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Wang H, Li H, Liu Z, Zhu Z, Cao Y. Activity of thonningianin A against Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:96. [PMID: 38212967 PMCID: PMC10784352 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12996-1] [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] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Fungal infections are increasing rapidly, and antifungal agents used in clinics are limited. Therefore, novel antifungal agents with high efficiency are urgently required. In this study, we investigated the antifungal activity of thonningianin A (THA), a natural compound that is widely found in plants. We first determined the activity of THA against Candida albicans, one of the most common fungal pathogens, and found that THA showed antifungal activity against all C. albicans tested, including several fluconazole-resistant isolates. THA also inhibits the growth of non-Candida albicans species. In addition, THA displayed antibiofilm activity and could not only inhibit biofilm formation but also destroy mature biofilms. The in vivo antifungal efficacy of THA was confirmed in a Galleria mellonella infection model. Further studies revealed that THA could enhance intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and regulate the transcription of several redox-related genes. Specifically, caspase activity and expression of CaMCA1, a caspase-encoding gene in C. albicans, were remarkably increased upon THA treatment. Consistent with this, in the presence of THA, the Camca1 null mutant displayed higher survival rates and reduced caspase activity compared to the wild-type or CaMCA1-reintroduced strains, indicating an important role of CaMCA1 in the antifungal activity of THA. Taken together, our results indicate that THA possesses excellent antifungal activity and may be a promising novel antifungal candidate. KEY POINTS: • THA exhibits activity against Candida species, including fluconazole-resistant isolates • THA inhibits biofilm formation and destroys mature biofilm • Elevated ROS production and CaMCA1-mediated caspase activity are involved in the antifungal mechanisms of THA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Dermatology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - ZhiWei Liu
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China
| | - ZhenYu Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - YingYing Cao
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200443, China.
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2
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Filigheddu MT, Leonelli M, Varando G, Gómez-Bermejo MÁ, Ventura-Díaz S, Gorospe L, Fortún J. Using staged tree models for health data: Investigating invasive fungal infections by aspergillus and other filamentous fungi. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 24:12-22. [PMID: 38144574 PMCID: PMC10746417 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Machine learning models are increasingly used in the medical domain to study the association between risk factors and diseases to support practitioners in understanding health outcomes. In this paper, we showcase the use of machine-learned staged tree models for investigating complex asymmetric dependence structures in health data. Staged trees are a specific class of generative, probabilistic graphical models that formally model asymmetric conditional independence and non-regular sample spaces. An investigation of the risk factors in invasive fungal infections demonstrates the insights staged trees provide to support medical decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Teresa Filigheddu
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS (Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria); Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Gherardo Varando
- Image Processing Laboratory (IPL), Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Sofía Ventura-Díaz
- Radiology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Gorospe
- Radiology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Fortún
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS (Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria); Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
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3
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Rinker DC, Sauters TJC, Steffen K, Gumilang A, Raja HA, Rangel-Grimaldo M, Pinzan CF, de Castro PA, Dos Reis TF, Delbaje E, Houbraken J, Goldman GH, Oberlies NH, Rokas A. Strain heterogeneity in a non-pathogenic Aspergillus fungus highlights factors associated with virulence. Commun Biol 2024; 7:1082. [PMID: 39232082 PMCID: PMC11374809 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06756-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Fungal pathogens exhibit extensive strain heterogeneity, including variation in virulence. Whether closely related non-pathogenic species also exhibit strain heterogeneity remains unknown. Here, we comprehensively characterized the pathogenic potentials (i.e., the ability to cause morbidity and mortality) of 16 diverse strains of Aspergillus fischeri, a non-pathogenic close relative of the major pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. In vitro immune response assays and in vivo virulence assays using a mouse model of pulmonary aspergillosis showed that A. fischeri strains varied widely in their pathogenic potential. Furthermore, pangenome analyses suggest that A. fischeri genomic and phenotypic diversity is even greater. Genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolic profiling identified several pathways and secondary metabolites associated with variation in virulence. Notably, strain virulence was associated with the simultaneous presence of the secondary metabolites hexadehydroastechrome and gliotoxin. We submit that examining the pathogenic potentials of non-pathogenic close relatives is key for understanding the origins of fungal pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Rinker
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Thomas J C Sauters
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Karin Steffen
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Adiyantara Gumilang
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Huzefa A Raja
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Manuel Rangel-Grimaldo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Camila Figueiredo Pinzan
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Alves de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thaila Fernanda Dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Endrews Delbaje
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jos Houbraken
- Food and Indoor Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Nicholas H Oberlies
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
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4
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Bays DJ, Jenkins EN, Lyman M, Chiller T, Strong N, Ostrosky-Zeichner L, Hoenigl M, Pappas PG, Thompson III GR. Epidemiology of Invasive Candidiasis. Clin Epidemiol 2024; 16:549-566. [PMID: 39219747 PMCID: PMC11366240 DOI: 10.2147/clep.s459600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive candidiasis (IC) is an increasingly prevalent, costly, and potentially fatal infection brought on by the opportunistic yeast, Candida. Previously, IC has predominantly been caused by C. albicans which is often drug susceptible. There has been a global trend towards decreasing rates of infection secondary to C. albicans and a rise in non-albicans species with a corresponding increase in drug resistance creating treatment challenges. With advances in management of malignancies, there has also been an increase in the population at risk from IC along with a corresponding increase in incidence of breakthrough IC infections. Additionally, the emergence of C. auris creates many challenges in management and prevention due to drug resistance and the organism's ability to transmit rapidly in the healthcare setting. While the development of novel antifungals is encouraging for future management, understanding the changing epidemiology of IC is a vital step in future management and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek J Bays
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Emily N Jenkins
- ASRT, Inc, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Mycotic Disease Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Meghan Lyman
- Mycotic Disease Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tom Chiller
- Mycotic Disease Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nora Strong
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Martin Hoenigl
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Clinical and Translational Fungal Working Group, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Peter G Pappas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - George R Thompson III
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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5
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Mezochow AK, Schaubel DE, Peyster EG, Lewis JD, Goldberg DS, Bittermann T. Hospitalizations for opportunistic infections following transplantation and associated risk factors: A national cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries. Transpl Infect Dis 2024; 26:e14317. [PMID: 38852064 PMCID: PMC11315637 DOI: 10.1111/tid.14317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opportunistic infections (OIs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality after organ transplantation, though data in the liver transplant (LT) population are limited. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of LT recipients between January 1, 2007 and Deceber 31, 2016 using Medicare claims data linked to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database. Multivariable Cox regression models evaluated factors independently associated with hospitalizations for early (≤1 year post transplant) and late (>1 year) OIs, with a particular focus on immunosuppression. RESULTS There were 11 320 LT recipients included in the study, of which 13.2% had at least one OI hospitalization during follow-up. Of the 2638 OI hospitalizations, 61.9% were early post-LT. Cytomegalovirus was the most common OI (45.4% overall), although relative frequency decreased after the first year (25.3%). Neither induction or maintenance immunosuppression were associated with early OI hospitalization (all p > .05). The highest risk of early OI was seen with primary sclerosing cholangitis (aHR 1.74; p = .003 overall). Steroid-based and mechanistic target of rapamycin inhibitor-based immunosuppression at 1 year post LT were independently associated with increased late OI (p < .001 overall). CONCLUSION This study found OI hospitalizations to be relatively common among LT recipients and frequently occur later than previously reported. Immunosuppression regimen may be an important modifiable risk factor for late OIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa K Mezochow
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Douglas E Schaubel
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Eliot G Peyster
- Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James D Lewis
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David S Goldberg
- Division of Digestive Health & Liver Diseases, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Therese Bittermann
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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6
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Jusuf S, Mansour MK. Catalase Deactivation Increases Dermatophyte Sensitivity to ROS Sources. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:476. [PMID: 39057361 PMCID: PMC11277954 DOI: 10.3390/jof10070476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
As the leading cause of fungal skin infections around the globe, dermatophytes are responsible for a multitude of skin ailments, ranging from athlete's foot to ringworm. Due to the combination of its growing prevalence and antifungal misuse, antifungal-resistant dermatophyte strains like Trichophyton indotineae have begun to emerge, posing a significant global health risk. The emergence of these resistant dermatophytes highlights a critical need to identify alternative methods of treating dermatophyte infections. In our study, we utilized a 405 nm LED to establish that blue light can effectively inactivate catalase within a variety of both susceptible and resistant dermatophytes. Through this catalase inactivation process, light-treated dermatophytes were found to exhibit increased sensitivity to reactive oxygen species (ROS)-producing agents, improving the performance of antimicrobial agents such as H2O2 and amphotericin B. Our findings further demonstrate that light-induced catalase inactivation can inhibit the formation and polarized growth of hyphae from dermatophytes, suppressing biomass formation. Thus, by increasing ROS sensitization and inhibiting hyphal development, catalase-deactivating blue light offers a potential non-invasive and non-drug-reliant method of managing dermatophyte infections, opening new avenues for the potential treatment of these common infections in conjunction with existing treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Jusuf
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Michael K. Mansour
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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7
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Huma ZE, Saleem S, Imran M, Raza SM, Jabeen K, Arshad F. Role of ERG11 and MDR1 genes in cycloheximide and multidrug resistance in Candida species. Braz J Microbiol 2024:10.1007/s42770-024-01436-5. [PMID: 38980650 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01436-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida species are amongst the commensals of the mucosal surfaces of the human body which include the oral cavity, vagina, and intestinal mucosa. Fungal infections are on the rise worldwide. The overall burden of infections due to fungi is difficult to estimate because the majority of them remain undiagnosed. The present study aims to determine the burden of antifungal resistance in low socioeconomic country, Pakistan and the frequency of ERG11 and MDR1 genes involved. A total of 636 Candida isolates were obtained from various tertiary care institutions in Lahore in the form of culture on various culture plates. Sabouraud agar culture plates were used to culture the Candida spp. Antifungal resistance was determined against Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, and Nystatin via disk diffusion technique. Most resistance was observed against Fluconazole followed by Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, and Nystatin. The Candida isolates recovering from CVP tip and tissue have a high resistance profile. Candida species resistant to at least two antifungals were chosen for further ERG11 and MDR1 detection through real-time PCR. Among 255 Candida isolates, 240 contained ERG11 gene while MDR1 gene is present in 149 Candida isolates. The isolates carrying both genes were tested by the broth microdilution technique for the susceptibility against cycloheximide, all of them were able to grow in cycloheximide. The genetic determinants of antifungal resistance such as ERG11 and MDR1 are as important in the multidrug resistance against a variety of compounds and antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zill-E- Huma
- Department of Microbiology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Sidrah Saleem
- Department of Microbiology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Imran
- Department of Microbiology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Syed Mohsin Raza
- Department of Allied Health Sciences and Medical Education, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Kokab Jabeen
- Department of Microbiology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Faiqa Arshad
- Department of Microbiology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
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8
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Bhunjun C, Chen Y, Phukhamsakda C, Boekhout T, Groenewald J, McKenzie E, Francisco E, Frisvad J, Groenewald M, Hurdeal VG, Luangsa-ard J, Perrone G, Visagie C, Bai F, Błaszkowski J, Braun U, de Souza F, de Queiroz M, Dutta A, Gonkhom D, Goto B, Guarnaccia V, Hagen F, Houbraken J, Lachance M, Li J, Luo K, Magurno F, Mongkolsamrit S, Robert V, Roy N, Tibpromma S, Wanasinghe D, Wang D, Wei D, Zhao C, Aiphuk W, Ajayi-Oyetunde O, Arantes T, Araujo J, Begerow D, Bakhshi M, Barbosa R, Behrens F, Bensch K, Bezerra J, Bilański P, Bradley C, Bubner B, Burgess T, Buyck B, Čadež N, Cai L, Calaça F, Campbell L, Chaverri P, Chen Y, Chethana K, Coetzee B, Costa M, Chen Q, Custódio F, Dai Y, Damm U, Santiago A, De Miccolis Angelini R, Dijksterhuis J, Dissanayake A, Doilom M, Dong W, Álvarez-Duarte E, Fischer M, Gajanayake A, Gené J, Gomdola D, Gomes A, Hausner G, He M, Hou L, Iturrieta-González I, Jami F, Jankowiak R, Jayawardena R, Kandemir H, Kiss L, Kobmoo N, Kowalski T, Landi L, Lin C, Liu J, Liu X, Loizides M, Luangharn T, Maharachchikumbura S, Mkhwanazi GM, Manawasinghe I, Marin-Felix Y, McTaggart A, Moreau P, Morozova O, Mostert L, Osiewacz H, Pem D, Phookamsak R, Pollastro S, Pordel A, Poyntner C, Phillips A, Phonemany M, Promputtha I, Rathnayaka A, Rodrigues A, Romanazzi G, Rothmann L, Salgado-Salazar C, Sandoval-Denis M, Saupe S, Scholler M, Scott P, Shivas R, Silar P, Silva-Filho A, Souza-Motta C, Spies C, Stchigel A, Sterflinger K, Summerbell R, Svetasheva T, Takamatsu S, Theelen B, Theodoro R, Thines M, Thongklang N, Torres R, Turchetti B, van den Brule T, Wang X, Wartchow F, Welti S, Wijesinghe S, Wu F, Xu R, Yang Z, Yilmaz N, Yurkov A, Zhao L, Zhao R, Zhou N, Hyde K, Crous P. What are the 100 most cited fungal genera? Stud Mycol 2024; 108:1-411. [PMID: 39100921 PMCID: PMC11293126 DOI: 10.3114/sim.2024.108.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The global diversity of fungi has been estimated between 2 to 11 million species, of which only about 155 000 have been named. Most fungi are invisible to the unaided eye, but they represent a major component of biodiversity on our planet, and play essential ecological roles, supporting life as we know it. Although approximately 20 000 fungal genera are presently recognised, the ecology of most remains undetermined. Despite all this diversity, the mycological community actively researches some fungal genera more commonly than others. This poses an interesting question: why have some fungal genera impacted mycology and related fields more than others? To address this issue, we conducted a bibliometric analysis to identify the top 100 most cited fungal genera. A thorough database search of the Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed was performed to establish which genera are most cited. The most cited 10 genera are Saccharomyces, Candida, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Botrytis, Pichia, Cryptococcus and Alternaria. Case studies are presented for the 100 most cited genera with general background, notes on their ecology and economic significance and important research advances. This paper provides a historic overview of scientific research of these genera and the prospect for further research. Citation: Bhunjun CS, Chen YJ, Phukhamsakda C, Boekhout T, Groenewald JZ, McKenzie EHC, Francisco EC, Frisvad JC, Groenewald M, Hurdeal VG, Luangsa-ard J, Perrone G, Visagie CM, Bai FY, Błaszkowski J, Braun U, de Souza FA, de Queiroz MB, Dutta AK, Gonkhom D, Goto BT, Guarnaccia V, Hagen F, Houbraken J, Lachance MA, Li JJ, Luo KY, Magurno F, Mongkolsamrit S, Robert V, Roy N, Tibpromma S, Wanasinghe DN, Wang DQ, Wei DP, Zhao CL, Aiphuk W, Ajayi-Oyetunde O, Arantes TD, Araujo JC, Begerow D, Bakhshi M, Barbosa RN, Behrens FH, Bensch K, Bezerra JDP, Bilański P, Bradley CA, Bubner B, Burgess TI, Buyck B, Čadež N, Cai L, Calaça FJS, Campbell LJ, Chaverri P, Chen YY, Chethana KWT, Coetzee B, Costa MM, Chen Q, Custódio FA, Dai YC, Damm U, de Azevedo Santiago ALCM, De Miccolis Angelini RM, Dijksterhuis J, Dissanayake AJ, Doilom M, Dong W, Alvarez-Duarte E, Fischer M, Gajanayake AJ, Gené J, Gomdola D, Gomes AAM, Hausner G, He MQ, Hou L, Iturrieta-González I, Jami F, Jankowiak R, Jayawardena RS, Kandemir H, Kiss L, Kobmoo N, Kowalski T, Landi L, Lin CG, Liu JK, Liu XB, Loizides M, Luangharn T, Maharachchikumbura SSN, Makhathini Mkhwanazi GJ, Manawasinghe IS, Marin-Felix Y, McTaggart AR, Moreau PA, Morozova OV, Mostert L, Osiewacz HD, Pem D, Phookamsak R, Pollastro S, Pordel A, Poyntner C, Phillips AJL, Phonemany M, Promputtha I, Rathnayaka AR, Rodrigues AM, Romanazzi G, Rothmann L, Salgado-Salazar C, Sandoval-Denis M, Saupe SJ, Scholler M, Scott P, Shivas RG, Silar P, Souza-Motta CM, Silva-Filho AGS, Spies CFJ, Stchigel AM, Sterflinger K, Summerbell RC, Svetasheva TY, Takamatsu S, Theelen B, Theodoro RC, Thines M, Thongklang N, Torres R, Turchetti B, van den Brule T, Wang XW, Wartchow F, Welti S, Wijesinghe SN, Wu F, Xu R, Yang ZL, Yilmaz N, Yurkov A, Zhao L, Zhao RL, Zhou N, Hyde KD, Crous PW (2024). What are the 100 most cited fungal genera? Studies in Mycology 108: 1-411. doi: 10.3114/sim.2024.108.01.
