Search results for "FUNGAL"

Voriconazole inhibits biofilm formation in different species of the genus Candida

2012

To determine the ability of voriconazole to inhibit the formation of biofilms.A total of 38 blood isolates of Candida spp. (8 Candida albicans, 10 Candida tropicalis, 10 Candida glabrata, 7 Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto and 3 Candida orthopsilosis) and C. albicans ATCC 90028 and ATCC 64548 were assessed. Biofilm formation was quantified using XTT reduction assays. The inhibition of biofilm formation was determined (i) in the presence of 0.06 and 0.25 mg/L voriconazole, and (ii) on surfaces previously coated with 0.06, 0.25, 1, 4 and 16 mg/L voriconazole.Voriconazole reduced biofilm formation under both conditions, the extent depending on the species, isolate and drug concentration. In …

Candida and Candidiasis: The Cell Wall as a Potential Molecular Target for Antifungal Therapy

2004

The fungal species Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen, which causes serious infections in humans, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Depending on the underlying host defect, C. albicans causes a variety of infections, ranging from superficial mucocutaneous candidiasis to life-threatening disseminated infections. Both the limited spectrum of antifungal drugs currently in clinical use and the emergence of resistances make necessary the development of new effective antifungal drugs with minimal side effects; however, such a research is limited by the small number of specific target sites identified to date. The cell wall is a fungal specific dynamic structure essential to a…

In vitro activity of the new semi-synthetic polypeptide cilofungin (LY121019) against Aspergillus and Candida species.

1990

The in vitro activity of cilofungin (LY121019), a new semi-synthetic antifungal agent was evaluated. Potent activity was seen against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis, with almost identical MIC and MFC results, whereas no activity was seen against any isolates of Candida parapsilosis or three Aspergillus spp. However, MICs were dependent on medium and test conditions chosen. It is concluded that cilofungin has good activity against some medically important yeasts in vitro, and that its in vitro activity depends on the method used.

Antifungal prophylaxis for invasive mycoses in high risk patients.

2006

New broader spectrum antifungal agents with favorable safety profiles have been available for the last 15 years making prophylaxis feasible. The purpose of this article is to review recent studies in patient populations at high risk for invasive fungal infections.Itraconazole, lipid formulations of amphotericin B, posaconazole, caspofungin and micafungin have been utilized for prophylaxis in different immunocompromised host settings. Itraconazole and caspofungin remain an option especially in patients with hematological diseases. Low dose liposomal amphotericin B shows a lower morbidity rate in patients treated for acute myeloid leukemia. Posaconazole demonstrated survival benefits in this …

Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Candidaemia, Invasive Aspergillosis and Antifungal Consumption in a Tertiary Hospital

2021

In addition to the increase in fungal infections that has been observed in the last few decades, it has been reported that severe clinical COVID-19 can increase the risk of invasive fungal infections. The main objective of this study was to evaluate if there had been an increase in candidaemia and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) cases since the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Data were retrospectively collected from April 2019 to March 2021, from patients admitted to Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia (Spain). A total of 152 candidaemia cases (56 of which were due to Candida auris) and 108 possible IPA cases were detected. A great increase in candidaemia cases was…

Antifungal Stewardship in Light of the Updated Evidence on Untargeted Antifungal Treatment in Critically Ill Patients

2016

Choosing a Study Population for the Evaluation of Antifungal Prophylaxis

2005

Serologic Response to Cell Wall Mannoproteins and Proteins of Candida albicans

1998

SUMMARY The cell wall of Candida albicans not only is the structure in which many biological functions essential for the fungal cells reside but also is a significant source of candidal antigens. The major cell wall components that elicit a response from the host immune system are proteins and glycoproteins, the latter being predominantly mannoproteins. Both the carbohydrate and protein moieties are able to trigger immune responses. Although cell-mediated immunity is often considered to be the most important line of defense against candidiasis, cell wall protein and glycoprotein components also elicit a potent humoral response from the host that may include some protective antibodies. Prot…

Antibody response toCandida albicanscell wall antigens

2003

The cell wall of Candida albicans is not only the structure where many essential biological functions reside but is also a significant source of candidal antigens. The major cell wall components that elicit a response from the host immune system are proteins and glycoproteins, the latter being predominantly mannoproteins. Both carbohydrate and protein moieties are able to trigger immune responses. Proteins and glycoproteins exposed at the most external layers of the wall structure are involved in several types of interactions of fungal cells with the exocellular environment. Thus, coating of fungal cells with host antibodies has the potential to profoundly influence the host-parasite intera…

Clinical strains ofCandida albicansexpress the surface antigen glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase in vitro and in infected tissues

1999

We have previously described the presence of an enzymatically active form of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in the cell surface of Candida albicans ATCC 26555 which is also a fibronectin and laminin binding protein. Immunohistochemical analysis of tissue sections from patients with disseminated candidiasis with a polyclonal antiserum to GAPDH from C. albicans (PAb anti-CA-GAPDH) revealed that the enzyme is expressed at the surface of fungal cells in infected tissues. The same PAb detected the presence of GAPDH species, with a molecular mass of approximately 33 kDa, in cell wall extracts obtained from clinical isolates of the fungus. These cell surface-bound GAPDH moieties …