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Broth Microdilution In Vitro Screening: An Easy and Fast Method to Detect New Antifungal Compounds
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Published on: February 14, 2018

Antifungal therapy in invasive fungal infections

Sharon C-A Chen1, E Geoffrey Playford, Tania C Sorrell

  • 1Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Hospital and the University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Current Opinion in Pharmacology
|July 6, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Early treatment of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is crucial. Novel strategies and new antifungal agents are needed due to resistance and side effects of standard drugs, especially for rare molds.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) require prompt treatment for favorable outcomes.
  • Standard antifungal drugs (polyenes, azoles, echinocandins) exhibit variable efficacy against emerging fungi and can cause adverse effects.
  • Species identification aids treatment for *Candida* but not for less common molds like *Scedosporium* and *Fusarium*.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current challenges and emerging strategies in managing invasive fungal infections.
  • To highlight the need for improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for IFIs.
  • To emphasize the importance of targeted management and new drug development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of antifungal drug efficacy and emerging treatment strategies.
  • Analysis of clinical outcomes based on different management approaches (prophylaxis, empiric, targeted therapy).
  • Evaluation of pharmacokinetic considerations and novel therapeutic agents.

Main Results:

  • Management strategies targeting high-risk groups, empiric therapy, and occult infections show promise.
  • Accurate dosing and therapeutic drug monitoring are vital for newer triazoles.
  • Newer therapies, like deferasirox for zygomycosis, show potential, but novel agents are urgently required.

Conclusions:

  • Optimizing antifungal therapy requires a shift towards proactive and targeted management strategies.
  • Addressing limitations of current antifungals necessitates the development of new agents with novel mechanisms of action.
  • Further research and comparative evaluations are essential to refine IFIs treatment protocols.

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