Amphotericin B from antifungal to antiviral therapy: promising modern therapeutic branch

Abstract

Introduction: Amphotericin B (AmB) which belongs to the polyene group has a wide spectrum in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity against fungi and parasites, but resistance to AmB is rare despite extensive use. Material and methods: Atotal of 2530 articles were investigated in PubMed (n = 1525), Medline (n = 705), and Google Scholar (n = 300). From 2530 articles, only 61 studies were included in this review. All the short and full articles were searched that were scheduled to be published until April 2020. Results: After its discovery, AmB has been one of the most common first-line choices in treating systemic fungal infection for over seven decades from its discovery. Recently, some studies have focused on the potential antimicrobial action of AmB against some enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, herpes simplex virus, and Rubella virus. Discussion: Among the invading pathogens, viruses constitute the most common ones,Due to the continuous spreading of viral infections with the rise in death numbers, new therapeutics development is urgent, as in general, some lethal viruses have no specific antiviral drugs or vaccines. So, this review may serve as an impetus for researchers working in the field of medical microbiology, vaccination, and antiviral drug design by discussing the most recent information about the antiviral action of AmB, as well as trying to provide a deeper understanding of major properties, mechanisms of action, immune system responses, and antimicrobial efficiency of AmB. Conclusion: Since AmB is expected to alter the structure of the viral envelope, membrane integrity of cells, and internal cellular organelles, besides its other unique properties, such as host immunomodulatory effects, this review suggested that AmB as an effective anti-fungi drug may hold the promise of formulating a novel therapeutic option to treat many dangerous viruses, including those for treating which there are no active drugs or vaccines.

The rs568408 variant in the IL-12A gene is associated with risk for COVID-19 in Iraqi patients

“…A considerably greater amount of IL-12 was produced in patients with mild COVID-19 during the beginning of the acute phase due to SARS-CoV-2 infection than in patients with moderate or severe symptoms and healthy controls. Interestingly, multiple investigations found that patients with severe COVID-19 had much fewer peripheral NK cells than healthy people [ 23 , 24 ], or people who have COVID-19 minor cases [ 25 ]. IL-12 induction is necessary to sustain NK cell numbers in the early stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection and this may contribute to the evasion of viral propagation seen in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients [ 26 ].…”

Antimicrobial Resistance Profile Among Major Bacterial Pathogens in Southern Babil, Iraq

“…This resistance can delay and impede treatment, leading to complications or death [10,11]. As well as, the adverse effects associated with these drugs [12,13]. Besides, a patient may need more care, as well as the use of alternative and more expensive antibiotics, which may have more severe side effects or may require more invasive treatments to be given in hospitals, such as intravenous injection [9,14,15].…”

Regulation of renal nitric oxide and eNOS/iNOS expression by tadalafil participates in the mitigation of amphotericin B–induced renal injury: Down-regulation of NF-κB/iNOS/caspase-3 signaling

“…Amphotericin B (AmB) is a broad-spectrum antifungal that remains the major fungicidal drug for treating serious systemic mycotic infections (Obayes, 2020 ). Despite its therapeutic benefits, AmB has several adverse effects on the kidney that limit treatment continuation (Goyal et al, 2020 , Salehzadeh et al, 2020 , Gursoy et al, 2021 ).…”