Article
Electrochemistry
Kayode Olaifa, Jasmina Nikodinovic-Runic, Biljana Glisic, Francesco Boschetto, Elia Marin, Francesco Segreto, Enrico Marsili
Summary: Candida albicans is a common fungal pathogen, and analyzing biofilms and assessing antifungal therapy quickly is a critical challenge in clinical practice. This study demonstrates the use of electrochemical methods to evaluate the activity of antifungal compounds on C. albicans biofilms, indicating the suitability of electrochemical testing for assessing antifungal drugs.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Unai Caballero, Elena Eraso, Javier Peman, Guillermo Quindos, Valvanera Vozmediano, Stephan Schmidt, Nerea Jauregizar
Summary: This study aimed to characterize the antifungal activity of amphotericin B against Candida auris using semi-mechanistic PK/PD modeling, finding that the drug displayed concentration-dependent fungicidal activity. Simulation results showed that standard dosing scenarios were not effective against Candida auris, and an MIC of 1mg/L would be linked to treatment failure.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Theresa Pecho, Markus Zeitlinger
Summary: Antifungal drug development is crucial to tackle the high mortality rate and emergence of resistant species associated with invasive fungal disease. This study examined EMA-approved antifungals and their reports over the past 23 years, focusing on the role of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic indices in drug development and the information provided in the reports. The findings showed limited investigation and mention of these indices in the reports. The current EMA guidelines started emphasizing the investigation of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic indices in 2010 and 2016, but its impact on the authorization process for new antifungals remains to be seen.
CLINICAL PHARMACOKINETICS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hanne Haslene-Hox, Guro Kruge Naerdal, Yrr Morch, Gunhild Hageskal, Anne Tondervik, Anette Vikenes Turoy, Heidi Johnsen, Geir Klinkenberg, Havard Sletta
Summary: This study developed a high-throughput robotic microtiter plate-based screening assay that mimics the filamentous morphology of C. albicans. The assay demonstrated the effectiveness of nutritional drinks in promoting the growth of C. albicans and showed that amphotericin B had a reduced inhibitory effect in the presence of these drinks. This assay can facilitate efficient antifungal drug discovery and development.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Muhammad Alif Sya'ban Mahfud, Nor Atikah Syahirah, Muhammad Akram, Ulfah Mahfufah, Mesakh Diki Saputra, Diany Elim, Maqhfirah Nurul Fitri Andi, Nurul Aisha Fitri Sultan, Achmad Himawan, Juan Dominguez-Robles, Boonnada Pamornpathomkul, Maria Mir, Andi Dian Permana
Summary: This study developed a dissolving microneedle containing solid dispersion amphotericin B (DMN-SD-AMB) for the treatment of fungal keratitis. Compared to traditional eye drops and ointments, this new formulation showed higher drug release and permeation capabilities, as well as excellent antifungal activity and safety.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Lesia Guinn, Evan Lo, Gabor Balazsi
Summary: Microbial drug resistance is a global challenge, and current detection methods overlook the complexity of resistance mechanisms. Experimental and mathematical modeling can reveal the mechanisms of multicellular and molecular resistance, leading to more effective treatments for microbial infections and potentially even cancer.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Chen Chen, Yi Wang, Fan Wu, Weili Hong
Summary: This study demonstrates rapid antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) by measuring the metabolism in single fungal cells. The results show that metabolism change can serve as a biomarker for rapid AFST, with a 100% categorical agreement with the gold standard broth microdilution test. Additionally, a protocol is developed for direct AFST from positive blood cultures, overcoming the limitation of slow growth in conventional methods and providing potential for rapid diagnosis of fungal infections.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Emerenziana Ottaviano, Giovanna Baron, Laura Fumagalli, Jessica Leite, Elisa Adele Colombo, Angelica Artasensi, Giancarlo Aldini, Elisa Borghi
Summary: The study demonstrated the efficacy of urinary cranberry metabolites VAL and 4-HBA in inhibiting Candida adhesion and biofilm formation in vitro. These metabolites interfered with yeast adhesion by modulating key gene expression, leading to a significant reduction in biofilm biomass and metabolic activity. The findings suggest that VAL and 4-HBA could be potential targets for drug development in preventing genitourinary Candida infections.
