Resistance of Candida to azoles and echinocandins worldwide

Abstract

Background

Recently there has been an increase in Candida infections worldwide. A handful of species in the genus Candida are opportunistic pathogens and have been known to cause infections in immunocompromised or otherwise impaired hosts. These infections can be superficial, affecting the skin or mucous membrane, or invasive, which can be life-threatening. Azoles and echinocandins are antifungal drugs used globally to treat Candida infections. However, resistance to these antifungal drugs has increased in many of the Candida species, and the effects this has in the clinical setting can be seen.

Objectives

Here, we discuss the mechanisms that Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis and Candida auris are implementing to increase resistance to azoles and echinocandins, and how they are affecting clinical, or hospital, settings worldwide.

Sources

Different studies and papers describing the mechanisms of antifungal drugs and Candida species evolution to becoming resistant to these drugs were looked at for this review.

Content

We discuss the mechanisms that azoles and echinocandins use against Candida species to treat infections, as well as the evolution of these fungi to become resistant to these drugs, and the effect this has in the clinical settings around the globe.

Implications

Increased resistance to azoles and echinocandins by Candida species is an increasingly serious problem in clinical settings worldwide. Understanding the mechanisms used against antifungal drugs is imperative for patient treatment.