1
|
Ahmady L, Gothwal M, Mukkoli MM, Bari VK. Antifungal drug resistance in Candida: a special emphasis on amphotericin B. APMIS 2024; 132:291-316. [PMID: 38465406 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13389] [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: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections in humans caused by several Candida species, increased considerably in immunocompromised or critically ill patients, resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality. Candida albicans is the most prevalent species, although the frequency of these organisms varies greatly according to geographic region. Infections with C. albicans and non-albicans Candida species have become more common, especially in the past 20 years, as a result of aging, immunosuppressive medication use, endocrine disorders, malnourishment, extended use of medical equipment, and an increase in immunogenic diseases. Despite C. albicans being the species most frequently associated with human infections, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei also have been identified. Several antifungal drugs with different modes of action are approved for use in clinical settings to treat fungal infections. However, due to the common eukaryotic structure of humans and fungi, only a limited number of antifungal drugs are available for therapeutic use. Furthermore, drug resistance in Candida species has emerged as a result of the growing use of currently available antifungal drugs against fungal infections. Amphotericin B (AmB), a polyene class of antifungal drugs, is mainly used for the treatment of serious systemic fungal infections. AmB interacts with fungal plasma membrane ergosterol, triggering cellular ion leakage via pore formation, or extracting the ergosterol from the plasma membrane inducing cellular death. AmB resistance is primarily caused by changes in the content or structure of ergosterol. This review summarizes the antifungal drug resistance exhibited by Candida species, with a special focus on AmB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lailema Ahmady
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
| | - Manisha Gothwal
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
| | | | - Vinay Kumar Bari
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pallotta F, Viale P, Barchiesi F. Candida auris: the new fungal threat. LE INFEZIONI IN MEDICINA 2023; 31:323-328. [PMID: 37701386 PMCID: PMC10495051 DOI: 10.53854/liim-3103-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Candida auris is an emergent fungal pathogen of particular concern. Since its first identification in Japan in 2009, it rapidly spread all over the world, including Italy. The main concern related to the diffusion of this fungus is its antifungal resistance. It is speculated that about 90% of isolates are resistant to fluconazole, 30% to amphotericin B and 5% to echinocandins; furthermore, some cases of pan-antifungal resistance have been described. Critically ill patients are particularly at risk of being colonized by this yeast and person-to-person transmission may generate hospital outbreaks. In fact, C. auris can survive on inanimate surfaces for a long time and commonly used disinfectants are not effective. Additionally, devices such as central venous catheters (CVCs) or urinary catheters are particularly at risk of being colonized, representing a possible source for the development of bloodstream infections caused by C. auris, which carries a high mortality rate. Given its capability to spread in the hospital setting and the limited therapeutic options it is of outmost importance to promptly identify C. auris. However, commonly used biochemical tests frequently misidentify C. auris as other Candida species; currently the best identification techniques are MALDI-TOF and molecular methods, such as PCR of the ITS and D1/D2 regions of the 28s ribosomal DNA. Whole genome sequencing remains the gold standard for the phylogenetic investigation of outbreaks. The majority of cases of colonization by C. albicans will not cause bloodstream infections and contact precautions and surveillance of contacts will be sufficient. When invasive fungal infections occur, echinocandins still represent the first therapeutic choice. A combination therapy or the use of novel antifungals (such as ibrexafungerp or fosmanogepix) would be required for echinocandin resistant strains. In conclusion, C. auris represents a growing threat because of its antifungal resistance characteristics, its difficult identification and its easy spread from person to person. The aim of this mini-review is to summarize the main aspects concerning this pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Pallotta
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Sanità Pubblica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
- Clinica di Malattie Infettive, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Viale
- Infectious Disease Unit, IRCCS Policlinico di Sant’Orsola, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Barchiesi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Sanità Pubblica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
- Malattie Infettive, Azienda Sanitaria Marche 1 Pesaro-Urbino, Pesaro, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Carmo A, Rocha M, Pereirinha P, Tomé R, Costa E. Antifungals: From Pharmacokinetics to Clinical Practice. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12050884. [PMID: 37237787 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12050884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of antifungal drugs started in the 1950s with polyenes nystatin, natamycin and amphotericin B-deoxycholate (AmB). Until the present day, AmB has been considered to be a hallmark in the treatment of invasive systemic fungal infections. Nevertheless, the success and the use of AmB were associated with severe adverse effects which stimulated the development of new antifungal drugs such as azoles, pyrimidine antimetabolite, mitotic inhibitors, allylamines and echinochandins. However, all of these drugs presented one or more limitations associated with adverse reactions, administration route and more recently the development of resistance. To worsen this scenario, there has been an increase in fungal infections, especially in invasive systemic fungal infections that are particularly difficult to diagnose and treat. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the first fungal priority pathogens list, alerting people to the increased incidence of invasive systemic fungal infections and to the associated risk of mortality/morbidity. The report also emphasized the need to rationally use existing drugs and develop new drugs. In this review, we performed an overview of the history of antifungals and their classification, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) characteristics and clinical applications. In parallel, we also addressed the contribution of fungi biology and genetics to the development of resistance to antifungal drugs. Considering that drug effectiveness also depends on the mammalian host, we provide an overview on the roles of therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacogenomics as means to improve the outcome, prevent/reduce antifungal toxicity and prevent the emergence of antifungal resistance. Finally, we present the new antifungals and their main characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anália Carmo
