Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 31, 2025

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
07:42

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Published on: July 1, 2020

5.4K

Advances in the treatment of invasive fungal disease

Zhuan Zhang1, Gerald F Bills1, Zhiqiang An1

  • 1Texas Therapeutics Institute, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America.

Plos Pathogens
|May 4, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) cause millions of deaths yearly. This review explores advances and strategies in antifungal therapies to combat the rising threat of these opportunistic infections.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) represent a significant global health challenge, causing over 300 million severe cases and 1.5 million deaths annually.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified 19 priority fungal pathogens, highlighting their public health importance.
  • IFDs disproportionately affect immunocompromised individuals, including those with HIV, cancer, undergoing chemotherapy, transplantation, or on immunosuppressive therapy.

Approach:

  • This mini-review provides a perspective on current advances and emerging strategies for managing IFDs.
  • It discusses the challenges posed by limited antifungal therapies and the rise of drug resistance.
  • The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the exacerbation of IFDs is also considered.

Key Points:

  • The increasing incidence of IFDs is driven by a growing vulnerable population and the emergence of antifungal resistance.
  • Limited therapeutic options and the rise of drug-resistant fungal strains complicate treatment and increase mortality.
  • Secondary fungal infections in COVID-19 patients have further amplified the global health threat of IFDs.

Conclusions:

  • There is an urgent need for novel and effective antifungal therapies to combat the rising morbidity and mortality associated with IFDs.
  • Developing new treatment strategies is crucial to address the limitations of current antifungal drugs and overcome resistance.
  • Continued research and global collaboration are essential to mitigate the impact of invasive fungal diseases.

More Related Videos

A Contemporary Warming/Restraining Device for Efficient Tail Vein Injections in a Murine Fungal Sepsis Model06:02

A Contemporary Warming/Restraining Device for Efficient Tail Vein Injections in a Murine Fungal Sepsis Model

Published on: November 6, 2020

15.1K
Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance08:45

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

Published on: December 28, 2017

13.8K

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
43
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management01:29

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management

Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...
160
Endocarditis III: Medical Management01:18

Endocarditis III: Medical Management

Infective endocarditis management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing infection prevention, lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and surgical management.Infection Prevention:Hand Hygiene: Thorough handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed regularly, especially before and after using the restroom.Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential. It includes brushing teeth immediately after waking up and before bed, flossing...
10
Cystic Fibrosis: Management01:24

Cystic Fibrosis: Management

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder that predominantly affects individuals of Northern European descent, occurring at a rate of 1 in 3500. It is caused by a genetic mutation in a gene on chromosome 7, most commonly the ΔF508 mutation, that codes for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. This results in thicker mucus secretions and obstruction pathologies in multiple organs, including the lungs and sinuses.
Sinus disease and chronic...
203
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.4K
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
209