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Updated: Feb 16, 2026
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Oral Biofilm Analysis of Palatal Expanders by Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy
Published on: October 20, 2011
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Biofilms and beyond: expanding echinocandin utility
Emily L Larkin1, Sharvari Dharmaiah1, Mahmoud A Ghannoum1
1Center for Medical Mycology, 11100 Euclid Ave, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|January 6, 2018
Summary
Echinocandins are increasingly vital antifungal drugs, recommended as first-line therapy for candidaemia. Research explores their use against resistant fungi, biofilms, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Echinocandins have been clinically used for over 15 years.
- Increasing fluconazole resistance and shifts to non-albicans Candida species highlight the growing importance of echinocandins.
- Recent guidelines (2016) recommend echinocandins as first-line treatment for candidaemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence and potential utility of echinocandins and 1,3-β-d-glucan synthesis inhibition.
- To explore emerging applications of echinocandins.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing evidence.
- Analysis of current trends in antifungal resistance and treatment guidelines.
- Exploration of preliminary research on new applications.
Main Results:
- Echinocandins demonstrate efficacy, tolerability, and safety.
- Potential new uses include treatment of biofilm infections, multidrug-resistant Candida auris, and dermatophytes.
- Emerging data suggests potential in treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) linked to the mycobiome.
Conclusions:
- Echinocandins are a cornerstone in treating invasive candidiasis.
- Their mechanism of action (1,3-β-d-glucan synthesis inhibition) offers promise for novel therapeutic strategies.
- Further research is warranted to validate echinocandin utility in biofilm infections, MDR pathogens, and IBD.
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