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Affiliation(s)
- C.S. Bhunjun
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
| | - Y.J. Chen
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
| | - C. Phukhamsakda
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
| | - T. Boekhout
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
- The Yeasts Foundation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J.Z. Groenewald
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
| | - E.H.C. McKenzie
- Landcare Research Manaaki Whenua, Private Bag 92170, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - E.C. Francisco
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
- Laboratório Especial de Micologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J.C. Frisvad
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - V. G. Hurdeal
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
| | - J. Luangsa-ard
- BIOTEC, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 111 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - G. Perrone
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council (CNR-ISPA), Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - C.M. Visagie
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - F.Y. Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - J. Błaszkowski
- Laboratory of Plant Protection, Department of Shaping of Environment, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Słowackiego 17, PL-71434 Szczecin, Poland
| | - U. Braun
- Martin Luther University, Institute of Biology, Department of Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Neuwerk 21, 06099 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - F.A. de Souza
- Núcleo de Biologia Aplicada, Embrapa Milho e Sorgo, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Rodovia MG 424 km 45, 35701–970, Sete Lagoas, MG, Brazil
| | - M.B. de Queiroz
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Sistemática e Evolução, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Campus Universitário, Natal-RN, 59078-970, Brazil
| | - A.K. Dutta
- Molecular & Applied Mycology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Gopinath Bordoloi Nagar, Jalukbari, Guwahati - 781014, Assam, India
| | - D. Gonkhom
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
| | - B.T. Goto
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Sistemática e Evolução, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Campus Universitário, Natal-RN, 59078-970, Brazil
| | - V. Guarnaccia
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Torino, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - F. Hagen
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J. Houbraken
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
| | - M.A. Lachance
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - J.J. Li
- College of Biodiversity Conservation, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, P.R. China
| | - K.Y. Luo
- College of Biodiversity Conservation, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, P.R. China
| | - F. Magurno
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Jagiellońska 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland
| | - S. Mongkolsamrit
- BIOTEC, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 111 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - V. Robert
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
| | - N. Roy
- Molecular & Applied Mycology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Gopinath Bordoloi Nagar, Jalukbari, Guwahati - 781014, Assam, India
| | - S. Tibpromma
- Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization, College of Biological Resource and Food Engineering, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, Yunnan 655011, P.R. China
| | - D.N. Wanasinghe
- Center for Mountain Futures, Kunming Institute of Botany, Honghe 654400, Yunnan, China
| | - D.Q. Wang
- College of Biodiversity Conservation, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, P.R. China
| | - D.P. Wei
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, P.R. China
| | - C.L. Zhao
- College of Biodiversity Conservation, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, P.R. China
| | - W. Aiphuk
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
| | - O. Ajayi-Oyetunde
- Syngenta Crop Protection, 410 S Swing Rd, Greensboro, NC. 27409, USA
| | - T.D. Arantes
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Biociências e Tecnologia, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74605-050, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - J.C. Araujo
- Mykocosmos - Mycology and Science Communication, Rua JP 11 Qd. 18 Lote 13, Jd. Primavera 1ª etapa, Post Code 75.090-260, Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil
- Secretaria de Estado da Educação de Goiás (SEDUC/ GO), Quinta Avenida, Quadra 71, número 212, Setor Leste Vila Nova, Goiânia, Goiás, 74643-030, Brazil
| | - D. Begerow
- Organismic Botany and Mycology, Institute of Plant Sciences and Microbiology, Ohnhorststraße 18, 22609 Hamburg, Germany
| | - M. Bakhshi
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, UK
| | - R.N. Barbosa
- Micoteca URM-Department of Mycology Prof. Chaves Batista, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Center for Biosciences, University City, Recife, Pernambuco, Zip Code: 50670-901, Brazil
| | - F.H. Behrens
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Fruit Crops and Viticulture, Geilweilerhof, D-76833 Siebeldingen, Germany
| | - K. Bensch
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
| | - J.D.P. Bezerra
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Biociências e Tecnologia, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74605-050, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - P. Bilański
- Department of Forest Ecosystems Protection, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Krakow, Poland
| | - C.A. Bradley
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, Princeton, KY 42445, USA
| | - B. Bubner
- Johan Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Bundesforschungsinstitut für Ländliche Räume, Wald und Fischerei, Institut für Forstgenetik, Eberswalder Chaussee 3a, 15377 Waldsieversdorf, Germany
| | - T.I. Burgess
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, 6150, Australia
| | - B. Buyck
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, 57 rue Cuvier, CP 39, 75231, Paris cedex 05, France
| | - N. Čadež
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Food Science and Technology Department Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - L. Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - F.J.S. Calaça
- Mykocosmos - Mycology and Science Communication, Rua JP 11 Qd. 18 Lote 13, Jd. Primavera 1ª etapa, Post Code 75.090-260, Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil
- Secretaria de Estado da Educação de Goiás (SEDUC/ GO), Quinta Avenida, Quadra 71, número 212, Setor Leste Vila Nova, Goiânia, Goiás, 74643-030, Brazil
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ensino de Ciências (LabPEC), Centro de Pesquisas e Educação Científica, Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Campus Central (CEPEC/UEG), Anápolis, GO, 75132-903, Brazil
| | - L.J. Campbell
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - P. Chaverri
- Centro de Investigaciones en Productos Naturales (CIPRONA) and Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, 11501-2060, San José, Costa Rica
- Department of Natural Sciences, Bowie State University, Bowie, Maryland, U.S.A
| | - Y.Y. Chen
- Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang 550006, China
| | - K.W.T. Chethana
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
| | - B. Coetzee
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
- School for Data Sciences and Computational Thinking, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - M.M. Costa
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
| | - Q. Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - F.A. Custódio
- Departamento de Fitopatologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa-MG, Brazil
| | - Y.C. Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - U. Damm
- Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz, PF 300 154, 02806 Görlitz, Germany
| | - A.L.C.M.A. Santiago
- Post-graduate course in the Biology of Fungi, Department of Mycology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, 50740-465, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | - J. Dijksterhuis
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
| | - A.J. Dissanayake
- Center for Informational Biology, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - M. Doilom
- Innovative Institute for Plant Health/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control on Fruits and Vegetables in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - W. Dong
- Innovative Institute for Plant Health/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control on Fruits and Vegetables in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - E. Álvarez-Duarte
- Mycology Unit, Microbiology and Mycology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Chile, Chile
| | - M. Fischer
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Fruit Crops and Viticulture, Geilweilerhof, D-76833 Siebeldingen, Germany
| | - A.J. Gajanayake
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
| | - J. Gené
- Unitat de Micologia i Microbiologia Ambiental, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut & IURESCAT, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Reus, Catalonia Spain
| | - D. Gomdola
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Mushroom Research Foundation, 128 M.3 Ban Pa Deng T. Pa Pae, A. Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand
| | - A.A.M. Gomes
- Departamento de Agronomia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife-PE, Brazil
| | - G. Hausner
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5N6
| | - M.Q. He
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - L. Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Key Laboratory of Space Nutrition and Food Engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - I. Iturrieta-González
- Unitat de Micologia i Microbiologia Ambiental, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut & IURESCAT, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Reus, Catalonia Spain
- Department of Preclinic Sciences, Medicine Faculty, Laboratory of Infectology and Clinical Immunology, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine-Scientific and Technological Nucleus (CEMT-BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4810296, Chile
| | - F. Jami
- Plant Health and Protection, Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - R. Jankowiak
- Department of Forest Ecosystems Protection, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Krakow, Poland
| | - R.S. Jayawardena
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, South Korea
| | - H. Kandemir
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
| | - L. Kiss
- Centre for Crop Health, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, QLD 4350 Toowoomba, Australia
- Centre for Research and Development, Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, H-3300 Eger, Hungary
| | - N. Kobmoo
- BIOTEC, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 111 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - T. Kowalski
- Department of Forest Ecosystems Protection, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Krakow, Poland
| | - L. Landi
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - C.G. Lin
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center for Informational Biology, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - J.K. Liu
- Center for Informational Biology, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - X.B. Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, P.R. China
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, HUN-REN Biological Research Center, Temesvári krt. 62, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Fungal Diversity and Green Development, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
| | | | - T. Luangharn
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
| | - S.S.N. Maharachchikumbura
- Center for Informational Biology, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - G.J. Makhathini Mkhwanazi
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
| | - I.S. Manawasinghe
- Innovative Institute for Plant Health/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control on Fruits and Vegetables in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Y. Marin-Felix
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstrasse 7, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - A.R. McTaggart
- Centre for Horticultural Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park 4102, Queensland, Australia
| | - P.A. Moreau
- Univ. Lille, ULR 4515 - LGCgE, Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - O.V. Morozova
- Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2, Prof. Popov Str., 197376 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Tula State Lev Tolstoy Pedagogical University, 125, Lenin av., 300026 Tula, Russia
| | - L. Mostert
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
| | - H.D. Osiewacz
- Faculty for Biosciences, Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - D. Pem
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Mushroom Research Foundation, 128 M.3 Ban Pa Deng T. Pa Pae, A. Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand
| | - R. Phookamsak
- Center for Mountain Futures, Kunming Institute of Botany, Honghe 654400, Yunnan, China
| | - S. Pollastro
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - A. Pordel
- Plant Protection Research Department, Baluchestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Iranshahr, Iran
| | - C. Poyntner
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - A.J.L. Phillips
- Faculdade de Ciências, Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute (BioISI), Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - M. Phonemany
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Mushroom Research Foundation, 128 M.3 Ban Pa Deng T. Pa Pae, A. Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand
| | - I. Promputtha
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - A.R. Rathnayaka
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Mushroom Research Foundation, 128 M.3 Ban Pa Deng T. Pa Pae, A. Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand
| | - A.M. Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Discipline of Cellular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, 04023062, Brazil
| | - G. Romanazzi
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - L. Rothmann
- Plant Pathology, Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
| | - C. Salgado-Salazar
- Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS), 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville MD, 20705, USA
| | - M. Sandoval-Denis
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
| | - S.J. Saupe
- Institut de Biochimie et de Génétique Cellulaire, UMR 5095 CNRS Université de Bordeaux, 1 rue Camille Saint Saëns, 33077 Bordeaux cedex, France
| | - M. Scholler
- Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe, Erbprinzenstraße 13, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - P. Scott
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, 6150, Australia
- Sustainability and Biosecurity, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Perth WA 6000, Australia
| | - R.G. Shivas
- Centre for Crop Health, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, QLD 4350 Toowoomba, Australia
| | - P. Silar
- Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire des Energies de Demain, Université de Paris Cité, 75205 Paris Cedex, France
| | - A.G.S. Silva-Filho
- IFungiLab, Departamento de Ciências e Matemática (DCM), Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de São Paulo (IFSP), São Paulo, BraziI
| | - C.M. Souza-Motta
- Micoteca URM-Department of Mycology Prof. Chaves Batista, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Center for Biosciences, University City, Recife, Pernambuco, Zip Code: 50670-901, Brazil
| | - C.F.J. Spies
- Agricultural Research Council - Plant Health and Protection, Private Bag X5017, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa
| | - A.M. Stchigel
- Unitat de Micologia i Microbiologia Ambiental, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut & IURESCAT, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Reus, Catalonia Spain
| | - K. Sterflinger
- Institute of Natural Sciences and Technology in the Arts (INTK), Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Augasse 2–6, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - R.C. Summerbell
- Sporometrics, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - T.Y. Svetasheva
- Tula State Lev Tolstoy Pedagogical University, 125, Lenin av., 300026 Tula, Russia
| | - S. Takamatsu
- Mie University, Graduate School, Department of Bioresources, 1577 Kurima-Machiya, Tsu 514-8507, Japan
| | - B. Theelen
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
| | - R.C. Theodoro
- Laboratório de Micologia Médica, Instituto de Medicina Tropical do RN, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59078-900, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - M. Thines
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - N. Thongklang
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
| | - R. Torres
- IRTA, Postharvest Programme, Edifici Fruitcentre, Parc Agrobiotech de Lleida, Parc de Gardeny, 25003, Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
| | - B. Turchetti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences and DBVPG Industrial Yeasts Collection, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - T. van den Brule
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
- TIFN, P.O. Box 557, 6700 AN Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - X.W. Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - F. Wartchow
- Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Paraiba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - S. Welti
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstrasse 7, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - S.N. Wijesinghe
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Mushroom Research Foundation, 128 M.3 Ban Pa Deng T. Pa Pae, A. Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand
| | - F. Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - R. Xu
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
- Internationally Cooperative Research Center of China for New Germplasm Breeding of Edible Mushroom, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Z.L. Yang
- Syngenta Crop Protection, 410 S Swing Rd, Greensboro, NC. 27409, USA
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Fungal Diversity and Green Development, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - N. Yilmaz
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - A. Yurkov
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Brunswick, Germany
| | - L. Zhao
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
