Candida infections, causes, targets, and resistance mechanisms: traditional and alternative antifungal agents

Abstract

The genus Candida includes about 200 different species, but only a few species are human opportunistic pathogens and cause infections when the host becomes debilitated or immunocompromised. Candida infections can be superficial or invasive. Superficial infections often affect the skin or mucous membranes and can be treated successfully with topical antifungal drugs. However, invasive fungal infections are often life-threatening, probably due to inefficient diagnostic methods and inappropriate initial antifungal therapies. Here, we briefly review our current knowledge of pathogenic species of the genus Candida and yeast infection causes and then focus on current antifungal drugs and resistance mechanisms. An overview of new therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of Candida infections is also provided.

Figure 1

Primary targets and mode of action of several antifungal agents.

Figure 2

Chemical structures of three agents with actual promise: E1210 (a), albaconazole (b), and isavuconazole (c).