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Review
. 2018 Sep-Oct;63(5):361-368.
doi: 10.4103/ijd.IJD_131_17.

Antifungal Resistance in Dermatology

Varadraj Pai  1 , Ajantha Ganavalli  2 , Naveen Narayanshetty Kikkeri  3
Affiliations
Review

Antifungal Resistance in Dermatology

Varadraj Pai et al. Indian J Dermatol. 2018 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

Cutaneous fungal infections affect more than one-fourth of world's population. The pathogenesis and severity of fungal infection depend on various immunological and nonimmunological factors. The rampant use of antifungal therapy in immunocompromised individuals marked the onset of antifungal drug resistance. Fungal resistance can be microbiological or clinical. Microbiological resistance depends on various fungal factors which have established due to genetic alteration in the fungi. Clinical resistance is due to host- or drug-related factors. All these factors may cause fungal resistance individually or in tandem. In addition to standardized susceptibility testing and appropriate drug dosing, one of the ways to avoid resistance is the use of combinational antifungal therapy. Combination therapy also offers advantages in increased synergistic action with enhanced spectrum activity. Newer insights into mechanisms of drug resistance will help in the development of appropriate antifungal therapy.

Keywords: Antifungal resistance; dermatophytes; mechanisms.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The common antifungals and their mechanism of action
Figure 2
Figure 2
The genes involved in ergosterol synthesis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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