Article
Microbiology
Arturo Luna-Tapia, Josie E. Parker, Steven L. Kelly, Glen E. Palmer
Summary: The study compared the tendencies of C-5 sterol desaturases from different fungal pathogens to produce toxic diol upon S14DM inhibition and contribute to antifungal efficacy. It found that species-specific properties of C-5 sterol desaturase may be an important determinant of intrinsic azole sensitivity.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Jessica Regan, Christian DeJarnette, Arturo Luna-Tapia, Josie E. Parker, Parker Reitler, Stacey Barnett, Katie M. Tucker, Steven L. Kelly, Glen E. Palmer
Summary: By modulating Erg3p activity, the antifungal efficacy and pathogenicity of Azole medications against C. albicans can be influenced, with host immunity playing a critical role in determining the clinical impact of this resistance mechanism.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Wanzhen Yang, Jie Tu, Changjin Ji, Zhuang Li, Guiyan Han, Na Liu, Jian Li, Chunquan Sheng
Summary: Researchers developed a new piperidol derivative B2 with improved synergistic antifungal potency, selectivity, and water solubility, which showed strong antifungal activity against azole-resistant Candida albicans in combination with fluconazole.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Seung A. Byun, Yong Jun Kwon, Ga Yeong Lee, Min Ji Choi, Seok Hoon Jeong, Dokyun Kim, Min Hyuk Choi, Seung-Jung Kee, Soo Hyun Kim, Myung Geun Shin, Eun Jeong Won, Jong Hee Shin
Summary: This study analyzed the virulence traits and azole resistance mechanisms of 104 Candida auris isolates collected from Korean hospitals from 1996 to 2022. The results showed a high fluconazole resistance rate among C. auris isolates in Korean hospitals, with two clades identified and clade II isolates exhibiting higher resistance. The isolates from different clades were sensitive to other drugs, and clade II isolates displayed reduced thermotolerance, competitive growth, and virulence.
Article
Microbiology
Virginia E. Glazier, Juraj Kramara, Tomye Ollinger, Norma V. Solis, Robert Zarnowski, Rohan S. Wakade, Min-Ju Kim, Gabriel J. Weigel, Shen-Huan Liang, Richard J. Bennett, Melanie Wellington, David R. Andes, Mark A. Stamnes, Scott G. Filler, Damian J. Krysan, James W. Kronstad
Summary: Candida albicans, a diploid human fungal pathogen, displays significant genomic and phenotypic heterogeneity. The effect of Rob1 on biofilm and filamentation virulence traits is dependent on both the specific environmental condition and the clinical strain of C. albicans. Different alleles of Rob1 have different functional effects, with the rare ROB1(946S) allele supporting increased filamentation and biofilm formation. These findings highlight the importance of heterozygosity as a driver of C. albicans phenotypic heterogeneity.
Article
Microbiology
Philip E. Alabi, Cecile Gautier, Thomas P. Murphy, Xilin Gu, Mathieu Lepas, Vishukumar Aimanianda, Jason K. Sello, Iuliana V. Ene
Summary: Fungi cause billions of infections each year and have a devastating impact on human health. The limited antifungal arsenal and emerging drug-resistant species necessitate the development of new therapies. A screening effort led to the discovery of small molecules that restore the susceptibility of Candida species to antifungals.
Article
Microbiology
Nana Song, Xiaowei Zhou, Dongmei Li, Xiaofang Li, Weida Liu
Summary: This study investigated the acquired resistance mechanisms of Candida albicans isolates at the proteomic level using tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technology. Proteomic alterations in serial isolates of C. albicans revealed downregulation of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pyruvate metabolism, fatty acid degradation, and oxidative stress response proteins, as well as activation of amino acid metabolism and increased protection against osmotic stress or excessive copper toxicity in later isolates. This study provides mechanistic insight into the development of azole resistance in C. albicans.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Minghui Song, Ming Zhang, Jinghui Lu, Fei Xie, Jintong Song, Xiaoyi Luan, Xuben Hou, Hongxiang Lou, Wenqiang Chang
Summary: Palmarumycin P3 can reverse azole resistance in Candida strains by reducing fluconazole-induced MDR1 transcription and restore susceptibility to several antifungal drugs. Additionally, PP3 inhibits the efflux of Mdr1 substrates by Candida strains with hyperactive MRR1 alleles.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Rui Yuan, Jie Tu, Chunquan Sheng, Xi Chen, Na Liu
Summary: The Hsp90 inhibitor ganetespib shows excellent synergistic antifungal activity in vitro against azole-resistant Candida albicans, significantly inhibiting fungal biofilm formation and down-regulating key resistance genes. In a mouse model, the combination of ganetespib and fluconazole effectively reverses fluconazole resistance and decreases fungal load in the kidneys.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Tatsuro Hirayama, Taiga Miyazaki, Makoto Sumiyoshi, Nobuyuki Ashizawa, Takahiro Takazono, Kazuko Yamamoto, Yoshifumi Imamura, Koichi Izumikawa, Katsunori Yanagihara, Shigeru Kohno, Hiroshi Mukae
Summary: Experimental studies using mouse models have shown that the ERG3 gene in Candida albicans plays a crucial role in intestinal infection and colonization, affecting virulence and pathogenicity. The results suggest that the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway may be associated with C. albicans gut colonization and subsequent dissemination.
