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Mortalities due to mycoses have dramatically increased with the emergence of drug‐resistant strains and growing immune‐compromised populations globally. Azole antifungals have been the first choice against fungal infections of a wide spectrum and several azole derivatives with ester function were reported for their potentially promising and favorable activity against Candida spp. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of 1‐(aryl)−2‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl/1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)ethyl esters, and tested them against seven reference Candida strains using EUCAST reference microdilution method. Among the series, 6a, 6d, and 6g proved highly potent in vitro compared to fluconazole; especially against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis with minimum inhibitor concentration (MIC) values as low as 0.125 and 0.06 mg/L, respectively, although their activities against Candida krusei and Candida glabrata remained limited. The compounds also showed minimal toxicity to murine fibroblasts according to the in vitro cytotoxicity tests. Molecular modeling predicted 6g as an orally available druglike compound according to all parameters and CYP51 inhibition as the likely mechanism for their antifungal effects. The study underpins the promise of azoles with ester functionality as a potential scaffold for small‐molecule antifungal drug design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) of azoles in antifungal drug‐susceptible, terbinafine‐resistant, and lowly itraconazole (ITCZ)‐susceptible strains of dermatophytes. To assess the MICs of ITCZ, ravuconazole (RVCZ), efinaconazole (EFCZ), and luliconazole (LUCZ) in the isolates, broth microdilution assays were performed based on the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M38‐A2 guidelines with modifications. After the assays for determining the MICs, the inoculum suspensions in wells were resuspended, then 10 μL of the growth solution in each well was inoculated onto potato dextrose agar with the use of a pipette. After 7 days of incubation at 28°C, the MFCs were determined as the lowest concentration of a drug that allowed the growth of colonies on the potato dextrose agar. The MICs in the dermatophytes were <0.03 to >32 mg/L for ITCZ, <0.03 to 4 mg/L for RVCZ, <0.03 to 2 mg/L for EFCZ, and <0.03 mg/L for LUCZ. The MFCs in the dermatophytes were 1 to >32 mg/L for ITCZ, 0.06 to >32 mg/L for RVCZ, <0.03 to 4 mg/L for EFCZ, and <0.03 to 2 mg/L for LUCZ. If the drug susceptibility test shows that the fungi are resistant to the drug, the treatment can be changed to a susceptible drug in advance, or if the fungi are low‐susceptible, the treatment can be done with the recognition that it may require a longer treatment period than usual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusion Coccidioidomycosis may cause severe disseminated disease and mortality among lung transplant recipients. A strategy of lifelong azole prophylaxis was previously associated with low rates of coccidioidomycosis. Whether lung transplant recipients relocating to the Coccidioides endemic region are also at risk and would benefit from antifungal prophylaxis is unknown.Lung transplant recipients transplanted at an outside center with low Coccidioides endemicity before relocating for post‐transplant follow‐up at a transplant center in Phoenix, Arizona from January 2013 to March 2024 were included. The primary outcome was proven or probable coccidioidomycosis per Mycoses Study Group consensus definitions.Forty lung transplant recipients were included, with 62.5% not receiving antifungal prophylaxis at the time of transfer. The median time from transplant to relocation was 34 months. Of those not on prophylaxis, 96% were initiated on azole therapy at the first clinic visit, with 72% prescribed itraconazole. Coccidioides serologic testing was performed in 30% of the cohort, most often in the context of a broad diagnostic work‐up for suspected infection during hospitalization. After a median follow‐up of 31 months, one case (2.5%) of proven pulmonary coccidioidomycosis was identified, occurring 4.8 years post‐transplant and >2 years post‐transfer in a cystic fibrosis patient who had a pause in fluconazole prophylaxis for >1 month prior to diagnosis due to gastrointestinal intolerance and access issues. The patient was treated and maintained on isavuconazole without complications.Azole antifungal prophylaxis was associated with a low rate of coccidioidomycosis among lung transplant recipients relocating to the highly endemic region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise in antifungal resistance among medically important fungi causing severe infectious diseases has underscored the urgent need for developing more effective antifungal agents. Growing evidence suggests that compounds combining functional antifungal groups with metals are promising candidates and may well be the key to addressing this global challenge. In this work, a range of new azole-containing tertiary amine compounds were prepared from three N-alkylamine azole skeletons appended with a 2,4-dihalogenobenzene function and one of the five different metal-binding motifs pyridine, quinoline, 8-hydroxyquinoline, 2-methoxyphenol, and 4-bromophenol. The copper(II) binding of these azole compounds was studied by spectrophotometric titrations in buffered aqueous medium to determine the metal binding equilibria and to comparatively characterize the copper(II)-binding ability of the compounds. The activity of all compounds against the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida glabrata was also evaluated, allowing us to draw important conclusions about structure–activity relationships that will guide the future design of more effective metal-binding antifungal compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungicide resistance is often conferred through the mutation of genes encoding fungicide targets or proteins that remove fungicides from cells, but mechanisms can vary widely between taxa. Discovering the specific resistance alleles present in pathogen populations is essential for monitoring the evolution and movement of resistant genotypes. In this study, we explored the genomic basis of demethylase inhibitor (DMI) resistance in Leptosphaeria maculans, the main pathogen of the canola crop Brassica napus. Using an international collection of over 200 genome‐sequenced isolates, we assayed in vitro sensitivity to the DMI tebuconazole and conducted a genome‐wide association study on a variant set including single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), small indels and structural variants. The main resistance allele identified was a 237 bp remnant transposable element insertion in the promoter of the erg11/CYP51 DMI target gene in a large proportion of isolates from Europe, an allele known to confer DMI resistance in Australia. Several associated loci were identified, none of which are commonly linked to DMI resistance in other phytopathogens. We also found little to no relationship between DMI tolerance and baseline growth rate, suggesting minimal fitness effects of fungicide resistance in these isolates. This study indicates common DMI resistance alleles in L. maculans are shared across continents and erg11/CYP51 coding mutations, which are near‐ubiquitous in other fungal pathogens, may not underpin DMI resistance in this species. Furthermore, that resistance occurs frequently in numerous canola‐growing regions suggests management is essential for growers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Aspergillus epidemiology and prophylaxis. Azole antifungal agent’s action mechanisms. Azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus and its molecular mechanisms. Azole resistant A. fumigatus prevalence.Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous filamentous fungus commonly found in the environment. It is also an opportunistic human pathogen known to cause a range of respiratory infections, such as invasive aspergillosis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Azole antifungal agents are widely used for the treatment and prophylaxis of Aspergillus infections due to their efficacy and tolerability. However, the emergence of azole resistance in A. fumigatus has become a major concern in recent years due to their association with increased treatment failures and mortality rates. The development of azole resistance in A. fumigatus can occur through both acquired and intrinsic mechanisms. Acquired resistance typically arises from mutations in the target enzyme, lanosterol 14-α-demethylase (Cyp51A), reduces the affinity of azole antifungal agents for the enzyme, rendering them less effective, while intrinsic resistance refers to a natural resistance of certain A. fumigatus isolates to azole antifungals due to inherent genetic characteristics. The current review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of azole antifungal resistance in A. fumigatus, discusses underlying resistance mechanisms, including alterations in the target enzyme, Cyp51A, and the involvement of efflux pumps in drug efflux. Impact of azole fungicide uses in the environment and the spread of resistant strains is also explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Candida vulturna is an emerging pathogen belonging to the Metshnikowiaceae family together with Candida auris and Candida haemulonii species complex. Some strains of this species were reported to be resistant to several antifungal agents. Objectives: This study aims to address identification difficulties, evaluate antiungal susceptibilities and explore the molecular mechanisms of azole resistance of Candida vulturna. Methods: We studied five C. vulturna clinical strains isolated in three Colombian cities. Identification was performed by phenotypical, proteomic and molecular methods. