Application of antisense oligomers based approaches to control candidiasis

Abstract

[Excerpt] Candidiasis is the primary fungal disease, with a mortality rate of about 40% and costs associated with hospitalized patients that range from €5700 to €85000 per episode. This important clinical, social and economic problem is due to the recognized phenomenon of Candida species multi-antifungal resistance, associated with the indiscriminate use of traditional antifungal agents. In clinical practice, Candida albicans continues to be the most commonly encountered member of the genus Candida with an incidence of approximately 47% in all infections caused by Candida species. However, in recent decades the number of candidiadis due to non-Candida albicans Candida species, particularly Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis, has increased significantly. [...]