Infectious Diseases Updates - 2023 Vol 12 no 3

Introduction

Echinocandins in the treatment of invasive candidiasis (including Candida auris)

Echinocandins are increasingly used for the treatment of invasive candidiasis (IC). This brief review will explain why and will discuss the epidemiology of invasive candidiasis, the mechanism of action, mechanisms of resistance, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of echinocandins as well as new treatment approaches.

The gut microbiome in health and disease

Hippocrates stated that “All disease begins in the gut” and the advent of next-generation sequencing technology has highlighted his foresight. The human gut houses trillions of microorganisms and the interaction of these with the host and the immune system have sparked exponential interest in recent times.

Obesity and ARVs – what’s going on?

Obesity, initially a health epidemic afflicting high income countries, has now evolved to cause significant concern in low- to middle-income countries, particularly in urban areas. Not only does this impact on both the length and quality of life of the individual but confers significant economic impacts in the form of lost or reduced productivity and premature deaths.

Busting myths with antibiotics – IV versus oral

There is a long held belief among clinicians that the intravenous (IV) administration of antibiotics is superior to oral administration. This is especially true for the treatment of serious infections, such as meningitis, bloodstream infections, infective endocarditis and bone and joint infections.