- Advanced Unit for Pharmacokinetics and Personalized Therapeutics, Clinical Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marilia Rocha
- Advanced Unit for Pharmacokinetics and Personalized Therapeutics, Pharmacy Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Patricia Pereirinha
- Advanced Unit for Pharmacokinetics and Personalized Therapeutics, Pharmacy Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Tomé
- Clinical Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Eulália Costa
- Advanced Unit for Pharmacokinetics and Personalized Therapeutics, Clinical Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wurster S, Watowich SS, Kontoyiannis DP. Checkpoint inhibitors as immunotherapy for fungal infections: Promises, challenges, and unanswered questions. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1018202. [PMID: 36389687 PMCID: PMC9640966 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1018202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Opportunistic fungal infections have high mortality in patients with severe immune dysfunction. Growing evidence suggests that the immune environment of invasive fungal infections and cancers share common features of immune cell exhaustion through activation of immune checkpoint pathways. This observation gave rise to several preclinical studies and clinical case reports describing blockade of the Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 and Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen 4 immune checkpoint pathways as an adjunct immune enhancement strategy to treat opportunistic fungal infections. The first part of this review summarizes the emerging evidence for contributions of checkpoint pathways to the immunopathology of fungal sepsis, opportunistic mold infections, and dimorphic fungal infections. We then review the potential merits of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as an antifungal immunotherapy, including the incomplete knowledge of the mechanisms involved in both immuno-protective effects and toxicities. In the second part of this review, we discuss the limitations of the current evidence and the many unknowns about ICIs as an antifungal immune enhancement strategy. Based on these gaps of knowledge and lessons learned from cancer immunology studies, we outline a research agenda to determine a "sweet spot" for ICIs in medical mycology. We specifically discuss the importance of more nuanced animal models, the need to study ICI-based combination therapy, potential ICI resistance, the role of the immune microenvironment, and the impact of ICIs given as part of oncological therapies on the natural immunity to various pathogenic fungi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Wurster
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Stephanie S. Watowich
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Melhem MSC, Coelho VC, Fonseca CA, de Oliveira L, Bonfietti LX, Szeszs MW, Magri MMC, Dorneles FS, Taguchi H, Moreira DVS, Motta AL, Batista MV, Kamei K, Shikanai-Yasuda MA. Evaluation of the Sensititre YeastOne and Etest in Comparison with CLSI M38-A2 for Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Three Azoles, Amphotericin B, Caspofungin, and Anidulafungin, against Aspergillusfumigatus and Other Species, Using New Clinical Breakpoints and Epidemiological Cutoff Values. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102161. [PMID: 36297597 PMCID: PMC9607534 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillosis is an invasive fungal disease associated with high mortality. Antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) is receiving increasing consideration for managing patients, as well as for surveilling emerging drug resistance, despite having time-consuming and technically complex reference methodologies. The Sensititre YeastOne (SYO) and Etest methods are widely utilized for yeasts but have not been extensively evaluated for Aspergillus isolates. We obtained Posaconazole (POS), Voriconazole (VCZ), Itraconazole (ITC), Amphotericin B (AMB), Caspofungin (CAS), and Anidulafungin (AND) minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for both the Etest (n = 330) and SYO (n = 339) methods for 106 sequenced clinical strains. For 84 A. fumigatus, we analyzed the performance of both commercial methods in comparison with the CLSI-AFST, using available cutoff values. An excellent correlation could be demonstrated for Etest-AMB and Etest-VCZ (p < 0.01). SYO-MICs of AMB, VCZ, and POS resulted in excellent essential agreement (>93%), and >80% for AMB, VCZ, and ITC Etest-MICs. High categoric agreement was found for AMB, ITC, and CAS Etest-MICs (>85%) and AMB SYO-MICs (>90%). The considerable number of major/very major errors found using Etest and SYO, possibly related to the proposed cutoffs and associated with the less time-consuming processes, support the need for the improvement of commercial methods for Aspergillus strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcia S. C. Melhem
- Mycology Unit, Parasitology and Mycology Department, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretary of Health, Government of São Paulo State, São Paulo 01246-902, SP, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Sciences, Coordination of Diseases Control, Secretary of Health, Government of São Paulo State, São Paulo 01246-902, SP, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculdade de Medicina, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, MS, Brazil
- Correspondence: (M.S.C.M.); (M.A.S.-Y.); Tel.: +55-11-996855034 (M.S.C.M.); +55-11-30627049 (M.A.S.-Y.)
