Chapter 21 - Role of probiotics in the management of fungal infections

Abstract

Fungal pathogens are affecting the world at an alarming rate, and it keeps rising due to growing numbers of immunocompromised individuals. In contrast, the drugs used in management of fungal infections are so limited and that too some with high toxicity. Moreover, fungal pathogens are developing resistance. Thus there is a dire need for the development of possible solutions to tackle these problems. Probiotics are part of the new movements in medicine world, and their efficacious use as alternative treatments would be a real advantage in human encounter with microorganisms. Clinical studies have reported that probiotics exert health-promoting effects beyond gut well-being, such as antihypertensive effects, lowering blood cholesterol levels, reducing allergic reactions, treating urogenital effects, reducing the risk of cancers, preventing dental caries, and immunomodulatory effects. In addition, probiotics exert antifungal along with dermal effects, such as improving atopic eczema and atopic dermatitis along with improving skin’s innate immunity. So, the role of probiotics in management of fungal infections is crucial. In fact, the antimicrobial activity of probiotics has been examined with promising results against microbial pathogens. Thus this chapter comprehensively provides possible role of probiotics in the management of fungal infections and their future prospects as antifungal agents.