Antifungal susceptibility testing has developed rapidly during the last decade. Through the intensive collaborative work, the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) has published a standardized antifungal susceptibility method M27-A which included interpretive guidelines for 3 antifungal agents. Meaningful large-scale, longitudinal studies of antifungal susceptibility and resistance, based on standardized methodology and interpretive guidelines, have been published and serve as the basis for analysis of resistance trends. Resistant isolates have been further characterized using molecular biological techniques. Candida albicans and related species become resistant to antifungal agents, in particular triazoles, by expression of efflux pomps that reduce drug accumulation, alteration of the structure or concentration of antifungal target enzymes, and alteration of membrane sterol composition. On the other hand, there are several ongoing problems in antifungal susceptibility testing such as trailing phenomenon, ability to detect amphotericin B resistance, and application for other fungal pathogens. In this paper, we review studies which focused on the reliability of antifungal susceptibility testing, epidemiology of resistant isolates, and resistant mechanisms. Furthermore, we provide several recommendations for antifungal susceptibility testing in the clinical laboratory.
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Med Mycol Case Rep
December 2024
Public Health Wales Mycology Reference Laboratory, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park Way, CF14 4XW, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
Refractory invasive fungal disease is a significant clinical problem, with high morbidity, mortality and costs. The complex causes of refractory infection include breakthrough infection due to antifungal resistance (both innate and acquired), suboptimal therapy and impaired immune responses in critically ill or immunocompromised patients. This case series details three reports on the identification and management of refractory fungal infections, two cases of azole resistance and one case of resistant candidiasis, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis, monitoring, implementation of biomarkers (serological markers, PCR), antifungal susceptibility testing and antifungal stewardship to optimise management and minimise risks of emergence of drug resistance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMycoses
January 2025
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
Background: Microsporum canis, a dermatophyte commonly associated with pets, is a leading cause of severe tinea capitis. The increasing prevalence of antifungal resistance among dermatophytes poses a significant global health challenge.
Objectives: This study aims to define the updated antifungal susceptibility profile of M.
Mycoses
January 2025
Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to Be University), Mangalore, India.
A niche in the context of microorganisms defines the specific ecological role or habitat inhabited by microbial species within an ecosystem. For the human commensal Malassezia, the skin surface is considered its primary niche, where it adapts to the skin environment by utilising lipids as its main carbon and energy source. However pathogenic characteristics of Malassezia include the production of allergens, immune modulation and excessive lipid utilisation, which result in several diseases such as pityriasis versicolor, seborrheic dermatitis, Malassezia folliculitis and atopic dermatitis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Photochem Photobiol B
December 2024
Anne Bates Leach Eye Center, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America; Ocular Microbiology Laboratory, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America.
Introduction: Fungal keratitis is a leading cause of corneal blindness, with current antifungal treatments having limited efficacy. One promising treatment modality is Rose Bengal (RB) photodynamic antimicrobial therapy (PDAT) that has shown mixed success against fungal keratitis. Therefore, there is a need to explore the antimicrobial efficacy of other green-light activated photosensitizers that have deep penetration in the cornea to combat the deep fungal infections, such as Erythrosin B (EB) and Eosin Y (EY).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEmerg Microbes Infect
January 2025
Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
species, the leading cause of dermatophytosis globally, are increasingly resistant to antifungal treatments, concerns about effective management strategies. In light of the absence of established resistance criteria for terbinafine and azoles, coupled with a dearth of research on resistance mechanisms in , antifungal susceptibility and drug resistance gene diversity were analyzed across 64 , 65 , and 2 isolates collected in China between 2001 and 2024 and 101 published strains. Analyses of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of terbinafine, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and isavuconazole revealed a concerning increase in with terbinafine resistance, including two novel isolates from China.
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