Resistance to Antifungal Drugs

Ronen Ben-Ami; Dimitrios P Kontoyiannis

doi:10.1016/j.idc.2021.03.003

Resistance to Antifungal Drugs

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2021 Jun;35(2):279-311. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2021.03.003.

Authors

Ronen Ben-Ami¹, Dimitrios P Kontoyiannis²

Affiliations

¹ Infectious Diseases Department, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizmann, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel.
² Infectious Diseases, University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: dkontoyi@mdanderson.org.

PMID: 34016279
DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2021.03.003

Abstract

Pathogenic fungi have several mechanisms of resistance to antifungal drugs, driven by the genetic plasticity and versatility of their homeostatic responses to stressful environmental cues. We critically review the molecular mechanisms of resistance and cellular adaptations of pathogenic fungi in response to antifungals and discuss the factors contributing to such resistance. We offer suggestions for the translational and clinical research agenda of this rapidly evolving and medically important field. A better understanding of antifungal resistance should assist in developing better detection tools and inform optimal strategies for preventing and treating refractory mycoses in the future.

Keywords: Animal models; Aspergillus; Candida; Cryptococcus; Fungal; Mechanisms; Resistance.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
Drug Resistance, Microbial*
Fungi / drug effects*
Humans
Mycoses / drug therapy*

Substances

Antifungal Agents