| | - R.L. Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - N. Zhou
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana University of Science and Technology, Private Bag, 16, Palapye, Botswana
| | - K.D. Hyde
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Innovative Institute for Plant Health/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control on Fruits and Vegetables in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, Guangdong, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology and the Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - P.W. Crous
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht
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Cissé OH, Ma L, Kovacs JA. Retracing the evolution of Pneumocystis species, with a focus on the human pathogen Pneumocystis jirovecii. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0020222. [PMID: 38587383 PMCID: PMC11332345 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00202-22] [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: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYEvery human being is presumed to be infected by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii at least once in his or her lifetime. This fungus belongs to a large group of species that appear to exclusively infect mammals, with P. jirovecii being the only one known to cause disease in humans. The mystery of P. jirovecii origin and speciation is just beginning to unravel. Here, we provide a review of the major steps of P. jirovecii evolution. The Pneumocystis genus likely originated from soil or plant-associated organisms during the period of Cretaceous ~165 million years ago and successfully shifted to mammals. The transition coincided with a substantial loss of genes, many of which are related to the synthesis of nutrients that can be scavenged from hosts or cell wall components that could be targeted by the mammalian immune system. Following the transition, the Pneumocystis genus cospeciated with mammals. Each species specialized at infecting its own host. Host specialization is presumably built at least partially upon surface glycoproteins, whose protogene was acquired prior to the genus formation. P. jirovecii appeared at ~65 million years ago, overlapping with the emergence of the first primates. P. jirovecii and its sister species P. macacae, which infects macaques nowadays, may have had overlapping host ranges in the distant past. Clues from molecular clocks suggest that P. jirovecii did not cospeciate with humans. Molecular evidence suggests that Pneumocystis speciation involved chromosomal rearrangements and the mounting of genetic barriers that inhibit gene flow among species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ousmane H. Cissé
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Liang Ma
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Joseph A. Kovacs
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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10
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Bazuhair MA, Alsieni M, Abdullah H, Mokhtar JA, Attallah D, Abujamel TS, Alkuwaity KK, Niyazi HA, Niyazi HA, AbdulMajed H, Juma N, Al-Rabia MW, Alfadil A, Ibrahem K. The Combination of 3-Hydrazinoquinoxaline-2-Thiol with Thymoquinone Demonstrates Synergistic Activity Against Different Candida Strains. Infect Drug Resist 2024; 17:2289-2298. [PMID: 38860227 PMCID: PMC11164204 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s464287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Candida is the primary cause of invasive fungal disease, candidiasis, especially in developed nations. The increasing resistance observed in multiple antibiotics, coupled with the prolonged process of creating new antibiotics from the ground up, emphasizes the urgent requirement for innovative methods and new compounds to combat Candida infections. Employing a treatment strategy that combines antibiotics can improve efficacy, broaden the spectrum of targeted fungal, and reduce the chances of resistance emergence. This approach shows potential in tackling the escalating problem of antibiotic resistance. The objective of this research is to explore the potential synergistic effects of combining 3-hydrazinoquinoxaline-2-thiol and thymoquinone against a variety of Candida isolates. This investigation aims to offer an understanding of the collective antimicrobial action of these compounds. Methods Broth microdilution was utilized to assess the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of 3-hydrazinoquinoxaline-2-thiol and thymoquinone for 22 clinical Candida isolates. Following this, a checkerboard assay was employed to analyze the interaction between 3-hydrazinoquinoxaline-2-thiol and thymoquinone, with a specific focus on the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI). Results The MICs of thymoquinone and 3-hydrazinoquinoxaline-2-thiol were determined for 22 clinical Candida strains, with thymoquinone exhibiting MICs ranging from 64 to 8 µg/mL, and 3-hydrazinoquinoxaline-2-thiol displaying MICs varying from 64 to 8 µg/mL. Notably, the combination of 3-hydrazinoquinoxaline-2-thiol and thymoquinone resulted in a synergistic effect, leading to a significant reduction in MICs, with reductions of up to 64-fold with FICI below 0.5 against tested strains. Conclusion The prospect of using 3-hydrazinoquinoxaline-2-thiol in combination with thymoquinone as an effective solution against Candida looks encouraging. Nevertheless, to validate its practical applicability, additional comprehensive testing and experiments are imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Bazuhair
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Centre of Research Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alsieni
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hani Abdullah
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jawahir A Mokhtar
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dalya Attallah
- Department of Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Turki S Abujamel
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalil K Alkuwaity
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanouf A Niyazi
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hatoon A Niyazi
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hind AbdulMajed
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Noha Juma
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed W Al-Rabia
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelbagi Alfadil
- Centre of Research Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Karem Ibrahem
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Kane A, Dinh H, Campbell L, Cain AK, Hibbs D, Carter D. Spectrum of activity and mechanisms of azole-bisphosphonate synergy in pathogenic Candida. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0012124. [PMID: 38695556 PMCID: PMC11237636 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00121-24] [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: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Candidiasis places a significant burden on human health and can range from common superficial vulvovaginal and oral infections to invasive diseases with high mortality. The most common Candida species implicated in human disease is Candida albicans, but other species like Candida glabrata are emerging. The use of azole antifungals for treatment is limited by increasing rates of resistance. This study explores repositioning bisphosphonates, which are traditionally used for osteoporosis, as antifungal synergists that can improve and revitalize the use of azoles. Risedronate, alendronate, and zoledronate (ZOL) were tested against isolates from six different species of Candida, and ZOL produced moderate antifungal activity and strong synergy with azoles like fluconazole (FLC), particularly in C. glabrata. FLC:ZOL combinations had increased fungicidal and antibiofilm activity compared to either drug alone, and the combination prevented the development of antifungal resistance. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that the synergy was mediated by the depletion of squalene, resulting in the inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis and a compromised membrane structure. In C. glabrata, synergy compromised the function of membrane-bound multidrug transporters and caused an accumulation of reactive oxygen species, which may account for its acute sensitivity to FLC:ZOL. The efficacy of FLC:ZOL in vivo was confirmed in a Galleria mellonella infection model, where combinations improved the survival of larvae infected with C. albicans and C. glabrata to a greater extent than monotherapy with FLC or ZOL, and at reduced dosages. These findings demonstrate that bisphosphonates and azoles are a promising new combination therapy for the treatment of topical candidiasis. IMPORTANCE Candida is a common and often very serious opportunistic fungal pathogen. Invasive candidiasis is a prevalent cause of nosocomial infections with a high mortality rate, and mucocutaneous infections significantly impact the quality of life of millions of patients a year. These infections pose substantial clinical challenges, particularly as the currently available antifungal treatment options are limited in efficacy and often toxic. Azoles are a mainstay of antifungal therapy and work by targeting the biosynthesis of ergosterol. However, there are rising rates of acquired azole resistance in various Candida species, and some species are considered intrinsically resistant to most azoles. Our research demonstrates the promising therapeutic potential of synergistically enhancing azoles with non-toxic, FDA-approved bisphosphonates. Repurposing bisphosphonates as antifungal synergists can bypass much of the drug development pipeline and accelerate the translation of azole-bisphosphonate combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan Kane
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hue Dinh
- School of Natural Sciences, ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Leona Campbell
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amy K. Cain
- School of Natural Sciences, ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Hibbs
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dee Carter
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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12
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Rhoads S, Maloney J, Mantha A, Van Hook R, Henao-Martínez AF. Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia in HIV-Negative, Non-transplant Patients: Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2024; 18:125-135. [PMID: 38948111 PMCID: PMC11213562 DOI: 10.1007/s12281-024-00482-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is an opportunistic fungal infection that is increasingly seen in HIV-negative patients with immune compromise due to other etiologies. We lack comprehensive clinical recommendations for this population. Recent Findings In non-HIV cases, PJP has a mortality rate of up to 50%, which is unacceptable despite the presence of safe and effective prophylaxis and therapy. Steroid use is one of the most common risk factors for disease development. New data suggests that lower doses of the preferred treatment regimen, TMP-SMX, may be equally effective for treatment while limiting side effects. While commonly used, the benefit of corticosteroids for the treatment of PJP has recently been called into question, with a recent multicenter cohort demonstrating no benefit among solid organ transplant recipients. Summary A high suspicion of PJP in individuals with pneumonia during immunosuppressant use is crucial. Therapeutic options are evolving to decrease potential side effects while maintaining efficacy in this highly morbid disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Rhoads
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, USA
| | - James Maloney
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, USA
| | - Aditya Mantha
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, USA
| | - Reed Van Hook
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, USA
| | - Andrés F. Henao-Martínez
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E. 19Th Avenue, Mail Stop B168, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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13
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El Ayoubi LW, Allaw F, Moussa E, Kanj SS. Ibrexafungerp: A narrative overview. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2024; 6:100245. [PMID: 38873590 PMCID: PMC11170096 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Ibrexafungerp (IBX) is a new antifungal drug that recently entered the antifungal landscape. It disrupts fungal cell wall synthesis by non-competitive inhibition of the β-(1,3)-D-glucan (BDG) synthase enzyme. It has demonstrated activity against a range of pathogens including Candida and Aspergillus spp., as well as retaining its activity against azole-resistant and echinocandin-resistant strains. It also exhibits anti-biofilm properties. Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies revealed favorable bioavailability, high protein binding, and extensive tissue distribution with a low potential for CYP-mediated drug interactions. It is characterized by the same mechanism of action of echinocandins with limited cross-resistance with other antifungal agents. Resistance to this drug can arise from mutations in the FKS genes, primarily FKS2 mutations in Nakaseomyces glabrata. In vivo, IBX was found to be effective in murine models of invasive candidiasis (IC) and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). It also showed promising results in preventing and treating Pneumocystis jirovecii infections. Clinical trials showed that IBX was effective and non-inferior to fluconazole in treating vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), including complicated cases, as well as in preventing its recurrence. These trials positioned it as a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved option for the treatment and prophylaxis of VVC. Trials showed comparable responses to standard-of-care in IC, with favorable preliminary results in C. auris infections in terms of efficacy and tolerability as well as in refractory cases of IC. Mild adverse reactions have been reported including gastrointestinal symptoms. Overall, IBX represents a significant addition to the antifungal armamentarium, with its unique action, spectrum of activity, and encouraging clinical trial results warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L'Emir Wassim El Ayoubi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Fatima Allaw
- Division of Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Elie Moussa
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Souha S. Kanj
- Division of Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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14
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Wu CC, Ding DS, Lo YH, Pan CY, Wen ZH. Padina Minor Extract Confers Resistance against Candida Albicans Infection: Evaluation in a Zebrafish Model. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:384. [PMID: 38927264 PMCID: PMC11201049 DOI: 10.3390/biology13060384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Padina minor is a seaweed rich in polysaccharides often used in food, feed, fertilizers, and antibacterial drugs. This study is the first to evaluate the effect of feeding zebrafish with Padina minor extract on preventing and treating C. albicans infections. This study evaluated the growth, survival, and disease resistance effects of P. minor extract on zebrafish. The fish were divided into four groups: three groups treated with 1%, 5%, or 10% P. minor extract and one untreated group (c, control). Subsequently, we analyzed how the extract affected the immune function of zebrafish infected with C. albicans. Based on the lethal concentration (LC50) calculated in the first stage, 1% was used as the effective therapeutic concentration. The results showed that the growth rate of the 1% feed group was the best, and no significant difference in survival rates between the four groups was observed. Feeding with 1% P. minor extract downregulated the expression of key inflammatory genes like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-10, effectively preventing and treating C. albicans infections in zebrafish. This study is a preliminary evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of P. minor extracts against C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Cheng Wu
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zuoying Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81342, Taiwan
| | - De-Sing Ding
- Department and Graduate Institute of Aquaculture, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 811213, Taiwan;
| | - Yi-Hao Lo
- Department of Family Medicine, Zuoying Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81342, Taiwan;
- Department of Nursing, Shu-Zen Junior of Medicine and Management, Kaohsiung 82144, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Yu Pan
- Department and Graduate Institute of Aquaculture, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 811213, Taiwan;
| | - Zhi-Hong Wen
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
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15
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Thambugala KM, Daranagama DA, Tennakoon DS, Jayatunga DPW, Hongsanan S, Xie N. Humans vs. Fungi: An Overview of Fungal Pathogens against Humans. Pathogens 2024; 13:426. [PMID: 38787278 PMCID: PMC11124197 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Human fungal diseases are infections caused by any fungus that invades human tissues, causing superficial, subcutaneous, or systemic diseases. Fungal infections that enter various human tissues and organs pose a significant threat to millions of individuals with weakened immune systems globally. Over recent decades, the reported cases of invasive fungal infections have increased substantially and research progress in this field has also been rapidly boosted. This review provides a comprehensive list of human fungal pathogens extracted from over 850 recent case reports, and a summary of the relevant disease conditions and their origins. Details of 281 human fungal pathogens belonging to 12 classes and 104 genera in the divisions ascomycota, basidiomycota, entomophthoromycota, and mucoromycota are listed. Among these, Aspergillus stands out as the genus with the greatest potential of infecting humans, comprising 16 species known to infect humans. Additionally, three other genera, Curvularia, Exophiala, and Trichophyton, are recognized as significant genera, each comprising 10 or more known human pathogenic species. A phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences of the 28S nrRNA gene (LSU) of human fungal pathogens was performed to show their phylogenetic relationships and clarify their taxonomies. In addition, this review summarizes the recent advancements in fungal disease diagnosis and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasun M. Thambugala
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Unit, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka; (K.M.T.); (D.P.W.J.)
