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Pham D, Howard-Jones AR, Sparks R, Stefani M, Sivalingam V, Halliday CL, Beardsley J, Chen SCA. Epidemiology, Modern Diagnostics, and the Management of Mucorales Infections. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:659. [PMID: 37367595 DOI: 10.3390/jof9060659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucormycosis is an uncommon, yet deadly invasive fungal infection caused by the Mucorales moulds. These pathogens are a WHO-assigned high-priority pathogen group, as mucormycosis incidence is increasing, and there is unacceptably high mortality with current antifungal therapies. Current diagnostic methods have inadequate sensitivity and specificity and may have issues with accessibility or turnaround time. Patients with diabetes mellitus and immune compromise are predisposed to infection with these environmental fungi, but COVID-19 has established itself as a new risk factor. Mucorales also cause healthcare-associated outbreaks, and clusters associated with natural disasters have also been identified. Robust epidemiological surveillance into burden of disease, at-risk populations, and emerging pathogens is required. Emerging serological and molecular techniques may offer a faster route to diagnosis, while newly developed antifungal agents show promise in preliminary studies. Equitable access to these emerging diagnostic techniques and antifungal therapies will be key in identifying and treating mucormycosis, as delayed initiation of therapy is associated with higher mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Pham
- Centre for Infectious Diseases & Microbiology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Annaleise R Howard-Jones
- Centre for Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology-Institute of Clinical Pathology & Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2170, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Rebecca Sparks
- Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Sydney, NSW 2113, Australia
| | - Maurizio Stefani
- Centre for Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology-Institute of Clinical Pathology & Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Varsha Sivalingam
- Centre for Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology-Institute of Clinical Pathology & Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Catriona L Halliday
- Centre for Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology-Institute of Clinical Pathology & Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Justin Beardsley
- Centre for Infectious Diseases & Microbiology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2170, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Sharon C-A Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology-Institute of Clinical Pathology & Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2170, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Combined Application of Tacrolimus with Cyproconazole, Hymexazol and Novel {2-(3-R-1 H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)phenyl}amines as Antifungals: In Vitro Growth Inhibition and In Silico Molecular Docking Analysis to Fungal Chitin Deacetylase. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9010079. [PMID: 36675900 PMCID: PMC9866229 DOI: 10.3390/jof9010079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Agents with antifungal activity play a vital role as therapeutics in health care, as do fungicides in agriculture. Effectiveness, toxicological profile, and eco-friendliness are among the properties used to select suitable substances. Furthermore, a steady supply of new agents with different modes of action is required to counter the well-known potential of human and phyto-pathogenic fungi to develop resistance against established antifungals. Here, we use an in vitro growth assay to investigate the activity of the calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus in combination with the commercial fungicides cyproconazole and hymexazol, as well as with two earlier reported novel {2-(3-R-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)phenyl}amines, against the fungi Aspergillus niger, Colletotrichum higginsianum, Fusarium oxysporum and the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, which are notoriously harmful in agriculture. When tacrolimus was added in a concentration range from 0.25 to 25 mg/L to the tested antifungals (at a fixed concentration of 25 or 50 mg/L), the inhibitory activities were distinctly enhanced. Molecular docking calculations revealed triazole derivative 5, (2-(3-adamantan-1-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)-4-chloroaniline), as a potent inhibitor of chitin deacetylases (CDA) of Aspergillus nidulans and A. niger (AnCDA and AngCDA, respectively), which was stronger than the previously reported polyoxorin D, J075-4187, and chitotriose. The results are discussed in the context of potential synergism and molecular mode of action.
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An L, Jia G, Tan J, Yang L, Wang Y, Li L. Analysis of the synergistic antifungal activity of everolimus and antifungal drugs against dematiaceous fungi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1131416. [PMID: 36909734 PMCID: PMC9996166 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1131416] [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: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a form of chronic mycosis that affects the skin and mucous membranes and is caused by species of dematiaceous fungi including Exophiala spp., Phialophora spp., and Fonsecaea spp. The persistence of this disease and limitations associated with single-drug treatment have complicated efforts to adequately manage this condition. Methods In this study, a microdilution assay was used to explore the synergistic antifungal activity of everolimus (EVL) in combination with itraconazole (ITC), voriconazole (VRC), posaconazole (POS), and amphotericin B (AMB) against a range of clinical dematiaceous fungal isolates. Results These analyses revealed that the EVL+POS and EVL+ITC exhibited superior in vitro synergistic efficacy, respectively inhibiting the growth of 64% (14/22) and 59% (13/22) of tested strains. In contrast, the growth of just 9% (2/22) of tested strains was inhibited by a combination of EVL+AMB, and no synergistic efficacy was observed for the combination of EVL+VRC. Discussion Overall, these findings indicate that EVL holds promise as a novel drug that can be synergistically combined with extant antifungal drugs to improve their efficacy, thereby aiding in the treatment of CBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu An
- Department of Medical Mycology, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Gengpei Jia
- Department of General Medicine, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Jingwen Tan
- Department of Medical Mycology, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lianjuan Yang
- Department of Medical Mycology, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuemei Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shibei Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shibei Hospital, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Lei Li,
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Liang P, Song J, Liu Q. Interactions between antifungals and everolimus against Cryptococcus neoformans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1131641. [PMID: 37026056 PMCID: PMC10070994 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1131641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus is the causal agent of cryptococcosis, a disease with high mortality mainly related to HIV immunosuppression and usually manifests with pneumonia and/or meningoencephalitis. There are very few therapeutic options; thus, innovative approaches are required. Herein, We examined the interaction of everolimus (EVL) with amphotericin B (AmB) and azoles [fluconazole (FLU), posaconazole (POS), voriconazole (VOR), itraconazole (ITR)] against Cryptococcus. Eighteen Cryptococcus neoforman clinical isolates were analyzed. Following the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M27-A4, we conducted a broth microdilution experiment to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of azoles, EVL, and AmB for assessing antifungal susceptibility. A fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) of less than and equal to 0.5 indicated synergy, with a range of 0.5 to 4.0 indicated indifference and a value more than 4.0 indicated antagonism. These experiments revealed that EVL had antifungal activity against C. neoforman. Moreover, EVL, POS, AmB, FLU, ITR, and VOR exhibited MIC values ranging from 0.5-2 μg/mL, 0.03125-2 μg/mL, 0.25-4 μg/mL, 0.5-32μg/mL, 0.0625-4μg/mL and 0.03125-2μg/mL, respectively. The combination of EVL with AmB and azoles (POS, FLU, ITR, and VOR) exhibited synergistic antifungal effects against 16 (88.9%), 9 (50%), 11 (61.1%), 10 (55.6%) or 6 (33.3%) of analyzed Cryptococcus strains. In the presence of EVL, the MIC values of AmB and azoles were significantly lowered. No antagonism was observed. Subsequently, in vivo analyses conducted using the G. mellonella model further confirmed that combination EVL+ POS, EVL+ FLU, and EVL+ITR treatment were associated with significantly improved larval survival following Cryptococcus spp. infection. These findings provide the first published evidence suggesting that a combination of EVL and AmB or azoles exhibit a synergistic effect and may be an effective antifungal disease treatment strategy for infections caused by Cryptococcus spp.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Qin Liu
- *Correspondence: Jiquan Song, ; Qin Liu,
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Hua Y, Dai X, Xu Y, Xing G, Liu H, Lu T, Chen Y, Zhang Y. Drug repositioning: Progress and challenges in drug discovery for various diseases. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 234:114239. [PMID: 35290843 PMCID: PMC8883737 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Compared with traditional de novo drug discovery, drug repurposing has become an attractive drug discovery strategy due to its low-cost and high efficiency. Through a comprehensive analysis of the candidates that have been identified with drug repositioning potentials, it is found that although some drugs do not show obvious advantages in the original indications, they may exert more obvious effects in other diseases. In addition, some drugs have a synergistic effect to exert better clinical efficacy if used in combination. Particularly, it has been confirmed that drug repositioning has benefits and values on the current public health emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which proved the great potential of drug repositioning. In this review, we systematically reviewed a series of representative drugs that have been repositioned for different diseases and illustrated successful cases in each disease. Especially, the mechanism of action for the representative drugs in new indications were explicitly explored for each disease, we hope this review can provide important insights for follow-up research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Hua
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Xiaowen Dai
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Yuan Xu
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Guomeng Xing
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Haichun Liu
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Tao Lu
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yadong Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China.
