Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are associated with high mortality rates, despite appropriate antifungal therapy. Limited therapeutic options, resistance development and the high mortality of invasive fungal infections brought about more concern triggering the search for new compounds capable of interfering with fungal viability and virulence. In this context, peptides gained attention as promising candidates for the antimycotics development. Variety of structural and functional characteristics identified for various natural antifungal peptides makes them excellent starting points for design novel drug candidates. Current review provides a brief overview of natural and synthetic antifungal peptides.
Highlights
The increased prevalence of fungal infections is a consequence of the advances in medicinal technologies and therapies applied in critically ill patients [1]
Due to the lack of an adaptive immunity, insects express a large number of antimicrobial peptides, which play a decisive role in the struggle against fungal pathogens [149]
Emerging fungal resistance to conventional therapies necessitates the development of novel antifungal strategies
Summary
The increased prevalence of fungal infections is a consequence of the advances in medicinal technologies and therapies applied in critically ill patients [1]. Expanding immunocompromised population due to multi-organ failure or critical illness along with other clinical factors (Table 1). Can increase the incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFI) [2,3,4,5,6]. IFI are of great concern due to high morbidity and mortality rates [7]. Over 90% of IFI-related deaths result from infections due to Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., Cryptococcus spp. and Pneumocystis spp. Over 90% of IFI-related deaths result from infections due to Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., Cryptococcus spp. and Pneumocystis spp. [7,8]
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