The epidemiology of fungal infections has changed dramatically over the past two decades. This has arisen with the evolution of new risk groups and the emergence of uncommon fungal species as potential human pathogens. The widespread use of antifungal agents in prophylaxis, empiric therapy, and agriculture has resulted in the emergence of resistance owing to selective pressure. There is a limited number of drugs in the current antifungal armamentarium and their use is restricted because of high costs, toxicity, drug-drug interactions and constraints in administration routes. Besides, many cryptic species of fungi display variable degrees of susceptibility to the currently available antifungal agents, making it difficult to choose the optimal regimen. The new manifestations of disease in the intensive care population, such as influenza-associated aspergillosis, coronavirus disease 2019-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA), and mucormycosis (CAM) are posing serious problems because of extensive drug-drug interactions of antifungal drugs. Despite the constant need for more antifungal drug options, no new classes of drugs have been made available over the past two decades. In recent years, a number of new antifungal classes with novel targets have been identified that offer significant advantages in terms of the spectrum of activity, tolerability, drug-drug interactions, and route of administration. Continuous research and development into these new options can have a significant impact in the field of clinical mycology and thus, improve patient outcomes.
The scope of this collection encompasses research projects utilizing in-vitro dynamic models, animal models of infection and various phenotypic and genotypic studies for assessing the efficacy of new antifungal agents. Clinical trials, mini-reviews, systematic reviews, original research, and brief research reports that contribute to improving clinical practice and patient care will also be considered.
This Research Topic invites researchers to submit articles related to, but not limited to, the following topics:
• Mechanism of action of new antifungal agents;
• Novel cellular drug targets;
• Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of new antifungal drugs in development;
• The spectrum of activity of new antifungal classes;
• The stages of clinical development of new antifungal agents;
• Susceptibility testing of new antifungal agents;
• The safety and efficacy of new antifungals and their combinations against various pathogenic fungi;
• Challenges in the development of new antifungal agents.
The epidemiology of fungal infections has changed dramatically over the past two decades. This has arisen with the evolution of new risk groups and the emergence of uncommon fungal species as potential human pathogens. The widespread use of antifungal agents in prophylaxis, empiric therapy, and agriculture has resulted in the emergence of resistance owing to selective pressure. There is a limited number of drugs in the current antifungal armamentarium and their use is restricted because of high costs, toxicity, drug-drug interactions and constraints in administration routes. Besides, many cryptic species of fungi display variable degrees of susceptibility to the currently available antifungal agents, making it difficult to choose the optimal regimen. The new manifestations of disease in the intensive care population, such as influenza-associated aspergillosis, coronavirus disease 2019-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA), and mucormycosis (CAM) are posing serious problems because of extensive drug-drug interactions of antifungal drugs. Despite the constant need for more antifungal drug options, no new classes of drugs have been made available over the past two decades. In recent years, a number of new antifungal classes with novel targets have been identified that offer significant advantages in terms of the spectrum of activity, tolerability, drug-drug interactions, and route of administration. Continuous research and development into these new options can have a significant impact in the field of clinical mycology and thus, improve patient outcomes.
The scope of this collection encompasses research projects utilizing in-vitro dynamic models, animal models of infection and various phenotypic and genotypic studies for assessing the efficacy of new antifungal agents. Clinical trials, mini-reviews, systematic reviews, original research, and brief research reports that contribute to improving clinical practice and patient care will also be considered.
This Research Topic invites researchers to submit articles related to, but not limited to, the following topics:
• Mechanism of action of new antifungal agents;
• Novel cellular drug targets;
• Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of new antifungal drugs in development;
• The spectrum of activity of new antifungal classes;
• The stages of clinical development of new antifungal agents;
• Susceptibility testing of new antifungal agents;
• The safety and efficacy of new antifungals and their combinations against various pathogenic fungi;
• Challenges in the development of new antifungal agents.