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China.
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In Vitro Activity of Amphotericin B in Combination with Colistin against Fungi Responsible for Invasive Infections. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8020115. [PMID: 35205869 PMCID: PMC8880464 DOI: 10.3390/jof8020115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The in vitro interaction of amphotericin B in combination with colistin was evaluated against a total of 86 strains comprising of 47 Candida species (10 Candida albicans, 15 Candida auris, five Candida glabrata, three Candida kefyr, five Candida krusei, four Candida parapsilosis and five Candida tropicalis), 29 Aspergillus species (five Aspergillus flavus, 10 Aspergillus fumigatus, four Aspergillus nidulans, five Aspergillus niger, and five Aspergillus terreus), and 10 Rhizopus species (seven Rhizopus arrhizus, one Rhizopus delemar and two Rhizopus microsporus) strains. For the determination of the interaction, a microdilution checkerboard technique based on the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) reference method for antifungal susceptibility testing was used. Results of the checkerboard technique were evaluated by the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) based on the Loewe additivity model for all isolates. Different inhibition endpoints were used to capture both the interaction at MIC and sub-MIC levels. Additionally, checkerboard technique results for Candida species were evaluated by response surface analysis based on the Bliss independence model. Against common Candida species, the combination was synergistic for 75% of the strains by FICI and for 66% of the strains by response surface analysis. For C. tropicalis, the interaction was antagonistic for three isolates by FICI, but antagonism was not confirmed by response surface analysis. Interestingly, synergistic and antagonistic FICIs were simultaneously present on checkboard microplates of all three strains. Against C. auris the combination was synergistic for 73% of the strains by response surface analysis and for 33% of the strains by FICI. This discrepancy could be related to the insensitivity of the FICI to detect weak interactions. Interaction for all other strains was indifferent. For Aspergillus and Rhizopus species combination exhibited only indifferent interactions against all tested strains.
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Abstract
In the present study, in vitro and in vivo interactions of TOR inhibitor AZD8055 and azoles, including itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole and fluconazole, against a variety of pathogenic fungi were investigated. A total of 69 isolates were studied via broth microdilution checkerboard technique, including 23 isolates of Aspergillus spp., 20 isolates of Candida spp., 9 isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans complex, and 17 isolates of Exophiala dermatitidis. The results revealed that AZD8055 individually did not exert any significant antifungal activity. However, synergistic effects between AZD8055 and itraconazole, voriconazole or posaconazole were observed in 23 (33%), 13 (19%) and 57 (83%) isolates, respectively, including azole-resistant A. fumigatus strains and Candida spp., potentiating the efficacy of azoles. The combination effect of AZD8055 and fluconazole was investigated against non-auris Candida spp. and C. neoformans complex. Synergism between AZD8055 and fluconazole was observed in six strains (60%) of Candida spp., resulting in reversion of fluconazole resistance. Synergistic combinations resulted in 4-fold to 256-fold reduction of effective MICs of AZD8055 and azoles. No antagonism was observed. In vivo effects of AZD8055-azole combinations were evaluated by survival assay in Galleria mellonella model infected with A. fumigatus strain AF002, E. dermatitidis strain BMU00038, C. auris strain 383, C. albicans strain R15, and C. neoformans complex strain Z2. AZD8055 acted synergistically with azoles and significantly increased larvae survival (P < 0.05). In summary, the results suggested that AZD8055 combined with azoles may help to enhance the antifungal susceptibilities of azoles against pathogenic fungi and had the potential to overcome azole resistance issues. IMPORTANCE Limited options of antifungals and the emergence of drug resistance in fungal pathogens has been a multifaceted clinical challenge. Combination therapy represents a valuable alternative to antifungal monotherapy. The target of rapamycin (TOR), a conserved serine/threonine kinase from yeast to humans, participates in a signaling pathway that governs cell growth and proliferation in response to nutrient availability, growth factors, and environmental stimuli. AZD8055 is an orally bioavailable, potent, and selective TOR kinase inhibitor that binds to the ATP binding cleft of TOR kinase and inhibits both TORC1 and TORC2. Synergism between AZD8055 and azoles suggested that the concomitant application of AZD8055 and azoles may help to enhance azole therapeutic efficacy and impede azole resistance. TOR inhibitor with fungal specific target is promising to be served as combination regimen with azoles.
