- Laboratório de Micologia Médica, Programa de Mestrado em Biologia Parasitária, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís, Brazil
- Departmento de Biologia, Instituto Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
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Pfaller MA, Messer SA, Rhomberg PR, Castanheira M. CD101, a long-acting echinocandin, and comparator antifungal agents tested against a global collection of invasive fungal isolates in the SENTRY 2015 Antifungal Surveillance Program. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2017; 50:352-358. [PMID: 28689871 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2017.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
CD101 is a novel echinocandin with exceptional chemical stability and long-acting pharmacokinetics. The activity of CD101 and comparators was evaluated using CLSI broth microdilution methods against 713 invasive fungal isolates, including 589 Candida spp. (6 species), 14 C. neoformans, 97 A. fumigatus and 13 A. flavus species complex collected worldwide during 2015. All C. tropicalis, C. krusei and C. dubliniensis, 99.7% of C. albicans and 98.3% of C. glabrata were inhibited by ≤0.12 µg/mL of CD101, and these isolates were susceptible/wild type to other echinocandins using CLSI clinical breakpoint and epidemiological cutoff value (ECV) interpretive criteria. C. parapsilosis displayed higher MIC values (range 0.25-2 µg/mL), but similar results were observed for other echinocandins. One C. glabrata and one C. albicans with CD101 MIC value at 1 and 0.25 µg/mL possessed F625S and S645P alterations on FKS1, respectively. These isolates also displayed elevated MIC values for at least one clinically available echinocandin. Fluconazole resistance was noted for 6.6% of C. glabrata and 3.6% C. parapsilosis. Echinocandins had limited activity against C. neoformans. CD101 activity against A. fumigatus and A. flavus (MEC ≤0.03 µg/mL) was comparable to other echinocandins (MEC ≤0.03 µg/mL). These moulds had MIC values below ECVs for the mould-active azoles. CD101 was as active as other echinocandins against common fungal organisms recovered from invasive fungal infections. The extended half-life profile is very desirable as less frequent dosing of this agent should facilitate shorter and more cost-effective hospital stays, improve compliance for outpatients, and provide more convenient outpatient prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Pfaller
- JMI Laboratories, North Liberty, Iowa, USA; University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Abstract
There has been a global upsurge in fungal infections due to rise in immunodeficiencies, debilitation and situations of violated anatomical barriers. The available antifungal repertoire has limited activity and is fraught with toxicity concerns. Drug resistance has also shown a rapid upward trend. This has resulted in increased treatment failures, mortality and health care costs. Novel effective and safe antimycotics are needed. Analogues of existing antifungal compounds and new molecules are being developed. New targets are being explored for their putative role in curtailing fungal infections. Newer antigens as vaccine candidates are being researched into. Focused efforts in this direction have yielded encouraging results. This review illuminates the various antifungal strategies which hold promise for the future.
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Acquired Multidrug Antifungal Resistance in Candida lusitaniae during Therapy. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:7715-22. [PMID: 26438490 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02204-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida lusitaniae is usually susceptible to echinocandins. Beta-1,3-glucan synthase encoded by FKS genes is the target of echinocandins. A few missense mutations in the C. lusitaniae FKS1 hot spot 1 (HS1) have been reported. We report here the rapid emergence of antifungal resistance in C. lusitaniae isolated during therapy with amphotericin B (AMB), caspofungin (CAS), and azoles for treatment of persistent candidemia in an immunocompromised child with severe enterocolitis and visceral adenoviral disease. As documented from restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, the five C. lusitaniae isolates examined were related to each other. From antifungal susceptibility and molecular analyses, 5 different profiles (P) were obtained. These profiles included the following: profile 1 (P1) (CAS MIC [μg/ml], 0.5; fluconazole [FLC] MIC, 0.25), determined while the patient was being treated with liposomal AMB for 3 months; P2 (FLC MIC [μg/ml], 0.25; CAS MIC, 4), while the patient was being treated with CAS for 2 weeks; P3 (CAS MIC [μg/ml], 0.5; FLC MIC, 32), while the patient was being treated with azoles and CAS initially followed by azoles alone for a week; P4 (CAS MIC [μg/ml], 8; FLC MIC, 8), while the patient was being treated with both drugs for 3 weeks; and P5 (AMB MIC [μg/ml], 0.125; CAS MIC, 8), while the patient was being treated with AMB and FLC for 2 weeks. CAS resistance was associated with resistance not only to micafungin and anidulafungin but also to AMB. Analysis of CAS resistance revealed 3 novel FKS1 mutations in CAS-resistant isolates (S638Y in P2; S631Y in P4; S638P in P5). While S638Y and -P are within HS1, S631Y is in close proximity to this domain but was confirmed to confer candin resistance using a site-directed mutagenesis approach. FLC resistance could be linked with overexpression of major facilitator gene 7 (MFS7) in C. lusitaniae P2 and P4 and was associated with resistance to 5-flurocytosine. This clinical report describes resistance of C. lusitaniae to all common antifungals. While candins or azole resistance followed monotherapy, multidrug antifungal resistance emerged during combined therapy.
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