Emerging Virulence, Drug Resistance and Future Anti-fungal Drugs for Candida Pathogens

Title:Emerging Virulence, Drug Resistance and Future Anti-fungal Drugs for Candida Pathogens

Volume: 18 Issue: 9

Author(s): Vartika Srivastava, Rajeev Kumar Singla and Ashok Kumar Dubey*

Affiliation:

• Division of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, New Delhi,India

Keywords: Candidemia, Candida pathogenicity, Virulence factors, Antifungal drugs, Antifungal drug resistance, Anti-mycotic drugs.

Abstract: Increased incidences of Candida infection have augmented morbidity and mortality in human population, particularly among severely immunocompromised patients and those having a long stay in hospitals (nosocomial infections). Many virulence factors and fitness attributes are reported to be associated with the pathogenicity of Candida sp. It can cause infections ranging from easily treatable superficial type to life-threatening invasive infections. Additionally, it has the capability to infect humans of all age groups. Indeed, overutilization of broad-spectrum antibiotics has further complicated the scenario by leading the emergence of less sensitive Candida strains especially non-albicans. Despite our developed armamentarium, the diagnosis and treatment of human fungal infections remain a challenge.

This review focuses on the prevalence of Candida spp. as human pathogens with emerging resistance to existing anti-fungal drugs. Furthermore, factors and mechanisms contributing to the pathogenicity of Candida spp. and the challenges being faced in combating the devastating infections associated with these pathogens have been discussed. Moreover, pros and cons of the current and future anti-mycotic drugs have been analyzed.

Cite this article as:

Srivastava Vartika , Singla Kumar Rajeev and Dubey Kumar Ashok *, Emerging Virulence, Drug Resistance and Future Anti-fungal Drugs for Candida Pathogens, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2018; 18 (9) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568026618666180528121707