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Hoenigl M, Seidel D, Carvalho A, Rudramurthy SM, Arastehfar A, Gangneux JP, Nasir N, Bonifaz A, Araiza J, Klimko N, Serris A, Lagrou K, Meis JF, Cornely OA, Perfect JR, White PL, Chakrabarti A. The emergence of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis: a review of cases from 18 countries. THE LANCET MICROBE 2022; 3:e543-e552. [PMID: 35098179 PMCID: PMC8789240 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(21)00237-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 103.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Reports of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis have been increasing in frequency since early 2021, particularly among patients with uncontrolled diabetes. Patients with diabetes and hyperglycaemia often have an inflammatory state that could be potentiated by the activation of antiviral immunity to SARS-CoV2, which might favour secondary infections. In this Review, we analysed 80 published and unpublished cases of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis. Uncontrolled diabetes, as well as systemic corticosteroid treatment, were present in most patients with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis, and rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis was the most frequent disease. Mortality was high at 49%, which was particularly due to patients with pulmonary or disseminated mucormycosis or cerebral involvement. Furthermore, a substantial proportion of patients who survived had life-changing morbidities (eg, loss of vision in 46% of survivors). Our Review indicates that COVID-19-associated mucormycosis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis of pulmonary mucormycosis is particularly challenging, and might be frequently missed in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Hoenigl
- Division of Infectious Diseases, ECMM Center of Excellence for Medical Mycology, 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
| | - Danila Seidel
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine, ECMM Center of Excellence for Medical Mycology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Agostinho Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Shivaprakash M Rudramurthy
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Amir Arastehfar
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - Jean-Pierre Gangneux
- Environnement et Travail, Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Rennes, France
| | - Nosheen Nasir
- Section of Adult Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Alexandro Bonifaz
- Dermatology Service, Hospital General De México Dr Eduardo Liceaga, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Javier Araiza
- Dermatology Service, Hospital General De México Dr Eduardo Liceaga, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nikolai Klimko
- Department of Clinical Mycology, Allergy and Immunology, North Western State Medical University named after II Mechnikov, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexandra Serris
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and National Reference Centre for Mycosis, ECMM Center of Excellence for Medical Mycology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, ECMM Center of Excellence for Medical Mycology, Radboud University Medical Center, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Center of Expertise in Mycology, Radboud University Medical Center, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Oliver A Cornely
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine, ECMM Center of Excellence for Medical Mycology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Clinical Trials Centre Cologne, ZKS Köln, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - John R Perfect
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - P Lewis White
- Public Health Wales Mycology Reference Laboratory, UHW, Cardiff, UK
| | - Arunaloke Chakrabarti
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Bidaud AL, Schwarz P, Herbreteau G, Dannaoui E. Techniques for the Assessment of In Vitro and In Vivo Antifungal Combinations. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7020113. [PMID: 33557026 PMCID: PMC7913650 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic fungal infections are associated with high mortality rates despite adequate treatment. Moreover, acquired resistance to antifungals is increasing, which further complicates the therapeutic management. One strategy to overcome antifungal resistance is to use antifungal combinations. In vitro, several techniques are used to assess drug interactions, such as the broth microdilution checkerboard, agar-diffusion methods, and time-kill curves. Currently, the most widely used technique is the checkerboard method. The aim of all these techniques is to determine if the interaction between antifungal agents is synergistic, indifferent, or antagonistic. However, the interpretation of the results remains difficult. Several methods of analysis can be used, based on different theories. The most commonly used method is the calculation of the fractional inhibitory concentration index. Determination of the usefulness of combination treatments in patients needs well-conducted clinical trials, which are difficult. It is therefore important to study antifungal combinations in vivo, in experimental animal models of fungal infections. Although mammalian models have mostly been used, new alternative animal models in invertebrates look promising. To evaluate the antifungal efficacy, the most commonly used criteria are the mortality rate and the fungal load in the target organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Laure Bidaud
- Parasitology-Mycology Unit, Microbiology Department, APHP, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris-Descartes University, F-75015 Paris, France;
| | - Patrick Schwarz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, University Hospital Marburg, Baldingerstraße, D-35043 Marburg, Germany;
- Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals, Philipps University Marburg, D-35037 Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Eric Dannaoui
- Parasitology-Mycology Unit, Microbiology Department, APHP, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris-Descartes University, F-75015 Paris, France;
- Dynamyc Research Group, Paris Est Créteil University (UPEC, EnvA), F-94010 Paris, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-1-56-09-39-48; Fax: +33-1-56-09-24-46
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Schwarz P, Schwarz PV, Felske-Zech H, Dannaoui E. In vitro interactions between isavuconazole and tacrolimus, cyclosporin A or sirolimus against Mucorales. J Antimicrob Chemother 2020; 74:1921-1927. [PMID: 30934052 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkz102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the in vitro interactions of isavuconazole with immune suppressors (tacrolimus, cyclosporin A or sirolimus) against 30 Mucorales isolates belonging to the most common species responsible for mucormycosis in humans (Rhizopus arrhizus, Rhizopus delemar, Rhizopus microsporus, Lichtheimia corymbifera, Lichtheimia ramosa, Mucor circinelloides and Rhizomucor pusillus). METHODS In vitro interaction was evaluated by a microdilution chequerboard technique. RESULTS Combination of isavuconazole with tacrolimus, cyclosporin A or sirolimus, was synergistic for 50%, 46% and 7% of the isolates, respectively. Antagonistic interaction was observed for 4% of the isolates for the combination with cyclosporin A (one R. arrhizus isolate) and for 32% of the isolates for the combination with sirolimus (six R. arrhizus isolates and three R. pusillus isolates). CONCLUSIONS These in vitro data show that calcineurin inhibitors are more likely than inhibitors of the mTOR pathway to enhance the activity of isavuconazole against Mucorales. These in vitro results warrant further animal experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Schwarz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, University Hospital Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Petra V Schwarz
- Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Heike Felske-Zech
- Department of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Eric Dannaoui
- Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Médecine, AP-HP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Unité de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Paris, France.,Dynamyc Research Group (EA 7380), Paris Est Créteil University, Créteil, France
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In Vitro Interaction between Isavuconazole and Tacrolimus, Cyclosporin A, or Sirolimus against Aspergillus Species. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6030103. [PMID: 32650564 PMCID: PMC7560155 DOI: 10.3390/jof6030103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of isavuconazole with immunosuppressors (tacrolimus, cyclosporin A, or sirolimus) against 30 Aspergillus isolates belonging to the most common species responsible for invasive aspergillosis in humans (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus terreus) was evaluated in vitro by a microdilution checkerboard technique based on the EUCAST reference method for antifungal susceptibility testing. The interpretation of the results was performed based on the fractional inhibitory concentration index. The combination of isavuconazole with tacrolimus, cyclosporin A, or sirolimus, was synergistic for 56, 20, or 10% of the isolates, respectively. Interestingly synergy of the combination of isavuconazole with tacrolimus was also achieved for the majority of azole-resistant isolates of A. fumigatus, and for all A. niger isolates with isavuconazole minimal inhibitory concentrations ≥ 8 µg/mL. Antagonistic interactions were never observed for any combination tested.
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12
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Brunet K, Rammaert B. Mucormycosis treatment: Recommendations, latest advances, and perspectives. J Mycol Med 2020; 30:101007. [PMID: 32718789 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2020.101007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mucormycosis are life-threatening fungal infections especially affecting immunocompromised or diabetic patients. Despite treatment, mortality remains high (from 32 to 70% according to organ involvement). This review provides an update on mucormycosis management. The latest recommendations strongly recommend as first-line therapy the use of liposomal amphotericin B (≥5mg/kg) combined with surgery whenever possible. Isavuconazole and intravenous or delayed-release tablet forms of posaconazole have remained second-line. Many molecules are currently in development to fight against invasive fungal diseases but few have demonstrated efficacy against Mucorales. Despite in vitro efficacy, combinations of treatment have failed to demonstrate superiority versus monotherapy. Adjuvant therapies are particularly complex to evaluate without prospective randomized controlled studies, which are complex to perform due to low incidence rate and high mortality of mucormycosis. Perspectives are nonetheless encouraging. New approaches assessing relationships between host, fungi, and antifungal drugs, and new routes of administration such as aerosols could improve mucormycosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Brunet
- INSERM U1070, Poitiers, France; Faculté de médecine et pharmacie, université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France; Service de mycologie-parasitologie, département des agents infectieux, CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers, France.
