Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a notable characteristic of Candida auris clades observed between them?
What is a notable characteristic of Candida auris clades observed between them?
- They all share the same genetic ancestor.
- They show a high level of genetic diversity with 40,000 to 200,000 SNPs. (correct)
- They have relatedness with less than 600 SNPs intra-clade. (correct)
- They are identical with no variation across the globe.
Which environmental factor is most likely contributing to the rise of Candida auris?
Which environmental factor is most likely contributing to the rise of Candida auris?
- Increased levels of humidity.
- Decreased use of antifungal treatments.
- Global warming enabling tolerance to higher temperatures. (correct)
- Reduction in plastic pollution.
What ecological characteristic aids Candida auris in its environment?
What ecological characteristic aids Candida auris in its environment?
- Ability to thrive in low-salt environments.
- Resistance to high levels of NaCl up to 10%. (correct)
- Dependency on freshwater sources.
- Vulnerability to antibiotic treatments.
What hypothesis explains the rapid global spread of Candida auris clades?
What hypothesis explains the rapid global spread of Candida auris clades?
What is one of the main challenges in studying the reservoir for Candida auris?
What is one of the main challenges in studying the reservoir for Candida auris?
What recent emergence has been noted in relation to fungal pathogens?
What recent emergence has been noted in relation to fungal pathogens?
What is the primary action of azoles in relation to fungal infections?
What is the primary action of azoles in relation to fungal infections?
What is a significant consequence of biofilm formation in fungi?
What is a significant consequence of biofilm formation in fungi?
What groups of compounds do azoles belong to?
What groups of compounds do azoles belong to?
What is the maximal recommended dosage of a certain drug mentioned?
What is the maximal recommended dosage of a certain drug mentioned?
How much can biofilms increase drug resistance in fungi?
How much can biofilms increase drug resistance in fungi?
What is a major contributor to the development of resistance to azoles?
What is a major contributor to the development of resistance to azoles?
What is the role of azoles against yeast infections?
What is the role of azoles against yeast infections?
What percentage of environmental Aspergillus strains in the UK are resistant to medical azoles?
What percentage of environmental Aspergillus strains in the UK are resistant to medical azoles?
Which component of fungi is primarily targeted by echinocandins?
Which component of fungi is primarily targeted by echinocandins?
What is the main therapeutic action of polyenes?
What is the main therapeutic action of polyenes?
What distinguishes echinocandins from other antifungal drugs?
What distinguishes echinocandins from other antifungal drugs?
What is a notable characteristic of Amphotericin B?
What is a notable characteristic of Amphotericin B?
What type of infections do echinocandins primarily treat?
What type of infections do echinocandins primarily treat?
What is the role of ergosterol in fungal cells?
What is the role of ergosterol in fungal cells?
What is the main mechanism of action for Echinocandins?
What is the main mechanism of action for Echinocandins?
What potential issue is associated with the drug Ipflufenoquin?
What potential issue is associated with the drug Ipflufenoquin?
Which antifungal drug class was introduced first?
Which antifungal drug class was introduced first?
What is a significant concern regarding antifungal drugs?
What is a significant concern regarding antifungal drugs?
Which temperature is currently noted as optimal for only 6% of fungi?
Which temperature is currently noted as optimal for only 6% of fungi?
How do Azoles primarily function in combating fungal infections?
How do Azoles primarily function in combating fungal infections?
What has been reported about Candida auris as of 2022?
What has been reported about Candida auris as of 2022?
Why is an increase in immunosuppressed individuals a concern regarding fungal infections?
Why is an increase in immunosuppressed individuals a concern regarding fungal infections?
What type of pathogens are highlighted as a priority concern?
What type of pathogens are highlighted as a priority concern?
What characteristic of the current fungal landscape raises concerns for the future?
What characteristic of the current fungal landscape raises concerns for the future?
Flashcards
Fungal cell wall
Fungal cell wall
A structural component of the fungal cell wall, which is a polysaccharide composed of multiple sugar monomers.
Antifungal targets
Antifungal targets
The main targets for antifungal drugs that interfere with fungal growth and survival.
Echinocandins
Echinocandins
A class of antifungals that work by inhibiting the synthesis of the fungal cell wall. They are the newest family of antifungals approved by the FDA.