- Center for Biotechnology, Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
- Center for Plant Materials and Herbal Products Research, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
| | - Dinushani A. Daranagama
- Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya 11300, Sri Lanka;
| | - Danushka S. Tennakoon
- Bioengineering and Technological Research Centre for Edible and Medicinal Fungi, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China;
| | - Dona Pamoda W. Jayatunga
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Unit, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka; (K.M.T.); (D.P.W.J.)
- Center for Biotechnology, Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
- Center for Plant Materials and Herbal Products Research, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
| | - Sinang Hongsanan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Ning Xie
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
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Lee J, Song H, Kim K. Inhibition of Candida albicans Biofilm Formation and Attenuation of Its Virulence by Liriope muscari. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:434. [PMID: 38786162 PMCID: PMC11117302 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13050434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Although Candida albicans accounts for the majority of fungal infections, therapeutic options are limited and require alternative antifungal agents with new targets; (2) Methods: A biofilm formation assay with RPMI1640 medium was performed with Liriope muscari extract. A combination antifungal assay, dimorphic transition assay, and adhesion assay were performed under the biofilm formation condition to determine the anti-biofilm formation effect. qRT-PCR analysis was accomplished to confirm changes in gene expression; (3) Results: L. muscari extract significantly reduces biofilm formation by 51.65% at 1.56 μg/mL use and therefore increases susceptibility to miconazole. L. muscari extract also inhibited the dimorphic transition of Candida; nearly 50% of the transition was inhibited when 1.56 μg/mL of the extract was treated. The extract of L. muscari inhibited the expression of genes related to hyphal development and extracellular matrix of 34.4% and 36.0%, respectively, as well as genes within the Ras1-cAMP-PKA, Cph2-Tec1, and MAP kinase signaling pathways of 25.58%, 7.1% and 15.8%, respectively, at 1.56 μg/mL of L. muscari extract treatment; (4) Conclusions: L. muscari extract significantly reduced Candida biofilm formation, which lead to induced antifungal susceptibility to miconazole. It suggests that L. muscari extract is a promising anti-biofilm candidate of Candida albicans since the biofilm formation of Candida albicans is an excellent target for candidiasis regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeonghoon Lee
- Department of Medical Science of Meridian, College of Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Kyungheedae-ro 6-gil, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hyunchan Song
- Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, 1732, Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si 17104, Republic of Korea;
| | - Kiyoung Kim
- Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, 1732, Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si 17104, Republic of Korea;
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17
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Guha S, Cristy SA, Buda De Cesare G, Cruz MR, Lorenz MC, Garsin DA. Optimization of the antifungal properties of the bacterial peptide EntV by variant analysis. mBio 2024; 15:e0057024. [PMID: 38587425 PMCID: PMC11077972 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00570-24] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Fungal resistance to commonly used medicines is a growing public health threat, and there is a dire need to develop new classes of antifungals. We previously described a peptide produced by Enterococcus faecalis, EntV, that restricts Candida albicans to a benign form rather than having direct fungicidal activity. Moreover, we showed that one 12-amino acid (aa) alpha helix of this peptide retained full activity, with partial activity down to the 10aa alpha helix. Using these peptides as a starting point, the current investigation sought to identify the critical features necessary for antifungal activity and to screen for new variants with enhanced activity using both biofilm and C. elegans infection assays. First, the short peptides were screened for residues with critical activity by generating alanine substitutions. Based on this information, we used synthetic molecular evolution (SME) to rationally vary the specific residues of the 10aa variant in combination to generate a library that was screened to identify variants with more potent antifungal activity than the parent template. Five gain-of-function peptides were identified. Additionally, chemical modifications to the peptides to increase stability, including substitutions of D-amino acids and hydrocarbon stapling, were investigated. The most promising peptides were additionally tested in mouse models of oropharyngeal and systemic candidiasis where their efficacy in preventing infection was demonstrated. The expectation is that these discoveries will contribute to the development of new therapeutics in the fight against antimicrobial resistant fungi. IMPORTANCE Since the early 1980s, the incidence of disseminated life-threatening fungal infections has been on the rise. Worldwide, Candida and Cryptococcus species are among the most common agents causing these infections. Simultaneously, with this rise of clinical incidence, there has also been an increased prevalence of antifungal resistance, making treatment of these infections very difficult. For example, there are now strains of Candida auris that are resistant to all three classes of currently used antifungal drugs. In this study, we report on a strategy that allows for the development of novel antifungal agents by using synthetic molecular evolution. These discoveries demonstrate that the enhancement of antifungal activity from naturally occurring peptides is possible and can result in clinically relevant agents that have efficacy in multiple in vivo models as well as the potential for broad-spectrum activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantanu Guha
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Shane A. Cristy
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Giuseppe Buda De Cesare
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Melissa R. Cruz
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Michael C. Lorenz
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Danielle A. Garsin
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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18
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Silva PA, Souza AA, de Oliveira GM, Ramada MHS, Hernández NV, Mora-Montes HM, Bueno RV, Martins-de-Sa D, de Freitas SM, Felipe MSS, Barbosa JARG. An improved expression and purification protocol enables the structural characterization of Mnt1, an antifungal target from Candida albicans. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2024; 11:5. [PMID: 38715132 PMCID: PMC11077754 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-024-00174-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida albicans is one of the most prevalent fungi causing infections in the world. Mnt1 is a mannosyltransferase that participates in both the cell wall biogenesis and biofilm growth of C. albicans. While the cell wall performs crucial functions in pathogenesis, biofilm growth is correlated with sequestration of drugs by the extracellular matrix. Therefore, antifungals targeting CaMnt1 can compromise fungal development and potentially also render Candida susceptible to drug therapy. Despite its importance, CaMnt1 has not yet been purified to high standards and its biophysical properties are lacking. RESULTS We describe a new protocol to obtain high yield of recombinant CaMnt1 in Komagataella phaffii using methanol induction. The purified protein's identity was confirmed by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectroscopy. The Far-UV circular dichroism (CD) spectra demonstrate that the secondary structure of CaMnt1 is compatible with a protein formed by α-helices and β-sheets at pH 7.0. The fluorescence spectroscopy results show that the tertiary structure of CaMnt1 is pH-dependent, with a greater intensity of fluorescence emission at pH 7.0. Using our molecular modeling protocol, we depict for the first time the ternary complex of CaMnt1 bound to its two substrates, which has enabled the identification of residues involved in substrate specificity and catalytic reaction. Our results corroborate the hypothesis that Tyr209 stabilizes the formation of an oxocarbenium ion-like intermediate during nucleophilic attack of the acceptor sugar, opposing the double displacement mechanism proposed by other reports. CONCLUSIONS The methodology presented here can substantially improve the yield of recombinant CaMnt1 expressed in flask-grown yeasts. In addition, the structural characterization of the fungal mannosyltransferase presents novelties that can be exploited for new antifungal drug's development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Alves Silva
- Laboratório de Biofísica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Amanda Araújo Souza
- Laboratório de Biofísica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Gideane Mendes de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biofísica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Henrique Soller Ramada
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, 70790-160, Brazil
| | - Nahúm Valente Hernández
- Departmento de Biologia, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, Mexico
| | - Héctor Manuel Mora-Montes
- Departmento de Biologia, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, Mexico
| | - Renata Vieira Bueno
- Laboratório de Biofísica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Diogo Martins-de-Sa
- Laboratório de Biofísica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
- Genesilico Biotech, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Sonia Maria de Freitas
- Laboratório de Biofísica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Maria Sueli Soares Felipe
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, 70790-160, Brazil
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19
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Tang Z, Wang H, Liu Y, Wang C, Li X, Yang Q. Current status and new experimental diagnostic methods of invasive fungal infections after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:237. [PMID: 38678508 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03905-9] [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: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are common and life-threatening complications in post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (post-HSCT) recipients, Severe IFIs can lead to systemic infection and organ damage, which results in high mortality in HSCT recipients. With the development of the field of fungal infection diagnosis, more and more advanced non-culture diagnostic tools have been developed, such as glip biosensors, metagenomic next-generation sequencing, Magnetic Nanoparticles and Identified Using SERS via AgNPs+ , and artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis. The advanced diagnostic approaches contribute to the success of HSCT and improve the overall survival of post-HSCT leukemia patients by supporting therapeutical decisions. This review provides an overview of the characteristics of two high-incidence IFIs in post-HSCT recipients and discusses some of the recently developed IFI detection technologies. Additionally, it explores the potential application of cationic conjugated polymer fluorescence resonance energy transfer (CCP-FRET) technology for IFI detection. The aim is to offer insights into selecting appropriate IFI detection methods and gaining an understanding of novel fungal diagnostic approaches in laboratory settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Tang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China
| | - HaiTao Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Yuankai Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Xinye Li
- Lanzhou Petrochemical General Hospital (The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine), Gansu, 730060, China.