| | - B Rammaert
- INSERM U1070, Poitiers, France; Faculté de médecine et pharmacie, université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France; Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
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13
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Dannaoui E, Espinel-Ingroff A. Antifungal Susceptibly Testing by Concentration Gradient Strip Etest Method for Fungal Isolates: A Review. J Fungi (Basel) 2019; 5:jof5040108. [PMID: 31766762 PMCID: PMC6958406 DOI: 10.3390/jof5040108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Antifungal susceptibility testing is an important tool for managing patients with invasive fungal infections, as well as for epidemiological surveillance of emerging resistance. For routine testing in clinical microbiology laboratories, ready-to-use commercial methods are more practical than homemade reference techniques. Among commercially available methods, the concentration gradient Etest strip technique is widely used. It combines an agar-based diffusion method with a dilution method that determinates a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) in µg/mL. Many studies have evaluated the agreement between the gradient strip method and the reference methods for both yeasts and filamentous fungi. This agreement has been variable depending on the antifungal, the species, and the incubation time. It has also been shown that the gradient strip method could be a valuable alternative for detection of emerging resistance (non-wild-type isolates) as Etest epidemiological cutoff values have been recently defined for several drug-species combinations. Furthermore, the Etest could be useful for direct antifungal susceptibility testing on blood samples and basic research studies (e.g., the evaluation of the in vitro activity of antifungal combinations). This review summarizes the available data on the performance and potential use of the gradient strip method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Dannaoui
- Paris-Descartes University, Faculty of Medicine, 75006 Paris, France
- APHP, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Parasitology-Mycology Unit, Microbiology Department, 75015 Paris, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-15-6093-948; Fax: +33-15-6092-446
| | - Ana Espinel-Ingroff
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23219, USA;
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14
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Schwarz P, Cornely OA, Dannaoui E. Antifungal combinations in Mucorales: A microbiological perspective. Mycoses 2019; 62:746-760. [PMID: 30830980 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mucormycosis mostly affects immunocompromised patients and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality despite currently available treatments. In that context, combination therapy might be the key to a better outcome for these patients. Purpose of this review is to summarise and to discuss the current combination data obtained in vitro, in vivo in animal models of mucormycosis, and in patients. In vitro combination studies showed that most of the interactions between antifungal drugs were indifferent, even though that some synergistic interactions were achieved for the combination of echinocandins with either azoles or amphotericin B. Importantly, antagonism was never observed. Animal models of mucormycosis focused on infections caused by Rhizopus arrhizus, neglecting most other species responsible for human disease. In these experimental animal models, no strong interactions have been demonstrated, although a certain degree of synergism has been reported in some instances. Combinations of antifungals with non-antifungal drugs have also been largely explored in vitro and in animal models and yielded interesting results. In patients with ketoacidosis and rhino-orbito-cerebral infection, combination of polyene with caspofungin was effective. In contrast, despite promising experimental data, adjunctive therapy with the iron chelator deferasirox was unfavourable and was associated with a higher mortality than monotherapy with liposomal amphotericin B. More combinations have to be tested in vitro and a much larger panel of Mucorales species has to be tested in vivo to give a valuable statement if antifungal combination therapy could be an effective treatment strategy in patients with mucormycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Schwarz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, University Hospital Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Oliver A Cornely
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), ZKS Köln, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Eric Dannaoui
- Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Médecine, AP-HP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Unité de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Paris, France.,Dynamyc Research Group (EA 7380), Paris Est Créteil University, Créteil, France
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15
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Zheng YH, Ma YY, Ding Y, Chen XQ, Gao GX. An insight into new strategies to combat antifungal drug resistance. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2018; 12:3807-3816. [PMID: 30464412 PMCID: PMC6225914 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s185833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections especially in immunocompromised patients represent a dominating cause of mortality. The most commonly used antifungal agents can be divided into three broad categories, including triazoles, echinocandins and polyenes. Antifungal resistance is on the increase, posing a growing threat to the stewardship of immunocompromised patients with fungal infections. The paucity of currently available antifungals leads to the rapid emergence of drug resistance and thus aggravates the refractoriness of invasive fungal infections. Therefore, deep exploration into mechanisms of drug resistance and search for new antifungal targets are required. This review highlights the therapeutic strategies targeting Hsp90, calcineurin, trehalose biosynthesis and sphingolipids biosynthesis, in an attempt to provide clinical evidence for overcoming drug resistance and to form the rationale for combination therapy of conventional antifungals and agents with novel mechanisms of action. What’s more, this review also gives a concise introduction of three new-fashioned antifungals, including carboxymethyl chitosan, silver nanoparticles and chromogranin A-N46.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Hua Zheng
- Department of Hematology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, ;
| | - Yue-Yun Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yi Ding
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xie-Qun Chen
- Department of Hematology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, ;
| | - Guang-Xun Gao
- Department of Hematology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, ;
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16
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Álvarez-Pérez S, García ME, Blanco JL. In vitroactivity of amphotericin B-azole combinations againstMalassezia pachydermatisstrains. Med Mycol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myy009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Álvarez-Pérez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta E García
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Clínico Veterinario, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José L Blanco
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Clínico Veterinario, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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17
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Juvvadi PR, Lee SC, Heitman J, Steinbach WJ. Calcineurin in fungal virulence and drug resistance: Prospects for harnessing targeted inhibition of calcineurin for an antifungal therapeutic approach. Virulence 2017; 8:186-197. [PMID: 27325145 PMCID: PMC5354160 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2016.1201250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Increases in the incidence and mortality due to the major invasive fungal infections such as aspergillosis, candidiasis and cryptococcosis caused by the species of Aspergillus, Candida and Cryptococcus, are a growing threat to the immunosuppressed patient population. In addition to the limited armamentarium of the current classes of antifungal agents available (pyrimidine analogs, polyenes, azoles, and echinocandins), their toxicity, efficacy and the emergence of resistance are major bottlenecks limiting successful patient outcomes. Although these drugs target distinct fungal pathways, there is an urgent need to develop new antifungals that are more efficacious, fungal-specific, with reduced or no toxicity and simultaneously do not induce resistance. Here we review several lines of evidence which indicate that the calcineurin signaling pathway, a target of the immunosuppressive drugs FK506 and cyclosporine A, orchestrates growth, virulence and drug resistance in a variety of fungal pathogens and can be exploited for novel antifungal drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen R. Juvvadi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Soo Chan Lee
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - William J. Steinbach
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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18
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Gao L, Sun Y, He C, Li M, Zeng T, Lu Q. INK128 Exhibits Synergy with Azoles against Exophiala spp. and Fusarium spp. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1658. [PMID: 27812353 PMCID: PMC5071350 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections of Exophiala spp. and Fusarium spp. are often chronic and recalcitrant. Systemic disseminations, which mostly occur in immunocompromised patients, are often refractory to available antifungal therapies. The conserved target of rapamycin (TOR) orchestrates cell growth and proliferation in response to nutrients and growth factors, which are important for pathogenicity and virulence. INK128 is a second-generation ATP-competitive TOR inhibitor, which binds the TOR catalytic domain and selectively inhibits TOR. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro activities of INK128 alone and the interactions of INK128 with conventional antifungal drugs including itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and amphotericin B against 18 strains of Exophiala spp. and 10 strains of Fusarium spp. via broth microdilution checkerboard technique system adapted from Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution method M38-A2. INK128 alone was inactive against all isolates tested. However, favorable synergistic effects between INK128 and voriconazole were observed in 61% Exophiala strains and 60% Fusarium strains, despite Fusarium strains exhibited high MIC values (4–8 μg/ml) against voriconazole. In addition, synergistic effects of INK128/itraconazole were shown in 33% Exophiala strains and 30% Fusarium strains, while synergy of INK128/posaconazole were observed in 28% Exophiala strains and 30% Fusarium strains. The effective working ranges of INK128 were 0.125–2 μg/ml and 1–4 μg/ml against Exophiala isolates and Fusarium isolates, respectively. No synergistic effect was observed when INK128 was combined with amphotericin B. No antagonism was observed in all combinations. In conclusion, INK128 could enhance the in vitro antifungal activity of voriconazole, itraconazole and posaconazole against Exophiala spp. and Fusarium spp., suggesting that azoles, especially voriconazole, combined with TOR kinase inhibitor might provide a potential strategy to the treatment of Exophiala and Fusarium infections. However, further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanism and to determine possible reliable and safe application in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lujuan Gao
