Special Issue "New Perspectives for Candidiasis 2.0"

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungal Pathogenesis and Disease Control".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2023 | Viewed by 1748

Special Issue Editor

Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo 12245-000, Brazil
Interests: antimicrobial resistance; bacterial infections; Candida spp.; biofilms; drug discovery; photodynamic therapy; drug delivery systems; probiotics and postbiotics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Candidiasis is a common fungal infection that results from an imbalance between the host immune system and virulence mechanisms of Candida species. Several virulence factors of Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida species have been unveiled and widely studied, such as adhesin expression, morphological switching from yeast to filamentous forms, enzyme secretion, and biofilm formation. Despite great advances in medical research, the morbidity and mortality rates associated with Candida infections are still high. Currently, the biggest challenge in treating candidiasis is the emergence of antifungal drug resistance. The isolation of Candida auris strains resistant to all antifungal classes is shifting Candida infections from multidrug to pandrug resistance status. In this Special Issue, we expect to gather several studies with a focus on the pathogenicity of Candida spp. and resistance mechanisms, as well as new horizons for candidiasis treatment involving recently synthesized antifungal compounds; drug repurposing; combination therapies; biomaterials for drug delivery, antibodies, and vaccination; photodynamic therapy; probiotics; and natural antifungal products.

Dr. Juliana Campos Junqueira
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • candidiasis
  • Candida spp.
  • pathogenicity
  • biofilms
  • antifungal resistance
  • antifungal drugs
  • repurposing
  • combination therapies
  • delivery systems

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

Article
Multifaceted Evaluation of Antibiotic Therapy as a Factor Associated with Candidemia in Non-Neutropenic Patients
J. Fungi 2023, 9(2), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9020270 - 18 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1093
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate various aspects of antibiotic therapy as factors associated with candidemia in non-neutropenic patients. A retrospective, matched, case-control study was conducted in two teaching hospitals. Patients with candidemia (cases) were compared to patients without candidemia (controls), matched by age, intensive [...] Read more.
We aimed to evaluate various aspects of antibiotic therapy as factors associated with candidemia in non-neutropenic patients. A retrospective, matched, case-control study was conducted in two teaching hospitals. Patients with candidemia (cases) were compared to patients without candidemia (controls), matched by age, intensive care unit admission, duration of hospitalization, and type of surgery. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with candidemia. A total of 246 patients were included in the study. Of 123 candidemia patients, 36% had catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). Independent factors in the whole population included immunosuppression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.195; p = 0.036), total parenteral nutrition (aOR = 3.642; p < 0.001), and anti-methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) therapy for ≥11 days (aOR = 5.151; p = 0.004). The antibiotic factor in the non-CRBSI population was anti-pseudomonal beta-lactam treatment duration of ≥3 days (aOR = 5.260; p = 0.008). The antibiotic factors in the CRBSI population included anti-MRSA therapy for ≥11 days (aOR = 10.031; p = 0.019). Antimicrobial stewardship that reduces exposure to these antibacterial spectra could help prevent the development of candidemia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Perspectives for Candidiasis 2.0)

Review

Jump to: Research

Review
Anti-Candidal Marine Natural Products: A Review
J. Fungi 2023, 9(8), 800; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9080800 - 28 Jul 2023
Viewed by 413
Abstract
Candida spp. are common opportunistic microorganisms in the human body and can cause mucosal, cutaneous, and systemic infections, mainly in individuals with weakened immune systems. Candida albicans is the most isolated and pathogenic species; however, multi-drug-resistant yeasts like Candida auris have recently been [...] Read more.
Candida spp. are common opportunistic microorganisms in the human body and can cause mucosal, cutaneous, and systemic infections, mainly in individuals with weakened immune systems. Candida albicans is the most isolated and pathogenic species; however, multi-drug-resistant yeasts like Candida auris have recently been found in many different regions of the world. The increasing development of resistance to common antifungals by Candida species limits the therapeutic options. In light of this, the present review attempts to discuss the significance of marine natural products in controlling the proliferation and metabolism of C. albicans and non-albicans species. Natural compounds produced by sponges, algae, sea cucumber, bacteria, fungi, and other marine organisms have been the subject of numerous studies since the 1980s, with the discovery of several products with different chemical frameworks that can inhibit Candida spp., including antifungal drug-resistant strains. Sponges fall under the topmost category when compared to all other organisms investigated. Terpenoids, sterols, and alkaloids from this group exhibit a wide array of inhibitory activity against different Candida species. Especially, hippolide J, a pair of enantiomeric sesterterpenoids isolated from the marine sponge Hippospongia lachne, exhibited strong activity against Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida glabrata. In addition, a comprehensive analysis was performed to unveil the mechanisms of action and synergistic activity of marine products with conventional antifungals. In general, the results of this review show that the majority of chemicals derived from the marine environment are able to control particular functions of microorganisms belonging to the Candida genus, which can provide insights into designing new anti-candidal therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Perspectives for Candidiasis 2.0)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop