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Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance
08:45

Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance

Published on: December 28, 2017

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Molecular Evolution of Antifungal Drug Resistance

Nicole Robbins1, Tavia Caplan1, Leah E Cowen1

  • 1Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada; email: nicole.robbins@utoronto.ca , tavia.caplan@mail.utoronto.ca , leah.cowen@utoronto.ca.

Annual Review of Microbiology
|September 10, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Antifungal drug resistance in fungal pathogens like Candida albicans is a growing threat. Understanding resistance evolution is key to developing new treatments and improving current antifungal therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Fungal pathogens (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus) are increasingly causing human mortality.
  • Antifungal drug resistance is a significant clinical challenge, hindering infection control.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms of antifungal resistance is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on antifungal drug resistance mechanisms in fungi.
  • To explore how resistance evolves in both experimental and clinical settings.
  • To discuss strategies for impeding the evolution of antifungal resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of experimental and clinical studies on antifungal resistance.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying drug resistance in key fungal pathogens.
  • Evaluation of current antifungal treatments and emerging therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Fungal pathogens exhibit diverse mechanisms of antifungal drug resistance.
  • Antifungal resistance evolves through various evolutionary pathways in vitro and in vivo.
  • Current antifungal treatments face challenges due to emerging resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Tackling antifungal drug resistance as an evolutionary problem offers improved treatment utility.
  • Developing novel therapeutic strategies is essential to combat resistant fungal infections.
  • Further research into resistance evolution will enhance antifungal drug efficacy.
Keywords:
antifungalevolutionfitnessfungal pathogenresistancestress responses

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