- Department of Dermatology, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Dermatology, Jingzhou Central Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University Jingzhou, China
| | - Chengyan He
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University Jingzhou, China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Dermatology, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Shanghai, China
| | - Tongxiang Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, Jingzhou Central Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University Jingzhou, China
| | - Qiaoyun Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Central Hospital of Xiangyang (Affiliated Hospital of Hubei College of Arts and Sciences) Xiangyang, China
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19
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Patterson TF, Thompson GR, Denning DW, Fishman JA, Hadley S, Herbrecht R, Kontoyiannis DP, Marr KA, Morrison VA, Nguyen MH, Segal BH, Steinbach WJ, Stevens DA, Walsh TJ, Wingard JR, Young JAH, Bennett JE. Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Aspergillosis: 2016 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis 2016; 63:e1-e60. [PMID: 27365388 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciw326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1593] [Impact Index Per Article: 199.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
It is important to realize that guidelines cannot always account for individual variation among patients. They are not intended to supplant physician judgment with respect to particular patients or special clinical situations. IDSA considers adherence to these guidelines to be voluntary, with the ultimate determination regarding their application to be made by the physician in the light of each patient's individual circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Patterson
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and South Texas Veterans Health Care System
| | | | - David W Denning
- National Aspergillosis Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jay A Fishman
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
| | | | | | | | - Kieren A Marr
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Vicki A Morrison
- Hennepin County Medical Center and University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | | | - Brahm H Segal
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and Roswell Park Cancer Institute, New York
| | | | | | - Thomas J Walsh
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York
| | | | | | - John E Bennett
- Laboratory of Clinical Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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20
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Donnelley MA, Zhu ES, Thompson GR. Isavuconazole in the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis infections. Infect Drug Resist 2016; 9:79-86. [PMID: 27330318 PMCID: PMC4898026 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s81416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We have a limited arsenal with which to treat invasive fungal infections caused by Aspergillus and Mucorales. The morbidity and mortality for both pathogens remains high. A triazole antifungal, isavuconazole, was recently granted approval by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis. A randomized double-blind comparison trial for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis found isavuconazole noninferior to voriconazole. A separate, open-label study evaluating the efficacy of isavuconazole in the treatment of mucormycosis found comparable response rates to amphotericin B and posaconazole treated historical controls. The prodrug isavuconazonium sulfate is commercially available in both an oral and intravenous formulation and is generally well tolerated. Isavuconazole’s broad spectrum of activity, limited side effect profile, and favorable pharmacokinetics will likely solidify its place in therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica A Donnelley
- Department of Inpatient Pharmacy, University of California - Davis, Sacramento, USA; Department of Clinical Sciences, Touro University College of Pharmacy, Vallejo, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Zhu
- Department of Inpatient Pharmacy, University of California - Davis, Sacramento, USA
| | - George R Thompson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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21
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In Vitro Interactions between Target of Rapamycin Kinase Inhibitor and Antifungal Agents against Aspergillus Species. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:3813-6. [PMID: 26976874 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02921-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro interactions of INK128, a target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase inhibitor, and antifungals, including itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, amphotericin B, and caspofungin, against Aspergillus spp. were assessed with the broth microdilution checkerboard technique. Our results suggested synergistic effects between INK128 and all azoles tested, against multiple Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus isolates. However, no synergistic effects were observed when INK128 was combined with amphotericin B or caspofungin. No antagonism was observed for any combination.
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22
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A common mechanism involving the TORC1 pathway can lead to amphotericin B-persistence in biofilm and planktonic Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21874. [PMID: 26903175 PMCID: PMC4763212 DOI: 10.1038/srep21874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are an increasing clinical problem. Decreased treatment effectiveness is associated with biofilm formation and drug recalcitrance is thought to be biofilm specific. However, no systematic investigations have tested whether resistance mechanisms are shared between biofilm and planktonic populations. We performed multiplexed barcode sequencing (Bar-seq) screening of a pooled collection of gene-deletion mutants cultivated as biofilm and planktonic cells. Screening for resistance to the ergosterol-targeting fungicide amphotericin B (AmB) revealed that the two growth modes had significant overlap in AmB-persistent mutants. Mutants defective in sterol metabolism, ribosome biosynthesis, and the TORC1 and Ras pathways showed increased persistence when treated with AmB. The ras1, ras2 and tor1 mutants had a high-persister phenotype similar to wild-type biofilm and planktonic cells exposed to the TORC1 pathway inhibitor rapamycin. Inhibition of TORC1 with rapamycin also increased the proportion of persisters in Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. We propose that decreased TORC1-mediated induction of ribosome biosynthesis via Ras can lead to formation of AmB-persister cells regardless of whether the cells are in planktonic or biofilm growth mode. Identification of common pathways leading to growth mode-independent persister formation is important for developing novel strategies for treating fungal infections.
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23
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Lee SC, Li A, Calo S, Inoue M, Tonthat NK, Bain JM, Louw J, Shinohara ML, Erwig LP, Schumacher MA, Ko DC, Heitman J. Calcineurin orchestrates dimorphic transitions, antifungal drug responses and host-pathogen interactions of the pathogenic mucoralean fungus Mucor circinelloides. Mol Microbiol 2015; 97:844-65. [PMID: 26010100 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Calcineurin plays essential roles in virulence and growth of pathogenic fungi and is a target of the natural products FK506 and Cyclosporine A. In the pathogenic mucoralean fungus Mucor circinelloides, calcineurin mutation or inhibition confers a yeast-locked phenotype indicating that calcineurin governs the dimorphic transition. Genetic analysis in this study reveals that two calcineurin A catalytic subunits (out of three) are functionally diverged. Homology modeling illustrates modes of resistance resulting from amino substitutions in the interface between each calcineurin subunit and the inhibitory drugs. In addition, we show how the dimorphic transition orchestrated by calcineurin programs different outcomes during host-pathogen interactions. For example, when macrophages phagocytose Mucor yeast, subsequent phagosomal maturation occurs, indicating host cells respond appropriately to control the pathogen. On the other hand, upon phagocytosis of spores, macrophages fail to form mature phagosomes. Cytokine production from immune cells differs following exposure to yeast versus spores (which germinate into hyphae). Thus, the morphogenic transition can be targeted as an efficient treatment option against Mucor infection. In addition, genetic analysis (including gene disruption and mutational studies) further strengthens the understanding of calcineurin and provides a foundation to develop antifungal agents targeting calcineurin to deploy against Mucor and other pathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Chan Lee
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Alicia Li
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Silvia Calo
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Makoto Inoue
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Nam K Tonthat
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Judith M Bain
- Division of Applied Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Johanna Louw
- Division of Applied Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Mari L Shinohara
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.,Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Lars P Erwig
