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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Broth Microdilution In Vitro Screening: An Easy and Fast Method to Detect New Antifungal Compounds
08:54

Broth Microdilution In Vitro Screening: An Easy and Fast Method to Detect New Antifungal Compounds

Published on: February 14, 2018

Recent advances in antifungal chemotherapy

George Petrikkos1, Anna Skiada

  • 1National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, 1st Department of Propedeutic Medicine, Research Laboratory for Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy G.K. Daikos, Greece. petrikos@med.uoa.gr

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
|May 26, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Newer antifungal drugs offer improved options for invasive fungal infections (IFIs), with some replacing older treatments. However, resistance and breakthrough infections are concerns, prompting research into combination therapy and prophylactic use.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmBD) has been a long-standing treatment for invasive fungal infections (IFIs) but causes significant toxicity.
  • Recent advancements have introduced newer antifungal agents with improved safety profiles and efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evolution of antifungal chemotherapy for IFIs.
  • To compare the efficacy and safety of newer agents against traditional therapies.
  • To discuss emerging challenges such as antifungal resistance and breakthrough infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of antifungal agents for IFIs.
  • Analysis of clinical outcomes and resistance patterns.
  • Discussion of treatment guidelines and future therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Lipid formulations of AmBD, triazoles, and echinocandins offer alternatives to conventional AmBD.
  • Specific agents like caspofungin and voriconazole are now first-line treatments for certain IFIs.
  • Emerging resistance (e.g., Candida krusei, Candida glabrata) and breakthrough infections (e.g., zygomycosis) are noted with prolonged use of some newer agents.
  • Oral formulations with good biosafety profile (e.g., posaconazole) show promise for prophylaxis and maintenance therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Newer antifungals provide valuable alternatives to AmBD, with some becoming primary therapies.
  • Antifungal resistance and breakthrough infections necessitate careful monitoring and strategic treatment planning.
  • Combination therapy and prophylactic use of newer agents warrant further investigation for managing complex IFIs.

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