Abstract
The global infection rate of fungal diseases is increasing year by year, and it has gradually become one of the most serious infectious diseases threatening human health. However, the side effects of antifungal drugs and the fungal resistance to these drugs are gradually increasing. Therefore, the development of new broad-spectrum, safe, and economical alternatives to antibacterial drugs are essential. Probiotics are microorganisms that are beneficial for human health. They boost human immunity, resist pathogen colonization, and reduce pathogen infection. Many investigations have shown their inhibitory activity on a wide range of pathogenic fungi. However, their antibacterial mechanism is still a secret. This article reviews the progress of probiotics as a new method for the treatment of fungal diseases.
Highlights
Fungal infections are classified as superficial fungal infections or deep fungal infections according to the location of the disease occurrence
Probiotics can be used as a substitute for antifungal drugs
C. albicans mycelium production was prevented in a medium supplemented with a Lactobacillus rhamnosus suspension (Matsubara et al, 2016). These findings suggest that the probiotic supernatant may contain an active antifungal ingredient that can prevent pathogenic fungus from filamenting, but this substance is not a protein (Guo et al, 2011)
Summary
Fungal infections are classified as superficial fungal infections or deep fungal infections according to the location of the disease occurrence. Superficial fungal infections are common on the skin and nails, such as hand tinea, tinea pedis, and tinea unguium. They are often highly contagious, but not life-threatening. Four types of antifungal drugs are commonly used in clinical practice, including azoles, polyenes, pyrimidines, and echinocandins (Oltu et al, 2020). These antifungal drugs have considerable side effects, with various limitations (Sant et al, 2016; Perlin, 2020). It is essential to develop safe and more effective drug alternatives to treat deep fungal infections
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
