Roger-Luc Chayer (Photo: iStock / Getty Images Plus)
We are all familiar with the problem of antibiotic resistance, particularly those used to treat sexually transmitted infections, against which several bacteria now exhibit significant resistance, complicating the treatment of some of these infections. However, much less is said about another type of resistance that concerns the medical community: the resistance of fungal infections to the medications traditionally used to treat them.
A fungal infection is caused by the abnormal proliferation of microscopic fungi in or on the human body. While often mild, particularly when affecting the skin or nails, some of these infections can become serious, especially in immunocompromised individuals. They can then spread to the lungs, bloodstream, or other vital organs, compromising the prognosis.
These infections are increasingly concerning in the medical field, as some fungi develop resistance to traditional antifungal treatments, limiting therapeutic options.
Some examples of fungal infections
Among the most common fungal infections is candidiasis, caused by the yeast Candida albicans, which can manifest in the mouth as thrush, in the vaginal area, on the skin, or even in the digestive system. It is generally treated with antifungals such as fluconazole, taken orally, or clotrimazole, used as a cream or suppository. Another common infection is athlete’s foot, caused by dermatophyte fungi like Trichophyton rubrum, which affects the feet and is typically treated with antifungal creams containing terbinafine or miconazole.
Fungal infections related to HIV
In people living with HIV, fungal infections are a frequent complication, particularly when the immune system is weakened. One of the most common is oropharyngeal candidiasis, often one of the first clinical signs of immune system weakening, which can spread to the esophagus if left untreated. More serious infections can also arise, such as cryptococcosis, an opportunistic infection that primarily affects the brain and meninges, or pneumocystis pneumonia, a lung infection causing severe respiratory distress. These conditions require powerful and prolonged antifungal treatments, and their occurrence is often linked to low CD4 levels, a key marker of immunity in HIV-positive patients.
Enter Mandimycin, a new class of antifungals
Thanks to the latest medical research, scientists have succeeded in discovering and bringing to market a brand-new medication designed to treat fungal infections resistant to traditional treatments: Mandimycin.
According to Medisquare.be, unlike traditional antifungals, Mandimycin specifically targets the lipid membrane surrounding fungal cells, thereby disrupting their physiological functions. This innovative approach allows it to bypass the resistance mechanisms typically developed by pathogenic fungi.
In laboratory trials, Mandimycin demonstrated remarkable effectiveness against several multidrug-resistant fungal species listed on the World Health Organization’s priority pathogens list, including Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus. In mice, it was also effective against Candida auris, a particularly concerning species due to its resistance to the main antifungal treatments available.
Mandimycin is currently in the preclinical phase, but its promising results could accelerate its development towards clinical trials.
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