Article
Infectious Diseases
Elizangela Pestana Motta, Josivan Regis Farias, Arthur Andre Castro da Costa, Anderson Franca da Silva, Alberto Jorge Oliveira Lopes, Maria do Socorro Sousa Cartagenes, Roberto Nicolete, Afonso Gomes Abreu, Elizabeth Soares Fernandes, Flavia Raquel Fernandes Nascimento, Claudia Quintino da Rocha, Cristina Andrade Monteiro, Rosane Nassar Meireles Guerra
Summary: This study evaluated the anti-Candida activity of the hydroalcoholic extract from the leaves of Vismia guianensis and found that it inhibited the virulence factors of the fungi. The main compound responsible for this activity was identified as vismione D.
Review
Microbiology
Simona Fioriti, Lucia Brescini, Francesco Pallotta, Benedetta Canovari, Gianluca Morroni, Francesco Barchiesi
Summary: Candida spp. is a major pathogen causing fungal infections in hospitalized patients and nosocomial bloodstream infections. Combination therapy has gained significant interest in the treatment of Candida infections. Various combinations of antifungal agents have shown synergistic effects against difficult-to-treat Candida species and improved outcomes compared to monotherapy. However, further in vitro and clinical studies are needed to establish the effectiveness of combination therapy as a reliable treatment option.
Article
Dermatology
Cecilia G. Carvalhaes, Paul R. Rhomberg, Michael A. Pfaller, Jeffrey B. Locke, Mariana Castanheira
Summary: This study evaluated the post-antifungal effect (PAFE) of the new antifungal drug Rezafungin compared to Micafungin against different Candida species. The results showed that Rezafungin exhibited equivalent or longer PAFE values compared to Micafungin against most Candida strains, suggesting it may provide better efficacy in anti-infective treatment.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gabriela Fior Ribeiro, Eszter Denes, Helen Heaney, Delma S. Childers
Summary: Studies have discovered mechanisms of antifungal resistance and tolerance in Candida species, and 'Omics technologies provide insights into cellular responses to antifungal therapy. These findings help understand physiological changes that influence fungal survival in the host and during antifungal challenges.
FEMS YEAST RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Alina Karoline Nussbaumer-Proell, Sabine Eberl, Rene Welte, Tiziana Gasperetti, Jana Marx, Romuald Bellmann, Markus Zeitlinger
Summary: This study demonstrates the interchangeability of generic and originator antifungal drugs in vitro, showing no significant difference in their activity and stability. This finding could potentially lead to increased public acceptance of generic antifungal drugs.
Article
Microbiology
Irene Stefanini, Emily Stoakes, Houdini H. T. Wu, Li Xu-McCrae, Abid Hussain, John Moat, Christopher G. Dowson, Miruna D. David, Chrystala Constantinidou
Summary: By analyzing a large set of strains using multiple methods, this study revealed strict relationships between large chromosomal rearrangements in C. glabrata and phylogenetic clades, genes subjected to different selective pressures, and new sets of genes associated with resistance to antifungals. These findings contribute to our understanding of C. glabrata evolution and epidemiology and provide a foundation for the future development of tailored therapeutic approaches.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Editorial Material
Infectious Diseases
Adrian Jeronimo, Carmen Olmos, Isidre Vilacosta, Carmen Saez, Javier Lopez, Marta Sanz, Gonzalo Cabezon, Javier B. Perez-Serrano, Pablo Zulet, J. Alberto San Roman
Summary: This study analyzed patients with infective endocarditis from 1998 to 2020 and found that 16 cases were caused by Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis. Compared to Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis was more commonly associated with community-acquired infections and prosthetic valve involvement.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Mohammed Yassine Benziane, Mourad Bendahou, Fethi Benbelaid, Abdelmounaim Khadir, Hanane Belhadef, Asma Benaissa, Saida Ouslimani, Fatma Mahdi, Alain Muselli
Summary: This study investigated the antifungal and antibiofilm activities of Origanum glandulosum, Ammoides verticillata, and Sacco-calyx satureioides essential oils against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata oral isolates. The essential oils showed significant activity in inhibiting and eradicating biofilms at sub-inhibitory concentrations. A synergistic effect was observed when Origanum glandulosum essential oil was combined with amphotericin B. The major compounds in the essential oils were thymol, borneol, and other components. These essential oils have potential as candidates for the management of oral Candida infections.
