Role of Echinocandins in Fungal Biofilm-Related Disease: Vascular Catheter-Related Infections, Immunomodulation, and Mucosal Surfaces

Clin Infect Dis. 2015 Dec 1:61 Suppl 6:S622-9. doi: 10.1093/cid/civ746.

Abstract

Biofilm-related infections have become an increasingly important clinical problem. Many of these infections occur in patients with multiple comorbidities or with impaired immunity. Echinocandins (caspofungin, micafungin, and anidulafungin) exert their fungicidal activity by inhibition of the synthesis of the (1→3)-β-d-glucan. They are active among in vitro and in vivo model systems against a number of Candida species and filamentous fungi in their planktonic and biofilm phenotype. Their superior activity against biofilms poses them in an advantageous position among the antifungal armamentarium. However, additional studies are warranted to expand our knowledge on the role of echinocandins against biofilm-related infections.

Keywords: anidulafungin; biofilm; caspofungin; echinocandin; micafungin.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Anidulafungin
  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Candida / drug effects
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy
  • Candidiasis / microbiology
  • Catheter-Related Infections / drug therapy*
  • Catheter-Related Infections / immunology
  • Catheter-Related Infections / microbiology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Echinocandins / chemistry
  • Echinocandins / metabolism
  • Echinocandins / therapeutic use*
  • Fungi / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Immunomodulation
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mucous Membrane / microbiology*
  • Mycoses / drug therapy*
  • Mycoses / immunology
  • Mycoses / microbiology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Echinocandins
  • Anidulafungin