Ergosterol
Ergosterol
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Polyenes
Polyenes
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Azoles
Azoles
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What is Candida auris?
What is Candida auris?
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What is peculiar about Candida auris origins?
What is peculiar about Candida auris origins?
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How might global warming be linked to Candida auris?
How might global warming be linked to Candida auris?
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What are some ecological factors that favor Candida auris?
What are some ecological factors that favor Candida auris?
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What is Trichophyton indotineae?
What is Trichophyton indotineae?
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What causes Valley fever?
What causes Valley fever?
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Biofilm
Biofilm
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Fungal Resistance
Fungal Resistance
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Agricultural Azole Use
Agricultural Azole Use
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Fungistatic
Fungistatic
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Fungicidal
Fungicidal
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Biofilms and Resistance
Biofilms and Resistance
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Main antifungal drug families
Main antifungal drug families
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How do Echinocandins work?
How do Echinocandins work?
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How do Polyenes work?
How do Polyenes work?
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How do Azoles work?
How do Azoles work?
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Ipflufenoquin
Ipflufenoquin
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Challenges in fighting fungal infections
Challenges in fighting fungal infections
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Candida auris
Candida auris
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Need for new antifungals
Need for new antifungals
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Priority fungal pathogens
Priority fungal pathogens
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Study Notes
Mycology in a Warming World
- Mycology is the study of fungi
- Approximately 35,000 Canadians suffer from cardiac arrest each year
- CPR can triple the odds of survival
- Survival rates are greater than 50% if defibrillated within the first 5 minutes. Early recognition, calling 911, chest compressions, and using an AED are key elements of the Chain of Survival.
Antifungals
- Antifungals are crucial for treating fungal infections, but developing resistance to them is a growing concern.
- Finding effective antifungal targets is challenging, as fungi, unlike animals, contain ergosterol in their cell membranes
- Three main families of developed antifungals target ergosterol or the fungal cell wall.
Target 1: Fungal Cell Wall
- Fungal cell walls are made of complex polysaccharides, primarily chitin.
- There are limited approved drugs targeting the fungal cell wall.
Target 2: Ergosterol
- Ergosterol is a crucial component of fungal cell membranes, maintaining fluidity and structure.
- Two significant antifungal families, polyenes and azoles, target ergosterol; polyenes bind to ergosterol and disrupt the fungal membrane, while azoles inhibit ergosterol synthesis, preventing membrane formation.
Antifungal Summary
- Three major groups of antifungal drugs are:
- Echinocandins (2001) targeting β-glucans.
- Polyenes (1950s) targeting ergosterol.
- Azoles (1960s) inhibiting ergosterol synthesis.
- Resistance to antifungals is increasing, posing a challenge for treatment.
- Mechanisms of resistance include biofilm formation, loss of mitochondrial function, mutations in cell wall biosynthesis genes, increased drug efflux, stress signaling, inhibited pyrimidine salvage pathways, upregulation/mutations in target genes, and lipid metabolism.
Important Limitations
- Azoles have a significant rate of resistance development, partly due to agricultural use.
- This has direct consequences for medical treatments, with certain fungal strains showing high resistance to multiple azoles.
Unexpected Pathogens
- New and unexpected pathogens are emerging.
- One example is Chondrostereum purpureum, a fungal infection that is causing paratracheal abscesses.
- Another is Megasporoporia setulosa resulting in subcutaneous mycosis.
Valley Fever
- Coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) is a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides immitis and other related Coccidioides species.
- It's a significant concern, particularly in the western United States due to climate changes that lead to higher-than-usual temperatures, and lower than usual humidity.
- A growing epidemic, it typically involves pulmonary infections, but can disseminate to other parts of the body.
Conclusions
- Humans are not fully prepared for fungal pandemics.
- Environmental changes, fungal resistance, and emerging pathogens require increased attention and research efforts by healthcare specialists and researchers.
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Description
Explore the vital aspects of mycology in the context of a warming world and the challenges posed by antifungal resistance. Learn about the structure of fungal cells, including the cell wall and ergosterol, as well as treatment strategies for fungal infections. This quiz will deepen your understanding of fungal biology and therapeutic approaches.
