Identification and Antifungal Therapy of Candidiasis Infection

Dear Colleagues,

Candidiasis, attributable to opportunistic Candida species, has emerged as a significant global public health concern, particularly affecting immunocompromised individuals, critically ill patients in intensive care units, and those with indwelling medical devices. This issue is exacerbated by the alarming rise of non-albicans Candida species, such as C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, and the multidrug-resistant C. auris, along with the increasing incidence of antifungal resistance, which have substantially compromised the efficacy of current therapeutic options. Consequently, the advancement of rapid and precise identification methodologies for Candida pathogens, alongside the development of innovative and effective antifungal therapeutic strategies, has become an urgent priority for the global medical mycology community.

The clinical management of candidiasis is currently hindered by two primary challenges: the delayed or inaccurate identification of causative species and therapeutic failures attributable to drug resistance. Traditional diagnostic methodologies are frequently time-intensive, while emerging non-culture techniques still encounter limitations in clinical application. Concurrently, the development pipeline for new antifungal agents remains constrained, and the mechanisms underlying resistance in various Candida species are not yet fully elucidated. This Special Issue seeks to address these unmet needs by integrating cutting-edge basic research with clinical practice, thereby providing a high-impact platform for disseminating transformative findings in the identification and treatment of candidiasis. By compiling state-of-the-art research, this issue aims to enhance the scientific community’s understanding of this complex infection and guide the development of improved clinical protocols to reduce global mortality and morbidity.

The principal objective of this call for submissions is to attract high-caliber, original research, comprehensive reviews, and insightful case reports that contribute to the advancement of candidiasis diagnosis and treatment. We aim to consolidate contributions from a diverse array of researchers, including medical mycologists, microbiologists, immunologists, infectious disease specialists, pharmacologists, and clinical laboratory scientists, to encompass the entire spectrum of research. By promoting interdisciplinary dialogue, this Special Issue seeks to bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical practice, thereby expediting the translation of scientific discoveries into meaningful enhancements in patient care.

We welcome submissions on a wide range of topics related to the identification and antifungal therapy of candidiasis, including but not limited to, the following:

- Molecular and phenotypic identification of Candida species: Novel techniques for rapid, sensitive, and specific detection; taxonomic and phylogenetic updates on emerging Candida pathogens.

- Antifungal resistance: Molecular mechanisms of intrinsic and acquired resistance; laboratory methods for detecting resistance; surveillance of resistance patterns worldwide.

- Novel antifungal agents and therapeutic strategies: Preclinical and clinical development of new antifungals; combination antifungal therapy; alternative treatments (e.g., antimicrobial peptides, plant-derived compounds, and immunotherapies); pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antifungal drugs.

- Clinical management and guidelines: Optimization of empirical and targeted antifungal therapy; protocols for antifungal prophylaxis; case reports highlighting novel clinical presentations or successful treatment of drug-resistant infections.

Dr. Hui Lu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• candidiasis
• antifungal resistance
• diagnostic techniques
• novel antifungals
• candida species