An Overview on Conventional and Non-Conventional Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of Candidiasis and Underlying Resistance Mechanisms in Clinical Strains
Fungal infections and, in particular, those caused by species of the <i>Candida</i> genus, are growing at an alarming rate and have high associated rates of mortality and morbidity. These infections, generally referred as candidiasis, range from common superficial rushes caused by an ove...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Fungi |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/6/1/23 |
| _version_ | 1818143022625325056 |
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| author | Sara B. Salazar Rita S. Simões Nuno A. Pedro Maria Joana Pinheiro Maria Fernanda N. N. Carvalho Nuno P. Mira |
| author_facet | Sara B. Salazar Rita S. Simões Nuno A. Pedro Maria Joana Pinheiro Maria Fernanda N. N. Carvalho Nuno P. Mira |
| author_sort | Sara B. Salazar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fungal infections and, in particular, those caused by species of the <i>Candida</i> genus, are growing at an alarming rate and have high associated rates of mortality and morbidity. These infections, generally referred as candidiasis, range from common superficial rushes caused by an overgrowth of the yeasts in mucosal surfaces to life-threatening disseminated mycoses. The success of currently used antifungal drugs to treat candidiasis is being endangered by the continuous emergence of resistant strains, specially among non-albicans <i>Candida</i> species. In this review article, the mechanisms of action of currently used antifungals, with emphasis on the mechanisms of resistance reported in clinical isolates, are reviewed. Novel approaches being taken to successfully inhibit growth of pathogenic <i>Candida</i> species, in particular those based on the exploration of natural or synthetic chemicals or on the activity of live probiotics, are also reviewed. It is expected that these novel approaches, either used alone or in combination with traditional antifungals, may contribute to foster the identification of novel anti-<i>Candida</i> therapies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T11:25:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-24b6e8ec733a48bd83e4c5f8e8f3674e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2309-608X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T11:25:04Z |
| publishDate | 2020-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Fungi |
| spelling | doaj.art-24b6e8ec733a48bd83e4c5f8e8f3674e2022-12-22T01:09:02ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2020-02-01612310.3390/jof6010023jof6010023An Overview on Conventional and Non-Conventional Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of Candidiasis and Underlying Resistance Mechanisms in Clinical StrainsSara B. Salazar0Rita S. Simões1Nuno A. Pedro2Maria Joana Pinheiro3Maria Fernanda N. N. Carvalho4Nuno P. Mira5Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, PortugalDepartment of Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, PortugalDepartment of Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, PortugalDepartment of Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, PortugalCentro de Química Estrutural, Complexo I, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, PortugalDepartment of Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, PortugalFungal infections and, in particular, those caused by species of the <i>Candida</i> genus, are growing at an alarming rate and have high associated rates of mortality and morbidity. These infections, generally referred as candidiasis, range from common superficial rushes caused by an overgrowth of the yeasts in mucosal surfaces to life-threatening disseminated mycoses. The success of currently used antifungal drugs to treat candidiasis is being endangered by the continuous emergence of resistant strains, specially among non-albicans <i>Candida</i> species. In this review article, the mechanisms of action of currently used antifungals, with emphasis on the mechanisms of resistance reported in clinical isolates, are reviewed. Novel approaches being taken to successfully inhibit growth of pathogenic <i>Candida</i> species, in particular those based on the exploration of natural or synthetic chemicals or on the activity of live probiotics, are also reviewed. It is expected that these novel approaches, either used alone or in combination with traditional antifungals, may contribute to foster the identification of novel anti-<i>Candida</i> therapies.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/6/1/23candidiasisantifungal drugsresistance to antifungalsnon-conventional therapeuticsphytotherapeutics and probioticsantimicrobialscandida |
| spellingShingle | Sara B. Salazar Rita S. Simões Nuno A. Pedro Maria Joana Pinheiro Maria Fernanda N. N. Carvalho Nuno P. Mira An Overview on Conventional and Non-Conventional Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of Candidiasis and Underlying Resistance Mechanisms in Clinical Strains Journal of Fungi candidiasis antifungal drugs resistance to antifungals non-conventional therapeutics phytotherapeutics and probiotics antimicrobials candida |
| title | An Overview on Conventional and Non-Conventional Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of Candidiasis and Underlying Resistance Mechanisms in Clinical Strains |
| title_full | An Overview on Conventional and Non-Conventional Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of Candidiasis and Underlying Resistance Mechanisms in Clinical Strains |
| title_fullStr | An Overview on Conventional and Non-Conventional Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of Candidiasis and Underlying Resistance Mechanisms in Clinical Strains |
| title_full_unstemmed | An Overview on Conventional and Non-Conventional Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of Candidiasis and Underlying Resistance Mechanisms in Clinical Strains |
| title_short | An Overview on Conventional and Non-Conventional Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of Candidiasis and Underlying Resistance Mechanisms in Clinical Strains |
| title_sort | overview on conventional and non conventional therapeutic approaches for the treatment of candidiasis and underlying resistance mechanisms in clinical strains |
| topic | candidiasis antifungal drugs resistance to antifungals non-conventional therapeutics phytotherapeutics and probiotics antimicrobials candida |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/6/1/23 |
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