Article
Microbiology
Sabi Pokhrel, Nawarat Boonmee, Orawan Tulyaprawat, Sujiraphong Pharkjaksu, Iyarit Thaipisutikul, Phoom Chairatana, Popchai Ngamskulrungroj, Chalermchai Mitrpant
Summary: Biofilm formation is an important virulence factor for the pathogenesis of Candida albicans. This study used the zebrafish model to evaluate the in vivo virulence of strains with different biofilm formation strengths. The results showed that stronger biofilm formation was associated with shorter survival time in zebrafish and higher up-regulation of biofilm-associated genes.
Article
Immunology
Lingbing Zeng, Yongcheng Huang, Junjun Tan, Jun Peng, Niya Hu, Qiong Liu, YanLi Cao, Yuping Zhang, Junzhu Chen, Xiaotian Huang
Summary: This study investigates the role of the cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 7 gene (QCR7) in the virulence of Candida albicans. Defective QCR7 reduces inflammation cell recruitment and attenuates the virulence of C. albicans infection. It also affects the use of multiple carbon sources and causes mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, overexpression of cell-surface-associated genes can restore the defective virulence and carbon-source utilization of the QCR7 knockout strain.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Manjari Shrivastava, Gaelle S. Kouyoumdjian, Eftyhios Kirbizakis, Daniel Ruiz, Manon Henry, Antony T. Vincent, Adnane Sellam, Malcolm Whiteway
Summary: The transcription factor Adr1 in Candida albicans confers significant resistance against fluconazole and may govern the ergosterol synthesis pathway. Adr1 and Upc2 have a relationship in sterol biosynthesis in C. albicans.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dawid Zyrek, Joanna Nowicka, Magdalena Pajaczkowska, Ewa Morgiel
Summary: Research confirms that Candida strains resistant to fluconazole may occur slightly more frequently in patients on systemic methotrexate therapy, but there is no solid evidence to support the hypothesis that methotrexate induces resistance to azoles among endogenous Candida strains in patients with rheumatological diseases.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ghada El-Saeed Mashaly, Mayada Sabry Zeid
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between genotype, virulence factors and fluconazole tolerance among Candida albicans isolates from pediatric patients. The results showed that genotype A was the most prevalent, and biofilm formation and enzyme production were important virulence determinants in pediatric infections. Fluconazole tolerance was significantly correlated with biofilm formation and proteinase production.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Soraia V. M. de Sa, Carolina Monteiro, Jose O. Fernandes, Eugenia Pinto, Miguel A. Faria, Sara C. Cunha
Summary: Proper nutrition is crucial for children's healthy development. However, some foods can contain natural toxins such as mycotoxins produced by fungi. In addition to well-regulated mycotoxins, there is a group of emerging mycotoxins about which less is known, but they are prevalent in most food, especially cereals and cereal-based products.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ana Jesus, Fernando Duraes, Nikoletta Szemeredi, Joana Freitas-Silva, Paulo Martins da Costa, Eugenia Pinto, Madalena Pinto, Gabriella Spengler, Emilia Sousa, Honorina Cidade
Summary: The growing number of infectious diseases around the world threatens the effectiveness of antibiotics and contributes to the global health problem of antibiotic resistance. Researchers have discovered a series of compounds with antimicrobial activity and potential to combat antibiotic resistance. Some of these compounds show promising activity against fungi and bacteria, without causing cytotoxicity.
Article
Immunology
Sanne Schrevens, Eric Durandau, Van Du T. Tran, Dominique Sanglard
Summary: This study investigated the transcriptomic profile of Candida glabrata during urinary tract infection in mice for the first time using fungal RNA enrichment. The results showed that adhesins, proteases, nitrogen metabolism, and regulation play vital roles in C. glabrata infection. Key genes involved in nitrogen metabolism and the glyoxylate cycle were identified as important for virulence.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Joao Azevedo, Ricardo Araujo, Joana Campos, Carla Campos, Ana Filipa Ferreira, Ines Falcao-Pires, Carla Ramalho, Egija Zaura, Eugenia Pinto, Benedita Sampaio-Maia
Summary: Yeast transmission from mother to child is an important mechanism in early life, especially through breastfeeding which may transmit antifungal resistant strains. This study isolated and cultured yeast strains from breastmilk, oral, and fecal samples of 73 mother-child pairs, and found 129 isolates from 53% of the pairs, including one antifungal resistant strain transmitted from breastmilk to the child. Most isolates were susceptible to antifungal drugs, but a few resistant strains were also identified.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Alexandra Noites, Iara Borges, Bruno Araujo, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva, Natalia M. de Oliveira, Jorge Machado, Eugenia Pinto
Summary: This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial activity of different parts and essential oils (EOs) of Chinese goldthread (Coptis chinensis), neem (Azadirachta indica), and manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) against prevalent microorganisms responsible for superficial infections. The results showed that C. chinensis EO and manuka EO exhibited some antifungal activity and had an effect against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus. Neem EO showed activity against dermatophytes and P. acnes. Manuka EO demonstrated the broadest antimicrobial spectrum, showing activity against bacteria, yeasts, and dermatophytes, with greater activity against P. acnes and S. aureus.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amina El Mihyaoui, El Hadi Erbiai, Saoulajan Charfi, Eugenia Pinto, Maria Emilia Candela Castillo, Josefa Hernandez-Ruiz, Antonio Cano, Alain Badoc, Ahmed Lamarti, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva, Marino B. B. Arnao
Summary: The study investigated the chemical composition and bioactivity of methanolic extracts from Cladanthus mixtus in northern Morocco for the first time. Phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined and the composition of the extracts was analyzed by GC-MS. The extracts showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, with higher phenolic and flavonoid contents in flower extracts. The extracts were most effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Trichophyton rubrum.
