Green Nanoparticles
Richard L. K. Glover, Daniel Nyanganyura, Rofhiwa Bridget Mulaudzi, Maluta Steven Mufamadi in Green Synthesis in Nanomedicine and Human Health, 2021
Antifungal therapy is limited to the use of azoles, echinocandins, polyenes and flucytosine (Perlin et al., 2017). The development of resistance is a consideration when treating a microbial infection. It has been found that biofilm formation on teeth and devices such as heart valves and catheters reduces the concentration of the drug by trapping it in a glucan-rich matrix polymer (Perlin et al., 2017). In yeast infections, resistance to azole antifungals has been frequently discussed and attributed to the following mechanisms: an alteration in the chemical structure of demethylase enzyme, removal of the azole from the cell by multidrug transporter pumps and compensation by other sterol synthesis enzymes in membrane biosynthesis (Lewis and Williams, 2017; Perlin et al., 2017). Echinocandins are highly effective against most Candida species, but the prevalence of C. albicans resistance has only been recorded as less than 1% (Perlin et al., 2017). However, echinocandin resistance among C. glabrata is now increasingly accompanied by azole resistance too (Pham et al., 2014). Resistance to polyenes, which include amphotericin B and nystatin, is unusual. However, reports of high minimum inhibitory concentration to amphotericin B has been found for C. albicans, C. krusei, C. rugosa, C. lusitaniae and C. glabrata (Colombo et al., 2003; Atkinson et al., 2008; Hull et al., 2012). Ultimately, there is a need for novel antifungal drugs, which address resistance, whose mechanism is more selective for fungal targets and have less host toxicity.
Medicinal Plants of India and Their Antimicrobial Property
Jayanta Kumar Patra, Gitishree Das, Sanjeet Kumar, Hrudayanath Thatoi in Ethnopharmacology and Biodiversity of Medicinal Plants, 2019
Fungi are ubiquitous in distribution and diseases due to fungal pathogens reported more frequently all over the world. Notably, it has been reported by many workers that several fungi have the capability to undergo genetic recombination (Zheng et al., 2011; Zhang et al., 2013), hybridization (Stukenbrock, 2016) and horizontal gene transfer (Cheeseman et al., 2014), which result in acquisition of novel traits. It is therefore, challenging to control the fungal pathogen due to their ability to use various substances as a carbon, nitrogen and energy source. There are various synthetic antifungal agents such as azoles (itraconazole (ITC), voriconazole (VRC), polyenes (amphotericin B) and echinocandins (caspofungin, micafungin and anidulafungin) (Groll et al., 1998; Kathiravan et al., 2012). These antifungal antibiotics no doubt, play major role in health care but also lead to the emergence of acquired drug resistance in fungi (Cowen, 2008; Meneau et al., 2016).
The Fungi
Julius P. Kreier in Infection, Resistance, and Immunity, 2022
Although we are exposed to fungal elements daily, we are very resistant to fungal disease. Proper functioning of both the innate and the adaptive immune responses are essential for our resistance to mycotic disease since fungi possess many different virulence factors that enhance their invasiveness and survival in the host. The current increase in the incidence of fungal disease is due to the growing number of immune compromised hosts in the population. Laboratory identification of the fungal agent can be made by direct microscopic observation or by the demonstration of fungal antigens in the specimen. Serological testing is of limited use in the diagnosis of mycotic disease but is useful for epidemiological surveys. Antifungal drugs are available for therapy. Unfortunately all of these drugs produce some toxic side effects, a problem compounded by the fact that all fungal therapy is long term.
Efficacy and safety of Isavuconazole for the treatment of invasive Aspergillus infection - an update of the literature
Published in Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 2022
Geetha Sivasubramanian, Pranatharthi H Chandrasekar
Invasive aspergillosis(IA) is a devastating infection in high-risk immunocompromised patients [1,2]. It remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients and cancer patients despite the availability of effective antifungal treatment as well as]antifungal prophylaxis protocols [3–19]. In addition, there has been an emergence of IA in critically ill patients such as those with severe lung inflammation from influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infection [20–28]. Many lack classic risk factors for IA. With expanding host populations vulnerable to severe IA, there is a growing need for safe and effective anti-fungal agents. Antifungal classes currently available for treating IA include polyenes, azoles, and echinocandins [19]. There are many challenges involved in the management including toxicities, drug–drug interactions, limitations in the spectrum of antifungal activities as well as emergence of resistance [29,30]. Isavuconazole (ISZ), one of the newer triazole agents has shown good clinical efficacy against IA. This article provides an updated review of ISZ including data on its efficacy, safety and tolerability, and its role in the management of IA. As data in children is limited, this review is confined to adults patients.
Development of a new synthetic xerogel nanoparticles of silver and zinc oxide against causative agents of dermatophytoses
Published in Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2019
Ali Abdul Hussein S. Al-Janabi, Abass M. Bashi
Dermatophytes, a very special group of fungi, including three genera: Trichophyton spp., Microsporum spp., and Epidermophyton spp. (1). They often cause a superficial skin disease called dermatophytoses or tinea on different parts of the human body (1,2). Several types of antifungal agents are commonly used for treatment of this type of infection. Synthesis of some of these agents in nanoparticles size is suggested to increase their antifungal effects. Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are considered one of the most important antimicrobial molecules. Although antidermatophytic activity is less than some of antifungal agents such as griseofulvin, Ag-NPs in pure form or in combination with other compounds revealed effective action against several species of dermatophytes (3–5), which may be higher than other antifungal agents such as with fluconazole (3,5). Moreover, curative ability of Ag-NPs against dermatophytoses is also proved by many studies (6,7). Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are another antifungal agents that have ability to inhibit several types of fungi (8–10). It revealed potent effects against dermatophytes after direct exposure to it or its preparations (11–14). Gel preparation of Ag-NPs or ZnO-NPs showed an active effect against several types of fungi such as Candida lusitaniae and Aspergillus niger (15,16).
Prescription-level factors associated with primary nonadherence to dermatologic medications
Published in Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2018
Audrey Rutherford, Donald A. Glass, Elizabeth A. Suarez, Adewole S. Adamson
The lower fill rate (compared to topical corticosteroids) for oral antifungal medications may be explained by the fact that many superficial cutaneous dermatophyte infections can be managed with topical therapy. Also, several topical antifungal medications exist over-the-counter and may result in patients seeking those alternatives instead of filling an oral antifungal prescription. It is also possible that some medications may be prescribed with specific instructions not to fill unless the patient is experiencing worsening symptoms or failure of resolution with topical management (e.g. in the case of topical antifungal medication) or histologic confirmation onychomycosis diagnosis (19). Other potential driving factors for nonadherence, particularly for oral antifungals, could be patient fear regarding oral antifungal side effect profile (2).
Related Knowledge Centers
- Medication
- Fungicide
- Fungistatics
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- Dermatophytosis
- Candidiasis
- Cryptococcus
- Meningitis
- Prescription Drug