Nanomaterial-Based Antifungal Therapies to Combat Fungal Diseases Aspergillosis, Coccidioidomycosis, Mucormycosis, and Candidiasis

Abstract

Over the last years, invasive infections caused by filamentous fungi have constituted a serious threat to public health worldwide. Aspergillus, Coccidioides, Mucorales (the most common filamentous fungi), and Candida auris (non-filamentous fungus) can cause infections in humans. They are able to cause critical life-threatening illnesses in immunosuppressed individuals, patients with HIV/AIDS, uncontrolled diabetes, hematological diseases, transplantation, and chemotherapy. In this review, we describe the available nanoformulations (both metallic and polymers-based nanoparticles) developed to increase efficacy and reduce the number of adverse effects after the administration of conventional antifungals. To treat aspergillosis and infections caused by Candida, multiple strategies have been used to develop new therapeutic alternatives, such as incorporating coating materials, complexes synthesized by green chemistry, or coupled with polymers. However, the therapeutic options for coccidioidomycosis and mucormycosis are limited; most of them are in the early stages of development. Therefore, more research needs to be performed to develop new therapeutic alternatives that contribute to the progress of this field.

Effective Inhibition of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis by Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized with Artemisia sieberi Leaf Extract

“…In this context, natural antifungal drugs including plant extracts and essential oils are used as anti- Aspergillus drugs against A. fumigatus [ 18 , 19 ]. Engineered, biofabricated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used in many biomedical applications due to their antimicrobial properties [ 20 , 21 ] and AgNPs were effectively used to combat A. fumigatus [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. We recently reported the efficient inhibition of candidiasis by biosynthesized AgNPs using the plant extract of Calotropis gigantea or Lotus lalambenesis [ 25 , 26 ].…”

In Vitro Antifungal Activity of LL-37 Analogue Peptides against Candida spp.

“…Other formulations could be developed in the future using delivery systems, such as nanoparticles, in order to improve the antifungal effect of the antimicrobial peptides herein studied. Peptides immobilized in nanoparticles are a promising option in fungal infections' control since this could potentiate the effect of some conventional antimicrobial or antifungal molecules and present a synergistic or additive effect in the infection control [32,33]. It would be interesting to address, in subsequent studies, the possible synergistic or additive effects that the mentioned peptides may present if together they deliver antifungal drugs currently used in clinics.…”

Value of CT Radiomics Combined with Clinical Features in the Diagnosis of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis

“…Inclusion criteria: (1) bronchial asthma; (2) elevated IgE levels against Aspergillus fumigatus; (3) elevated total IgE levels (>1000 IU/mL); (4) total eosinophil count >500 cells/ μ L in steroid naïve patients (may be historical); (5) the chest radiographic features consistent with ABPA may be transient (i.e., consolidation, nodules, tram-track opacities, toothpaste/finger-in-glove opacities, and fleeting opacities) or permanent (i.e., parallel line and ring shadows, bronchiectasis, and pleuropulmonary fibrosis). If the patient has symptoms and signs of type I and III allergy and infection of bronchus and lungs by Aspergillus, and Aspergillus hyphae are found on the smear of deep bronchial secretion or Aspergillus grows for many times, it can be diagnosed as ABPA [ 15 ]. Exclusion criteria: (1) the patient already has severe pulmonary dysfunction and (2) possible lung malignancies.…”