New clues to how infectious fungus Candida auris resists antifungals
Scientists have identified new resistance mechanisms used by the fungus Candida auris, paving the way for advances in antifungal treatments. The post New clues to how infectious fungus Candida auris resists antifungals first appeared on EarthSky .
The global health concern of the infectious fungus Candida auris has been further explored by researchers at the University of Exeter and City St George’s, University of London. Their study, published in Nature Communications, sheds light on how this resilient pathogen manages to resist antifungal treatments, specifically echinocandins, which are commonly used to combat serious fungal infections.
The findings reveal that Candida auris can alter its cell wall composition by increasing chitin levels and thickening its inner layer, potentially compensating for the weakening effects of echinocandins on the beta-glucan component of its cell wall. Additionally, the researchers discovered that the fungus possesses extra copies of certain genetic sections, which may enable adaptive changes in response to antifungal drugs, increasing the likelihood of survival and multiplication in resistant cells.
These insights could pave the way for developing new strategies to combat Candida auris and improve treatment outcomes for affected patients.
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