Role of Antifungal Combinations in Difficult to Treat <i>Candida</i> Infections

<i>Candida</i> infections are varied and, depending on the immune status of the patient, a life-threatening form may develop. <i>C. albicans</i> is the most prevalent species isolated, however, a significant shift towards other <i>Candida</i> species has been note...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Roxana G. Vitale
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-09-01
Series:Journal of Fungi
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/7/9/731
Description
Summary:<i>Candida</i> infections are varied and, depending on the immune status of the patient, a life-threatening form may develop. <i>C. albicans</i> is the most prevalent species isolated, however, a significant shift towards other <i>Candida</i> species has been noted. Monotherapy is frequently indicated, but the patient’s evolution is not always favorable. Drug combinations are a suitable option in specific situations. The aim of this review is to address this problem and to discuss the role of drug combinations in difficult to treat <i>Candida</i> infections. A search for eligible studies in PubMed and Google Scholar databases was performed. An analysis of the data was carried out to define in which cases a combination therapy is the most appropriate. Combination therapy may be used for refractory candidiasis, endocarditis, meningitis, eye infections and osteomyelitis, among others. The role of the drug combination would be to increase efficacy, reduce toxicity and improve the prognosis of the patient in infections that are difficult to treat. More clinical studies and reporting of cases in which drug combinations are used are needed in order to have more data that support the use of this therapeutic strategy.
ISSN:2309-608X