Emerging and future strategies in the management of recalcitrant Candida auris

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

• Candida auris is a multi-drug resistant fungal pathogen causing global outbreaks with high mortality rates.
• This fungus exhibits resistance to disinfection and poses a significant threat, particularly to hospitalized patients, including those with COVID-19.
• The lack of effective treatments for Candida auris infections necessitates urgent development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review emerging data on new antifungal compounds and strategies for treating Candida auris infections.
• To consolidate information on novel therapeutic approaches, including antimicrobial peptides, combination therapies, immunotherapy, metals, nanoparticles, natural compounds, and repurposed drugs.
• To highlight the urgent need for effective therapeutics against the rapidly spreading and highly virulent Candida auris.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of emerging scientific literature.
• Codification of data on novel antifungal agents and therapeutic strategies.
• Analysis of candidate compounds including antimicrobial peptides, combination therapy, immunotherapy, metals and nanoparticles, natural compounds, and repurposed drugs.

Main Results:

• A wide range of novel agents and strategies demonstrate significant anti-Candida auris properties.
• Several promising antifungal drugs are currently in various stages of development.
• Emerging therapies show potential for combating multi-drug resistant Candida auris infections.

Conclusions:

• Novel antifungal agents and strategies show considerable promise in combating Candida auris.
• Further research is essential to understand mechanisms of action, toxicity, and optimal dosages for new formulations.
• Studies encompassing all five Candida auris clades are needed to ensure broader relevance and validity of findings.