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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance
Published on: December 28, 2017
Recent insights into the mechanisms of antifungal resistance
Katherine S Barker1, P David Rogers
1Room 304 West Patient Tower, LeBonheur Children's Medical Center, 50 North Dunlap Street, Memphis, TN 38103, USA.
Abstract:
The incidence of fungal infections has increased in recent years, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. Treatment of invasive fungal infections has been hampered by a limited number of available antifungal agents and both intrinsic and acquired resistance to these agents among many fungal pathogens. Therefore, much interest has focused on elucidating the molecular basis for antifungal resistance. Recent efforts have increased our understanding of this process, including the transcriptional regulation of azole resistance in Candida spp, mechanisms of intrinsic resistance to amphotericin B, and mechanisms of acquired resistance to the new echinocandin class of antifungal agents. This review discusses these and other newly clarified resistance mechanisms, as well as the direction of future antifungal resistance research. Despite these advances, undiscovered resistance determinants exist, and resistance to newer agents likely will continue to emerge.
Insights
Antifungal resistance in fungal infections is rising, especially in immunocompromised patients. Understanding resistance mechanisms is crucial for developing new treatments against evolving fungal pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Molecular Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Increasing incidence of fungal infections, particularly invasive types.
- Limited antifungal agents and growing resistance pose treatment challenges.
- Immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding of antifungal resistance mechanisms.
- To highlight recent advances in azole, amphotericin B, and echinocandin resistance.
- To discuss future research directions in antifungal resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on fungal resistance.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms of antifungal drug resistance.
- Synthesis of findings on transcriptional regulation and specific resistance pathways.
Main Results:
- Clarified transcriptional regulation of azole resistance in Candida species.
- Elucidated mechanisms of intrinsic resistance to amphotericin B.
- Detailed acquired resistance mechanisms to echinocandins.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress in understanding antifungal resistance.
- Undiscovered resistance determinants remain.
- Emergence of resistance to new antifungal agents is expected.
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