| | - Vivian C. Coelho
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica em Imunologia (LIM 48), Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Claudia A. Fonseca
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica em Imunologia (LIM 48), Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Lidiane de Oliveira
- Mycology Unit, Parasitology and Mycology Department, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretary of Health, Government of São Paulo State, São Paulo 01246-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas X. Bonfietti
- Mycology Unit, Parasitology and Mycology Department, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretary of Health, Government of São Paulo State, São Paulo 01246-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria. W. Szeszs
- Mycology Unit, Parasitology and Mycology Department, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Secretary of Health, Government of São Paulo State, São Paulo 01246-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcello M. C. Magri
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica em Imunologia (LIM 48), Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Francine S. Dorneles
- Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculdade de Medicina, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, MS, Brazil
| | - Hideaki Taguchi
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8673, Japan
| | - Daniel V. S. Moreira
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica em Imunologia (LIM 48), Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriana L. Motta
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Division of Central Laboratory—Laboratory of Medical Investigation—LIM 03, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Marjorie V. Batista
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Katsuhiko Kamei
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8673, Japan
| | - Maria A. Shikanai-Yasuda
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica em Imunologia (LIM 48), Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence: (M.S.C.M.); (M.A.S.-Y.); Tel.: +55-11-996855034 (M.S.C.M.); +55-11-30627049 (M.A.S.-Y.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Arip M, Selvaraja M, R M, Tan LF, Leong MY, Tan PL, Yap VL, Chinnapan S, Tat NC, Abdullah M, K D, Jubair N. Review on Plant-Based Management in Combating Antimicrobial Resistance - Mechanistic Perspective. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:879495. [PMID: 36249774 PMCID: PMC9557208 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.879495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microbes no longer respond to any pharmacological agents, rendering the conventional antimicrobial agents ineffective. AMR has been classified as one of the top 10 life-threatening global health problems needed multilevel attention and global cooperation to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) according to the World Health Organization (WHO), making the discovery of a new and effective antimicrobial agent a priority. The recommended treatments for drug-resistant microbes are available but limited. Furthermore, the transformation of microbes over time increases the risk of developing drug resistance. Hence, plant metabolites such as terpenes, phenolic compounds and alkaloids are widely studied due to their antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic effects. Plant-derived antimicrobials are preferred due to their desirable efficacy and safety profile. Plant metabolites work by targeting microbial cell membranes, interfering with the synthesis of microbial DNA/RNA/enzymes and disrupting quorum sensing and efflux pump expression. They also work synergistically with conventional antibiotics to enhance antimicrobial effects. Accordingly, this review aims to identify currently available pharmacological therapies against microbes and AMR, as well as to discuss the importance of plant and secondary metabolites as a possible solution for AMR together with their mechanisms of action. All the information was obtained from government databases, WHO websites, PubMed, Springer, Google Scholar and Science Direct. Based on the information obtained, AMR is regarded as a significant warning to global healthcare. Plant derivatives such as secondary metabolites may be considered as potential therapeutic targets to mitigate the non-ending AMR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masita Arip
- Allergy and Immunology Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Setia Alam, Malaysia
| | - Malarvili Selvaraja
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Cheras, Malaysia
- *Correspondence: Malarvili Selvaraja, ; Mogana R,
| | - Mogana R
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Cheras, Malaysia
- *Correspondence: Malarvili Selvaraja, ; Mogana R,
| | - Lee Fang Tan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Cheras, Malaysia
| | - Mun Yee Leong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Cheras, Malaysia
| | - Puay Luan Tan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Cheras, Malaysia
| | - Vi Lien Yap
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Cheras, Malaysia
| | - Sasikala Chinnapan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Cheras, Malaysia
| | - Ng Chin Tat
- Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Maha Abdullah
- Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Dharmendra K
- Narayan Institute of Pharmacy, Gopal Narayan Singh University, Jamuhar, India
| | - Najwan Jubair
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Cheras, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
