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Fungi are eukaryotic microorganisms that are closely related to
humans at cellular level. Human fungal pathogens belong to various
classes of fungi, mainly zygo- cetes, ascomycetes, basidiomycetes,
and deuteromycetes. In recent years, fungal infections have
dramatically increased as a result of improved diagnosis, high
frequency of catheterization, instrumentation, etc. However, the
main cause remains the increasing number of immunosuppressed
patients, mostly because of HIV infection and indiscriminate usage
of antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agents, broad-spectrum
antibiotics and prosthetic devices, and grafts in clinical
settings. Presently available means of combating fungal infections
are still weak and clumsy compared to control of bacterial
infection. The present scenario of antifungal therapy is still
based on two classes of antifungal drugs (polyenes and azoles).
These drugs are effective in many cases, but display toxicity and
limited spectrum of ef?cacy. The recent trend towards emergence of
drug-resistant isolates in the clinic is an additional problem. In
recent years, a few new antifungal drugs have entered the clinics,
but they are expected to undergo same fate as the older antifungal
drugs. The application of fungal genomics offers an unparalleled
opportunity to develop novel antifungal drugs. However, it is too
early to expect any novel drugs, as the antifungal drug discovery
program is in the stage of infancy. Interestingly, several novel
antifungal drug targets have been identi?ed and validated.
The currently available means of combating fungal infections are
weak and clumsy. The application of fungal genomics offers an
unparalleled opportunity to develop novel antifungal drugs.
Interestingly, several novel antifungal drug targets have already
been identified and validated. However, it is premature to expect a
novel antifungal agent in clinical setting as drug discovery
programs are still in their infancy. In addition to classical and
genomic approaches to drug discovery, treasure trove based on
natural products and phytomedicine can provide a multitude of
alternative modes of combating fungal infection. This book
incisively addresses essential topics on various aspects pertaining
to fungal diseases in human and animals, their reservoir, fungal
pathogenesis, their management and recent advances in their
treatment. Issues of antifungal drug toxicity, especially
nephrotoxicity, are also discussed. The development of resistance
in fungal pathogens, including multidrug resistance and its
mechanism, is dealt with in two chapters. Diverse diagnostic
approaches to fungal infections are also reviewed. The
combinational drug strategies used in combating invasive fungal
infections are addressed in detail. The management of pulmonary
mycoses in stem cell transplantation is also given special focus.
Novel antifungal drugs (synthetic and herbal), fungal vaccines, and
metabolic pathways as drug targets are discussed in detail in three
different chapters. Subsequently the roles of innate immunity,
cytokine therapy and immunomodulators in the treatment of fungal
infections are elaborated upon. As novel drug delivery systems have
a great potential for modifying the pharmacokinetics of
medications, the last chapter takes this fact into consideration in
its examination of state-of-the-art delivery systems in controlling
fungal infections.
Medicinal plants are re-emerging as an important source of novel
bioactive compounds for human health. On the other hand due to the
presence of structurally diverse bioactive compounds with multiple
therapeutic effects medicinal plant extract/products are now
standardized for use as modern phytomedicine. This book provides
elaborated introduction of the bacterial drug resistance with
special reference to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) and extended spectrum beta lactamases producing strains of
enteric bacteria. This monograph provides extensive research on
more than fifty medicinal plants of Indian origin on antifungal,
antibacterial, antioxidant and antimutagenic activities.
Methodology used for microbial cultivation and various assays for
detecting biological activities of plant extracts along with basic
phytochemistry is explained. The works reported here also focus on
synergistic interaction between plant extract and with antibiotics.
This book is a useful research document for students, researchers,
clinicians and herbal product formulators for developing plant
based novel herbal formulation and discovery of new therapeutic
compounds
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