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed following CLSI protocol. Its ERG11 genes were sequenced and a substitution was encountered in azole resistant isolates. To confirm the role of this substitution in the resistance phenotype, Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with a chimeric ERG11 gene were created. Results: Discrepancies in identification methods are highlighted. Sequencing confirmed the identification as C. vulturna. Antifungal susceptibility varied among strains, with four strains exhibiting reduced susceptibility to azoles and amphotericin B. ERG11 sequencing showed a point mutation (producing a P135S substitution) that was associated with the azole‐resistant phenotype. Conclusions: This study contributes to the understanding of C. vulturna's identification challenges, its susceptibility patterns, and sheds light on its molecular mechanisms of azole resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of venetoclax (VEN) with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) improves survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and may cause neutropenia requiring combined antifungal therapy or prophylaxis. The inhibition of cytochrome P450 activity by azole antifungal agents leads to elevated blood concentrations of VEN. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of venetoclax plus azacitidine (AZA) with azoles in newly diagnosed AML patients. The primary endpoints included complete remission (CR), complete remission with incomplete blood cell recovery (CRi), composite CR (CRc, CR + CRi), blood cell recovery time and incidence of infections. The CRc was 50.0% in the azole group and 56% in the nonazole group (p > 0.05). In the azole group, the median recovery times for patients with ANC >500 cells/mm3 and ANC >1,000 cells/mm3 were 19 and 25 days, respectively. For the nonazole group, the corresponding times were 16 and 19 days (p 50,000/mm3 and >100,000/mm3 were 18 and 20 days, respectively. For the nonazole group, the corresponding times were 16 and 19 days (p > 0.05). The incidences of fungal and bacterial infections were not significantly different (30.8% vs 26.1% and 50.0% vs 56.0%) (p > 0.05). The cost-effectiveness ratio of the azole group is lower. There was no significant difference between VEN + AZA with or without azole in terms of efficacy, infection, or partial hematological toxicity. However, the combination of azoles may prolong the neutrophil recovery time. Azole combination could reduce the amount of venetoclax and improve health economics.

Inflammation is a complex physiological response associated with the onset and progression of various disorders, including diabetes. In this study, we synthesized a series of diclofenac acid derivatives and evaluated their potential anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activities. The compounds were specifically assessed for their ability to inhibit 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) and α-glucosidase enzymes. The structures of synthesized derivatives were confirmed through 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C-NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry (electron ionization) analysis. All these synthesized derivatives exhibited varying degrees of inhibitory activity against LOX, when compared with standard drugs, compounds 5a (half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) 14 ± 1 µM), 5b (IC50 61 ± 1 µM) and 7c (IC50 67 ± 1 µM) showed good activity against the LOX enzyme. While the α-glucosidase inhibitory results revealed that most of the compounds exhibited significant activity when compared with the standard drug acarbose (376 ± 1 µM). The most potent compounds as α-glucosidase inhibitors were 7b (3 ± 1 µM), 4b (5 ± 1 µM), 7a (7 ± 1 µM) and 8b (11 ± 1 µM). All these active compounds were found to be least toxic and maintained the mononuclear cells viability at 96–97% compared with that of controls as determined by multi-transaction translator assay. Molecular docking studies further reiterated the significance of these ‘lead’ compounds with great potential against the target enzymes in the process of drug discovery.

Purpose: To elucidate how fluconazole and the methanol extract of Artemisia annua interact to inhibit the growth of fungi. Methods: Five hundred clinical samples of Candida albicans were isolated from patients attending three tertiary health facilities in Enugu State, Nigeria, namely, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku Ozala, Bishop Shanahan Hospital (BSH), Nsukka, and Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Enugu. Out of the five hundred clinical samples collected, eight genetically proven C. albicans isolates were employed for this study. The synergy between Artemisia annua and fluconazole was characterized by checkerboard analyses and fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FIC). Results: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing results show that most isolates were resistant to selected azoles employed in the study. Based on fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index, specific mixtures of the extract and FLU had synergistic effects on isolates of resistant Candida albicans. Conclusion: When combined with fluconazole, the extract of A. annua demonstrated better inhibition than fluconazole alone against resistant C. albicans. This suggests a promising strategy for tackling the challenge of emerging fungal antibiotic resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Inhaled antifungals achieve high lung concentrations with minimal systemic adverse events. Despite being available for over five decades, data supporting their use outside the mold-active prophylaxis setting are lacking. Herein, we review the recent evidence on inhaled antifungals in treating pulmonary aspergillosis (allergic, chronic, and invasive) and mucormycosis. Recent Findings: Several antifungals have recently been evaluated, including repurposed and newer inhaled agents (opelconazole). Inhaled amphotericin B deoxycholate (in pulmonary mucormycosis) and liposomal formulation (in invasive aspergillosis) were safely used in two recent randomized trials. However, both these small trials failed to demonstrate added benefit with adjunctive inhaled amphotericin. In allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, nebulized amphotericin B may prolong the time-to-exacerbation when used in patients experiencing frequent exacerbations. Summary: The last decade has witnessed considerable progress in inhaled antifungals. Ongoing trials will likely offer hope for managing allergic and invasive pulmonary mycoses in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To molecularly characterize and determine the antifungal properties of methanol-leaf extract of Artemisia annua (A. annua) on C. albicans isolates collected from three tertiary hospitals within Enugu State, Nigeria. Methods: Five hundred (500) isolates of Candida albicans were collected from medical microbiology laboratories in Bishop Shanahan Hospital (BSH), University of Nigerian Teaching Hospital (UNTH), and Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH). Anti-fungal sensitivity profiles of different azoles were determined using the disk diffusion technique. Thirty of the collected isolates were evaluated using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which targeted both 18S messenger RNA (rRNA) and Ergosterol II (ERGII) resistance gene sets for C. albicans. Anti-fungal activity of different concentrations (25, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 µg/mL) of the extract of Artemisia annua on resistant isolates was investigated using the agar well diffusion technique. Results: All the isolates were resistant to azole drugs (ketoconazole (30 µg), miconazole (30 µg), clotrimazole (10 µg), itraconazole (30 µg), voriconazole (1 µg), and fluconazole (25 µg)). The PCR revealed that thirteen isolates (43 %) were positive for 18S rRNA gene and nine (30 %) possessed ERGII-resistant gene. Primers specific for C. albicans genotypes generated a PCR product of approximately 665 bp. Primers specific for ERGII resistant gene generated PCR product of approximately 1.4 kb. Extract of A. annua had antifungal activity against resistant C. albicans isolates with minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 76.03 to 40.74 µg/mL. Conclusion: Resistant C. albicans species have been genotypically characterized and the antifungal activity of A. annua has been reported. Methanol extract of A. annua inhibits C. albicans better than azole drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundIsavuconazole is a triazole antifungal drug that has shown good efficacy in human patients. Absorption and pharmacokinetics have not been evaluated in cats.ObjectivesTo determine the pharmacokinetics of isavuconazole in cats given a single IV or PO dose.AnimalsEight healthy, adult research cats.MethodsFour cats received 100 mg capsules of isavuconazole PO. Four cats received 5 mg/kg isavuconazole solution IV. Serum was collected at predetermined intervals for analysis using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Data were analyzed using a 2-compartment uniform weighting pharmacokinetic analysis with lag time for PO administration and a 2 compartment, 1/y2 weighting for IV administration. Predicted 24 and 48-hour dosing intervals of 100 mg isavuconazole administered PO were modeled and in vitro plasma protein binding was assessed.ResultsBoth PO and IV drug administration resulted in high serum concentrations. Intravenous and PO formulations of isavuconazole appear to be able to be used interchangeably. Peak serum isavuconazole concentrations occurred 5 ± 3.8 hours after PO administration with an elimination rate half-life of 66.2 ± 55.3 hours. Intersubject variability was apparent in both the PO and IV groups. Two cats vomited 6 to 8 hours after PO administration. No adverse effects were observed in the IV group. Oral bioavailability was estimated to be approximately 88%. Serum protein binding was calculated to be approximately 99.0% ± 0.03%.Conclusions and clinical importanceIsavuconazole might prove to be useful in cats with fungal disease given its favorable pharmacokinetics. Additional studies on safety, efficacy, and tolerability of long-term isavuconazole use are needed.