Article
Polymer Science
Ana Isabel Ribeiro, Barbara Vieira, Catia Alves, Barbara Silva, Eugenia Pinto, Fatima Cerqueira, Renata Silva, Fernando Remiao, Vasyl Shvalya, Uros Cvelbar, Jorge Padrao, Alice Maria Dias, Andrea Zille
Summary: This article mainly introduces a new type of halochromic textile that can change color with variations in acidity and alkalinity. The properties and potential applications of this halochromic textile are detailed in the article, which shows promising prospects in various fields such as biomedicine, packaging, filtration, agriculture, protective apparel, sports, camouflage, architecture, and design.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ana Isabel Ribeiro, Barbara Vieira, Daniela Dantas, Barbara Silva, Eugenia Pinto, Fatima Cerqueira, Renata Silva, Fernando Remiao, Jorge Padrao, Alice Maria Dias, Andrea Zille
Summary: In this study, azoimidazole compounds with potent antifungal activity were conjugated with silver nanoparticles, resulting in synergistic antimicrobial activity. The conjugates exhibited improved antimicrobial activity against microorganisms, particularly bacteria, with concentrations below their individual MIC. Additionally, some combinations were found to be non-cytotoxic towards human cells.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rute Moreira, Federico Ferreres, Angel Gil-Izquierdo, Nelson G. M. Gomes, Luisa Araujo, Eugenia Pinto, Paula B. Andrade, Romeu A. Videira
Summary: Although the crude methanol extract (CME) and the methanol fraction (MF) of Guiera senegalensis leaves exhibited poor antifungal activity, the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) demonstrated strong antifungal activity against various fungi, as well as potent effectiveness against certain yeasts.
Article
Biology
El Hadi Erbiai, Benoutman Amina, Abbassi Kaoutar, Rabah Saidi, Zouhaire Lamrani, Eugenia Pinto, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva, Abdelfettah Maouni, Luis Pinto da Silva
Summary: This study investigated the chemical characterization and antimicrobial properties of Ganoderma lucidum. The results showed that the methanolic extract of G. lucidum contained abundant phenolic and flavonoid compounds, exhibiting strong antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. These findings highlight the nutritional and medicinal significance of G. lucidum.
Article
Microbiology
Mohammad Asadzadeh, Wadha Alfouzan, Josie E. Parker, Jacques F. Meis, Steven L. Kelly, Leena Joseph, Suhail Ahmad
Summary: The molecular basis of reduced susceptibility to amphotericin B (rs-AMB) among yeasts is not well understood. This study identified ERG2 as a major target gene involved in ergosterol biosynthesis conferring rs-AMB in Candida kefyr isolates.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Hajar Ettakifi, Kaoutar Abbassi, Safae Maouni, El Hadi Erbiai, Abderrahmane Rahmouni, Mounir Legssyer, Rabah Saidi, Zouhaire Lamrani, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva, Eugenia Pinto, Abdelfettah Maouni
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of the essential oil and crude extracts of Tanacetum annuum and evaluate their antioxidant and antifungal activities. The results showed that Tanacetum annuum contained important phenolic compounds and demonstrated strong antioxidant and antifungal abilities.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Alix T. Coste, Adrian Egli, Jacques Schrenzel, Beatrice Nickel, Andrea Zbinden, Reto Lienhard, Alexis Dumoulin, Martin Risch, Gilbert Greub
Summary: The IVDR regulation poses a major challenge for diagnostic microbiology laboratories due to its complexity and risks. The emergence of new pathogens further complicates the regulation, negatively impacting the development of new diagnostic tests. Additionally, the regulation affects the availability and costs of diagnostic tests, posing a risk to public health.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Alexandra Noites, Bruno Araujo, Jorge Machado, Eugenia Pinto
Summary: The in vitro study found that Coptis chinensis and Leptospermum scoparium have antifungal activity, suggesting their potential use in treating Candida infections.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stephanie Almada, Luisa B. Maia, Joao C. Waerenborgh, Bruno J. C. Vieira, Nuno P. Mira, Elisabete R. Silva, Fatima Cerqueira, Eugenia Pinto, Luis G. Alves
Summary: This article reports the synthesis and characterization of two new cyclam-based complexes. The experimental results indicate that these complexes exhibit high antifungal activity.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)