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Fungal infections: Pathogenesis, antifungals and alternate treatment approaches

G Kiran Kumar Reddy1,2, Alwar Ramanujam Padmavathi1, Y V Nancharaiah1,2

  • 1Biofouling and Biofilm Processes Section, Water and Steam Chemistry Division, Chemistry Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Kalpakkam 603 102, Tamil Nadu, India.

Current Research in Microbial Sciences
|August 1, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Fungal infections are rising, and drug resistance complicates treatment. New antifungal drugs and alternative strategies are crucial for combating these challenging mycoses.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Fungal infections are increasingly prevalent and often diagnosed late, worsening outcomes.
  • Fungal pathogens possess mechanisms to evade host immunity, increasing infection severity.
  • Existing antifungal drugs face significant resistance, hindering effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on fungal infections, pathogenesis, and antifungal drug resistance.
  • To highlight novel antifungal agents and alternative therapeutic strategies.
  • To provide insights into host immune responses and fungal evasion tactics.

Main Methods:

  • Graphical review of fungal infections and causative agents.
  • Analysis of antifungal drug mechanisms and resistance pathways.
  • Compilation of recent advancements in antifungal drug development and alternative therapies.

Main Results:

  • Fungal resistance, including biofilm-associated resistance, is a major therapeutic challenge.
  • Limited antifungal arsenal necessitates the development of new treatment modalities.
  • Host immune evasion strategies contribute to fungal pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Novel antifungal agents and alternative approaches are urgently needed to overcome resistance and improve treatment outcomes for mycoses.
  • Understanding fungal pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions is key to developing effective therapies.
  • This review synthesizes current research on combating challenging fungal infections.
Keywords:
ABC, ATP-Binding CassetteAPC, Antigen Presenting CellsAlternate antifungal therapiesAntifungal resistanceBAD1, Blastomyces Adhesin-1BBB, Blood Brain BarrierBiofilmCDC, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionCNS, Central Nervous SystemDC, Dendritic CellsERG, ETS-Related GeneETS, Erythoblast Transformation SpecificFCY, Fluorocytosine DeaminaseFDA, Food and Drug AdministrationFungal pathogenesisG-CSF, Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating FactorGM-CSF, Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating FactorHAI, Healthcare Associated InfectionsHIV, Human Immunodeficiency VirusHost-immune responseHsp, Heat Shock ProteinIFN, InterferonM-CSF, Macrophage-Colony Stimulating FactorMFS, Major Facilitator SuperfamilyNK, Natural KillerPAMP, Pathogen Associated Molecular PatternPRR, Pattern Recognition ReceptorsRNS, Reactive Nitrogen SpeciesROS, Reactive Oxygen SpeciesTLR, Toll-Like Receptors

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