| | - Qiong Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
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20
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Rais A, Sharma S, Mishra P, Khan LA, Prasad T. Biocompatible carbon quantum dots as versatile imaging nanotrackers of fungal pathogen - Candida albicans. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2024; 19:671-688. [PMID: 38426561 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2023-0292] [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] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim: The development of carbon quantum dots (C-QDs) as nanotrackers to understand drug-pathogen interactions, virulence and multidrug resistance. Methods: Microwave synthesis of C-QDs was performed using citric acid and polyethylene glycol. Further, in vitro toxicity was evaluated and imaging applications were demonstrated in Candida albicans isolates. Results: Well-dispersed, ultra small C-QDs exhibited no cyto/microbial/reactive oxygen species-mediated toxicity and internalized effectively in Candida yeast and hyphal cells. C-QDs were employed for confocal imaging of drug-sensitive and -resistant cells, and a study of the yeast-to-hyphal transition using atomic force microscopy in Candida was conducted for the first time. Conclusion: These biocompatible C-QDs have promising potential as next-generation nanotrackers for in vitro and in vivo targeted cellular and live imaging, after functionalization with biomolecules and drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anam Rais
- Special Centre for Nano Science & AIRF, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Shubham Sharma
- Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Prashant Mishra
- Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Luqman Ahmad Khan
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Tulika Prasad
- Special Centre for Nano Science & AIRF, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
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21
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Ahmadpour E, Valilou S, Ghanizadegan MA, Seyfi R, Hosseini SA, Hatam-Nahavandi K, Hosseini H, Behravan M, Barac A, Morovati H. Global prevalence, mortality, and main characteristics of HIV-associated pneumocystosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297619. [PMID: 38526997 PMCID: PMC10962827 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The epidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-associated pneumocystosis (HAP) is poorly described on a worldwide scale. We searched related databases between January 2000 and December 2022 for studies reporting HAP. Meta-analysis was performed using StatsDirect (version 2.7.9) and STATA (version 17) according to the random-effects model for DerSimonian and Laird method and metan and metaprop commands, respectively. Twenty-nine studies with 38554 HIV-positive, 79893 HIV-negative, and 4044 HAP populations were included. The pooled prevalence of HAP was 35.4% (95% CI 23.8 to 47.9). In contrast, the pooled prevalence of PCP among HIV-negative patients was 10.16% (95% CI 2 to 25.3). HIV-positive patients are almost 12 times more susceptible to PCP than the HIV-negative population (OR: 11.710; 95% CI: 5.420 to 25.297). The mortality among HAP patients was 52% higher than non-PCP patients (OR 1.522; 95% CI 0.959 to 2.416). HIV-positive men had a 7% higher chance rate for PCP than women (OR 1.073; 95% CI 0.674 to 1.706). Prophylactic (OR: 6.191; 95% CI: 0.945 to 40.545) and antiretroviral therapy (OR 3.356; 95% CI 0.785 to 14.349) were used in HAP patients six and three times more than HIV-positive PCP-negatives, respectively. The control and management strategies should revise and updated by health policy-makers on a worldwide scale. Finally, for better management and understanding of the epidemiology and characteristics of this coinfection, designing further studies is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sevda Valilou
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Rouhollah Seyfi
- Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Seyed Abdollah Hosseini
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | | | - Hanieh Hosseini
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahsa Behravan
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Aleksandra Barac
- Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Hamid Morovati
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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22
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Ahammed KS, van Hoof A. Fungi of the order Mucorales express a "sealing-only" tRNA ligase. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 30:354-366. [PMID: 38307611 PMCID: PMC10946435 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079957.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Some eukaryotic pre-tRNAs contain an intron that is removed by a dedicated set of enzymes. Intron-containing pre-tRNAs are cleaved by tRNA splicing endonuclease, followed by ligation of the two exons and release of the intron. Fungi use a "heal and seal" pathway that requires three distinct catalytic domains of the tRNA ligase enzyme, Trl1. In contrast, humans use a "direct ligation" pathway carried out by RTCB, an enzyme completely unrelated to Trl1. Because of these mechanistic differences, Trl1 has been proposed as a promising drug target for fungal infections. To validate Trl1 as a broad-spectrum drug target, we show that fungi from three different phyla contain Trl1 orthologs with all three domains. This includes the major invasive human fungal pathogens, and these proteins can each functionally replace yeast Trl1. In contrast, species from the order Mucorales, including the pathogens Rhizopus arrhizus and Mucor circinelloides, have an atypical Trl1 that contains the sealing domain but lacks both healing domains. Although these species contain fewer tRNA introns than other pathogenic fungi, they still require splicing to decode three of the 61 sense codons. These sealing-only Trl1 orthologs can functionally complement defects in the corresponding domain of yeast Trl1 and use a conserved catalytic lysine residue. We conclude that Mucorales use a sealing-only enzyme together with unidentified nonorthologous healing enzymes for their heal and seal pathway. This implies that drugs that target the sealing activity are more likely to be broader-spectrum antifungals than drugs that target the healing domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khondakar Sayef Ahammed
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Ambro van Hoof
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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23
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De Paepe R, Normand AC, Uhrlaß S, Nenoff P, Piarroux R, Packeu A. Resistance Profile, Terbinafine Resistance Screening and MALDI-TOF MS Identification of the Emerging Pathogen Trichophyton indotineae. Mycopathologia 2024; 189:29. [PMID: 38483637 PMCID: PMC10940462 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-024-00835-4] [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] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
The emerging pathogen Trichophyton indotineae, often resistant to terbinafine (TRB), is known to cause severe dermatophytoses such as tinea corporis and tinea cruris. In order to achieve successful treatment for these infections, insight in the resistance profile of T. indotineae strains and rapid, reliable identification is necessary. In this research, a screening medium was tested on T. indotineae strains (n = 20) as an indication tool of TRB resistance. The obtained results were confirmed by antifungal susceptibility testing (AST) for TRB following the in vitro broth microdilution reference method. Additionally, AST was performed for eight other antifungal drugs: fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, ketoconazole, griseofulvin, ciclopirox olamine, naftifine and amorolfine. Forty-five percent of the strains were confirmed to be resistant to terbinafine. The TRB resistant strains showed elevated minimal inhibitory concentration values for naftifine and amorolfine as well. DNA sequencing of the squalene epoxidase-encoding gene showed that TRB resistance was a consequence of missense point mutations in this gene, which led to amino acid substitutions F397L or L393F. MALDI-TOF MS was used as a quick, accurate identification tool for T. indotineae, as it can be challenging to distinguish it from closely related species such as Trichophyton mentagrophytes or Trichophyton interdigitale using morphological characteristics. While MALDI-TOF MS could reliably identify ≥ 95% of the T. indotineae strains (depending on the spectral library), it could not be used to successfully distinguish TRB susceptible from TRB resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roelke De Paepe
- Mycology and Aerobiology Department, Sciensano, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Anne-Cécile Normand
- Parasitology/Mycology Department, AP-HP, Hôpitaux de Paris, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Silke Uhrlaß
- Labopart Medical Laboratories Leipzig-Mölbis, 04571, Rötha OT Mölbis, Germany
| | - Pietro Nenoff
- Labopart Medical Laboratories Leipzig-Mölbis, 04571, Rötha OT Mölbis, Germany
| | - Renaud Piarroux
- Parasitology/Mycology Department, AP-HP, Hôpitaux de Paris, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Ann Packeu
- Mycology and Aerobiology Department, Sciensano, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
- BCCM/IHEM Fungal Collection, Mycology and Aerobiology Section, Sciensano, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
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24
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Rinker DC, Sauters TJC, Steffen K, Gumilang A, Raja HA, Rangel-Grimaldo M, Pinzan CF, de Castro PA, dos Reis TF, Delbaje E, Houbraken J, Goldman GH, Oberlies NH, Rokas A. Strain heterogeneity in a non-pathogenic fungus highlights factors contributing to virulence. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.08.583994. [PMID: 38496489 PMCID: PMC10942418 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.08.583994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens exhibit extensive strain heterogeneity, including variation in virulence. Whether closely related non-pathogenic species also exhibit strain heterogeneity remains unknown. Here, we comprehensively characterized the pathogenic potentials (i.e., the ability to cause morbidity and mortality) of 16 diverse strains of Aspergillus fischeri, a non-pathogenic close relative of the major pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. In vitro immune response assays and in vivo virulence assays using a mouse model of pulmonary aspergillosis showed that A. fischeri strains varied widely in their pathogenic potential. Furthermore, pangenome analyses suggest that A. fischeri genomic and phenotypic diversity is even greater. Genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic profiling identified several pathways and secondary metabolites associated with variation in virulence. Notably, strain virulence was associated with the simultaneous presence of the secondary metabolites hexadehydroastechrome and gliotoxin. We submit that examining the pathogenic potentials of non-pathogenic close relatives is key for understanding the origins of fungal pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C. Rinker
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Thomas J. C. Sauters
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Karin Steffen
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Adiyantara Gumilang
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Huzefa A. Raja
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - Manuel Rangel-Grimaldo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - Camila Figueiredo Pinzan
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Alves de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thaila Fernanda dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Endrews Delbaje
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jos Houbraken
- Food and Indoor Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nicholas H. Oberlies
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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25
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Procacci C, Marras L, Maurmo L, Vivanet G, Scalone L, Bertolino G. Antifungal Stewardship in Invasive Fungal Infections, a Systematic Review. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38337088 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2024_798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are a group of life-threatening diseases associated with significant morbidity, mortality and high healthcare costs. Some modern management programs known as AFS (antifungal stewardship programs) have now been developed. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the different declinations of antifungal stewardship programs (AFPs). METHODS Articles were systematically reviewed using the PRISMA checklist 2020. EMBASE and MEDLINE/PubMED were searched using the term "antifungal stewardship" (2012-2022 data) on 2 January 2023. Eligible studies were those that described an AFS and included an intervention, performance evaluation and outcome measures. RESULTS A total of 22/796 studies were included. Approximately two-thirds (16) were published between 2018 and 2022. 16 (72.7%) stated a minimal complete AFS team. 12 (54.5%) adopted a non-compulsory AFS approach, 6(27.3%) had an Educational AFS and 4(18.2%) a compulsory AFS. Cost analyses of 12 studies showed a decrease for 7 (31.8%) compared to an increase for 5 (22.7%). In terms of outcomes, 18 studies showed a lower (10;45.5%) or the same (8;36.4%) pre-post intervention mortality rate. CONCLUSION AFS programs seem to be related to lower costs and better outcomes and should thus be implemented in tandem with antimicrobial stewardship programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cataldo Procacci
- Pharmaceutical Department, ASL BAT, Barletta - Adria - Trani, Italy
| | | | - Leonarda Maurmo
- School of Specialization in Hospital Pharmacy, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Grazia Vivanet
- Unity of Dermatology, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Giacomo Bertolino
- Pharmaceutical Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
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26
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Shinohara T, Wada A, Abe M, Nakayama N, Nagi M, Miyazaki Y. A novel zinc-chelating compound has antifungal activity against a wide range of Candida species, including multidrug-resistant Candida auris. JAC Antimicrob Resist 2024; 6:dlad155. [PMID: 38384742 PMCID: PMC10880073 DOI: 10.1093/jacamr/dlad155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives In recent years, the incidence of invasive fungal infections has increased, resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. Potential challenges in treating these infections with the few existing antifungal agents highlight the urgency of developing new ones. Here, we evaluated six alkyl polyamine compounds (APCs), not previously reported as antifungal drugs to our knowledge, that could deprive fungi of essential transition metals. Methods The APC with confirmed antifungal activity against Candida spp. was analysed by using transcriptomics, followed by metal-addition experiments, mass spectrometric analyses and intracellular zinc quantification with a fluorescent probe. Results A cyclic APC with three pyridylmethyl groups, APC6, had high antifungal activity against a wide range of Candida species, including MDR Candida auris. We conclusively demonstrated that APC6 was able to capture zinc within fungal cells. APC6 not only exhibited activity against C. auris as a single agent but also enhanced the efficacy of an azole antifungal agent, voriconazole, in vitro and in vivo. APC6 disrupted the biofilms formed by Candida species. Conclusions This zinc-chelating compound has potential as an antifungal agent, and the control of zinc levels in Candida species could be a powerful approach to treating drug-resistant candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Shinohara
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akira Wada
- Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Masahiro Abe
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuko Nakayama
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minoru Nagi
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Miyazaki
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Leprosy Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
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27
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Fernandes R, Sabino R, Cunha C, Cornely OA, Carvalho A, Salmanton-García J. Multicentric Study on the Clinical Mycology Capacity and Access to Antifungal Treatment in Portugal. Mycopathologia 2024; 189:15. [PMID: 38265528 PMCID: PMC10808446 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-024-00830-9] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
The success of the clinical management of invasive fungal diseases (IFD) is highly dependent on suitable tools for timely and accurate diagnosis for effective treatment. An in-depth analysis of the ability of European institutions to promptly and accurately diagnose IFD was previously conducted to identify limitations and aspects to improve. Here, we evaluated and discussed the specific case of Portugal, for which, to our knowledge, there are no reports describing the national mycological diagnostic capacity and access to antifungal treatment. Data from 16 Portuguese medical institutions were collected via an online electronic case report form covering different parameters, including institution profile, self-perceived IFD incidence, target patients, diagnostic methods and reagents, and available antifungals. The majority of participating institutions (69%) reported a low-very low incidence of IFD, with Candida spp. indicated as the most relevant fungal pathogen, followed by Aspergillus spp. and Cryptococcus spp. All institutions had access to culture and microscopy, whereas 94 and 88% were able to run antigen-detection assays and molecular tests, respectively. All of the institutions capable of providing antifungal therapy declared to have access to at least one antifungal. However, echinocandins were only available at 85% of the sites. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) was reported to remain a very restricted practice in Portugal, being available in 19% of the institutions, with the TDM of itraconazole and posaconazole performed in only 6% of them. Importantly, several of these resources are outsourced to external entities. Except for TDM, Portugal appears to be well-prepared concerning the overall capacity to diagnose and treat IFD. Future efforts should focus on promoting the widespread availability of TDM and improved access to multiple classes of antifungals, to further improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Fernandes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Raquel Sabino
- Reference Unit for Parasitic and Fungal Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado TERRA-Laboratório para o Uso Sustentável da Terra e dos Serviços dos Ecossistemas, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristina Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Oliver A Cornely
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster On Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Herderstr. 52, 50931, Cologne, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD) and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Clinical Trials Centre Cologne (ZKS Köln), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Agostinho Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Jon Salmanton-García
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster On Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Herderstr. 52, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD) and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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28
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Malec K, Mikołajczyk A, Marciniak D, Gawin-Mikołajewicz A, Matera-Witkiewicz A, Karolewicz B, Nawrot U, Khimyak YZ, Nartowski KP. Pluronic F-127 Enhances the Antifungal Activity of Fluconazole against Resistant Candida Strains. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:215-231. [PMID: 38109184 PMCID: PMC10795414 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00536] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Candida strains as the most frequent causes of infections, along with their increased drug resistance, pose significant clinical and financial challenges to the healthcare system. Some polymeric excipients were reported to interfere with the multidrug resistance mechanism. Bearing in mind that there are a limited number of marketed products with fluconazole (FLU) for the topical route of administration, Pluronic F-127 (PLX)/FLU formulations were investigated in this work. The aims of this study were to investigate (i) whether PLX-based formulations can increase the susceptibility of resistant Candida strains to FLU, (ii) whether there is a correlation between block polymer concentration and the antifungal efficacy of the FLU-loaded PLX formulations, and (iii) what the potential mode of action of PLX assisting FLU is. The yeast growth inhibition upon incubation with PLX formulations loaded with FLU was statistically significant. The highest efficacy of the azole agent was observed in the presence of 5.0 and 10.0% w/v of PLX. The upregulation of the CDR1/CDR2 genes was detected in the investigated Candida strains, indicating that the efflux of the drug from the fungal cell was the main mechanism of the resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Malec
- Department of Drug Form Technology, Faculty of
Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 211a Borowska Str, 50-556
Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Mikołajczyk
- Screening Biological Activity Assays and Collection of
Biological Material Laboratory, Wroclaw Medical University,
211a Borowska Str, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dominik Marciniak
- Department of Drug Form Technology, Faculty of
Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 211a Borowska Str, 50-556
Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Gawin-Mikołajewicz
- Department of Drug Form Technology, Faculty of
Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 211a Borowska Str, 50-556
Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Matera-Witkiewicz
- Screening Biological Activity Assays and Collection of
Biological Material Laboratory, Wroclaw Medical University,
211a Borowska Str, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Bożena Karolewicz
- Department of Drug Form Technology, Faculty of
Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 211a Borowska Str, 50-556
Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Urszula Nawrot
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and
Parasitology, Wroclaw Medical University, 211a Borowska Str,
50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Yaroslav Z. Khimyak
- Department of Drug Form Technology, Faculty of
Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 211a Borowska Str, 50-556
Wroclaw, Poland
- School of Pharmacy, University of East
Anglia, Chancellors Drive, NR4 7TJ Norwich, U.K.
| | - Karol P. Nartowski
- Department of Drug Form Technology, Faculty of
Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 211a Borowska Str, 50-556
Wroclaw, Poland
- School of Pharmacy, University of East
Anglia, Chancellors Drive, NR4 7TJ Norwich, U.K.
