Article
Microbiology
Cecilia G. Carvalhaes, Abby L. Klauer, Paul R. Rhomberg, Michael A. Pfaller, Mariana Castanheira
Summary: Rezafungin is a new echinocandin with potent activity against candidemia and invasive candidiasis. It also shows activity against Aspergillus isolates. The new CLSI breakpoints are important for understanding the susceptibility of Candida spp. and rezafungin.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yi Gong, Haoyi Li, Fei Wu, Yishuai Li, Shicui Zhang
Summary: Derived from AP-2 complex subunit mu-A, the short peptide AP10W exhibits notable antifungal activities against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. It inhibits fungal biofilm formation and reduces pre-established fungal biofilms. AP10W acts through various mechanisms including interaction with fungal cell walls, enhancement of cell wall permeability, membrane depolarization induction, and increase in intracellular ROS generation. It shows low toxicity towards mammalian cells and promotes wound healing in C. albicans-infected skin.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stephanie Nguyen, Jia Q. Truong, John B. Bruning
Summary: Invasive fungal infections pose a serious threat to human health, necessitating the development of novel antifungal drugs. Targeted interruption of essential metabolic pathways in fungi shows promise as a strategy to disrupt fungal survival and virulence.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sarah R. Beattie, Taiwo Esan, Robert Zarnowski, Emily Eix, Jeniel E. Nett, David R. Andes, Timothy Hagen, Damian J. Krysan
Summary: New antifungal therapies are needed for various fungal infections, including biofilms and drug-resistant strains. A novel keto-alkyl-pyridinium scaffold has been identified with broad spectrum activity against medically important fungi. This class of molecules shows potential for non-systemic applications.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Matthew R. Breuer, Ananya Dasgupta, Joseph G. Vasselli, Xiaorong Lin, Brian D. Shaw, Matthew S. Sachs
Summary: The prevalence and increasing incidence of fungal infections globally is a significant worldwide health problem. Cryptococcosis, primarily caused by the pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans, is responsible for approximatelyestimated deaths annually. The scarcity of treatments and the increasing resistance to current therapeutics highlight the need for the development of antifungal agents which have novel mechanisms of action and are suitable for clinical use. Repurposing existing FDA-approved compounds as antimycotic therapeutics is a promising strategy for the rapid development of such new treatments. Sertraline (SRT), a commonly prescribed antidepressant, is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent with particular efficacy against C. neoformans. However, the effect of SRT on fungal physiology is not understood. Here, we report that SRT induces the formation of supersized lipid droplets (SLDs) in C. neoformans, and in Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Aspergillus fumigatus. SLDs were not induced in C. neoformans by treatment with the antifungal fluconazole (FLC), consistent with SRT and FLC acting differently to perturb C. neoformans physiology. The formation of SLDs in response to SRT indicates that this compound alters the lipid metabolism of C. neoformans. Moreover, the SRT-induced enlargement of LDs in other fungal species may indicate a common fungal response to SRT.
Article
Microbiology
Rabina Kumpakha, Donna M. Gordon
Summary: In this study, the researchers demonstrated the efficacy of occidiofungin against biofilm development of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis, including inhibiting cell dispersal. The results suggest that occidiofungin has strong antibiofilm activity and potential as a therapeutic for Candida infections.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Katura Metzner, Matthew J. O'Meara, Benjamin Halligan, Jesse W. Wotring, Jonathan Z. Sexton, Teresa R. O'Meara
Summary: Fungal pathogens like Candida albicans can cause devastating human disease, but there is high resistance to antifungal therapies. Targeting virulence factors is a new approach to antimicrobial development, and we identified NSC 697923 as a compound that blocks the hyphal transition in C. albicans by targeting eIF3.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Georgiana Negru, Laure Kamus, Elena Bicu, Sergiu Shova, Boualem Sendid, Faustine Dubar, Alina Ghinet
Summary: The reaction between benzylidenemalononitriles and phenylhydrazines in refluxing ethanol did not lead to pyrazole derivatives, but instead produced hydrazones, whose structure was confirmed by X-ray analysis. The newly synthesized hydrazones showed promising antifungal activity against Candida spp., with five compounds demonstrating selective antifungal activity with MIC99 values ranging from 16 to 32 μg/mL.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Florence Francis, Raphael Enaud, Perrine Soret, Florian Lussac-Sorton, Marta Avalos-Fernandez, Stephanie Bui, Michael Fayon, Rodolphe Thiebaut, Laurence Delhaes
Summary: This study longitudinally analyzed the relationship between microorganisms in sputum and ppFEV1 in CF patients, finding associations between certain bacterial and fungal colonizations with ppFEV1 decline, as well as a potential worse ppFEV1 outcome in patients with initial colonization of non-pneumoniae Streptococcus species.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Raffaella Diotti, Michelle Esposito, Chang Hui Shen
Summary: Telomeres play a crucial role in protecting chromosomal ends and have been found to contribute to biodiversity and new functional abilities. Unique fungal telomeric and chromatin structures have expanded clinical capabilities and deepened our understanding of pathogenicity levels.