- Division of Applied Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK.,Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Maria A Schumacher
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Dennis C Ko
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.,Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.,Center for Human Genome Variation, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
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24
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Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Mucormycosis: Examining the Evidence. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s12281-015-0222-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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25
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Mendoza L, Vilela R, Voelz K, Ibrahim AS, Voigt K, Lee SC. Human Fungal Pathogens of Mucorales and Entomophthorales. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2014; 5:cshperspect.a019562. [PMID: 25377138 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a019562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of immunocompromised cohorts as a result of infections and/or medical conditions, which has resulted in an increased incidence of fungal infections. Although rare, the incidence of infections caused by fungi belonging to basal fungal lineages is also continuously increasing. Basal fungal lineages diverged at an early point during the evolution of the fungal lineage, in which, in a simplified four-phylum fungal kingdom, Zygomycota and Chytridiomycota belong to the basal fungi, distinguishing them from Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Currently there are no known human infections caused by fungi in Chytridiomycota; only Zygomycotan fungi are known to infect humans. Hence, infections caused by zygomycetes have been called zygomycosis, and the term "zygomycosis" is often used as a synonym for "mucormycosis." In the four-phylum fungal kingdom system, Zygomycota is classified mainly based on morphology, including the ability to form coenocytic (aseptated) hyphae and zygospores (sexual spores). In the Zygomycota, there are 10 known orders, two of which, the Mucorales and Entomophthorales, contain species that can infect humans, and the infection has historically been known as zygomycosis. However, recent multilocus sequence typing analyses (the fungal tree of life [AFTOL] project) revealed that the Zygomycota forms not a monophyletic clade but instead a polyphyletic clade, whereas Ascomycota and Basidiomycota are monophyletic. Thus, the term "zygomycosis" needed to be further specified, resulting in the terms "mucormycosis" and "entomophthoramycosis." This review covers these two different types of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonel Mendoza
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48424-1031 Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48424-1031
| | - Raquel Vilela
- Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48424-1031 Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Minas Gerais, CEP33400000 Belo Horizonte, Brazil Belo Horizonte Brazil; Superior Institute of Medicine (ISMD), Minas Gerais, CEP33400000 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Kerstin Voelz
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection & School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom The National Institute of Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom B15 2WB
| | - Ashraf S Ibrahim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, St. John's Cardiovascular Research Center, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California 90502 David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Kerstin Voigt
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology and University of Jena, Faculty of Biology and Pharmacy, Institute of Microbiology, Neugasse 25, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Soo Chan Lee
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710
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Roilides E, Antachopoulos C, Simitsopoulou M. Pathogenesis and host defence against Mucorales: the role of cytokines and interaction with antifungal drugs. Mycoses 2014; 57 Suppl 3:40-7. [PMID: 25175306 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2014] [Revised: 04/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Innate immune response, including macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells and their respective receptors, plays an important role in host defences against Mucorales with differential activity against specific fungal species, while adaptive immunity is not the first line of defence. A number of endogenous and exogenous factors, such as cytokines and growth factors as well as certain antifungal agents have been found that they influence innate immune response to these organisms. Used alone or especially in combination have been shown to exert antifungal effects against Mucorales species. These findings suggest novel ways of adjunctive therapy for patients with invasive mucormycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Roilides
- Infectious Diseases Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University School of Health Sciences, and Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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In vitro interactions of calcineurin inhibitors with conventional antifungal agents against the yeast form of Penicillium marneffei. Mycopathologia 2014; 178:217-20. [PMID: 25052248 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-014-9787-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 06/25/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Penicillium marneffei can cause a life-threatening disseminated mycosis in immunocompromised hosts. However, therapeutic strategies for the treatment of this infectious disease are limited. Reports of other fungi suggest that calcineurin inhibitors interact with antifungal agents to improve the treatment outcomes. Here, we evaluated the in vitro interaction of the calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporine A and tacrolimus (FK506) combined with conventional antifungal agents against the pathogenic yeast form of P. marneffei. We demonstrate that the combination of cyclosporine A with amphotericin B, itraconazole, or fluconazole was synergistic for 85, 65, and 30 % of P. marneffei strains, respectively. In contrast, no synergism was observed in all the combinations containing tacrolimus. Furthermore, antagonism was not observed for any combination. In conclusion, the therapeutic potential of a combinatory approach using the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A with conventional antifungal drugs may lead to improved treatment regimens for P. marneffei infections. We propose that mechanism of action studies with cyclosporine A and antifungal agents is needed.
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Hamdi T, Karthikeyan V, Alangaden GJ. Mucormycosis in a renal transplant recipient: case report and comprehensive review of literature. Int J Nephrol 2014; 2014:950643. [PMID: 24688793 PMCID: PMC3944654 DOI: 10.1155/2014/950643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 12/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucormycosis is a rare but devastating infection. We present a case of fatal disseminated mucormycosis infection in a renal transplant patient. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and immunosuppression are the major predisposing factors to infection with Mucorales. Mucorales are angioinvasive and can infect any organ system. Lungs are the predominant site of infection in solid organ transplant recipients. Prompt diagnosis is challenging and influences outcome. Treatment involves a combination of surgical and medical therapies. Amphotericin B remains the cornerstone in the medical management of mucormycosis, although other agents have been used. Newer agents are promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamim Hamdi
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, CFP-514, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Vanji Karthikeyan
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, CFP-514, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - George J. Alangaden
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
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Schaenman JM, Khuu T, Kubak BM. Fungi as Eukaryotes: Understanding the Antifungal Effects of Immunosuppressive Drugs. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s12281-013-0169-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Calcineurin plays key roles in the dimorphic transition and virulence of the human pathogenic zygomycete Mucor circinelloides. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003625. [PMID: 24039585 PMCID: PMC3764228 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Many pathogenic fungi are dimorphic and switch between yeast and filamentous states. This switch alters host-microbe interactions and is critical for pathogenicity. However, in zygomycetes, whether dimorphism contributes to virulence is a central unanswered question. The pathogenic zygomycete Mucor circinelloides exhibits hyphal growth in aerobic conditions but switches to multi-budded yeast growth under anaerobic/high CO₂ conditions. We found that in the presence of the calcineurin inhibitor FK506, Mucor exhibits exclusively multi-budded yeast growth. We also found that M. circinelloides encodes three calcineurin catalytic A subunits (CnaA, CnaB, and CnaC) and one calcineurin regulatory B subunit (CnbR). Mutations in the latch region of CnbR and in the FKBP12-FK506 binding domain of CnaA result in hyphal growth of Mucor in the presence of FK506. Disruption of the cnbR gene encoding the sole calcineurin B subunit necessary for calcineurin activity yielded mutants locked in permanent yeast phase growth. These findings reveal that the calcineurin pathway plays key roles in the dimorphic transition from yeast to hyphae. The cnbR yeast-locked mutants are less virulent than the wild-type strain in a heterologous host system, providing evidence that hyphae or the yeast-hyphal transition are linked to virulence. Protein kinase A activity (PKA) is elevated during yeast growth under anaerobic conditions, in the presence of FK506, or in the yeast-locked cnbR mutants, suggesting a novel connection between PKA and calcineurin. cnaA mutants lacking the CnaA catalytic subunit are hypersensitive to calcineurin inhibitors, display a hyphal polarity defect, and produce a mixture of yeast and hyphae in aerobic culture. The cnaA mutants also produce spores that are larger than wild-type, and spore size is correlated with virulence potential. Our results demonstrate that the calcineurin pathway orchestrates the yeast-hyphal and spore size dimorphic transitions that contribute to virulence of this common zygomycete fungal pathogen.
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Lestner J, Hope WW. Itraconazole: an update on pharmacology and clinical use for treatment of invasive and allergic fungal infections. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2013; 9:911-26. [PMID: 23641752 DOI: 10.1517/17425255.2013.794785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fungal infections are a major source of global morbidity and mortality. Itraconazole is a triazole antifungal agent that is widely used for the prevention and treatment of fungal infection. While newer antifungal agents are now available, itraconazole is an orally bioavailable agent with broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Itraconazole remains a useful drug for the management of allergic and invasive mycoses worldwide. AREAS COVERED This article provides a summary of the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical uses of itraconazole. Additionally, the authors summarise the safety and recently described toxicodynamics and discuss the value of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) with itraconazole. The following search criteria were constructed in order to identify relevant literature using PubMed and Ovid-MEDLINE: itraconazole, triazole, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, toxicodynamics and TDM. Relevant abstracts and articles identified from reviewing secondary citations were additionally retrieved and included if relevant. EXPERT OPINION Itraconazole remains an important agent in the prevention and treatment of fungal infection. Itraconazole has a broad-spectrum of activity and is available in both an intravenous and oral form making long-term use in chronic mycoses practical. Itraconazole is widely used for the treatment of endemic fungal infections. Pharmacokinetic variability and clinically important drug interactions make TDM of itraconazole an important consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi Lestner
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Chen YL, Lehman VN, Averette AF, Perfect JR, Heitman J. Posaconazole exhibits in vitro and in vivo synergistic antifungal activity with caspofungin or FK506 against Candida albicans. PLoS One 2013; 8:e57672. [PMID: 23472097 PMCID: PMC3589401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The object of this study was to test whether posaconazole, a broad-spectrum antifungal agent inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis, exhibits synergy with the β-1,3 glucan synthase inhibitor caspofungin or the calcineurin inhibitor FK506 against the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Although current drug treatments for Candida infection are often efficacious, the available antifungal armamentarium may not be keeping pace with the increasing incidence of drug resistant strains. The development of drug combinations or novel antifungal drugs to address emerging drug resistance is therefore of general importance. Combination drug therapies are employed to treat patients with HIV, cancer, or tuberculosis, and has considerable promise in the treatment of fungal infections like cryptococcal meningitis and C. albicans infections. Our studies reported here demonstrate that posaconazole exhibits in vitro synergy with caspofungin or FK506 against drug susceptible or resistant C. albicans strains. Furthermore, these combinations also show in vivo synergy against C. albicans strain SC5314 and its derived echinocandin-resistant mutants, which harbor an S645Y mutation in the CaFks1 β-1,3 glucan synthase drug target, suggesting potential therapeutic applicability for these combinations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Lien Chen
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Virginia N. Lehman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Anna F. Averette
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - John R. Perfect
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Kingsbury JM, Heitman J, Pinnell SR. Calcofluor white combination antifungal treatments for Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans. PLoS One 2012; 7:e39405. [PMID: 22792174 PMCID: PMC3391284 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2012] [Accepted: 05/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Superficial mycoses caused by dermatophyte fungi are among the most common infections worldwide, yet treatment is restricted by limited effective drugs available, drug toxicity, and emergence of drug resistance. The stilbene fluorescent brightener calcofluor white (CFW) inhibits fungi by binding chitin in the cell wall, disrupting cell wall integrity, and thus entails a different mechanism of inhibition than currently available antifungal drugs. To identify novel therapeutic options for the treatment of skin infections, we compared the sensitivity of representative strains of the dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans to CFW and a panel of fluorescent brighteners and phytoalexin compounds. We identified the structurally related stilbene fluorescent brighteners 71, 85, 113 and 134 as fungicidal to both T. rubrum and C. albicans to a similar degree as CFW, and the stilbene phytoalexins pinosylvan monomethyl ether and pterostilbene inhibited to a lesser degree, allowing us to develop a structure-activity relationship for fungal inhibition. Given the abilities of CFW to absorb UV(365 nm) and bind specifically to fungal cell walls, we tested whether CFW combined with UV(365 nm) irradiation would be synergistic to fungi and provide a novel photodynamic treatment option. However, while both treatments individually were cytocidal, UV(365 nm) irradiation reduced sensitivity to CFW, which we attribute to CFW photoinactivation. We also tested combination treatments of CFW with other fungal inhibitors and identified synergistic interactions between CFW and some ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors in C. albicans. Therefore, our studies identify novel fungal inhibitors and drug interactions, offering promise for combination topical treatment regimes for superficial mycoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne M Kingsbury
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America.
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In vitro combination of anidulafungin and voriconazole against intrinsically azole-susceptible and -resistant Aspergillus spp. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2012; 56:4500-3. [PMID: 22615296 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00045-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro interaction of anidulafungin with voriconazole was tested by a microdilution broth checkerboard technique and an agar diffusion method against 30 Aspergillus clinical isolates belonging to five different species. By using a complete inhibition endpoint, indifferent interactions were observed for 97% of the isolates by the checkerboard technique (FIC index from 0.5 to 2) and for 100% of the isolates by the agar diffusion method (variation of -2 to +1 log(2) dilutions).
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Lanternier F, Sun HY, Ribaud P, Singh N, Kontoyiannis DP, Lortholary O. Mucormycosis in Organ and Stem Cell Transplant Recipients. Clin Infect Dis 2012. [DOI: 10.1093/cid/cis195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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Bastidas RJ, Shertz CA, Lee SC, Heitman J, Cardenas ME. Rapamycin exerts antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo against Mucor circinelloides via FKBP12-dependent inhibition of Tor. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2012; 11:270-81. [PMID: 22210828 PMCID: PMC3294450 DOI: 10.1128/ec.05284-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2011] [Accepted: 12/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The zygomycete Mucor circinelloides is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that commonly infects patients with malignancies, diabetes mellitus, and solid organ transplants. Despite the widespread use of antifungal therapy in the management of zygomycosis, the incidence of infections continues to rise among immunocompromised individuals. In this study, we established that the target and mechanism of antifungal action of the immunosuppressant rapamycin in M. circinelloides are mediated via conserved complexes with FKBP12 and a Tor homolog. We found that spontaneous mutations that disrupted conserved residues in FKBP12 conferred rapamycin and FK506 resistance. Disruption of the FKBP12-encoding gene, fkbA, also conferred rapamycin and FK506 resistance. Expression of M. circinelloides FKBP12 (McFKBP12) complemented a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant strain lacking FKBP12 to restore rapamycin sensitivity. Expression of the McTor FKBP12-rapamycin binding (FRB) domain conferred rapamycin resistance in S. cerevisiae, and McFKBP12 interacted in a rapamycin-dependent fashion with the McTor FRB domain in a yeast two-hybrid assay, validating McFKBP12 and McTor as conserved targets of rapamycin. We showed that in vitro, rapamycin exhibited potent growth inhibitory activity against M. circinelloides. In a Galleria mellonella model of systemic mucormycosis, rapamycin improved survival by 50%, suggesting that rapamycin and nonimmunosuppressive analogs have the potential to be developed as novel antifungal therapies for treatment of patients with mucormycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Soo Chan Lee
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
- Medicine
- Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Lewis RE, Lortholary O, Spellberg B, Roilides E, Kontoyiannis DP, Walsh TJ. How Does Antifungal Pharmacology Differ for Mucormycosis Versus Aspergillosis? Clin Infect Dis 2012; 54 Suppl 1:S67-72. [DOI: 10.1093/cid/cir884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Abstract
