Candida Biofilm Eye Infection: Main Aspects and Advance in Novel Agents as Potential Source of Treatment

Abstract

Fungi represent a very important cause of microbial eye infections, especially in tropical and developing countries, as they could cause sight-threating disease, such as keratitis and ocular candidiasis, resulting in irreversible vision loss. Candida species are among the most frequent microorganisms associated with fungal infection. Although Candida albicans is still the most frequently detected organism among Candida subspecies, an important increase in non-albicans species has been reported. Mycotic infections often represent an important diagnostic-clinical problem due to the difficulties in performing the diagnosis and a therapeutic problem due to the limited availability of commercial drugs and the difficult penetration of antifungals into ocular tissues. The ability to form biofilms is another feature that makes Candida a dangerous pathogen. In this review, a summary of the state-of-the-art panorama about candida ocular pathology, diagnosis, and treatment has been conducted. Moreover, we also focused on new prospective natural compounds, including nanoparticles, micelles, and nanocarriers, as promising drug delivery systems to better cure ocular fungal and biofilm-related infections. The effect of the drug combination has also been examined from the perspective of increasing efficacy and improving the course of infections caused by Candida which are difficult to fight.

Stephanoascus ciferrii Complex: The Current State of Infections and Drug Resistance in Humans

“…Fungi represent an important cause of microbial ocular infections and, in some geographical areas, in tropical and developing nations, they are significant contributors to vision loss, leading to serious eye infections like keratitis and endophthalmitis [60]. Globally, ocular trauma or surgery are the most important predisposing cause of exogenous ocular mycoses, with the species of Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Candida being the most frequently isolated microorganisms [61,62].…”

Mucoadhesive Hybrid System of Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles and Thermosensitive In Situ Hydrogel for Amphotericin B Delivery: A Potential Option for Fungal Keratitis Treatment

“…However, corneal infections caused by Candida spp. are complicated to treat due to their ability to form a biofilm that leads to antifungal resistance [ 4 ]. Amphotericin B (AmB) is an effective drug in the treatment of FK because it has broad spectrum activity against most fungi, especially Candida spp.…”

Understanding Acanthamoeba Keratitis: An In-Depth Review of a Sight-Threatening Eye Infection

“…Microbial keratitis, also referred to as infectious corneal ulcers, arises from the proliferation of various microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. This proliferation induces the inflammation and degradation of the corneal tissue, thereby endangering visual acuity and presenting a significant challenge in the field of ophthalmology [1][2][3][4][5]. Among these infections, Acanthamoeba keratitis stands out as a parasitic corneal affliction provoked by a free-living amoeba commonly inhabiting water and soil environments.…”