Prospective Medicines against the Widespread, Emergent, and Multidrugresistant Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Candida auris: A Breath of Hope

Abstract

The emergence of the pathogen Candida auris is a real concern worldwide, especially due to its multidrug resistance profile, besides the difficulties in establishing the correct identification by conventional laboratory methods and its capacity of causing outbreaks in healthcare settings. The limited arsenal of available antifungal drugs, coupled with the lack of momentum for the development of new reagents, represent a challenge in the management of such a pathogen. In this perspective, we have focused on discussing new, promising treatment options for C. auris infections. These novel drugs include an antifungal agent already approved for medical use in the United States of America, compounds that are already in clinical trials and those with potential for repurposing use against this important fungal pathogen.

Keywords: Antifungal drugs; Candida auris; Candidiasis; Multidrug resistance; Novel compounds; Repurposed drugs.