Review on Antifungal Agents

Author(s):  
Sangita P. Shirsat ◽  
Kaveri P. Tambe ◽  
Ganesh G. Dhakad ◽  
Paresh A. Patil ◽  
Ritik. S. Jain

There are so many type of daisies are founded because of ‘Fungal’ such daisies given in follow. also the treatment on this particular daisies with the help of ‘Anti-fungal’ drug or anti- fungal agent and anti-fungal medication as follows The four main classes of antifungal drugs are the polyenes, Azoles, allylamines and echinocandins. Clinically useful “older” agents include topical azole Formulations (for superficial yeast and dermatophyte Infections), first-generation triazoles (fluconazole and Itraconazole, for a range of superficial and invasive fungal Infections), amphotericin B formulations (for a broad range of Invasive fungal infections) and terbinafine (for dermatophyte Infections). Clinically important “newer” agents include members of the Echinocandin class (eg, caspofungin) and second-generation Triazoles (eg, voriconazole and posaconazole). Voriconazole and posaconazole have broad-spectrum activity Against yeasts and moulds, including Aspergillus species. Posaconazole is the only azole drug with activity against Zygomycete fungi. Caspofungin and the other echinocandins are effective in Treating Candida and Aspergillus infections. The azoles are relatively safe, but clinicians should be aware of drug–drug interactions and adverse effects, including Visual disturbances (with voriconazole), elevations in liver Transaminase levels, and skin rashes. Caspofungin has Minimal adverse effects. Combination antifungal therapy may be appropriate in Selected patients with invasive fungal infections, but is Empiric and driven by individual physician practice. Clinical needs for novel antifungal agents have altered

Author(s):  
Donna M. MacCallum

Although invasive fungal infections lead to significant morbidity and mortality, there remain limited numbers of antifungal drugs available to treat these infections. This chapter describes and discusses the therapeutic antifungal agent classes currently available clinically to treat invasive fungal infections. These include the polyenes, azoles, echinocandins, and flucytosine (5-fluorocytosine). For each drug class, those currently used clinically are listed and their modes of action described. The effectiveness of drugs against different fungal species is explored and any drawbacks to the use of each drug are discussed. Drug formulations and indications for the use of each antifungal agent are also detailed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 478-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faizan Abul Qais ◽  
Mohd Sajjad Ahmad Khan ◽  
Iqbal Ahmad ◽  
Abdullah Safar Althubiani

Aims: The aim of this review is to survey the recent progress made in developing the nanoparticles as antifungal agents especially the nano-based formulations being exploited for the management of Candida infections. Discussion: In the last few decades, there has been many-fold increase in fungal infections including candidiasis due to the increased number of immunocompromised patients worldwide. The efficacy of available antifungal drugs is limited due to its associated toxicity and drug resistance in clinical strains. The recent advancements in nanobiotechnology have opened a new hope for the development of novel formulations with enhanced therapeutic efficacy, improved drug delivery and low toxicity. Conclusion: Metal nanoparticles have shown to possess promising in vitro antifungal activities and could be effectively used for enhanced and targeted delivery of conventionally used drugs. The synergistic interaction between nanoparticles and various antifungal agents have also been reported with enhanced antifungal activity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Lazzarini ◽  
Krupanandan Haranahalli ◽  
Robert Rieger ◽  
Hari Krishna Ananthula ◽  
Pankaj B. Desai ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe incidence of invasive fungal infections has risen dramatically in recent decades. Current antifungal drugs are either toxic, likely to interact with other drugs, have a narrow spectrum of activity, or induce fungal resistance. Hence, there is a great need for new antifungals, possibly with novel mechanisms of action. Previously our group reported an acylhydrazone called BHBM that targeted the sphingolipid pathway and showed strong antifungal activity against several fungi. In this study, we screened 19 derivatives of BHBM. Three out of 19 derivatives were highly active againstCryptococcus neoformansin vitroand had low toxicity in mammalian cells. In particular, one of them, called D13, had a high selectivity index and showed better activity in an animal model of cryptococcosis, candidiasis, and pulmonary aspergillosis. D13 also displayed suitable pharmacokinetic properties and was able to pass through the blood-brain barrier. These results suggest that acylhydrazones are promising molecules for the research and development of new antifungal agents.


Author(s):  
Lisa Kirchhoff ◽  
Silke Dittmer ◽  
Ann-Kathrin Weisner ◽  
Jan Buer ◽  
Peter-Michael Rath ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Patients with immunodeficiency or cystic fibrosis frequently suffer from respiratory fungal infections. In particular, biofilm-associated fungi cause refractory infection manifestations, linked to increased resistance to anti-infective agents. One emerging filamentous fungus is Lomentospora prolificans. Here, the biofilm-formation capabilities of L. prolificans isolates were investigated and the susceptibility of biofilms to various antifungal agents was analysed. Methods Biofilm formation of L. prolificans (n = 11) was estimated by crystal violet stain and antibiofilm activity was additionally determined via detection of metabolically active biofilm using an XTT assay. Amphotericin B, micafungin, voriconazole and olorofim were compared with regard to their antibiofilm effects when added prior to adhesion, after adhesion and on mature and preformed fungal biofilms. Imaging via confocal laser scanning microscopy was carried out to demonstrate the effect of drug treatment on the fungal biofilm. Results Antibiofilm activities of the tested antifungal agents were shown to be most effective on adherent cells whilst mature biofilm was the most resistant. The most promising antibiofilm effects were detected with voriconazole and olorofim. Olorofim showed an average minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of 0.06 mg/L, when added prior to and after adhesion. The MBECs of voriconazole were ≤4 mg/L. On mature biofilm the MBECs of olorofim and voriconazole were higher than the previously determined MICs against planktonic cultures. In contrast, amphotericin B and especially micafungin did not exhibit sufficient antibiofilm activity against L. prolificans. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the antibiofilm potential of olorofim against the human pathogenic fungus L. prolificans.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Alves Parente-Rocha ◽  
Alexandre Melo Bailão ◽  
André Correa Amaral ◽  
Carlos Pelleschi Taborda ◽  
Juliano Domiraci Paccez ◽  
...  

Diseases caused by fungi can occur in healthy people, but immunocompromised patients are the major risk group for invasive fungal infections. Cases of fungal resistance and the difficulty of treatment make fungal infections a public health problem. This review explores mechanisms used by fungi to promote fungal resistance, such as the mutation or overexpression of drug targets, efflux and degradation systems, and pleiotropic drug responses. Alternative novel drug targets have been investigated; these include metabolic routes used by fungi during infection, such as trehalose and amino acid metabolism and mitochondrial proteins. An overview of new antifungal agents, including nanostructured antifungals, as well as of repositioning approaches is discussed. Studies focusing on the development of vaccines against antifungal diseases have increased in recent years, as these strategies can be applied in combination with antifungal therapy to prevent posttreatment sequelae. Studies focused on the development of a pan-fungal vaccine and antifungal drugs can improve the treatment of immunocompromised patients and reduce treatment costs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 1305-1311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Perreault ◽  
Dayna McManus ◽  
Anthony Anderson ◽  
Tiffany Lin ◽  
Michael Ruggero ◽  
...  

Background Voriconazole is an azole antifungal utilized for prophylaxis and treatment of invasive fungal infections in hematologic patients. Previous studies have revealed decreased efficacy and increased toxicity with subtherapeutic <1 mcg/mL and supratherapeutic > 4 mcg/mL levels. A voriconazole dose modification guideline was introduced in July 2014 based on a retrospective analysis. Objective The primary objective was to evaluate the voriconazole dose modification guideline. Secondary objectives were to identify patient-specific characteristics that contribute to inadequate levels, adverse effects, and breakthrough invasive fungal infections. Methods This prospective study included 128 patients with 250 admissions who received voriconazole from July 2014 to February 2016. Eligible adult patients receiving voriconazole for prophylaxis or treatment with at least one trough level, drawn appropriately, were included. Demographics, adverse effects, and breakthrough invasive fungal infections were documented. Results Voriconazole use was categorized as: new start, new start with loading dose, or continuation of home therapy. The median initial levels were 1.5, 3.5, and 1.7 mcg/mL with 62% (73/119), 55% (6/11), and 60% (72/120) within the therapeutic range, respectively. Using the voriconazole dose modification guideline, 80% were within goal by the second dose adjustment. Age ≤ 30 and BMI ≤ 25 kg/m2 had higher rates of subtherapeutic levels in the new start cohorts ( p = 0.024 and p = 0.009). Approximately 7.6% of patients experienced an adverse effect with neurologic/psychological being the most common. A total of 8.5% of patients had a possible, probable or proven breakthrough invasive fungal infections while on voriconazole. Conclusion Using the voriconazole dose modification guideline, the number of patients that reached therapeutic range improved from 36% to 80% by the second dose adjustment ( p = 0.007). This voriconazole dose modification guideline can be utilized to help dose and adjust voriconazole in order to achieve therapeutic levels.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Spampinato ◽  
Darío Leonardi

The genusCandidaincludes about 200 different species, but only a few species are human opportunistic pathogens and cause infections when the host becomes debilitated or immunocompromised.Candidainfections can be superficial or invasive. Superficial infections often affect the skin or mucous membranes and can be treated successfully with topical antifungal drugs. However, invasive fungal infections are often life-threatening, probably due to inefficient diagnostic methods and inappropriate initial antifungal therapies. Here, we briefly review our current knowledge of pathogenic species of the genusCandidaand yeast infection causes and then focus on current antifungal drugs and resistance mechanisms. An overview of new therapeutic alternatives for the treatment ofCandidainfections is also provided.


2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Juang

Increases in rates as well as morbidity and mortality associated with fungal infections have necessitated the need for additional antifungal agents. Recent research has resulted in the introduction of 3 new antifungal agents: micafungin, anidulafungin, and posaconazole. Micafungin and anidulafungin, both potent inhibitor of 1,3-β-D-glucan synthase, are the second and third available agents in the echinocandins class that are available in clinical practice. Posaconazale, a potent inhibitor of ergosterol synthesis, is a new agent in the triazole class that has shown promising clinical efficacy in the treatment and prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections due to Candida as well as molds. This article reviews the clinical efficacy as well as the approved uses and dosages associated with the use of these new antifungal agents. Other considerations, such as precautions, administration techniques, potential drug interactions, and common adverse effects associated with the use of these agents, are also reviewed.


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