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Ford T, Talbot A, Hayward G, Tonkin-Crine S, Ziebland S, McNiven A. Managing recurrent vulvovaginal thrush from patient and healthcare professional perspectives: A systematic review and thematic synthesis. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2024; 118:108004. [PMID: 37826917 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.108004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This systematic review aims to identify what is known about patient and healthcare professional experiences of managing recurrent vulvovaginal thrush by synthesising published findings. METHODS Five databases were searched for studies on patient and healthcare professional experiences managing recurrent thrush. Two reviewers independently screened and quality assessed qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies. Findings from eligible studies were thematically synthesised. RESULTS 720 papers were identified, and 29 were included. Four descriptive themes were developed to depict the repeated management of recurrent thrush. These themes were: (re)experiencing impacts, (re)identifying recurrent thrush, (re)considering consultations, and (re)trying treatments. An analytic high-order frame of 'interwoven and reoccurring uncertainties' was used to understand these themes. CONCLUSIONS Patients and healthcare providers face uncertainties when managing recurrent thrush. The inconsistencies raised across papers suggests an unaddressed gap in knowledge about patient experiences and their informational and support needs; this includes insights about this condition's diagnosis, management, treatment, impacts, and meaning. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS This review has implications for patient education, health promotion, and communication between patients and providers. Our interpretations suggest the need for more research and resources to help support patients and clinicians in managing this condition to promote more understanding, communication, and collaborative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tori Ford
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Amelia Talbot
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Gail Hayward
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sarah Tonkin-Crine
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sue Ziebland
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Abigail McNiven
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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30
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Cox CA, Manavathu EK, Wakade S, Myntti M, Vazquez JA. Efficacy of biofilm disrupters against Candida auris and other Candida species in monomicrobial and polymicrobial biofilms. Mycoses 2024; 67:e13684. [PMID: 38214428 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13684] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Candida species are now considered global threats by the CDC and WHO. Candida auris specifically is on the critical pathogen threat list along with Candida albicans. In addition, it is not uncommon to find Candida spp. in a mixed culture with bacterial organisms, especially Staphylococcus aureus producing polymicrobial infections. To eradicate these organisms from the environment and from patient surfaces, surface agents such as chlorhexidine (CHD) and Puracyn are used. Biofilm disrupters (BDs) are novel agents with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and have been used in the management of chronic wounds and to sterilise environmental surfaces for the past several years. The goal of this study was to evaluate BDs (BlastX, Torrent, NSSD) and CHD against Candida spp. and S. aureus using zone of inhibition assays, biofilm and time-kill assays. All BDs and CHD inhibited C. auris growth effectively in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, CHD and the BDs showed excellent antimicrobial activity within polymicrobial biofilms. A comparative analysis of the BDs and CHD against C. auris and C. albicans using biofilm kill-curves showed at least 99.999% killing. All three BDs and CHD have excellent activity against different Candida species, including C. auris. However, one isolate of C. auris in a polymicrobial biofilm assay showed resistance/tolerance to CHD, but not to the BDs. The fungicidal activity of these novel agents will be valuable in eradicating surface colonisation of Candida spp, especially C. auris from colonised environmental surfaces and from wounds in colonised patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia A Cox
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Elias K Manavathu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sushama Wakade
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Jose A Vazquez
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
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31
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Vishwakarma M, Haider T, Soni V. Update on fungal lipid biosynthesis inhibitors as antifungal agents. Microbiol Res 2024; 278:127517. [PMID: 37863019 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127517] [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] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Fungal diseases today represent a world-wide problem. Poor hygiene and decreased immunity are the main reasons behind the manifestation of this disease. After COVID-19, an increase in the rate of fungal infection has been observed in different countries. Different classes of antifungal agents, such as polyenes, azoles, echinocandins, and anti-metabolites, as well as their combinations, are currently employed to treat fungal diseases; these drugs are effective but can cause some side effects and toxicities. Therefore, the identification and development of newer antifungal agents is a current need. The fungal cell comprises many lipids, such as ergosterol, phospholipids, and sphingolipids. Ergosterol is a sterol lipid that is only found in fungal cells. Various pathways synthesize all these lipids, and the activities of multiple enzymes govern these pathways. Inhibiting these enzymes will ultimately impede the lipid synthesis pathway, and this phenomenon could be a potential antifungal therapy. This review will discuss various lipid synthesis pathways and multiple antifungal agents identified as having fungal lipid synthesis inhibition activity. This review will identify novel compounds that can inhibit fungal lipid synthesis, permitting researchers to direct further deep pharmacological investigation and help develop drug delivery systems for such compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Vishwakarma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, M.P., India
| | - Tanweer Haider
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, M.P., India; Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University, Gwalior, M.P., India
| | - Vandana Soni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, M.P., India.
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32
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Zheng L, Xu Y, Wang C, Yang F, Dong Y, Guo L. Susceptibility to caspofungin is regulated by temperature and is dependent on calcineurin in Candida albicans. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0179023. [PMID: 37966204 PMCID: PMC10715083 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01790-23] [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: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Echinocandins are the newest antifungal drugs and are first-line treatment option for life-threatening systemic infections. Due to lack of consensus regarding what temperature should be used when evaluating susceptibility of yeasts to echinocandins, typically either 30°C, 35°C, or 37°C is used. However, the impact of temperature on antifungal efficacy of echinocandins is unexplored. In the current study, we demonstrated that Candida albicans laboratory strain SC5314 was more susceptible to caspofungin at 37°C than at 30°C. We also found that calcineurin was required for temperature-modulated caspofungin susceptibility. Surprisingly, the altered caspofungin susceptibility was not due to differential expression of some canonical genes such as FKS, CHS, or CHT genes. The molecular mechanism of temperature-modulated caspofungin susceptibility is undetermined and deserves further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Zheng
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yi Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, The 960 Hospital of PLA, Jinan, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The 960 Hospital of PLA, Jinan, China
| | - Feng Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yubo Dong
- Department of Pharmacy, The 960 Hospital of PLA, Jinan, China
| | - Liangsheng Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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33
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Franconi I, Lupetti A. In Vitro Susceptibility Tests in the Context of Antifungal Resistance: Beyond Minimum Inhibitory Concentration in Candida spp. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1188. [PMID: 38132789 PMCID: PMC10744879 DOI: 10.3390/jof9121188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a matter of rising concern, especially in fungal diseases. Multiple reports all over the world are highlighting a worrisome increase in azole- and echinocandin-resistance among fungal pathogens, especially in Candida species, as reported in the recently published fungal pathogens priority list made by WHO. Despite continuous efforts and advances in infection control, development of new antifungal molecules, and research on molecular mechanisms of antifungal resistance made by the scientific community, trends in invasive fungal diseases and associated antifungal resistance are on the rise, hindering therapeutic options and clinical cures. In this context, in vitro susceptibility testing aimed at evaluating minimum inhibitory concentrations, is still a milestone in the management of fungal diseases. However, such testing is not the only type at a microbiologist's disposal. There are other adjunctive in vitro tests aimed at evaluating fungicidal activity of antifungal molecules and also exploring tolerance to antifungals. This plethora of in vitro tests are still left behind and performed only for research purposes, but their role in the context of invasive fungal diseases associated with antifungal resistance might add resourceful information to the clinical management of patients. The aim of this review was therefore to revise and explore all other in vitro tests that could be potentially implemented in current clinical practice in resistant and difficult-to-treat cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iacopo Franconi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Mycology Unit, Pisa University Hospital, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonella Lupetti
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Mycology Unit, Pisa University Hospital, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Mudenda S, Matafwali SK, Mukosha M, Daka V, Chabalenge B, Chizimu J, Yamba K, Mufwambi W, Banda P, Chisha P, Mulenga F, Phiri M, Mfune RL, Kasanga M, Sartelli M, Saleem Z, Godman B. Antifungal resistance and stewardship: a knowledge, attitudes and practices survey among pharmacy students at the University of Zambia; findings and implications. JAC Antimicrob Resist 2023; 5:dlad141. [PMID: 38130703 PMCID: PMC10733812 DOI: 10.1093/jacamr/dlad141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Antifungal resistance (AFR) is a growing global public health concern. Little is currently known about knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding AFR and antifungal stewardship (AFS) in Zambia, and across the globe. To address this evidence gap, we conducted a study through a questionnaire design starting with pharmacy students as they include the next generation of healthcare professionals. Methods A cross-sectional study among 412 pharmacy students from June 2023 to July 2023 using a structured questionnaire. Multivariable analysis was used to determine key factors of influence. Results Of the 412 participants, 55.8% were female, with 81.6% aged between 18 and 25 years. Most students had good knowledge (85.9%) and positive attitudes (86.7%) but sub-optimal practices (65.8%) towards AFR and AFS. Overall, 30.2% of students accessed antifungals without a prescription. Male students were less likely to report a good knowledge of AFR (adjusted OR, AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.31-0.98). Similarly, students residing in urban areas were less likely to report a positive attitude (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.13-0.91). Fourth-year students were also less likely to report good practices compared with second-year students (AOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27-0.85). Conclusions Good knowledge and positive attitudes must translate into good practices toward AFR and AFS going forward. Consequently, there is a need to provide educational interventions where students have low scores regarding AFR and AFS. In addition, there is a need to implement strategies to reduce inappropriate dispensing of antifungals, especially without a prescription, to reduce AFR in Zambia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steward Mudenda
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka PO Box 50110, Zambia
- Antimicrobial Resistance Coordinating Committee, Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Scott Kaba Matafwali
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Moses Mukosha
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka PO Box 50110, Zambia
| | - Victor Daka
- Department of Public Health, Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine, Copperbelt University, Ndola PO Box 71191, Zambia
| | - Billy Chabalenge
- Department of Medicines Control, Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority, Lusaka PO Box 31890, Zambia
| | - Joseph Chizimu
- Antimicrobial Resistance Coordinating Committee, Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Kaunda Yamba
- Antimicrobial Resistance Coordinating Committee, Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Webrod Mufwambi
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka PO Box 50110, Zambia
| | - Patrick Banda
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka PO Box 50110, Zambia
| | - Patience Chisha
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka PO Box 50110, Zambia
| | - Florence Mulenga
- Conservation Department, World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF Zambia Country Office), Lusaka PO Box 50551, Zambia
| | - McLawrence Phiri
- Department of Pharmacy, Maina Soko Medical Center, Woodlands, Lusaka PO Box 320091, Zambia
| | - Ruth Lindizyani Mfune
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Maisa Kasanga
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Zhengzhou University, College of Public Health, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | | | - Zikria Saleem
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
| | - Brian Godman
- School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria 0208, South Africa
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Strathclyde University, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
- Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman 346, United Arab Emirates
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35
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Lockhart SR, Chowdhary A, Gold JAW. The rapid emergence of antifungal-resistant human-pathogenic fungi. Nat Rev Microbiol 2023; 21:818-832. [PMID: 37648790 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-00960-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
During recent decades, the emergence of pathogenic fungi has posed an increasing public health threat, particularly given the limited number of antifungal drugs available to treat invasive infections. In this Review, we discuss the global emergence and spread of three emerging antifungal-resistant fungi: Candida auris, driven by global health-care transmission and possibly facilitated by climate change; azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus, driven by the selection facilitated by azole fungicide use in agricultural and other settings; and Trichophyton indotineae, driven by the under-regulated use of over-the-counter high-potency corticosteroid-containing antifungal creams. The diversity of the fungi themselves and the drivers of their emergence make it clear that we cannot predict what might emerge next. Therefore, vigilance is critical to monitoring fungal emergence, as well as the rise in overall antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn R Lockhart
