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Updated: Jul 2, 2025
Measuring Volatile and Non-volatile Antifungal Activity of Biocontrol Products
Published on: December 5, 2020
Antifungal chemicals promising function in disease prevention, method of action and mechanism
J A J Dominguez1, O M Luque-Vilca2, N E S Mallma3
1Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Perú.
Abstract:
The increasing use of antimicrobial drugs has been linked to the rise of drug-resistant fungus in recent years. Antimicrobial resistance is being studied from a variety of perspectives due to the important clinical implication of resistance. The processes underlying this resistance, enhanced methods for identifying resistance when it emerges, alternate treatment options for infections caused by resistant organisms, and so on are reviewed, along with strategies to prevent and regulate the formation and spread of resistance. This overview will focus on the action mechanism of antifungals and the resistance mechanisms against them. The link between antibacterial and antifungal resistance is also briefly discussed. Based on their mechanism action, antifungals are divided into three distinct categories: azoles, which target the ergosterol synthesis; 5-fluorocytosine, which targets macromolecular synthesis and polyenes, which interact physiochemically with fungal membrane sterols. Antifungal resistance can arise through a wide variety of ways. Overexpression of the target of the antifungal drug, changes to the drug target, changes to sterol biosynthesis, decreased intercellular concentration of the target enzyme, and other processes. A correlation exists between the mechanisms of resistance to antibacterial and antifungals, despite the fact that the comparison between the two is inevitably constrained by various parameters mentioned in the review. Drug extrusion via membrane pumps has been thoroughly documented in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and development of new antifungal compounds and strategies has also been well characterized.
Insights
Antimicrobial drug use fuels drug-resistant fungi. This review details antifungal mechanisms, resistance pathways, and strategies to combat rising fungal resistance, noting links to antibacterial resistance.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Increasing antimicrobial drug use correlates with a rise in drug-resistant fungal infections.
- Antimicrobial resistance poses significant clinical challenges, necessitating comprehensive study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review antifungal mechanisms of action and emergent resistance pathways.
- To explore strategies for preventing and managing antifungal resistance.
- To discuss the relationship between antibacterial and antifungal resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on antifungal drug classes and resistance mechanisms.
- Analysis of biochemical and cellular processes underlying resistance.
- Comparative discussion of antibacterial and antifungal resistance.
Main Results:
- Antifungals are categorized by mechanism: azoles (ergosterol synthesis), 5-fluorocytosine (macromolecular synthesis), and polyenes (membrane sterols).
- Antifungal resistance mechanisms include target overexpression, target modification, altered biosynthesis, and reduced enzyme concentration.
- Shared resistance mechanisms, like drug extrusion via membrane pumps, exist between bacteria and fungi.
Conclusions:
- Understanding antifungal action and resistance is crucial for clinical management.
- Developing novel antifungal compounds and strategies is essential to overcome resistance.
- The interplay between antibacterial and antifungal resistance warrants further investigation.
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