Fusarium spp. has emerged as an opportunistic etiological agent with clinical manifestations varying from localized infections to deep-seated systemic disease. It is also a phytopathogen of economic impact. There are few reports on the species diversity of this genus, and no comprehensive studies on the epidemiology nor the antifungal susceptibility of Fusarium in Mexico. The present multicentric study aims to shed light on the species distribution and antifungal susceptibility patterns of 116 strains of Fusarium isolated from clinical and environmental samples. Isolates were identified by standard phenotypic characteristics and by sequencing of the ITS (internal transcribed spacer), TEF1 (translation elongation factor 1-α), RPB2 (RNA polymerase II core subunit), and/or CAM1 (calmodulin) regions. Susceptibility tests were carried out against 15 antifungals of clinical and agricultural use. Regarding Fusarium distribution, we identified 27 species belonging to eight different species complexes. The most frequently isolated species for both clinical and environmental samples were F. falciforme (34%), F. oxysporum sensu stricto (12%), F. keratoplasticum (8%), and F. solani sensu stricto (8%). All Fusarium isolates showed minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) equal to or above the maximum concentration evaluated for fluconazole, 5-fluocytosine, caspofungin, micafungin, and anidulafungin. All isolates had a MIC of ≤16 µg/mL for voriconazole, with a mode of 4 µg/mL. F. verticillioides appeared to be the most susceptible to all antifungals tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report the synthesis of four new palladium complexes containing a benzimidazole core and examine their catalytic activities in the direct arylation of heteroaromatic species with aryl bromides. The complexes were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. In the 13C NMR spectra, NCHN peaks of Pd(II) complexes were observed between 143.2 and 144.9 ppm. Also, the structure of 2b was determined by single-crystal XRD analysis. The obtained data suggest that the lengths of the Pd–N and Pd–Cl bonds are like those of previous Pd complexes. Direct arylation reactions, using KOAc as base and DMAc as solvent under inert conditions, were carried out with the synthesized complexes in the presence of various aryl bromides, and 2-acetylthiophene, 2-furaldehyde, and 1-methylpyrole-2-carboxaldehyde. Moderate to high yields were obtained under 1% mol catalyst loading conditions. The results showed that electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents on the aryl halides may produce coupling products in good yields in the presence of 2a–d. These findings contribute to the synthesis and design of palladium complexes containing benzimidazole cores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Currently available and recommended options for the treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis include the triazoles, echinocandins, and amphotericin B products. These therapies have significant limitations. Only the azoles are available orally, but their use is often limited by toxicities, drug–drug interactions, pharmacokinetic variability, and emerging resistance. While the echinocandins are safe agents and may have a role in combination therapy, they are unproven as monotherapy. Amphotericin B preparations are toxic and require intensive monitoring. Finally, aspergillosis continues to be a disease conferring substantial morbidity and mortality, and clinical trials have not identified a therapeutic approach clearly associated with improved outcomes. As a result, there is a great need for new options in the treatment of invasive aspergillosis. Ideally, such options would be safe, have high oral bioavailability, have favorable pharmacokinetics to sequestered sites and retain activity against azole-resistant isolates. Reassuringly, there is a robust pipeline of novel therapies in development. Rezafungin (a once-weekly dosed echinocandin) and ibrexafungerp (oral agent with same mechanism of action as echinocandins) will likely be reserved for combination therapy or refractory/intolerance scenarios with no other options. Inhaled opelconazole is an attractive option for combination therapy and prophylaxis of pulmonary aspergillosis. Development of an oral form of amphotericin B that avoids nephrotoxicity and electrolyte disturbances is an exciting development. Finally, olorofim and fosmanogepix, two agents with novel mechanisms of action and oral formulations, hold significant potential to challenge the triazole antifungals place as preferred therapies. However, many questions remain regarding these novel agents, and at the time of this writing, none of these agents have been robustly studied in Phase III studies of aspergillosis, and so their promise remains investigational. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS)-based biowaiver monograph is presented for isavuconazonium sulfate. A BCS-based biowaiver is a regulatory option to substitute appropriate in vitro data for in vivo bioequivalence studies. Isavuconazonium sulfate is the prodrug of isavuconazole, a broad-spectrum azole antifungal indicated for invasive fungal infections. While the prodrug can be classified as a BCS Class III drug with high solubility but low permeability, the parent drug can be classified as a BCS Class II drug with low solubility but high permeability. Interestingly, the in vivo behavior of both is additive and leads isavuconazonium sulfate to act like a BCS class I drug substance after oral administration. In this work, experimental solubility and dissolution data were evaluated and compared with available literature data to investigate whether it is feasible to approve immediate release solid oral dosage forms containing isavuconazonium sulfate according to official guidance from the FDA, EMA and/or ICH. The risks associated with waiving a prodrug according to the BCS-based biowaiver guidelines are reviewed and discussed, noting that current regulations are quite restrictive on this point. Further, results show high solubility but instability of isavuconazonium sulfate in aqueous media. Although experiments on the dissolution of the capsule contents confirmed 'very rapid' dissolution of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) isavuconazonium sulfate, its release from the commercial marketed capsule formulation Cresemba is limited by the choice of capsule shell material, providing an additional impediment to approval of generic versions via the BCS-Biowaiver approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is thought that paliperidone, an active metabolite of risperidone, has limited potential for pharmacokinetic drug–drug interactions (DDIs) due to minimal metabolism by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6). However, DDIs have been reported and include a theoretical interaction between paliperidone and voriconazole based on interactions between risperidone and strong CYP3A4 inhibitor azoles. Aim: To describe the first recorded DDI between paliperidone and voriconazole leading to extrapyramidal side effects (EPSEs). Clinical details: A 34‐year‐old male presented with febrile neutropenia presumed due to clozapine. Clozapine was ceased and paliperidone commenced with voriconazole added to the patient's empiric piperacillin/tazobactam therapy due to a suspected fungal infection. Two days after starting voriconazole, the patient developed hypertonia and hyperreflexia in all limbs, thought most likely to be antipsychotic induced EPSEs. Paliperidone was withheld and EPSEs resolved. Outcomes: The patient had previously tolerated long‐term paliperidone at higher doses, prior to transitioning to clozapine. The development of EPSEs occurred two days post azole initiation, indicating a probable paliperidone adverse drug reaction (ADR) due to strong CYP3A4 inhibition by voriconazole. This case appears to be the first documented report of this previous theoretical DDI in practice. Further studies, including therapeutic drug monitoring, are required to confirm findings. Conclusion: Paliperidone may be affected by pharmacokinetic drug–drug interactions and patients should be monitored for ADRs when CYP3A4 inhibitors are concomitantly administered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Azole resistance has been increasingly reported and become an issue for clinical managements of invasive mycoses. New strategy with combination