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Anuradha Chowdhary
- Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- National Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance in Fungal Pathogens, Medical Mycology Unit, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Jeremy A W Gold
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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36
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Tan J, Yang J, Aobulikasimu N, Zhang C, Cao B, Lv H, Jiang M, Han L, Huang X. Senkyunolide B exhibits broad-spectrum antifungal activity against plant and human pathogenic fungi via inhibiting spore germination and destroying the mature biofilm. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:4952-4963. [PMID: 37531560 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aspergillus infection seriously jeopardizes the health and safety of life of immunocompromised patients. The emergences of antifungal resistance highlight a demand to find new effective antifungal drugs. Angelica sinensis is a medicine-food herb and phthalides are its characteristic components. A few of the phthalides have been reported to display satisfactory antifungal activities against plant pathogenic fungi. However, the structure-activity relationships and antifungal action mechanism of phthalides remain to be further explored and elucidated. RESULTS The antifungal activities of five natural phthalides and four artificial analogs were investigated, and their structure-activity relationships were preliminarily elucidated in the current study. The benzene ring moiety played an essential role in their antifungal activities; the oxygen-containing substituents on the benzene ring obviously impacted their activities, the free hydroxyl was favorable to the activity. Typical phthalide senkyunolide B (SENB) exhibited broad antifungal activities against human and plant pathogenic fungi, especially, Aspergillus fumigatus. SENB affected the spore germination and hyphae growth of Aspergillus fumigatus via down-regulating phosphatidylinositol-PKC-calcineurin axis and the expression of ENG genes. Moreover, SENB disturbed the oxidation-reduction process in Aspergillus fumigatus to destroy the mature biofilms. In vivo experiments indicated SENB significantly prolonged survival and decreased fungal burden in mouse model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. CONCLUSIONS Phthalides could be considered as the valuable leads for the development of antifungal drug to cure plant and human disease. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Tan
- Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Junwei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Nuerbiye Aobulikasimu
- Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Bixuan Cao
- Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Hang Lv
- Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Mingguo Jiang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Polysaccharide Materials and Modifications, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi University for Nationalities, Nanning, P. R. China
| | - Li Han
- Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Xueshi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, P. R. China
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37
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Earle K, Valero C, Conn DP, Vere G, Cook PC, Bromley MJ, Bowyer P, Gago S. Pathogenicity and virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus. Virulence 2023; 14:2172264. [PMID: 36752587 PMCID: PMC10732619 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2172264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary infections caused by the mould pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus are a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Compromised lung defences arising from immunosuppression, chronic respiratory conditions or more recently, concomitant viral or bacterial pulmonary infections are recognised risks factors for the development of pulmonary aspergillosis. In this review, we will summarise our current knowledge of the mechanistic basis of pulmonary aspergillosis with a focus on emerging at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh Earle
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Clara Valero
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Daniel P. Conn
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - George Vere
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Peter C. Cook
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Michael J. Bromley
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Paul Bowyer
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sara Gago
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Fernandes C, Sousa-Baptista J, Lenha-Silva AF, Calheiros D, Correia E, Figueirinha A, Salgueiro L, Gonçalves T. Azorean Black Tea ( Camellia sinensis) Antidermatophytic and Fungicidal Properties. Molecules 2023; 28:7775. [PMID: 38067505 PMCID: PMC10707949 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of dermatophytoses, the most common human fungal infections, requires new alternatives. The aim of this study was to determine the antidermatophytic activity of the aqueous Azorean Black Tea extract (ABT), together with an approach to the mechanisms of action. The phytochemical analysis of ABT extract was performed by HPLC. The dermatophytes susceptibility was assessed using a broth microdilution assay; potential synergies with terbinafine and griseofulvin were evaluated by the checkerboard assay. The mechanism of action was appraised by the quantification of the fungal cell wall chitin and β-1,3-glucan, and by membrane ergosterol. The presence of ultrastructural modifications was studied by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The ABT extract contained organic and phenolic acids, flavonoids, theaflavins and alkaloids. It showed an antidermatophytic effect, with MIC values of 250 µg/mL for Trichophyton mentagrophytes, 125 µg/mL for Trichophyton rubrum and 500 µg/mL for Microsporum canis; at these concentrations, the extract was fungicidal. An additive effect of ABT in association to terbinafine on these three dermatophytes was observed. The ABT extract caused a significant reduction in β-1,3-glucan content, indicating the synthesis of this cell wall component as a possible target. The present study identifies the antidermatophytic activity of the ABT and highlights its potential to improve the effectiveness of conventional topical treatment currently used for the management of skin or mucosal fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Fernandes
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.F.); (J.S.-B.); (A.F.L.-S.); (D.C.); (E.C.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Sousa-Baptista
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.F.); (J.S.-B.); (A.F.L.-S.); (D.C.); (E.C.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Filipa Lenha-Silva
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.F.); (J.S.-B.); (A.F.L.-S.); (D.C.); (E.C.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Daniela Calheiros
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.F.); (J.S.-B.); (A.F.L.-S.); (D.C.); (E.C.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Edmilson Correia
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.F.); (J.S.-B.); (A.F.L.-S.); (D.C.); (E.C.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Artur Figueirinha
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Campus, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de S. Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.F.); (L.S.)
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV) of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (REQUIMTE), University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Lígia Salgueiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Campus, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de S. Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.F.); (L.S.)
- Chemical Process Engineering and Forest Products Research Centre, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Teresa Gonçalves
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.F.); (J.S.-B.); (A.F.L.-S.); (D.C.); (E.C.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
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Czajka KM, Venkataraman K, Brabant-Kirwan D, Santi SA, Verschoor C, Appanna VD, Singh R, Saunders DP, Tharmalingam S. Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Antifungal Resistance in Pathogenic Candida Species. Cells 2023; 12:2655. [PMID: 37998390 PMCID: PMC10670235 DOI: 10.3390/cells12222655] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Candidiasis is a highly pervasive infection posing major health risks, especially for immunocompromised populations. Pathogenic Candida species have evolved intrinsic and acquired resistance to a variety of antifungal medications. The primary goal of this literature review is to summarize the molecular mechanisms associated with antifungal resistance in Candida species. Resistance can be conferred via gain-of-function mutations in target pathway genes or their transcriptional regulators. Therefore, an overview of the known gene mutations is presented for the following antifungals: azoles (fluconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole and itraconazole), echinocandins (caspofungin, anidulafungin and micafungin), polyenes (amphotericin B and nystatin) and 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC). The following mutation hot spots were identified: (1) ergosterol biosynthesis pathway mutations (ERG11 and UPC2), resulting in azole resistance; (2) overexpression of the efflux pumps, promoting azole resistance (transcription factor genes: tac1 and mrr1; transporter genes: CDR1, CDR2, MDR1, PDR16 and SNQ2); (3) cell wall biosynthesis mutations (FKS1, FKS2 and PDR1), conferring resistance to echinocandins; (4) mutations of nucleic acid synthesis/repair genes (FCY1, FCY2 and FUR1), resulting in 5-FC resistance; and (5) biofilm production, promoting general antifungal resistance. This review also provides a summary of standardized inhibitory breakpoints obtained from international guidelines for prominent Candida species. Notably, N. glabrata, P. kudriavzevii and C. auris demonstrate fluconazole resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina M. Czajka
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (K.M.C.); (K.V.); (C.V.); (R.S.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Krishnan Venkataraman
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (K.M.C.); (K.V.); (C.V.); (R.S.); (D.P.S.)
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada;
| | | | - Stacey A. Santi
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada; (D.B.-K.); (S.A.S.)
| | - Chris Verschoor
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (K.M.C.); (K.V.); (C.V.); (R.S.); (D.P.S.)
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada;
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada; (D.B.-K.); (S.A.S.)
| | - Vasu D. Appanna
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada;
| | - Ravi Singh
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (K.M.C.); (K.V.); (C.V.); (R.S.); (D.P.S.)
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada; (D.B.-K.); (S.A.S.)
| | - Deborah P. Saunders
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (K.M.C.); (K.V.); (C.V.); (R.S.); (D.P.S.)
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada; (D.B.-K.); (S.A.S.)
| | - Sujeenthar Tharmalingam
- Medical Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (K.M.C.); (K.V.); (C.V.); (R.S.); (D.P.S.)
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada;
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada; (D.B.-K.); (S.A.S.)
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Ahammed KS, van Hoof A. Fungi of the order Mucorales express a "sealing-only" tRNA ligase. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.16.567474. [PMID: 38014270 PMCID: PMC10680797 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.16.567474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Some eukaryotic pre-tRNAs contain an intron that is removed by a dedicated set of enzymes. Intron-containing pre-tRNAs are cleaved by tRNA splicing endonuclease (TSEN), followed by ligation of the two exons and release of the intron. Fungi use a "heal and seal" pathway that requires three distinct catalytic domains of the tRNA ligase enzyme, Trl1. In contrast, humans use a "direct ligation" pathway carried out by RTCB, an enzyme completely unrelated to Trl1. Because of these mechanistic differences, Trl1 has been proposed as a promising drug target for fungal infections. To validate Trl1 as a broad-spectrum drug target, we show that fungi from three different phyla contain Trl1 orthologs with all three domains. This includes the major invasive human fungal pathogens, and these proteins each can functionally replace yeast Trl1. In contrast, species from the order Mucorales, including the pathogens Rhizopus arrhizus and Mucor circinelloides, contain an atypical Trl1 that contains the sealing domain, but lack both healing domains. Although these species contain fewer tRNA introns than other pathogenic fungi, they still require splicing to decode three of the 61 sense codons. These sealing-only Trl1 orthologs can functionally complement defects in the corresponding domain of yeast Trl1 and use a conserved catalytic lysine residue. We conclude that Mucorales use a sealing-only enzyme together with unidentified non-orthologous healing enzymes for their heal and seal pathway. This implies that drugs that target the sealing activity are more likely to be broader-spectrum antifungals than drugs that target the healing domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khondakar Sayef Ahammed
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
| | - Ambro van Hoof
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
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Gupta AK, Polla Ravi S, Wang T, Cooper EA, Lincoln SA, Foreman HC, Bakotic WL. Antifungal Resistance, Susceptibility Testing and Treatment of Recalcitrant Dermatophytosis Caused by Trichophyton indotineae: A North American Perspective on Management. Am J Clin Dermatol 2023; 24:927-938. [PMID: 37553539 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-023-00811-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
There is an ongoing epidemic of chronic, relapsing dermatophytoses caused by Trichophyton indotineae that are unresponsive to one or multiple antifungal agents. Although this new species may have originated from the Indian subcontinent, there has been a notable increase of its reporting in other countries. Based on current literature, antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) showed a large variation of terbinafine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) (0.04 to ≥ 32 µg/ml). Elevated terbinafine MICs can be attributed to mutations in the squalene epoxidase gene (single mutations: Leu393Phe, Leu393Ser, Phe397Leu, and double mutations: Leu393Phe/Ala448Thr, Phe397Leu/Ala448Thr). Itraconazole MICs had a lower range when compared with that of terbinafine (0.008-16 µg/ml, with most MICs falling between 0.008 µg/ml and < 1 µg/ml). The interpretation of AFST results remains challenging due to protocol variations and a lack of established breakpoints. Adoption of molecular methods for resistance detection, coupled with AFST, may provide a better evaluation of the in vitro resistance status of T. indotineae. There is limited information on treatment options for patients with confirmed T. indotineae infections by molecular diagnosis; preliminary evidence generated from case reports and case series points to itraconazole as an effective treatment modality, while terbinafine and griseofulvin are generally not effective. For physicians working outside of endemic regions, there is currently an unmet need for standardized clinical trials to establish treatment guidelines; in particular, combination therapy of oral and topical agents (e.g., itraconazole and ciclopirox), as well as with other azoles (i.e., fluconazole, voriconazole, ketoconazole), warrants further investigation as multidrug resistance is a possibility for T. indotineae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya K Gupta
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto School of Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Mediprobe Research Inc., 645 Windermere Road, London, ON, N5X 2P1, Canada.
