Invasive Candidiasis

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

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Editor


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Collection Editor
Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Interests: medical microbiology; infectious diseases; invasive candidiasis; septicemia; antimicrobial resistance; biomarkers; flow cytometry; microbiological diagnostic; epidemiology; public health
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Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Invasive Candidiasis (IC) is a major threat in hospitalized patients, especially among intensive care unit patients, and covers both deep-seated and bloodstream infections (candidemia). The mortality rate associated with IC can range from 35 to 75%, and despite the efforts and the introduction of new antifungal agents, it has not decreased in the past two decades. Colonization of the skin, and mucous membranes and the alteration or disruption of natural host barriers, like wounds, surgery, and the insertion of indwelling intravascular catheters, are the main predisposing factors for Candida infections. The difficulty in achieving a diagnosis, due to the nonspecific clinical symptoms and delayed laboratory detection methods, alongside the subsequent delay in the initiation of adequate antifungal therapy, are also a catalyst for this trend. Although C. albicans is the yeast most frequently isolated from IC patients, non-Candida albicans strains such as C. parapsilosis and especially C. glabrata are equally challenging. In recent years, C. auris has emerged as a major pathogen that must be considered of global public health importance.

The risk of death owing to IC inherently puts significant pressure on health care services, leading to increased hospital costs and a shortage of intensive care resources.

This Topic Collection highlights the importance of new diagnostic tools and antifungal drugs in managing invasive candidiasis. Original research or review papers on host–pathogen interactions and antifungal resistance are also welcome.

Dr. Sofia Costa de Oliveira
Collection Editor

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Keywords

  • antifungal drugs
  • antifungal resistance
  • diagnostic tools
  • biofilms
  • candidemia
  • antifungal stewardship

Published Papers (3 papers)

2024

13 pages, 1568 KiB  
Article
Insights into Candida Colonization in Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Prospective Multicenter Study
by Teresa Nascimento, João Inácio, Daniela Guerreiro, Patrícia Patrício, Luís Proença, Cristina Toscano, Priscila Diaz and Helena Barroso
J. Fungi 2024, 10(6), 378; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10060378 (registering DOI) - 25 May 2024
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Abstract
The skin mycobiota plays a significant role in infection risk, pathogen transmission, and personalized medicine approaches in intensive care settings. This prospective multicenter study aimed to enhance our understanding of intensive care units’ (ICUs’) Candida colonization dynamics, identify modifiable risk factors, and assess [...] Read more.
The skin mycobiota plays a significant role in infection risk, pathogen transmission, and personalized medicine approaches in intensive care settings. This prospective multicenter study aimed to enhance our understanding of intensive care units’ (ICUs’) Candida colonization dynamics, identify modifiable risk factors, and assess their impact on survival risk. Specimens were taken from 675, 203, and 110 patients at the admission (D1), 5th (D5), and 8th (D8) days of ICU stay, respectively. The patient’s demographic and clinical data were collected. Candida isolates were identified by conventional culture-based microbiology combined with molecular approaches. Overall, colonization was 184/675 (27.3%), 87/203 (42.8%), and 58/110 (52.7%) on D1, D5, and D8, respectively. Candida colonization dynamics were significantly associated with ICU type (odds ratio (OR) = 2.03, 95% CI 1.22–3.39, p = 0.007), respiratory infection (OR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.17–2.58, p = 0.006), hemodialysis (OR = 2.19, 95% CI 1.17–4.10, p = 0.014), COVID-19 (OR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.14–0.99, p = 0.048), and with a poor 3-month outcome (p = 0.008). Skin Candida spp. colonization can be an early warning tool to generate valuable insights into the epidemiology, risk factors, and survival rates of critically ill patients, and should be considered for epidemiological surveillance. Full article
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11 pages, 537 KiB  
Review
A Mini-Review of In Vitro Data for Candida Species, Including C. auris, Isolated during Clinical Trials of Three New Antifungals: Fosmanogepix, Ibrexafungerp, and Rezafungin
by Ana Espinel-Ingroff and Nathan P. Wiederhold
J. Fungi 2024, 10(5), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10050362 - 20 May 2024
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Abstract
This mini-review summarizes the clinical outcomes and antifungal susceptibility results, where available, for three new antifungals, including fosmanogepix, ibrexafungerp, and rezafungin, against Candida isolates cultured from patients in clinical trials. When reported, most of the data were generated by the Clinical and Laboratory [...] Read more.
This mini-review summarizes the clinical outcomes and antifungal susceptibility results, where available, for three new antifungals, including fosmanogepix, ibrexafungerp, and rezafungin, against Candida isolates cultured from patients in clinical trials. When reported, most of the data were generated by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth microdilution method or by both the CLSI and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) methodologies. For fosmanogepix, we summarize the in vitro data for C. auris isolates from 9 patients and for Candida spp. cultured from 20 patients in two clinical trials. Ibrexafungerp has also been evaluated in several clinical trials. From conference proceedings, a total of 176 Candida isolates were evaluated in the FURI and CARES studies, including 18 C. auris isolates (CARES study). However, MIC data are not available for all clinical isolates. Results from the ReSTORE rezafungin phase 3 clinical study also included in vitro results against Candida spp., but no patients with C. auris infections were included. In conclusion, this mini-review summarizes insights regarding clinical outcomes and the in vitro activity of three new antifungals against Candida spp. cultured from patients in clinical trials. Full article
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22 pages, 1164 KiB  
Systematic Review
Potential Environmental Reservoirs of Candida auris: A Systematic Review
by Isabel Silva, Isabel M. Miranda and Sofia Costa-de-Oliveira
J. Fungi 2024, 10(5), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10050336 - 8 May 2024
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Abstract
Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant yeast, poses significant challenges in healthcare settings worldwide. Understanding its environmental reservoirs is crucial for effective control strategies. This systematic review aimed to review the literature regarding the natural and environmental reservoirs of C. auris. Following the PRISMA [...] Read more.
Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant yeast, poses significant challenges in healthcare settings worldwide. Understanding its environmental reservoirs is crucial for effective control strategies. This systematic review aimed to review the literature regarding the natural and environmental reservoirs of C. auris. Following the PRISMA guidelines, published studies until October 2023 were searched in three databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Information regarding the origin, sampling procedure, methods for laboratory identification, and antifungal susceptibility was collected and analyzed. Thirty-three studies published between 2016 and 2023 in 15 countries were included and analyzed. C. auris was detected in various environments, including wastewater treatment plants, hospital patient care surfaces, and natural environments such as salt marshes, sand, seawater, estuaries, apples, and dogs. Detection methods varied, with molecular techniques often used alongside culture. Susceptibility profiles revealed resistance patterns. Phylogenetic studies highlight the potential of environmental strains to influence clinical infections. Despite methodological heterogeneity, this review provides valuable information for future research and highlights the need for standardized sampling and detection protocols to mitigate C. auris transmission. Full article
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