therapy arises as a valuable and promising alternative option. The aim of the present study is to investigate the in vitro combinational effect of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and azoles against pathogenic fungi. Methods: In vitro interactions of PPIs including omeprazole (OME), lansoprazole (LAN), pantoprazole (PAN), and rabeprazole (RAB), and commonly used azoles including itraconazole (ITC), posaconazole (POS), voriconazole (VRC) and fluconazole(FLC), were investigated via broth microdilution chequerboard procedure adapted from the CLSI M27-A3 and M38-A2. A total of 67 clinically isolated strains, namely 27 strains of Aspergillus spp., 16 strains of Candida spp., and 24 strains of dematiaceous fungi, were studied. C. parapsilosis (ATCC 22019) and A. flavus (ATCC 204304) was included to ensure quality control. Results: PPIs individually did not exert any significant antifungal activity. The combination of OME with ITC, POS, or VRC showed synergism against 77.6%, 86.6%, and 4% strains of tested pathogenic fungi, respectively, while synergism of OME/FLC was observed in 50% strains of Candida spp. Synergism between PAN and ITC, POS, or VRC was observed against 47.8%, 77.6% and 1.5% strains of tested fungi, respectively, while synergism of PNA/FLC was observed in 50% strains of Candida spp. Synergism of LAN with ITC, POS, or VRC was observed against 86.6%, 86.6%, and 3% of tested strains, respectively, while synergism of LAN/FLC was observed in 31.3% strains of Candida spp. Synergy of the combination of RAB with ITC, POS, or VRC was observed against 25.4%, 64.2%, and 4.5% of tested strains, respectively, while synergism of RAB/FLC was observed in 12.5% of Candida spp.. Among PPIs, synergism was least observed between RAB and triazoles, while among triazoles, synergism was least observed between VRC and PPIs. Among species, synergy was much more frequently observed in Aspergillus spp. and dematiaceous fungi as compared to Candida spp. Antagonism between PPIs with ITC or VRC was occasionally observed in Aspergillus spp. and dematiaceous fungi. It is notable that PPIs combined with azoles showed synergy against azole resistant A. fumigatus, and resulted in category change of susceptibility of ITC and POS against Candida spp. Discussion: The results suggested that PPIs combined with azoles has the potential to enhance the susceptibilities of azoles against multiple pathogenic fungi and could be a promising strategy to overcome azole resistance issues. However, further investigations are warranted to study the combinational efficacy in more isolates and more species, to investigate the underlying mechanism of interaction and to evaluate the potential for concomitant use of these agents in human. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Superficial infections of the skin, hair, and nails by fungal dermatophytes are the most prevalent of human mycoses, and many infections are refractory to treatment. As current treatment options are limited, recent research has explored drug synergy with azoles for dermatophytoses. Bisphosphonates, which are approved to treat osteoporosis, can synergistically enhance the activity of azoles in diverse yeast pathogens but their activity has not been explored in dermatophytes or other molds. Market bisphosphonates risedronate, alendronate, and zoledronate (ZOL) were evaluated for antifungal efficacy and synergy with three azole antifungals: fluconazole (FLC), itraconazole (ITR), and ketoconazole (KET). ZOL was the most active bisphosphonate tested, displaying moderate activity against nine dermatophyte species (MIC range 64–256 µg/mL), and was synergistic with KET in eight of these species. ZOL was also able to synergistically improve the anti-biofilm activity of KET and combining KET and ZOL prevented the development of antifungal resistance. Rescue assays in Trichophyton rubrum revealed that the inhibitory effects of ZOL alone and in combination with KET were due to the inhibition of squalene synthesis. Fluorescence microscopy using membrane- and ROS-sensitive probes demonstrated that ZOL and KET:ZOL compromised membrane structure and induced oxidative stress. Antifungal activity and synergy between bisphosphonates and azoles were also observed in other clinically relevant molds, including species of Aspergillus and Mucor. These findings indicate that repurposing bisphosphonates as antifungals is a promising strategy for revitalising certain azoles as topical antifungals, and that this combination could be fast-tracked for investigation in clinical trials.IMPORTANCEFungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails, generally grouped together as “tineas” are the most prevalent infectious diseases globally. These infections, caused by fungal species known as dermatophytes, are generally superficial, but can in some cases become aggressive. They are also notoriously difficult to resolve, with few effective treatments and rising levels of drug resistance. Here, we report a potential new treatment that combines azole antifungals with bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates are approved for the treatment of low bone density diseases, and in fungi they inhibit the biosynthesis of the cell membrane, which is also the target of azoles. Combinations were synergistic across the dermatophyte species and prevented the development of resistance. We extended the study to molds that cause invasive disease, finding synergy in some problematic species. We suggest bisphosphonates could be repurposed as synergents for tinea treatment, and that this combination could be fast-tracked for use in clinical therapy.

ABSTRACT Candidiasis places a significant burden on human health and can range from common superficial vulvovaginal and oral infections to invasive diseases with high mortality. The most common Candida species implicated in human disease is Candida albicans, but other species like Candida glabrata are emerging. The use of azole antifungals for treatment is limited by increasing rates of resistance. This study explores repositioning bisphosphonates, which are traditionally used for osteoporosis, as antifungal synergists that can improve and revitalize the use of azoles. Risedronate, alendronate, and zoledronate (ZOL) were tested against isolates from six different species of Candida, and ZOL produced moderate antifungal activity and strong synergy with azoles like fluconazole (FLC), particularly in C. glabrata. FLC:ZOL combinations had increased fungicidal and antibiofilm activity compared to either drug alone, and the combination prevented the development of antifungal resistance. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that the synergy was mediated by the depletion of squalene, resulting in the inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis and a compromised membrane structure. In C. glabrata, synergy compromised the function of membrane-bound multidrug transporters and caused an accumulation of reactive oxygen species, which may account for its acute sensitivity to FLC:ZOL. The efficacy of FLC:ZOL in vivo was confirmed in a Galleria mellonella infection model, where combinations improved the survival of larvae infected with C. albicans and C. glabrata to a greater extent than monotherapy with FLC or ZOL, and at reduced dosages. These findings demonstrate that bisphosphonates and azoles are a promising new combination therapy for the treatment of topical candidiasis.IMPORTANCECandida is a common and often very serious opportunistic fungal pathogen. Invasive candidiasis is a prevalent cause of nosocomial infections with a high mortality rate, and mucocutaneous infections significantly impact the quality of life of millions of patients a year. These infections pose substantial clinical challenges, particularly as the currently available antifungal treatment options are limited in efficacy and often toxic. Azoles are a mainstay of antifungal therapy and work by targeting the biosynthesis of ergosterol. However, there are rising rates of acquired azole resistance in various Candida species, and some species are considered intrinsically resistant to most azoles. Our research demonstrates the promising therapeutic potential of synergistically enhancing azoles with non-toxic, FDA-approved bisphosphonates. Repurposing bisphosphonates as antifungal synergists can bypass much of the drug development pipeline and accelerate the translation of azole–bisphosphonate combination therapy.

The rise in antifungal resistance among medically important fungi causing severe infectious diseases has underscored the urgent need for developing more effective antifungal agents. Growing evidence suggests that compounds combining functional antifungal groups with metals are promising candidates and may well be the key to addressing this global challenge. In this work, a range of new azole-containing tertiary amine compounds were prepared from three N-alkylamine azole skeletons appended with a 2,4-dihalogenobenzene function and one of the five different metal-binding motifs pyridine, quinoline, 8-hydroxyquinoline, 2-methoxyphenol, and 4-bromophenol. The copper(II) binding of these azole compounds was studied by spectrophotometric titrations in buffered aqueous medium to determine the metal binding equilibria and to comparatively characterize the copper(II)-binding ability of the compounds. The activity of all compounds against the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida glabrata was also evaluated, allowing us to draw important conclusions about structure–activity relationships that will guide the future design of more effective metal-binding antifungal compounds.

Introduction: Acanthamoeba encompasses several species of free-living ameba encountered commonly throughout the environment. Unfortunately, these species of ameba can cause opportunistic infections that result in Acanthamoeba keratitis, granulomatous amebic encephalitis, and occasionally systemic infection.Areas covered: This review discusses relevant literature found through PubMed and Google scholar published as of January 2021. The review summarizes current common Acanthamoeba keratitis treatments, drug discovery methodologies available for screening potential anti-Acanthamoeba compounds, and the anti-Acanthamoeba activity of various azole antifungal agents.Expert opinion: While several biguanide and diamidine antimicrobial agents are available to clinicians to effectively treat Acanthamoeba keratitis, no singular treatment can effectively treat every Acanthamoeba keratitis case.Efforts to identify new anti-Acanthamoeba agents include trophozoite cell viability assays, which are amenable to high-throughput screening. Cysticidal assays remain largely manual and would benefit from further automation development. Additionally, the existing literature on the effectiveness of various azole antifungal agents for treating Acanthamoeba keratitis is incomplete or contradictory, suggesting the need for a systematic review of all azoles against different pathogenic Acanthamoeba strains.

Trichphyton indotineae, a species newly designated in 2020 independent of T. interdigitale, comprises highly terbinafine (TRF)-resistant dermatophytosis that is epidemic in North India and spreding to worldwide. Some clinical isolates of T. indotineae have been resistance both TRF and azoles that might be caused the treatment failure. To detect the azole resistance strains, we developed a long amplification PCR (LA-PCR) detection method for the tandem repeat of the CYP51B (encoding sterol 14a-demethylase gene) in T. indotineae. Contrasting the drug susceptibility test results with the LA-PCR results confirmed a trend toward low susceptibility to azole antifungal agents in strains with amplifications of 9.5 kbp or greater (3 or more copies of CYP51B). Our results suggest that the method could be detected rapidly of low-susceptibility strains to azole antifungal agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work relates to the discovery of safer and more potent triazole-pyridazinone hybrid (TP) compounds as an inhibitor of sterol 14a-demethylase (SDM). The chemical structures of thirty-three TPs (TP1 to TP33) were designed. The docking scores (DS) of TPs were determined by molecular docking software utilizing three different proteins of SDM (PDB IDs: 3LD6, 5FSA, and 5TZ1). The ProTox II web server predicted TPs' oral LD50 and toxicity class (TC), whereas the Swiss-ADME database anticipated their pharmacokinetic parameters. Based on the in silico study data, four TPs (TP18, TP22, TP27, and TP33) were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antifungal activity against seven fungi. The DS (kcal/mol) of TP18 (3LD6 = -8.27; 5FSA = -9.07; 5TZ1 = -9.42), TP22 (3LD6 = -8.23; 5FSA = -8.93; 5TZ1 = -9.57), TP27 (3LD6 = -8.31; 5FSA = -9.12; 5TZ1 = -9.38), and TP33 (3LD6 = -8.19; 5FSA = -8.98; 5TZ1 = -9.94) were better than the DS of fluconazole (3LD6 = -8.18; 5FSA = -8.79; 5TZ1 = -9.18) and ketoconazole (3LD6 = -8.16; 5FSA = -8.86; 5TZ1 = -9.06) implying high potency of TP18, TP22, TP27 and TP33 than fluconazole and ketoconazole against SDM. The anticipated LD50 and toxicity class (TC) of TP18 (500 mg/kg; TC 4), TP22 (500 mg/kg; TC 4), TP27 (1000 mg/kg; TC 4), and TP33 (1000 mg/kg; TC 4) was better than ketoconazole (166 mg/kg; TC 3). The Swiss-ADME database results revealed that TP18, TP22, TP27, and TP33 passed Lipinski's drug-likeliness rule and demonstrated high oral absorption and bioavailability comparable to ketoconazole and fluconazole. The synthesized compounds' spectral data (FTIR, ¹H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and Mass) aligned to their designed chemical structure. The antifungal activity data implies that TP18, TP22, TP27, and TP33 were better antifungal agents than fluconazole and ketoconazole against tested fungi. These findings concurred with the DS of TP18, TP22, TP27, and TP33. In conclusion, TP18, TP22, TP27, and TP33 represent a new chemical template for developing safer and better SDM inhibitors as antifungal agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chagas disease (CD), which is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and was discovered more than 100 years ago, remains the leading cause of death from parasitic diseases in the Americas. As a curative treatment is only available for the acute phase of CD, the search for new therapeutic options is urgent. In this study, nitroazole and azole compounds were synthesized and underwent molecular modeling, anti-T. cruzi evaluations and nitroreductase enzymatic assays. The compounds were designed as possible inhibitors of ergosterol biosynthesis and/or as substrates of nitroreductase enzymes. The in vitro evaluation against T. cruzi clearly showed that nitrotriazole compounds are significantly more potent than nitroimidazoles and triazoles. When their carbonyls were reduced to hydroxyl groups, the compounds showed a significant increase in activity. In addition, these substances showed potential for action via nitroreductase activation, as the substances were metabolized at higher rates than benznidazole (BZN), a reference drug against CD. Among the compounds, 1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-(3-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethanol (8) is the most potent and selective of the series, with an IC50 of 0.39 µM and selectivity index of 3077; compared to BZN, 8 is 4-fold more potent and 2-fold more selective. Moreover, this compound was not mutagenic at any of the concentrations evaluated, exhibited a favorable in silico ADMET profile and showed a low potential for hepatotoxicity, as evidenced by the high values of CC50 in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, compared to BZN, derivative 8 showed a higher rate of conversion by nitroreductase and was metabolized three times more quickly when both compounds were tested at a concentration of 50 µM. The results obtained by the enzymatic evaluation and molecular docking studies suggest that, as planned, nitroazole derivatives may utilize the nitroreductase metabolism pathway as their main mechanism of action against Trypanosoma cruzi. In summary, we have successfully identified and characterized new nitrotriazole analogs, demonstrating their potential as promising candidates for the development of Chagas disease drug candidates that function via nitroreductase activation, are considerably selective and show no mutagenic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infections due to the Aspergillus species constitute an important challenge for human health. Invasive aspergillosis represents a life-threatening disease, mostly in patients with immune defects. Drugs used for fungal infections comprise amphotericin B, triazoles, and echinocandins. However, in the