Article
Microbiology
Lynn Miesel, Melanie T. Cushion, Alan Ashbaugh, Santiago R. Lopez, Voon Ong
Summary: Rezafungin, a novel echinocandin, has shown efficacy against Candida, Aspergillus, and Pneumocystis in prophylactic studies. By reducing fungal burden and preventing infection, it has the potential to be a single-agent prophylaxis against invasive fungal diseases caused by these pathogens.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Sebastian Schaefer, Thi Thu Phuong Pham, Sascha Brunke, Bernhard Hube, Kenward Jung, Megan Denise Lenardon, Cyrille Boyer
Summary: Research has been conducted on the effect of degree of polymerization and hydrophobic functionalities on the antifungal activity of synthetic polyacrylamides. Short copolymers with a calculated log P of around 1.5 have shown optimal activity against major human fungal pathogens, with limited toxicity to mammalian host cells. Selected copolymers have shown potential as novel antifungal compounds, outperforming commercial antifungal drugs.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Nivea Pereira de Sa, Kalani Jayanetti, Dominick Rendina, Timothy Clement, Veronica Soares Brauer, Caroline Mota Fernandes, Iwao Ojima, Michael V. Airola, Maurizio Del Poeta
Summary: Invasive fungal infections are a leading cause of death in immunocompromised patients. We studied the fungus-specific enzyme SglA as a therapeutic target and identified selective inhibitors that delay filamentation in the pathogenic fungus and increase survival in a murine model of pulmonary aspergillosis.
Article
Microbiology
Antonio Serrano, Miguel A. Basante-Bedoya, Martine Bassilana, Robert A. Arkowitz
Summary: Ergosterol, an essential component of the fungal plasma membrane, plays a critical role in the cell cycle of Candida albicans. The dynamics of ergosterol and its response to drug treatment were investigated using the D4H reporter. The study showed that highly polarized ergosterol is not necessary for budding or filamentous growth in this opportunistic pathogen.
Article
Microbiology
Milena Kordalewska, Kevin D. Guerrero, Rocio Garcia-Rubio, Cristina Jimenez-Ortigosa, Jose R. Mediavilla, Marcus H. Cunningham, Frank Hollis, Tao Hong, Kar Fai Chow, Barry N. Kreiswirth, David S. Perlin
Summary: The study on microbiological and molecular characteristics of fungal infections in COVID-19 patients revealed that Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus were the most common fungal species. Most patients received corticosteroid treatment, which along with prolonged hospitalization and mechanical ventilation, increased susceptibility to secondary respiratory and bloodstream infections. The presence of fungi in blood or respiratory tract fluid was a predictor of poor clinical outcome, with a 30-day mortality rate of 89.5% in the patient cohort.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ilias Vachliotis, Antonis Goulas, Paraskevi Papaioannidou, Stergios A. Polyzos
Summary: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disorder with rapidly increasing prevalence globally, closely linked to modern unhealthy lifestyle choices. Lifestyle modifications, such as reducing calorie intake, following the Mediterranean diet, and increasing physical activity, are key to managing NAFLD and improving patients' quality of life.
HORMONES-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2022)
Letter
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Erik M. Donker, David J. Brinkman, Milan C. Richir, Paraskevi Papaioannidou, Robert Likic, Emilio J. Sanz, Thierry Christiaens, Joao N. Costa, Fabrizio De Ponti, Ylva Bottiger, Cornelis Kramers, Michiel A. van Agtmael, Jelle Tichelaar
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Orthopedics
Konstantinos Tsikopoulos, Savas Ilias Christofilos, Dimitrios Kitridis, Konstantinos Sidiropoulos, Panagiotis N. Stoikos, Christoforos Gravalidis, Panagiotis Givissis, Paraskevi Papaioannidou
Summary: This study compared the diagnostic accuracy of dithiothreitol (DTT) and sonication in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) diagnosis and found no significant difference between the two methods.
INTERNATIONAL ORTHOPAEDICS
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ilias D. Vachliotis, Maria F. Vasiloglou, Aikaterini Kapama, Dimitrios Matsagkos, Antonis Goulas, Paraskevi Papaioannidou, Stergios A. Polyzos
Summary: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the association between hepatic steatosis and fibrosis indices and adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity, and quality of life. The study found that hepatic steatosis indices were not associated with the Mediterranean diet score and quality of life, but were associated with physical activity. However, due to the absence of participants with a high risk of advanced hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis, the association between hepatic fibrosis indices and lifestyle characteristics or quality of life could not be extensively evaluated.
