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Live Imaging of Antifungal Activity by Human Primary Neutrophils and Monocytes in Response to A. fumigatus
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Live Imaging of Antifungal Activity by Human Primary Neutrophils and Monocytes in Response to A. fumigatus

Published on: April 19, 2017

Posaconazole

Elizabeth S Dodds Ashley1, Barbara D Alexander

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.

Drugs of Today (Barcelona, Spain : 1998)
|August 20, 2005
PubMed

Insights

New antifungal posaconazole shows promise for treating invasive fungal infections in complex patients. It offers a broader spectrum of activity and better tolerability than existing options.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are increasing due to advances in immunosuppressive therapies.
  • Current antifungal treatments have limitations in spectrum of activity and toxicity.
  • Complex patient populations require novel therapeutic options.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy and safety of posaconazole for treating IFIs.
  • To evaluate posaconazole's expanded spectrum of activity against yeasts and molds.
  • To compare posaconazole's tolerability with existing systemic antifungal agents.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical investigations of posaconazole in patients with IFIs.
  • In vitro susceptibility testing against various fungal pathogens.
  • Comparative safety and tolerability assessments.

Main Results:

  • Posaconazole demonstrates potent activity against fluconazole-resistant Candida and Aspergillus species.
  • It also shows activity against Zygomycetes, a challenging group of fungi.
  • Posaconazole exhibits a favorable tolerability profile with diminished toxicity compared to other systemic antifungals.

Conclusions:

  • Posaconazole is a promising new triazole antifungal agent.
  • It offers an expanded spectrum of activity and improved safety profile.
  • Further clinical trials are needed to define its definitive role in managing IFIs.

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