last decade, an increased emergence of azole-resistant Aspergillus strains has been reported, principally belonging to Aspergillus fumigatus species. Therefore, both the early diagnosis of aspergillosis and its epidemiological surveillance are very important to establish the correct antifungal therapy and to ensure a successful patient outcome. In this paper, a literature review is performed to analyze the prevalence of Aspergillus antifungal resistance in European countries. Amphotericin B resistance is observed in 2.6% and 10.8% of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates in Denmark and Greece, respectively. A prevalence of 84% of amphotericin B-resistant Aspergillus flavus isolates is reported in France, followed by 49.4%, 35.1%, 21.7%, and 20% in Spain, Portugal, Greece, and amphotericin B resistance of Aspergillus niger isolates is observed in Greece and Belgium with a prevalence of 75% and 12.8%, respectively. The prevalence of triazole resistance of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates, the most studied mold obtained from the included studies, is 0.3% in Austria, 1% in Greece, 1.2% in Switzerland, 2.1% in France, 3.9% in Portugal, 4.9% in Italy, 5.3% in Germany, 6.1% in Denmark, 7.4% in Spain, 8.3% in Belgium, 11% in the Netherlands, and 13.2% in the United Kingdom. The mechanism of resistance is mainly driven by the TR34/L98H mutation. In Europe, no in vivo resistance is reported for echinocandins. Future studies are needed to implement the knowledge on the spread of drug-resistant Aspergillus spp. with the aim of defining optimal treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal keratitis (FK) is an invasive infection of the cornea primarily associated with Aspergillus and Fusarium species. FK is treated empirically with a limited selection of topical antifungals with varying levels of success. Though clinical infections are typically characterized by a dense network of mature mycelium, traditional models used to test antifungal susceptibility of FK isolates exclusively evaluate susceptibility in fungal cultures derived from asexual spores known as conidia. The purpose of this study was to characterize differences in fungal response when topical antifungal treatment is initiated at progressive phases of fungal development. We compared the efficacy of voriconazole and luliconazole against in vitro cultures of A. flavus and F. keratoplasticum at 0, 24, and 48 h of fungal development. A porcine cadaver corneal model was used to compare antifungal efficacy of voriconazole and luliconazole in ex vivo tissue cultures of A. flavus and F. keratoplasticum at 0, 24, and 48 h of fungal development. Our results demonstrate phase-dependent susceptibility of both A. flavus and F. keratoplasticum to both azoles in vitro as well as ex vivo. We conclude that traditional antifungal susceptibility testing with conidial suspensions does not correlate with fungal susceptibility in cultures of a more advanced developmental phase. A revised method of antifungal susceptibility testing that evaluates hyphal susceptibility may better predict fungal response in the clinical setting where treatment is often delayed until days after the initial insult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coordination compounds featuring one or more antifungal azole (AA) ligands constitute an interesting family of candidate molecules, given their medicinal polyvalence and the viability of drug complexation as a strategy to improve and repurpose available medications. This review reports the work performed in the field of coordination derivatives of AAs synthesized for medical purposes by discussing the corresponding publications and emphasizing the most promising compounds discovered so far. The resulting overview highlights the efficiency of AAs and their metallic species, as well as the potential still lying in this research area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrazides are very important precursors for the synthesis of a wide variety of derivatives, including heterocyclic compounds of biological interest in drug design and discovery. Acid hydrazides with a pyrrole, thiophene, furan, quinoline, isoquinoline, isoxazole and benzimidazole core in the structure were found to be used in medicine, pharmacy, agriculture and many other fields. In the search for compounds with antibacterial properties, mono- and dihydrazides were used in this study to prepare 1-(4-substituted phenyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine- 3-carbohydrazide derivatives bearing the corresponding hydrazone and azole substituents. The formation of the target compounds was performed via condensation reactions with the chosen aromatic aldehydes and isatin, which led to the construction of the appropriate hydrazone-type structures as well as with diketones which afforded compounds with pyrazole and pyrrole nuclei. In addition, a preliminary antibacterial evaluation of the synthesised compounds was performed using the gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and the gramnegative Escherichia coli bacterial strains. As it was expected, the evaluation revealed potential antibacterial candidates that can help address the global challenges of antibiotic resistance and infectious disease outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical insecticides targeting the digestive system of diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, have not been developed. The discovery of an insecticide with novel mode of action is a challenge for the control of DBM. In this study, a class of selenium- and difluoromethyl-modified azoles (fluoroazole selenoureas, FASU) were designed and synthesized for the control of DBM. Of these azoles, compound B4 showed the highest insecticidal activity against DBM. The LC50 of third- and second-instar larvae reached 32.3 and 4.6 μg mL–1, respectively. The midgut tissue of larvae was severely disrupted, and the larval intestinal tissue was dotted with unique red spots after treatment with compound B4. Compound B4 led to disintegration of the peritrophic matrix, swelling of the midgut epithelium, fracture of the microvilli, and extensive leakage of cellular debris in the midgut lumen. Surviving larvae grew very slowly, and the larval duration was significantly prolonged after exposure to compound B4 at sublethal doses (LC10, LC25 and LC50). Furthermore, the pupation rate, emergence rate and pupae weight were significantly decreased. Compound B4 also induced abnormal pupae, causing adults to be trapped in the cocoon or failure to fly due to twisted wings. These results demonstrated that FASU could reduce the population of DBM in sublethal doses. FASU is the first synthetic insecticidal lead compound that has been shown to disrupt the midgut tissue of the larvae of DBM, and its mode of action totally differs from that of commercial chemical insecticides.

The high clinical mortality and economic burden posed by invasive fungal infections (IFIs), along with significant agricultural crop loss caused by various fungal species, has resulted in the widespread use of antifungal agents. Selective drug pressure, fungal attributes, and host- and drug-related factors have counteracted the efficacy of the limited systemic antifungal drugs and changed the epidemiological landscape of IFIs. Species belonging to Candida, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, and Pneumocystis are among the fungal pathogens showing notable rates of antifungal resistance. Drug-resistant fungi from the environment are increasingly identified in clinical settings. Furthermore, we have a limited understanding of drug class-specific resistance mechanisms in emerging Candida species. The establishment of antifungal stewardship programs in both clinical and agricultural fields and the inclusion of species identification, antifungal susceptibility testing, and therapeutic drug monitoring practices in the clinic can minimize the emergence of drug-resistant fungi. New antifungal drugs featuring promising therapeutic profiles have great promise to treat drug-resistant fungi in the clinical setting. Mitigating antifungal tolerance, a prelude to the emergence of resistance, also requires the development of effective and fungal-specific adjuvants to be used in combination with systemic antifungals.

