Mecanismos de resistencia a fluconazol expresados por Candida glabrata: una situación para considerar en la terapéutica

Expression of ERG11, ERG3, MDR1 and CDR1 genes in Candida tropicalis

INTRODUCTION

Drug resistance to azoles is a growing problem in the Candida genus.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze molecularly the genes responsible for fluconazole resistance in Candida tropicalis strains.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nineteen strains, with and without exposure to fluconazole, were selected for this study. The expression of MDR1, CDR1, ERG11, and ERG3 genes was analyzed in sensitive, dose-dependent sensitive, and resistant strains exposed to different concentrations of the antifungal drug.

RESULTS

MDR1, ERG11 and ERG3 genes were significantly overexpressed in the different sensitivity groups. CDR1 gene expression was not statistically significant among the studied groups. Seven of the eight fluconazole-resistant strains showed overexpression of one or more of the analyzed genes. In some dose-dependent sensitive strains, we found overexpression of CDR1, ERG11, and ERG3.

CONCLUSION

The frequency of overexpression of ERG11 and ERG3 genes indicates that they are related to resistance. However, the finding of dose-dependent resistant/sensitive strains without overexpression of these genes suggests that they are not exclusive to this phenomenon. More basic research is needed to study other potentially involved genes in the resistance mechanism to fluconazole.

Phytotherapy: A Solution to Decrease Antifungal Resistance in the Dental Field

The pathologies produced by fungi in the oral cavity in recent decades have become a health problem, with factors such as an imbalance of the local microbiota being the cause for their propagation. Conventional antifungal treatments, instead of being beneficial, have generated alterations that have led to antifungal resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate and describe phytotherapy resources as a possible solution to oral antifungal resistance. A bibliographic search was carried out on platforms such as PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google scholar. A total of 248 scientific articles were obtained, of which 108 met the inclusion criteria. Microorganisms of fungal origin currently show resistance to the different antifungals of conventional use, which is undoubtedly altering the oral health of human beings, but there are new therapeutic possibilities such as the active principles of various natural species.