| | - Shruthi Polla Ravi
- Mediprobe Research Inc., 645 Windermere Road, London, ON, N5X 2P1, Canada
| | - Tong Wang
- Mediprobe Research Inc., 645 Windermere Road, London, ON, N5X 2P1, Canada
| | - Elizabeth A Cooper
- Mediprobe Research Inc., 645 Windermere Road, London, ON, N5X 2P1, Canada
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Bonfim AP, Sakita KM, Faria DR, Arita GS, Rodrigues-Vendramini FA, Capoci IR, Braga AG, Mosca VA, Junior AG, Kioshima ÉS, Bonfim-Mendonça PS, Svidzinski TI. Successful treatment of experimental murine vulvovaginal candidiasis with gentian violet. Future Microbiol 2023; 18:1137-1146. [PMID: 37830930 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2023-0021] [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] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: This study evaluated the antifungal efficacy of gentian violet (GV) in an experimental vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) model. Materials & methods: In vitro susceptibility and cytotoxicity assays were performed to validate the antifungal potential and safety of GV. The antifungal efficacy was then evaluated in vivo through comparative analysis of the fungal burden following treatment with GV or nystatin, as well as assessment of the vaginal tissue by histology and electron microscopy. Results: GV demonstrated a safe antifungal profile against C. albicans, with a significant decrease in fungal burden and an improvement in the inflammatory process evaluated histologically. Conclusion: The results of this study motivate further assessment of GV as a promising alternative for VVC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda P Bonfim
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Clinical Analyzes & Biomedicine Department, State University of Maringa, Maringa, PR, 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Karina M Sakita
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Clinical Analyzes & Biomedicine Department, State University of Maringa, Maringa, PR, 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Daniella R Faria
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Clinical Analyzes & Biomedicine Department, State University of Maringa, Maringa, PR, 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Glaucia S Arita
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Clinical Analyzes & Biomedicine Department, State University of Maringa, Maringa, PR, 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Franciele Av Rodrigues-Vendramini
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Clinical Analyzes & Biomedicine Department, State University of Maringa, Maringa, PR, 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Isis Rg Capoci
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Clinical Analyzes & Biomedicine Department, State University of Maringa, Maringa, PR, 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Andressa G Braga
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Clinical Analyzes & Biomedicine Department, State University of Maringa, Maringa, PR, 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Valéria Ab Mosca
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Clinical Analyzes & Biomedicine Department, State University of Maringa, Maringa, PR, 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Admilton Go Junior
- Electron Microscopy & Microanalysis Laboratory, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Érika S Kioshima
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Clinical Analyzes & Biomedicine Department, State University of Maringa, Maringa, PR, 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Patrícia S Bonfim-Mendonça
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Clinical Analyzes & Biomedicine Department, State University of Maringa, Maringa, PR, 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Terezinha Ie Svidzinski
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Clinical Analyzes & Biomedicine Department, State University of Maringa, Maringa, PR, 87020-900, Brazil
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Hung TH, Ko PH, Tsai CC, Wang CY, Lee HF. Prognostic factors of cirrhotic patients with invasive fungal infections. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e35737. [PMID: 37904439 PMCID: PMC10615466 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000035737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infection (FI) is a life-threatening condition in cirrhotic patients. However, a population-based study is required to determine the short-term mortality of these patients. The Taiwan National Health Insurance Database was used to enroll 1214 cirrhotic patients with FIs who were hospitalized between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013. Among them, 165 were diagnosed with invasive FIs. The overall 30-day and 90-day mortality rates for patients with invasive FIs were 25.7% and 49.9%, respectively (P < .001). After adjusting for sex, age, and other comorbidities, the following 90-day mortality prognostic factors were statistically different: renal function impairment (hazard ratio = 1.98, 95% confidence interval = 1.05-3.70, P = .034), concurrent with bacterial infections (hazard ratio = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.07-2.88, P = .027). Half of the cirrhotic patients died within 90-daysdue to invasive FIs, highlighting the importance of renal function impairment and concurrent with bacterial infections as an important prognostic factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Hsing Hung
- Department of Medicine, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Hung Ko
- Department of Medicine, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chun Tsai
- Department of Mathematics, Tamkang University, Tamsui, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Ying Wang
- Department of Medical Research, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Dalin, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Feng Lee
- Department of Medicine, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
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Dumeaux V, Massahi S, Bettauer V, Mottola A, Dukovny A, Khurdia SS, Costa ACBP, Omran RP, Simpson S, Xie JL, Whiteway M, Berman J, Hallett MT. Candida albicans exhibits heterogeneous and adaptive cytoprotective responses to antifungal compounds. eLife 2023; 12:e81406. [PMID: 37888959 PMCID: PMC10699808 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans, an opportunistic human pathogen, poses a significant threat to human health and is associated with significant socio-economic burden. Current antifungal treatments fail, at least in part, because C. albicans can initiate a strong drug tolerance response that allows some cells to grow at drug concentrations above their minimal inhibitory concentration. To better characterize this cytoprotective tolerance program at the molecular single-cell level, we used a nanoliter droplet-based transcriptomics platform to profile thousands of individual fungal cells and establish their subpopulation characteristics in the absence and presence of antifungal drugs. Profiles of untreated cells exhibit heterogeneous expression that correlates with cell cycle stage with distinct metabolic and stress responses. At 2 days post-fluconazole exposure (a time when tolerance is measurable), surviving cells bifurcate into two major subpopulations: one characterized by the upregulation of genes encoding ribosomal proteins, rRNA processing machinery, and mitochondrial cellular respiration capacity, termed the Ribo-dominant (Rd) state; and the other enriched for genes encoding stress responses and related processes, termed the Stress-dominant (Sd) state. This bifurcation persists at 3 and 6 days post-treatment. We provide evidence that the ribosome assembly stress response (RASTR) is activated in these subpopulations and may facilitate cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Dumeaux
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Samira Massahi
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Van Bettauer
- Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Austin Mottola
- Shmunis School of Biomedical and Cancer Research, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Anna Dukovny
- Shmunis School of Biomedical and Cancer Research, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | | | | | | | - Shawn Simpson
- Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jinglin Lucy Xie
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | | | - Judith Berman
- Shmunis School of Biomedical and Cancer Research, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
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Ali S, Collison M, McNicholas S, McDermott S. Inter-laboratory variability of caspofungin MICs for Nakaseomyces glabrata isolates - an Irish tertiary hospital experience. Access Microbiol 2023; 5:000617.v4. [PMID: 37970072 PMCID: PMC10634477 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000617.v4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nakaseomyces glabrata, formerly Candida glabrata, is an opportunistic yeast and emerging cause of human infections. The use of broth microdilution (BMD) methodologies for caspofungin (CSP) antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) against N. glabrata is reported to be prone to high inter-laboratory variation. We aimed to compare CSP MICs of N. glabrata isolates from our institution with those obtained by the Reference Laboratory for the same isolates. Methods All clinically significant N. glabrata isolates from 2019 to 2021 inclusive were reviewed. AFST was performed locally using the VITEK2 system with the AST-YS08 card, while E-tests were performed at the Mycology Reference Laboratory (MRL), and agreement between these two methods was evaluated - categorical and essential. Results Forty-one isolates were reviewed during the study period - 30 from blood cultures, seven from intra-operative theatre specimens and four from sterile site drain fluids. Despite an essential agreement of 100 % within ±2 log2 dilutions, marked discrepancies were noted in interpretative breakpoints between assays with 17 Minor and 16 Major category errors. Categorical agreement was 19.5 %, with the VITEK2 over-estimating resistance. A Mann-Whitney U-test assessed the relationship of MICs across the AFST modalities, and a statistically significant difference was noted, P<0.01, with a higher mean rank for VITKEK2 outputs. Conclusion While the VITEK2 system is highly applicable, its performance for CSP AFST is unreliable and potentially results in the mis-classification of susceptible isolates as highlighted in our study. The use of VITEK2 AST-YS08 micafungin as a sentinel echinocandin should be explored and/or the evaluation of CSP-specific E-tests as utilized by the MRL. These methods appear more consistent and less prone to the variation seen with BMD for CSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saied Ali
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Meadhbh Collison
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Sinead McNicholas
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Sinead McDermott
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Elgammal Y, Salama EA, Seleem MN. Saquinavir potentiates itraconazole's antifungal activity against multidrug-resistant Candida auris in vitro andin vivo. Med Mycol 2023; 61:myad081. [PMID: 37558393 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida species are highly opportunistic yeasts that are responsible for serious invasive fungal infections among immunocompromised patients worldwide. Due to the increase in drug resistance and incidence of infections, there is an urgent need to develop new antifungals and to identify co-drugs that can sensitize drug-resistant Candida to antifungals. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of saquinavir on the activity of azole antifungals against C. auris. The in vitro interaction of saquinavir and three azole antifungals (itraconazole, voriconazole, and fluconazole) was evaluated against a panel of C. auris isolates. The itraconazole/saquinavir combination exhibited a synergistic (SYN) relationship against all C. auris isolates tested with the fractional inhibitory concentration index ranging from 0.03 to 0.27. Moreover, a time-kill kinetics assay revealed that saquinavir restored the itraconazole's fungistatic activity against C. auris. Furthermore, saquinavir restored itraconazole's antifungal activity against other clinically important Candida species. The mechanistic investigation indicated that saquinavir significantly inhibited efflux pumps, glucose utilization, and ATP synthesis in Candida. Finally, a murine model of C. auris infection was used to evaluate the efficacy of the itraconazole/saquinavir combination in the presence of ritonavir (as a pharmacokinetic enhancer). The combination significantly reduced the fungal burden in the kidneys by 0.93-log10 colony-forming units (88%) compared to itraconazole alone. This study identified that saquinavir exhibits a potent SYN relationship in combination with itraconazole against Candida species, which warrants further consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehia Elgammal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Ehab A Salama
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Mohamed N Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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Hellier SD, Wrynn AF. Beyond fluconazole: A review of vulvovaginal candidiasis diagnosis and treatment. Nurse Pract 2023; 48:33-39. [PMID: 37643144 DOI: 10.1097/01.npr.0000000000000095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Vaginitis symptoms are among the most common reasons for patients to seek acute gynecological care. NPs who care for women and other patients with vaginas need to be up-to-date on diagnosis and treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and recurrent VVC (RVVC). Two new antifungal medications for VVC are available. This article reviews vaginal physiology and provides an overview of VVC and RVVC pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment options.
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48
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Kumar R, Srivastava V. Application of anti-fungal vaccines as a tool against emerging anti-fungal resistance. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2023; 4:1241539. [PMID: 37746132 PMCID: PMC10512234 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2023.1241539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
After viruses and bacteria, fungal infections remain a serious threat to the survival and well-being of society. The continuous emergence of resistance against commonly used anti-fungal drugs is a serious concern. The eukaryotic nature of fungal cells makes the identification of novel anti-fungal agents slow and difficult. Increasing global temperature and a humid environment conducive to fungal growth may lead to a fungal endemic or a pandemic. The continuous increase in the population of immunocompromised individuals and falling immunity forced pharmaceutical companies to look for alternative strategies for better managing the global fungal burden. Prevention of infectious diseases by vaccines can be the right choice. Recent success and safe application of mRNA-based vaccines can play a crucial role in our quest to overcome anti-fungal resistance. Expressing fungal cell surface proteins in human subjects using mRNA technology may be sufficient to raise immune response to protect against future fungal infection. The success of mRNA-based anti-fungal vaccines will heavily depend on the identification of fungal surface proteins which are highly immunogenic and have no or least side effects in human subjects. The present review discusses why it is essential to look for anti-fungal vaccines and how vaccines, in general, and mRNA-based vaccines, in particular, can be the right choice in tackling the problem of rising anti-fungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Kumar
- Department of Pathology, Collage of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Vartika Srivastava
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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Smith DJ, Gold JAW, Benedict K, Wu K, Lyman M, Jordan A, Medina N, Lockhart SR, Sexton DJ, Chow NA, Jackson BR, Litvintseva AP, Toda M, Chiller T. Public Health Research Priorities for Fungal Diseases: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Save Lives. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:820. [PMID: 37623591 PMCID: PMC10455901 DOI: 10.3390/jof9080820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections can cause severe disease and death and impose a substantial economic burden on healthcare systems. Public health research requires a multidisciplinary approach and is essential to help save lives and prevent disability from fungal diseases. In this manuscript, we outline the main public health research priorities for fungal diseases, including the measurement of the fungal disease burden and distribution and the need for improved diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Characterizing the public health, economic, health system, and individual burden caused by fungal diseases can provide critical insights to promote better prevention and treatment. The development and validation of fungal diagnostic tests that are rapid, accurate, and cost-effective can improve testing practices. Understanding best practices for antifungal prophylaxis can optimize prevention in at-risk populations, while research on antifungal resistance can improve patient outcomes. Investment in vaccines may eliminate certain fungal diseases or lower incidence and mortality. Public health research priorities and approaches may vary by fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dallas J. Smith
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (J.A.W.G.); (K.B.); (K.W.); (M.L.); (A.J.); (N.M.); (S.R.L.); (D.J.S.); (N.A.C.); (B.R.J.); (A.P.L.); (M.T.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Tom Chiller
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (J.A.W.G.); (K.B.); (K.W.); (M.L.); (A.J.); (N.M.); (S.R.L.); (D.J.S.); (N.A.C.); (B.R.J.); (A.P.L.); (M.T.)
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de Chaves MA, da Costa BS, de Souza JA, Batista MA, de Andrade SF, Hage-Melim LIDS, Abegg M, Lopes MS, Fuentefria AM. In silico and in vitro analysis of the mechanisms of action of nitroxoline against some medically important opportunistic fungi. J Mycol Med 2023; 33:101411. [PMID: 37413753 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2023.101411] [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] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
The increasing resistance to antifungal agents associated with toxicity and interactions turns therapeutic management of fungal infections difficult. This scenario emphasizes the importance of drug repositioning, such as nitroxoline - a urinary antibacterial agent that has shown potential antifungal activity. The aims of this study were to discover the possible therapeutic targets of nitroxoline using an in silico approach, and to determine the in vitro antifungal activity of the drug against the fungal cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane. We explored the biological activity of nitroxoline using PASS, SwissTargetPrediction and Cortellis Drug Discovery Intelligence web tools. After confirmation, the molecule was designed and optimized in HyperChem software. GOLD 2020.1 software was used to predict the interactions between the drug and the target proteins. In vitro investigation evaluated the effect of nitroxoline on the fungal cell wall through sorbitol protection assay. Ergosterol binding assay was carried out to assess the effect of the drug on the cytoplasmic membrane. In silico investigation revealed biological activity with alkane 1-monooxygenase and methionine aminopeptidase enzymes, showing nine and five interactions in the molecular docking, respectively. In vitro results exhibited no effect on the fungal cell wall or cytoplasmic membrane. Finally, nitroxoline has potential as an antifungal agent due to the interaction with alkane 1-monooxygenase and methionine aminopeptidase enzymes, which are not the main human therapeutic targets. These results have potentially revealed a new biological target for the treatment of fungal infections. We also consider that further studies are required to confirm the biological activity of nitroxoline on fungal cells, mainly the confirmation of the alkB gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda Antunes de Chaves
- Graduate Program in Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Bárbara Souza da Costa
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Jade André de Souza
- Graduate Program in Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Mateus Alves Batista
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry (PharMedChem), Federal University of Amapá, Rod JK Km 2, Macapá, Amapá, Brazil
| | - Saulo Fernandes de Andrade
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Maxwell Abegg
- Institute of Exact Sciences and Technology, Federal University of Amazonas, Itacoatiara, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Marcela Silva Lopes
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Meneghello Fuentefria
- Graduate Program in Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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