Division of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India.
Curr Top Med Chem. 2018;18(9):759-778. doi: 10.2174/1568026618666180528121707.
Increased incidences of Candida infection have augmented morbidity and mortality in human population, particularly among severely immunocompromised patients and those having a long stay in hospitals (nosocomial infections). Many virulence factors and fitness attributes are reported to be associated with the pathogenicity of Candida sp. It can cause infections ranging from easily treatable superficial type to life-threatening invasive infections. Additionally, it has the capability to infect humans of all age groups. Indeed, overutilization of broad-spectrum antibiotics has further complicated the scenario by leading the emergence of less sensitive Candida strains especially non-albicans. Despite our developed armamentarium, the diagnosis and treatment of human fungal infections remain a challenge. This review focuses on the prevalence of Candida spp. as human pathogens with emerging resistance to existing anti-fungal drugs. Furthermore, factors and mechanisms contributing to the pathogenicity of Candida spp. and the challenges being faced in combating the devastating infections associated with these pathogens have been discussed. Moreover, pros and cons of the current and future anti-mycotic drugs have been analyzed.
念珠菌感染的发病率增加，增加了人类的发病率和死亡率，特别是在严重免疫功能低下的患者和长期住院的患者（医院获得性感染）中。许多毒力因子和适应性特征被认为与念珠菌属的致病性有关。它可以引起从易治疗的浅表型到危及生命的侵袭性感染的各种感染。此外，它有能力感染所有年龄段的人群。事实上，广谱抗生素的过度使用通过导致对现有抗真菌药物敏感性降低的念珠菌菌株（特别是非白念珠菌）的出现，进一步使情况复杂化。尽管我们拥有先进的武器装备，但人类真菌感染的诊断和治疗仍然是一个挑战。这篇综述重点介绍了念珠菌属作为人类病原体的流行情况，以及它们对现有抗真菌药物的耐药性。此外，还讨论了导致念珠菌属致病性的因素和机制，以及在对抗与这些病原体相关的破坏性感染时所面临的挑战。此外，还分析了当前和未来抗真菌药物的优缺点。