ARCHIVES OF ORAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Cesar Augusto Abreu-Pereira, Marlise Inez Klein, Carmelia Isabel Vitorino Lobo, Ana Luiza Gorayb Pereira, Claudia Carolina Jordao, Ana Claudia Pavarina
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of DNase I combined with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy against biofilms formed by a fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans strain. The results showed that DNase treatment combined with aPDT could significantly reduce cell viability and the components of the biofilm.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Martina Raschig, Bernardo Ramirez-Zavala, Johannes Wiest, Marco Saedtler, Marcus Gutmann, Ulrike Holzgrabe, Joachim Morschhauser, Lorenz Meinel
Summary: Increasing resistance to antifungal drugs poses a challenge to anti-infective therapies and contributes to mortality in infections caused by drug-resistant Candida species and strains. This study explores the use of naturally occurring molecules as lead structures for the development of new antifungal agents. The synthesized azobenzene derivatives showed inhibitory effects on both fluconazole-susceptible and fluconazole-resistant Candida species, indicating their potential therapeutic value.
ARCHIV DER PHARMAZIE
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mairim Russo Serafini, Valdeene Vieira Santos, Bruna Gaelzer Silva Torres, Francine Johansson Azeredo, Flavia Medeiros Savi, Izabel Almeida Alves
Summary: Fungal biofilms, particularly Candida albicans biofilms, pose significant challenges due to their high tolerance to conventional antimicrobial drugs. The development of new drugs and specific therapies is necessary. Most patent contents focus on new synthetic drugs derived from natural products and their combinations with existing antifungal drugs, as well as methods and biomaterials for the treatment and prevention of fungal biofilms, primarily targeting C. albicans biofilms.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Yeuklan Poon, Mamie Hui
Summary: Probiotic Lactobacillus strains have the potential to inhibit biofilm formation and filamentation of Candida albicans, a major fungal pathogen in humans. However, the effect on two non-albicans Candida species, namely C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis, is not well understood.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Lucia Brescini, Simona Fioriti, Gianluca Morroni, Francesco Barchiesi
Summary: Dermatophytes are a common cause of fungal infections, and the combinatorial approach with antifungal agents has gained scientific interest in recent years. Studies have shown that combination therapy is effective in treating infections and may accelerate healing processes.
Article
Biophysics
Baohuan Wu, Sixiang Sai, Keke Li, Xingchen Sun, Jingtian Han, Baocheng Tian
Summary: This study designed maleimide functionalized, voriconazole (VCZ) loaded mixed micelles (Mal-VCZ-MM) for effective hydrophobic ophthalmic drug delivery, leading to significantly higher antifungal effect compared to free VCZ solution and VCZ-loaded micelles.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Lance R. Fredericks, Mark D. Lee, Hannah R. Eckert, Shunji Li, Mason A. Shipley, Cooper R. Roslund, Dina A. Boikov, Emily A. Kizer, Jack D. Sobel, Paul A. Rowley
Summary: Candida glabrata is more susceptible to inhibition by Saccharomyces killer yeasts compared to other species of Candida yeasts, despite showing high resistance to antifungal therapeutics.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Takaaki Kobayashi, John Heinemann, Alexandra Trannel, Alexandre R. Marra, Mohammed Alsuhaibani, William Etienne, Lorinda L. Sheeler, Oluchi Abosi, Stephanie Holley, Mary Beth Kukla, Angelique Dains, Kyle E. Jenn, Holly Meacham, Beth Hanna, Bradley Ford, Karen Brust, Melanie Wellington, Patrick G. Hartley, Daniel J. Diekema, Jorge L. Salinas
Summary: This study describes COVID-19 cases among nonphysician healthcare personnel (HCP) by their work location. The highest proportion of HCP with COVID-19 was found in the emergency department, while the lowest proportion was among those working remotely. COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 units had similar proportions of HCP with COVID-19 (13%). Cases decreased across all work locations following COVID-19 vaccination.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marin L. Schweizer, Loreen A. Herwaldt, Linda Boyken, Jean Pottinger, Rachel Quinn, Daniel J. Diekema, Fiona Armstrong-Pavlik, Melissa Ward, Poorani Sekar, Michael C. Willey
Summary: We evaluated the effectiveness of povidone-iodine decolonization and patient satisfaction among fracture-fixation surgery patients. The results showed that povidone-iodine significantly reduced S. aureus concentrations, and a majority of patients felt neutral or positive about their experience with povidone-iodine.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Immunology
Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Guillermo Rodriguez-Nava, Daniel J. Diekema, Jorge L. Salinas
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Valeria Fabre, Angelina Davis, Daniel J. Diekema, Bruno Granwehr, Mary K. Hayden, Christopher F. Lowe, Christopher D. Pfeiffer, Anna C. Sick-Samuels, Kaede V. Sullivan, Trevor C. Van Schooneveld, Daniel J. Morgan
Summary: This document provides an overview of diagnostic stewardship, including the diagnostic pathway and interventions, strategies for interventions, the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, and key microbiologic diagnostic tests for diagnostic stewardship. It focuses on microbiologic laboratory testing for adult and pediatric patients and targets healthcare workers involved in diagnostic stewardship interventions and all workers affected by any step of the diagnostic pathway. This document was developed by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America Diagnostic Stewardship Taskforce.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Daniel J. Morgan, Preeti N. Malani, Daniel J. Diekema
JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Nancy E. Cornish, Laura H. Bachmann, Daniel J. Diekema, L. Clifford McDonald, Peggy McNult, Jonathan Stevens-Garcia, Brian H. Raphael, Melissa B. Miller
Summary: COVID-19 has presented significant challenges to clinical and public health laboratories, affecting their day-to-day operations and ability to increase testing capacity due to uncertainty and shortages in supplies. Independent surveys conducted by various organizations have highlighted shortages in crucial testing supplies and trained personnel. These findings emphasize the importance of laboratory supply chains and qualified personnel in responding to public health emergencies.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pathology
Meredith G. Parsons, Daniel J. Diekema
Summary: Invasive fungal infections have become a major cause of morbidity and mortality, with changes in their epidemiology including the emergence of new pathogens, an expanding at-risk population, and increasing antifungal resistance. Human activity and climate change may contribute to these changes. The need for advances in fungal diagnostics is emphasized due to the limitations of existing testing methods, highlighting the crucial role of histopathology in early recognition of fungal disease.