dos Santos RAC, Mead ME, Steenwyk JL, Rivero-Menéndez O, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Goldman GH, Rokas A. Examining Signatures of Natural Selection in Antifungal Resistance Genes Across Aspergillus Fungi. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2021; 2:723051. [PMID: 37744093 PMCID: PMC10512362 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2021.723051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Certain Aspergillus fungi cause aspergillosis, a set of diseases that typically affect immunocompromised individuals. Most cases of aspergillosis are caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, which infects millions of people annually. Some closely related so-called cryptic species, such as Aspergillus lentulus, can also cause aspergillosis, albeit at lower frequencies, and they are also clinically relevant. Few antifungal drugs are currently available for treating aspergillosis and there is increasing worldwide concern about the presence of antifungal drug resistance in Aspergillus species. Furthermore, isolates from both A. fumigatus and other Aspergillus pathogens exhibit substantial heterogeneity in their antifungal drug resistance profiles. To gain insights into the evolution of antifungal drug resistance genes in Aspergillus, we investigated signatures of positive selection in 41 genes known to be involved in drug resistance across 42 susceptible and resistant isolates from 12 Aspergillus section Fumigati species. Using codon-based site models of sequence evolution, we identified ten genes that contain 43 sites with signatures of ancient positive selection across our set of species. None of the sites that have experienced positive selection overlap with sites previously reported to be involved in drug resistance. These results identify sites that likely experienced ancient positive selection in Aspergillus genes involved in resistance to antifungal drugs and suggest that historical selective pressures on these genes likely differ from any current selective pressures imposed by antifungal drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renato Augusto Corrêa dos Santos
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Matthew E. Mead
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Jacob L. Steenwyk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Olga Rivero-Menéndez
- Medical Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo
- Medical Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gustavo Henrique Goldman
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mueller SW, Kedzior SK, Miller MA, Reynolds PM, Kiser TH, Krsak M, Molina KC. An overview of current and emerging antifungal pharmacotherapy for invasive fungal infections. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:1355-1371. [PMID: 33878996 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1892075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality despite significant advancements in currently available therapy. With a flush pipeline of investigational antifungals, the clinician must identify appropriate roles of currently available therapies, potential advantages of emerging antifungals, and shortcomings in the evolving clinical evidence.Areas covered: Standard and developing treatment approaches for IFIs with currently available antifungals are summarized with a focus on invasive candidiasis and invasive aspergillosis. Emerging investigational antifungals are discussed in depth, including mechanisms of action, fungal activity, clinical evidence, and ongoing research. An opinion on the impact and potential role of therapy for emerging antifungals of interest is also provided.Expert opinion: Despite advances and clinical studies optimizing antifungal use, current therapies fall short in preventing IFI morbidity and mortality. Further optimization of currently available antifungals may improve outcomes; however, novel agents are required for historically difficult-to-treat infections, transitions to oral treatment, minimizing adverse drug effects, decreasing drug interactions, and ultimately improving patient quality of life. Emerging antifungals may positively revolutionize the treatment of IFIs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott W Mueller
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sonya K Kedzior
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Matthew A Miller
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Paul M Reynolds
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Tyree H Kiser
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Martin Krsak
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kyle C Molina
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
De Carolis E, Marchionni F, La Rosa M, Meis JF, Chowdhary A, Posteraro B, Sanguinetti M. Are We Ready for Nosocomial Candida auris Infections? Rapid Identification and Antifungal Resistance Detection Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry May Be the Answer. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:645049. [PMID: 33796487 PMCID: PMC8007968 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.645049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of multidrug-resistant Candida auris isolates and the increased mortality associated with invasive infections or outbreaks due to this Candida species have been reported in many healthcare settings. Therefore, accurate and rapid identification at the species level of clinical C. auris isolates as well as their timely differentiation as susceptible or resistant to antifungal drugs is mandatory. Aims of the present study were to implement the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) Bruker Daltonics Biotyper® database with C. auris spectrum profiles and to develop a fast and reproducible MS assay for detecting anidulafungin (AFG) resistance in C. auris isolates. After creation of main C. auris spectra, a score-oriented dendrogram was generated from hierarchical cluster analysis, including spectra of isolates from C. auris and other Candida (C. glabrata, C. guilliermondii, C. haemulonii, C. lusitaniae, and C. parapsilosis) or non-Candida (Rhodotorula glutinis) species. Cluster analysis allowed to group and classify the isolates according to their species designation. Then, a three-hour incubation antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) assay was developed. Spectra obtained at null, intermediate, or maximum AFG concentrations were used to create composite correlation index matrices for eighteen C. auris isolates included in the study. All six resistant C. auris isolates were detected as resistant whereas 11 of 12 susceptible C. auris isolates were detected as susceptible by the MS-AFST assay. In conclusion, our MS-based assay offers the possibility of rapidly diagnosing and appropriately treating patients with C. auris infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena De Carolis
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Marchionni
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marilisa La Rosa
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Centre of Expertise in Mycology, Radboudumc/Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Anuradha Chowdhary
- Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, Department of Medical Mycology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Brunella Posteraro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Sanguinetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|