Echinocandins May Not Augment Immune Responses to Candida auris

In a laboratory study, low concentrations of micafungin did not unmask C. auris surface β-glucan.

Candida auris infection is a growing problem because of this pathogen's antifungal resistance and ability to spread via colonized surfaces; moreover, evidence indicates that C. auris can evade host immunity. Echinocandin exposure enhances the immune response to C. albicans by unmasking β-glucan surface expression and increasing neutrophil phagocytosis. Investigators asked whether echinocandin treatment would similarly augment immune function among drug-resistant C. auris isolates. They incubated two C. auris strains with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4 µg/mL to micafungin in concentrations ranging from 0.015 to 0.125 µg/mL micafungin, then measured surface β-glucan expression and neutrophil phagocytosis.

Without micafungin, sur…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Echinocandins May Not Augment Immune Responses to Candida auris

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Reviewing Author