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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

ungicide effects on human fungal pathogens: Cross-resistance to medical drugs and beyon

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Author(s):
Bastos, Rafael W. [1] ; Rossato, Luana [2] ; Goldman, Gustavo H. [1] ; Santos, Daniel A. [3]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
[2] Fed Univ Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS - Brazil
[3] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Lab Mycol, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Review article
Source: PLOS PATHOGENS; v. 17, n. 12 DEC 2021.
Web of Science Citations: 1
Abstract

Fungal infections are underestimated threats that affect over 1 billion people, and Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp., and Aspergillus spp. are the 3 most fatal fungi. The treatment of these infections is performed with a limited arsenal of antifungal drugs, and the class of the azoles is the most used. Although these drugs present low toxicity for the host, there is an emergence of therapeutic failure due to azole resistance. Drug resistance normally develops in patients undergoing azole long-term therapy, when the fungus in contact with the drug can adapt and survive. Conversely, several reports have been showing that resistant isolates are also recovered from patients with no prior history of azole therapy, suggesting that other routes might be driving antifungal resistance. Intriguingly, antifungal resistance also happens in the environment since resistant strains have been isolated from plant materials, soil, decomposing matter, and compost, where important human fungal pathogens live. As the resistant fungi can be isolated from the environment, in places where agrochemicals are extensively used in agriculture and wood industry, the hypothesis that fungicides could be driving and selecting resistance mechanism in nature, before the contact of the fungus with the host, has gained more attention. The effects of fungicide exposure on fungal resistance have been extensively studied in Aspergillus fumigatus and less investigated in other human fungal pathogens. Here, we discuss not only classic and recent studies showing that environmental azole exposure selects cross-resistance to medical azoles in A. fumigatus, but also how this phenomenon affects Candida and Cryptococcus, other 2 important human fungal pathogens found in the environment. We also examine data showing that fungicide exposure can select relevant changes in the morphophysiology and virulence of those pathogens, suggesting that its effect goes beyond the cross-resistance. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 16/07870-9 - The influence of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) on the expression of genetic determinants important for Aspergillus fumigatus virulence
Grantee:Gustavo Henrique Goldman
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 18/10962-8 - The influence of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) on growth, morphogenesis and virulence of human pathogenic fungi
Grantee:Gustavo Henrique Goldman
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 17/19821-5 - Molecular, phenotypic and immune response characterization of clinical isolates of Aspergillus nidulans
Grantee:Rafael Wesley Bastos
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral