Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40360957›Full record

ArticleMycopathologia2025

Synergistic Antifungal Activity of Pentamidine and Auranofin Against Multidrug-Resistant Candida auris.

Yasmim Isabel Retore, Fabíola Lucini, Simone Simionatto, Luana Rossato

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Mycopathologia, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Drug Discovery and Repurposing forJournal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
    Review
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Yasmim Isabel RetoreHealth Sciences Research Laboratory, Universidade Federal of Grande Dourados, Rodovia Dourados - Itahum km 12, Cidade Universitária, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP: 79804970, Brazil.
Fabíola LuciniHealth Sciences Research Laboratory, Universidade Federal of Grande Dourados, Rodovia Dourados - Itahum km 12, Cidade Universitária, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP: 79804970, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6658-4043
Simone SimionattoHealth Sciences Research Laboratory, Universidade Federal of Grande Dourados, Rodovia Dourados - Itahum km 12, Cidade Universitária, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP: 79804970, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2367-0915
Luana RossatoHealth Sciences Research Laboratory, Universidade Federal of Grande Dourados, Rodovia Dourados - Itahum km 12, Cidade Universitária, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP: 79804970, Brazil. luanarossato@ufgd.edu.br.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6115-3313

Funding

CNPq 408778/2022-9CNPq 420743/2023-5CNPq 444735/2023-2FUNDECT 115/2023FUNDECT 71/031.898/2022FUNDECT 83/2024.181/2023
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCandida auris is a significant clinical concern due to its ability to cause outbreaks in healthcare settings and its common resistance to current treatments. This highlights the need for alternative therapies. Drug repurposing offers a promising approach, and the combination of pentamidine (antiprotozoal) and auranofin (anti-rheumatic) has shown potential antifungal activity against Candida species, including C. auris. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of pentamidine and auranofin, both individually and in combination, against C. auris.

methodsMinimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) were determined following CLSI guidelines, and drug interactions were assessed using the checkerboard microdilution method. Additional evaluations included growth inhibition, antibiofilm activity, cell damage, sorbitol protection, and efflux pump inhibition. Nucleotide leakage and cell membrane permeability were analyzed using biochemical assays. In vivo efficacy was tested using a Tenebrio molitor larvae model infected with C. auris.

resultsThe MICs of pentamidine against C. auris ranged from 16 to 128 μg/mL, showing fungicidal activity. The combination with auranofin had a synergistic effect (FICI: 0.37) and exhibited a fungistatic effect in growth inhibition assays. Auranofin was most effective at inhibiting biofilm formation. Pentamidine impaired mitochondrial function, leading to cellular respiration issues and membrane damage. Efflux pump assays indicated activation by both drugs, potentially influencing resistance. In vivo tests showed both drugs significantly improved survival rates in infected larvae compared to fluconazole.

conclusionIn conclusion, pentamidine and auranofin, either individually or in combination, are promising treatments for C. auris and warrant further research into optimal dosing and combination strategies.

Indexed as

Antifungal AgentsAuranofinCandida aurisDrug Resistance, Multiple, FungalDrug SynergismPentamidineAnimalsBiofilmsCandidiasisDisease Models, AnimalLarvaMicrobial Sensitivity TestsAntifungal AgentsAuranofinPentamidineAntifungalsCandida aurisDrug repurposingFungal infections

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.