ARAB JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Michiel J. J. Bakkum, Petra Verdonk, Elias G. G. Thomas, Floor van Rosse, Michael Okorie, Paraskevi Papaioannidou, Robert Likic, Emilio J. J. Sanz, Thierry Christiaens, Joao N. Costa, Lorena Dima, Fabrizio de Ponti, Jeroen van Smeden, Michiel A. A. van Agtmael, Milan C. C. Richir, Jelle Tichelaar
Summary: The relationship between race and biology is complex, and while race is used as a variable in medical guidelines, it has no biological essence. Many teachers unintentionally medicalize race, causing students to misunderstand racial differences. The relation between race and health is easily biased by factors such as stereotypes and other influences. Clinical case vignettes used in teaching often lack diversity and contain biases.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stergios A. Polyzos, Antonis Goulas, Paraskevi Papaioannidou
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Michiel J. Bakkum, Erik M. Donker, Pietro Spitaleri Timpone, Charlotte A. M. Hagen, Milan C. Richir, Michiel A. van Agtmael, Fabrizio De Ponti, Jelle Tichelaar
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Konstantinos Tsikopoulos, Gabriele Meroni, Panagiotis Kaloudis, Eleni Pavlidou, Christoforos Gravalidis, Ioannis Tsikopoulos, Lorenzo Drago, Carlo Luca Romano, Paraskevi Papaioannidou
Summary: To reduce the incidence of periprosthetic joint infections caused by MRSA, it is necessary to develop new prevention methods. The study found that a Resomer coating with vancomycin can effectively prevent biofilm growth and reduce the occurrence of infections.
INTERNATIONAL ORTHOPAEDICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Paraskevi Papaioannidou, Kalypso Skoumpa, Christos Bostanitis, Maria Michailidou, Theodouli Stergiopoulou, Ioannis Bostanitis, Maria Tsalidou
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the age, sex, and BMI-related differences in the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2-Spike IgG antibodies after vaccination with the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine in healthcare workers. The results showed that women had higher IgG titers than men, and IgG titers were inversely related to age. Six months after vaccination, IgG titers decreased dramatically. Age and sex explained 9% of the variance in SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers, while BMI had limited and insignificant effects.
Article
Microbiology
Joseph Meletiadis, Maria-Ioanna Beredaki, Antigoni Elefanti, Spyros Pournaras, Anouk Muller
Summary: In order to evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy, it is necessary to study the correlation between in vitro and in vivo testing. This study attempted to correlate the in vitro chequerboard testing of posaconazole and amphotericin B with the in vivo outcome of combination therapy. The results showed consistency between the in vitro and in vivo testing.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maria Tsalidou, Theodouli Stergiopoulou, Ioannis Bostanitis, Christina Nikaki, Kalypso Skoumpa, Theofani Koutsoukou, Paraskevi Papaioannidou
Summary: This retrospective study investigates antimicrobial susceptibility and multidrug resistance prevalence of clinical isolates in a regional hospital in Northern Greece over a period of six years. The study reveals a significant increase in multidrug-resistant bacterial strains, particularly in the intensive care unit.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alexios Tsikopoulos, Konstantinos Tsikopoulos, Gabriele Meroni, Christoforos Gravalidis, Prodromos Soukouroglou, Athanasios Chatzimoschou, Lorenzo Drago, Stefanos Triaridis, Paraskevi Papaioannidou
Summary: Early failure of silicone voice prostheses due to fungal colonization and biofilm formation is a concern in ear nose throat surgery. In this study, nanomaterial-enhanced polymer coatings with Al2O3 nanowires and TiO2 nanoparticles were tested for their anti-biofilm effects against Candida albicans growth. Both nanomaterials showed the ability to prevent fungal biofilm formation, and a synergistic effect was observed when they were used together. Considering both Al2O3 and TiO2 may further enhance the antibiofilm potential and reduce localized toxicity.
Meeting Abstract
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
P. Papaioannidou, K. Skoumpa, M. Tsalidou, C. Samaras, E. Varsou, R. Goutsiou, C. Bostanitis, S. Gara
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
E. Donker, Spitaleri P. Timpone, D. Brinkman, M. Richir, P. Papaioannidou, R. Likic, E. Sanz, T. Christiaens, J. Costa, F. De Ponti, Y. Bottiger, M. Gatti, R. Pandit, C. Kramers, M. Van Agtmael, J. Tichelaar
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
M. Bakkum, B. Loobeek, M. Richir, P. Papaioannidou, R. Likic, E. Sanz, T. Christiaens, J. Costa, L. Dima, F. de Ponti, C. Kramers, J. van Smeden, M. van Agtmael, J. Tichelaar
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)