Article
Immunology
Daniel J. Diekema, Priya Nori, Michael P. Stevens, Matthew W. Smith, K. C. Coffey, Daniel J. Morgan
Summary: The recently updated practice recommendations for MRSA prevention list contact precautions (CPs) as an essential practice, but we argue that the current evidence does not support this recommendation. We suggest that CP be considered an additional approach and implemented under specific circumstances.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Karen B. Brust, Takaaki Kobayashi, Daniel J. Diekema
Summary: Due to the decline in community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and severity of COVID-19, increased availability of vaccines and treatments, and better understanding of transmission pathways in healthcare settings, our hospital discontinued universal testing for all persons admitted to acute care hospitals. The decision was based on considerations of additional strain on resources, unintended adverse consequences for patients, and poor test performance for detection of infectiousness. No increase in hospital-onset COVID-19 has been observed since discontinuation of admission testing.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Dallas J. Smith, Jeremy A. W. Gold, Tom Chiller, Nirma D. Bustamante, Maria Julia Marinissen, Gabriel Garcia Rodriquez, Vladimir Brian Gonzalez Cortes, Celida Duque Molina, Samantha Williams, Axel A. Vazquez Deida, Katrina Byrd, Peter G. Pappas, Thomas F. Patterson, Nathan P. Wiederhold, George R. Thompson III, Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, Fungal Meningitis Response Team
Summary: Public health officials are responding to a multistate and multinational fungal meningitis outbreak that occurred in Matamoros, Mexico from January 1 to May 13, 2023. A total of 185 residents in 22 US states and jurisdictions have been identified as potentially at risk, with 10 confirmed cases and 8 deaths reported. The causative agent has been identified as the Fusarium solani species complex, and most available antifungals have shown poor activity against it. Current treatment recommendations include triple therapy with voriconazole, liposomal amphotericin B, and fosmanogepix.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tsun Sheng N. Ku, Mayar Al Mohajer, James A. Newton, Marie H. Wilson, Elizabeth Monsees, Mary K. Hayden, Kevin Messacar, Jamie J. Kisgen, Daniel J. Diekema, Daniel J. Morgan, Costi D. Sifri, Valerie M. Vaughn
Summary: Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) aim to improve antibiotic use and reduce antimicrobial resistance. Diagnostic stewardship focuses on improving clinician diagnostic testing and test result interpretation. ASPs and diagnostic stewardship are synergistic and can work together to optimize antibiotic decision making.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
M. A. Pfaller, R. E. Mendes, H. S. Sader, M. Castanheira, C. G. Carvalhaes
Summary: Oritavancin demonstrated potent activity against clinically relevant Gram-positive pathogens in European hospitals, with minimal differences in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values and varying resistance phenotypes between Eastern and Western Europe.
JOURNAL OF CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
M. Hong Nguyen, Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, Peter G. Pappas, Thomas J. Walsh, Joseph Bubalo, Barbara D. Alexander, Marisa H. Miceli, Jeanette Jiang, Yi Song, George R. Thompson
Summary: This study assessed the real-world use of mold-active triazoles (MATs) for the prevention of invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) and found that MATs were effective in preventing IFDs and had a low discontinuation rate due to adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Mohanad M. Al-Obaidi, Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, David E. Nix
Summary: This study analyzed the trends in outpatient azole antifungals use and costs from 2013 to 2020. The results showed an increase in the use of azole antifungals among Medicare Part D enrollees, particularly in the southern US regions. The overall costs of outpatient azole antifungals consistently increased over the study period. These findings provide insights into the impact of azole antifungal prescriptions and the potential for increased antifungal resistance.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)