Article
Microbiology
Suresh Ambati, Tuyetnhu Pham, Zachary A. Lewis, Xiaorong Li, Richard B. Meagher
Summary: This study found that targeting antifungal drugs to fungal glycans can improve drug efficacy and reduce drug dosage, which is of great significance for various invasive fungal infections.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Quan Lin, Yanxin Li, Maokun Sheng, Jiaman Xu, Xiaoyan Xu, Jintae Lee, Yulong Tan
Summary: In recent years, there has been an increasing trend in Candida contamination caused by Candida mastitis, which has a significant impact on the hygienic quality of raw milk and dairy products. The biofilm produced by Candida albicans plays a critical role in fungal infection by protecting the fungus from host defense and drug attacks. Therefore, finding effective means to reduce the biofilm and drug resistance of Candida albicans has become an urgent problem. This study investigated the anti-biofilm effect of berberine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles on Candida albicans and explored the antifungal mechanism of released berberine.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Parisa Badiee, Teun Boekhout, Pardis Haddadi, Rasoul Mohammadi, Abdolkarim Ghadimi-Moghadam, Jafar Soltani, Ali Zarei Mahmoudabadi, Seyyed Amin Ayatollahi Mousavi, Mohammad Javad Najafzadeh, Kambiz Diba, Ali Reza Salimi-Khorashad, Maneli Amin Shahidi, Fatemeh Ghasemi, Hadis Jafarian
Summary: This study evaluated the antifungal activities of eight antifungal agents against Candida species isolated from 10 university hospitals in Iran. The most frequently isolated species were Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. Caspofungin and voriconazole were found to be the most effective antifungal agents for treating Candida infections in the region.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
S. Gao, S. Zhang, S. Zhang
Summary: The study demonstrated the synergistic effects of berberine and amphotericin B against dual-species Candida albicans/Staphylococcus aureus biofilms, showing significant reduction in biomass and viability of the residing species. Morphological examination revealed impaired coadhesion between the two species and downregulation of key genes involved in biofilm formation. These findings confirm the potential of the combinatorial treatment for treating infections related to Candida albicans/Staphylococcus aureus biofilms and provided molecular insights into its efficacy.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Somnath Sahoo, Sarika Sharma, Mahendra P. Singh, Sandeep K. Singh, Emanuel Vamanu, Kongara Hanumantha Rao
Summary: The human commensal yeast Candida albicans is pathogenic and exhibits metabolic flexibility and morphogenetic transition to survive under host niche environmental conditions. N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) available at the host infection sites induces cellular signalling and plays multifaceted roles in this pathogen. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in GlcNAc-induced cellular processes is crucial for developing antifungal therapeutics.
Article
Immunology
Lu-Qi Wei, Jing-Cong Tan, Yue Wang, Yi-Kun Mei, Jia-Yu Xue, Lei Tian, Ke-Yu Song, Lu Han, Ying-Chao Cui, Yi-Bing Peng, Jing-Quan Li, Ning-Ning Liu, Hui Wang
Summary: The study demonstrates that FTY720 can enhance the inhibitory effect of AMB on C. albicans growth and also exhibit antifungal activity against various fungal pathogens when used in combination with AMB. Cells treated with both drugs show increased sensitivity to endothelial endocytosis and macrophage killing, possibly due to the hyperaccumulation of reactive oxygen species.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Tianyu Chen, Jing Yao, Keao Quan, Jingchen Xu, Xudong Hang, Qian Tong, Genyan Liu, Peipei Luo, Liping Zeng, Ganzhu Feng, Hongkai Bi
Summary: This study investigates the antifungal efficacy of firsocostat against Candida albicans. The combination of firsocostat with other antifungal agents shows synergistic effects in drug-sensitive and drug-resistant C. albicans strains. The study also demonstrates that firsocostat directly binds to C. albicans ACC and inhibits its enzymatic activity. These findings suggest that repurposing firsocostat holds promising potential in antifungal drug development and candidiasis treatment.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)