Osteopetrosis is a rare inherited disease caused by osteoclast failure, resulting in increasing bone density in humans. Patients with osteopetrosis possess several dental and cranial complications. Since carbonic anhydrase II (CA-II) deficiency is a major cause of osteopetrosis, CA-II activators might be an attractive potential treatment option for osteopetrosis patients. We conducted comprehensive label-free quantitative proteomics analysis on Fluconazole-treated Dental Pulp Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells from CA-II-Deficient Osteopetrosis Patients. We identified 251 distinct differentially expressed proteins between healthy subjects, as well as untreated and azole-treated derived cells from osteopetrosis patients. Twenty-six (26) of these proteins were closely associated with osteogenesis and osteopetrosis disease. Among them are ATP1A2, CPOX, Ap2 alpha, RAP1B and some members of the RAB protein family. Others include AnnexinA1, 5, PYGL, OSTF1 and PGAM4, all interacting with OSTM1 in the catalytic reactions of HCO3 and the Cl- channel via CAII regulation. In addition, the pro-inflammatory/osteoclast regulatory proteins RACK1, MTSE, STING1, S100A13, ECE1 and TRIM10 are involved. We have identified proteins involved in osteogenic and immune metabolic pathways, including ERK 1/2, phosphatase and ATPase, which opens the door for some CA activators to be used as an alternative drug therapy for osteopetrosis patients. These findings propose that fluconazole might be a potential treatment agent for CAII- deficient OP patients. Altogether, our findings provide a basis for further work to elucidate the clinical utility of azole, a CA activator, as a therapeutic for OP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichophyton interdigitale had been regarded as anthropophilic, mainly causing non-inflammatory tinea unguium and tinea pedis. T. mentagrophytes, thought to be zoophilic, were regarded as responsible for more inflammatory dermatophytosis. Indian terbinafine-resistant strains, identified with ribosomal internal transcribed spacer as 'genotype VIII', have recently been termed Trichophyton indotineae based on clinical and mycological features. Some of these have shown selective azole resistance as well. Phenotypic studies have shown some similarities and some differences between Trichophyton indotineae, T. mentagrophytes, and T. interdigitale, which are optimally distinguished with HMG locus analyses as three main genotypic groups containing the type strains of T. indotineae (CBS 146623), T. interdigitale (CBS 428.63), and T.mentagrophytes (IHEM 4268) and having approximate differences in geographic distribution. Trichophyton interdigitale was prevalently isolated from superficial infections on exposed body sites such as the scalp and face, while also feet and nails. Trichophyton mentagrophytes has a similar predilection but are also often found on the trunk and genitals. Trichophyton indotineae is mostly restricted to the trunk and groin. T. indotineae lesions are generally highly inflammatory, strongly associated with tinea cruris, corporis, and faciei and less commonly with fingernail onychomycosis and tinea pedis. They cause papulosquamous, pustular, pseudo-imbricata (tinea faciei), lichenoid, and pityriasis rosea (tinea corporis of the neck) types of lesions and spread rapidly to multiple sites and cause painful lesions with itching or burning. Lipolytic abilities of T. mentagrophytes and T. interdigitale are very similar and are higher than those of T. indotineae, which is associated with a higher prevalence of T. mentagrophytes on the human scalp, which is relatively rich in lipids. Keratin degradation is significantly larger in T. interdigitale due to location (tinea pedis and tinea unguium). Identification of T. indotineae through culture alone may not be sufficient for effective treatment decision-making; genetic analysis for resistance profiles is needed for optimum treatment selection. In India, steroid-induced suppression of local cellular immunity as well as an altered cutaneous microbiome provided a window of opportunity for the unique, multidrug-resistant species Trichophyton indotineae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Indoor microbial exposure may cause negative health effects. Only little is known about the occupational microbial exposure in nursing homes and the factors that influence the exposure. The exposure in nursing homes may be increased due to close contact with elderly persons who may carry infectious or antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms and due to handling of laundry, such as used clothing and bed linen. We investigated the microbial exposure in 5 nursing homes in Denmark, by use of personal bioaerosol samples from different groups of staff members taken during a typical working day, stationary bioaerosol measurements taken during various work tasks, sedimented dust samples, environmental surface swabs, and swabs from staff members' hands. From the samples, we explored bacterial and fungal concentrations and species composition, endotoxin levels, and antimicrobial resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus isolates. Microbial concentrations from personal exposure samples differed among professions, and geometric means (GM) were 2,159 cfu/m3 (84 to 1.5 × 105) for bacteria incubated on nutrient agar, 1,745 cfu/m3 (82 to 2.0 × 104) for bacteria cultivated on a Staphylococcus selective agar, and 16 cfu/m3 air for potential pathogenic fungi incubated at 37 °C (below detection limit to 257). Bacterial exposures were elevated during bed making. On surfaces, the highest bacterial concentrations were found on bed railings. The majority of bacterial species found were related to the human skin microflora, such as different Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium species. Endotoxin levels ranged from 0.02 to 59.0 EU/m3, with a GM of 1.5 EU/m3. Of 40 tested A. fumigatus isolates, we found one multiresistant isolate, which was resistant towards both itraconazole and voriconazole, and one isolate resistant towards amphotericin B. In conclusion, we give an overview of the general microbial exposure in nursing homes and show that microbial exposures are higher for staff with more care and nursing tasks compared with administrative staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to assess patient exposure to isavuconazole (ISZ) from samples received in our laboratory for therapeutic antifungal monitoring. We used liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet (UV) absorbance detection adapted from a multiplex-validated method with photodiode array (PDA) detection to monitor the analytes. The latter device allows the characterization of the azoles UV spectra. The method was validated according to international guidelines for efficient ISZ monitoring. The assay exhibited linearity between 0.25 and 16 mg/l for ISZ. Accuracy and intra- and inter-day precision were within acceptable ranges, and the method was successfully applied to quantify azoles and major metabolites from clinical samples collected from treated patients. We focus on ISZ blood concentrations and compared them to those of voriconazole, posaconazole, and itraconazole for a period of 5 years (2017–2021). Median ISZ concentration was 2.92 mg/l (interquartile range 1.82–5.33 mg/l) with 89% of measurements classified as adequate exposure (> 1 mg/l). Additionally, 71% of samples reach concentration values > 2 mg/l. Different ISZ exposure between adults to children were found. In conclusion, ISZ achieves excellent blood concentrations compared to other azole drugs, they are almost identical to those previously described, they exceed the MICs of most fungi for which its use was recommended and they differ depending on the patient's age. The method we describe for antifungal monitoring is simple, robust, and efficient. It simultaneously analyzes azoles and metabolites, and can be used for tailored interventions, achieve exposures associated with therapeutic success, decrease treatment-related toxicity, and help prevent resistance emergence due to continuous azole sub-optimal concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of novel 1,2‐bissubstituted disulfanes bearing beta‐amino acid, dihydropyrimidine‐2,4‐(1H,3H)‐dione, hydrazide, hydrazone and azole moieties were synthesized. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by determining minimum inhibition (by broth microdilution) and minimum bactericidal (by growth on agar) concentrations. The assessment revealed that MIC values for L. monocytogenes varied between 3.9 and 62.5 μg/mL as well as for S. aureus ranged between 7.8 and 250 μg/mL, with the exception of one compound with much weaker MIC of 500 μg/mL. The MBC values for L. monocytogenes have been found to be of 7.8–250 μg/mL, while S. aureus demonstrated the higher resistance and MBCs varied in the range of 7.8–500 μg/mL. The determined MBC/MIC ratios showed that eleven compounds were classified bactericidal agents for all tested bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing proportion of Candida glabrata in patients with candidiasis, C. glabrata has become one of the most common pathogenic Candida in clinical practice. There are limited types of antifungal drugs, and the consequent problem of drug resistance is severely increasing, which brings difficulties to clinical treatment. The resistance mechanisms of C. glabrata to azoles, echinocandins and polyenes were reviewed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Nowadays, non-albicans Candida are common in human pathogens, and some of these cases were found in milk. Therefore, as well as the lack of accurate estimates of its global prevalence and severity, the present study aims to assess the demographic features of non-albicans Candida (NAC) spp. and determine the species distribution of NAC. It also evaluated the in vitro Azole susceptibility of NAC species and identified the erg11 gene and erg11 expression in fluconazole-resistant isolates of NAC spp., in Iran. Materials and Methods: In the present study, non-albicans Candida, including Candida glabrata, Candia krusei, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida tropicalis, were isolated and identified from 14 farms (raw milk) and human patients using culture methods, Real-Time PCR and sequencing. The resistance and susceptibility of the samples to azole were examined and erg11 expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR. The results were analyzed by REST Software to compare the levels of erg11 gene expression involved in drug resistance of NAC. Results: 74 and 52 NAC strains were isolated in 262 collected milk samples and human samples. Based on ITS sequencing, 0.76% were identified as C. glabrata, 2.29% as C. tropicalis, 4.19% as C. parapsilosis, and 19.8% as C. krusei. The expression of the erg11 gene in the NAC was increased in samples isolated from humans compared to samples isolated from livestock (P>0.05), while no significant difference was found in the case of Candida glabrata isolated from both sources (P<0.05). All NAC isolates were sensitive to flucytosine. Conclusion: non-albicans Candida (NAC) isolates from cows' milk have antifungal resistance genes while they had not taken any antifungal drugs. The resistance gene is transferred from antifungal agents in crop protection medications. Clinical isolates also had increased resistance to antifungal activity. Also, using Azole antibiotics can increase resistance gene level activity. This phenomenon should be considered for treatment program protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteopetrosis is a rare hereditary illness generated by failure in osteoclasts resulting in elevated bone densities. Patients with osteopetrosis possess several complications, like dental caries, earlier teeth loss, delayed eruption, malformed crowns and roots, and lamina dura thickening. Since deficiency of carbonic anhydrase II is a major cause behind osteopetrosis, carbonic anhydrase II activators have a large number of applications in osteopetrosis treatment. There is a lack of a comprehensive review on osteopetrosis, pathogenesis of dental abnormalities, and the role of carbonic anhydrase II activators in osteopetrosis treatment. To address this research gap, the authros perfomed a comprehensive review on osteopetrosis and its types, pathogenesis of dental abnormalities, and the role of carbonic anhydrase II activators in osteopetrosis treatment. A brief introduction to the pathogenesis of dental abnormalities and regeneration is provided in this survey. A discussion of types of osteopetrosis depending on genetic inheritance, such as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and X-linked inheritance osteopetrosis, is presented in this survey. The paper also focuses on the importance of carbonic anhydrase II activators as a potential drug therapy for dental osteopetrosis. In addition, a brief note on the role of azole and fluconazole in treating osteopetrosis is given. Finally, future directions involving gene therapy for dental osteopetrosis are described.

Trichophyton interdigitale had been regarded as anthropophilic, mainly causing non-inflammatory tinea unguium and tinea pedis. T. mentagrophytes, thought to be zoophilic, were regarded as responsible for more inflammatory dermatophytosis. Indian terbinafine-resistant strains, identified with ribosomal internal transcribed spacer as 'genotype VIII', have recently been termed Trichophyton indotineae based on clinical and mycological features. Some of these have shown selective azole resistance as well. Phenotypic studies have shown some similarities and some differences between Trichophyton indotineae, T. mentagrophytes, and T. interdigitale, which are optimally distinguished with HMG locus analyses as three main genotypic groups containing the type strains of T. indotineae (CBS 146623), T. interdigitale (CBS 428.63), and T.mentagrophytes (IHEM 4268) and having approximate differences in geographic distribution. Trichophyton interdigitale was prevalently isolated from superficial infections on exposed body sites such as the scalp and face, while also feet and nails. Trichophyton mentagrophytes has a similar predilection but are also often found on the trunk and genitals. Trichophyton indotineae is mostly restricted to the trunk and groin. T. indotineae lesions are generally highly inflammatory, strongly associated with tinea cruris, corporis, and faciei and less commonly with fingernail onychomycosis and tinea pedis. They cause papulosquamous, pustular, pseudo-imbricata (tinea faciei), lichenoid, and pityriasis rosea (tinea corporis of the neck) types of lesions and spread rapidly to multiple sites and cause painful lesions with itching or burning. Lipolytic abilities of T. mentagrophytes and T. interdigitale are very similar and are higher than those of T. indotineae, which is associated with a higher prevalence of T. mentagrophytes on the human scalp, which is relatively rich in lipids. Keratin degradation is significantly larger in T. interdigitale due to location (tinea pedis and tinea unguium). Identification of T. indotineae through culture alone may not be sufficient for effective treatment decision-making; genetic analysis for resistance profiles is needed for optimum treatment selection. In India, steroid-induced suppression of local cellular immunity as well as an altered cutaneous microbiome provided a window of opportunity for the unique, multidrug-resistant species Trichophyton indotineae.

The rapid emergence of invasive fungal infections correlates with the increasing population of immunocompromised individuals, with many cases leading to death. The progressive increase in the incidence of Aspergillus isolates is even more severe due to the clinical challenges in treating invasive infections in immunocompromised patients with respiratory conditions. Rapid detection and diagnosis are needed to reduce mortality in individuals with invasive aspergillosis-related infections and thus efficient identification impacts clinical success. The phenotypic array method was compared to conventional morphology and molecular identification on thirty-six Aspergillus species isolated from patients with respiratory infections at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital in Kwa-Zulu Natal. In addition, an antimicrobial array was also carried out to screen for possible novel antimicrobial compounds for treatment. Although traditional morphological techniques are useful, genetic identification was the most reliable, assigning 26 to Aspergillus fumigatus species, 8 Aspergillus niger, and 2 Aspergillus flavus including cryptic species of A. niger, A. tubingensis and A. welwitschiae. The phenotypic array technique was only able to identify isolates up to the genus level due to a lack of adequate reference clinical species in the database. However, this technique proved crucial in assessing a wide range of possible antimicrobial options after these isolates exhibited some resistance to azoles. Antifungal profiles of the thirty-six isolates on the routine azole voriconazole showed a resistance of 6%, with 61% having moderate susceptibility. All isolates resistant to the salvage therapy drug, posaconazole pose a serious concern. Significantly, A. niger was the only species resistant (25%) to voriconazole and has recently been reported as the species isolated from patients with COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). Phenotypic microarray showed that 83% of the isolates were susceptible to the 24 new compounds and novel compounds were identified for potentially effective combination treatment of fungal infections. This study also reports the first TR34/98 mutation in Aspergillus clinical isolates which is located in the cyp51A gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]