Effective management of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) depends on early individualized therapy that optimizes efficacy and safety. Considering the negative consequences of IFI, for some high-risk patients the potential benefits of prophylactic therapy may outweigh the risks. When using a prophylactic, empiric, or preemptive therapeutic approach, clinicians must take into account the local epidemiology, spectrum of activity, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters, and safety profile of different antifungal agents, together with unique host-related factors that may affect antifungal efficacy or safety. Therapeutic drug monitoring is increasingly recognized as important or necessary when employing lipophilic triazoles (itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole) or flucytosine. Because early diagnostics remain limited for uncommon, yet emerging opportunistic molds (e.g., Mucorales), and treatment delay is associated with increased mortality, early effective management often depends on a high index of suspicion, taking into account predisposing factors, host cues favoring mucormycosis, and local epidemiology. Antifungal options for mucormycosis are limited, and optimal management depends on a multimodal approach that includes early diagnosis/clinical suspicion, correction of underlying predisposing factors, radical debridement of affected tissues, and extended antifungal therapy. This article discusses strategies for the effective management of invasive mycoses, with a particular focus on antifungal hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios P Kontoyiannis
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
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Katragkou A, Roilides E. Immunotherapy of infections caused by rare filamentous fungi. Clin Microbiol Infect 2011; 18:134-9. [PMID: 22044625 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2011.03689.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections caused by rare filamentous fungi constitute a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with defective immune responses. Despite the advent of new antifungal agents, the problem is escalating as the number of susceptible hosts increases and virulent, more resistant fungal strains emerge. There is evidence that reconstitution of the host immune function is a major contributor to the resolution of these infections. Therapeutic modalities aimed at increasing phagocyte numbers, such as granulocyte transfusions, stimulating the immune response, such as administration of haematopoietic growth factors and other proinflammatory cytokines, or indirectly augmenting immune function have shown promising results in the preclinical setting. Because of the rarity of the infections, multicentre clinical trials are needed to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of the new immunomodulating approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Katragkou
- Infectious Diseases Unit, 3rd Department of Paediatrics, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Thakur M, Revankar SG. In vitro interaction of caspofungin and immunosuppressives against agents of mucormycosis. J Antimicrob Chemother 2011; 66:2312-4. [PMID: 21795260 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkr297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Mucormycosis is a rare but refractory mycosis with high mortality. Few therapeutic options are available and novel strategies are needed. Calcineurin inhibitors are known to have antifungal activity, including synergy with various antifungals. We examined the interaction of caspofungin with calcineurin inhibitors and sirolimus against Glomeromycetes. METHODS Twenty-six strains of Glomeromycetes representing seven species (Rhizopus arrhizus, Rhizopus microsporus, Mucor sp., Rhizomucor pusillus, Cunninghamella berthollettiae, Mycocladus corymbifera and Apophysomyces elegans) were studied. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed according to CLSI M38-A2, modified for chequerboard dilution testing using the minimum effective concentration (MEC) endpoint for caspofungin and calcineurin inhibitors/sirolimus. Synergy was defined as a fractional inhibitory concentration index ≤0.5, indifference >0.5 to ≤4.0 and antagonism >4.0. RESULTS Caspofungin had no intrinsic activity against Glomeromycetes (MEC >8 mg/L). The combination of caspofungin with calcineurin inhibitors and sirolimus showed synergy in seven isolates. In the presence of calcineurin inhibitors and sirolimus, the MEC of caspofungin was significantly lowered (>4-fold) in 24 and 7 isolates, respectively. All species showed lower MECs of caspofungin with calcineurin inhibitors and only R. arrhizus, Mucor sp. and R. pusillus showed lower MECs with sirolimus. No antagonism was observed. CONCLUSIONS Calcineurin inhibitors and sirolimus significantly lowered MECs of caspofungin for Glomeromycetes, with occasional synergy observed. The clinical significance of this should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Thakur
- Department of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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Posaconazole for the treatment of mucormycosis. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2011; 38:465-73. [PMID: 21782392 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2011.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2011] [Accepted: 05/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Posaconazole (PCZ) is an orally administered, extended-spectrum triazole antifungal agent with activity against the Mucorales. This article describes the clinical and laboratory data supporting its use against this rare group of pathogens. To date, PCZ has been mostly used for salvage therapy and at present there is no strong published clinical evidence to support its role as a single agent in the treatment of mucormycosis. Further studies are required to explore its role as a single agent and in combination therapy for the management of these infections.
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Sun HY, Singh N. Mucormycosis: its contemporary face and management strategies. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2011; 11:301-11. [PMID: 21453871 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(10)70316-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Several countries have seen rising frequencies of mucormycosis among patients with haematological disorders, malignancies, or diabetes mellitus, and among transplant recipients. Growing numbers of immunocompromised hosts, widespread use of antifungal agents inactive against mucormycosis, or other unidentified factors, could be contributing to this situation. The predominant clinical manifestations of mucormycosis vary from host to host. Additionally, risk factors specific to different subgroups have been identified, such as leukaemia, allogeneic haemopoietic stem-cell transplant, voriconazole prophylaxis, diabetes, and malnutrition. We summarise the current state of knowledge of characteristics and risk factors and discuss topical developments in therapeutic methods and strategies in the management of mucormycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Yun Sun
- Infectious Diseases Section, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA
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Narreddy S, Manavathu E, Chandrasekar PH, Alangaden GJ, Revankar SG. In vitro interaction of posaconazole with calcineurin inhibitors and sirolimus against zygomycetes. J Antimicrob Chemother 2010; 65:701-3. [DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkq020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Okoli I, Coleman JJ, Tempakakis E, An WF, Holson E, Wagner F, Conery AL, Larkins-Ford J, Wu G, Stern A, Ausubel FM, Mylonakis E. Identification of antifungal compounds active against Candida albicans using an improved high-throughput Caenorhabditis elegans assay. PLoS One 2009; 4:e7025. [PMID: 19750012 PMCID: PMC2737148 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2009] [Accepted: 08/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans, the most common human pathogenic fungus, can establish a persistent lethal infection in the intestine of the microscopic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The C. elegans–C. albicans infection model was previously adapted to screen for antifungal compounds. Modifications to this screen have been made to facilitate a high-throughput assay including co-inoculation of nematodes with C. albicans and instrumentation allowing precise dispensing of worms into assay wells, eliminating two labor-intensive steps. This high-throughput method was utilized to screen a library of 3,228 compounds represented by 1,948 bioactive compounds and 1,280 small molecules derived via diversity-oriented synthesis. Nineteen compounds were identified that conferred an increase in C. elegans survival, including most known antifungal compounds within the chemical library. In addition to seven clinically used antifungal compounds, twelve compounds were identified which are not primarily used as antifungal agents, including three immunosuppressive drugs. This assay also allowed the assessment of the relative minimal inhibitory concentration, the effective concentration in vivo, and the toxicity of the compound in a single assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikechukwu Okoli
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey J. Coleman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Emmanouil Tempakakis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - W. Frank An
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Edward Holson
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Florence Wagner
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Annie L. Conery
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jonah Larkins-Ford
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gang Wu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Andy Stern
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Frederick M. Ausubel
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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