Candidemia: IIT Roorkee Finds a New Treatment Against Deadly Infection

The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT-R) has developed a new treatment for candidemia. Sap2-parapsilosis vaccination can improve survival during candidiasis.

Vaccination using a fungal strain protein developed helps in protecting against systemic candidiasis (C tropicalis) infection in a mice model, revealed researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT-R).

Systemic //candidiasis refers to a spectrum of infections affecting blood, heart, eyes, brain and bones, among others. Common symptoms of the disease include fever and chills that do not improve with antibiotics.

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A novel blood test developed by UPMC research team was found to perform better than traditional blood cultures at detecting candidemia, a type of fungal yeast infection.

‘New treatment for candidemia uses sap2-parapsilosis vaccination to improve survival during candidiasis. This novel treatment was developed by the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT-R).’

Candidemia can also cause septic shock and therefore may be associated with symptoms such as low blood pressure, fast heart rate and rapid breathing.

According to an estimate, it accounts for 6.51 cases per 1,000 ICU admissions that is equivalent to 90,000 cases in India.

"Due to a progressive shift towards non-albicans Candida species and the emergence of antifungal drug resistance, systemic candidiasis infections caused by Candida tropicalis species are a matter of concern, especially in tropical countries," Soma Rohatgi, chief author and Assistant Professor at IIT Roorkee, said in a statement.

<i>Candida albicans</i> from the Intestinal Mucosa can Affect Lung Health

Candida albicans from the Intestinal Mucosa can Affect Lung Health
Researchers have deciphered a mechanism by which specific intestinal microbiota amplify inflammatory reactions in the lungs. The study is published in the journal Cell.

"As such, developing vaccines and alternative immunotherapies is of paramount importance," Rohatgi added.

The researchers have shown that Sap2-parapsilosis vaccination can improve mice survival during candidiasis by means of humoral and cellular immunity. The study also demonstrated that higher amounts of Sap2-specific antibodies are beneficial during systemic candidiasis.

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"A subunit vaccine candidate can prove effective due to a variety of reasons," said study lead author Manisha Shukla from IIT Roorke.

Their study, published in the American Society for Microbiology journal Infection and Immunity will pave the way for future studies in the development of anti-Candida vaccines.

New Drug Formulation Effectively Treats Candida Infections
With antimicrobial resistance (AMR) increasing around the world, new research led by the University of Bristol has shown a new drug formulation could possibly be used in antifungal treatments against Candida infections.

Source-IANS