Streptomyces – The Industrious Antibiotic Producer

Like other actinomycetes, the Streptomyces group of microbes straddles the somewhat artificial boundary between bacteria and fungi. Growth on culture plates looks ‘fungal’ and the organism produces spores and germtubes that look like mycelia.  Nonetheless these soil organisms are bacteria and of great interest to microbiologists as the producers of many antibiotics Continue reading Streptomyces – The Industrious Antibiotic Producer

Cresemba / Isavuconazole:  Not Just Another Azole

It is amazing how modifications to the azole structure have produced ever more potent, ever more useful antifungals.  Ketoconazole had limited usability because of its many side effects related to off-target sterol synthesis inhibition, solubility (or lack thereof) and erratic absorption.  Solublity was also an issue for itraconazole and posaconazole.  Continue reading Cresemba / Isavuconazole:  Not Just Another Azole

Nikkomycins Are Finally Getting Some Respect

Besides azoles, candins and the polyene class of antifungals there is not much to select from when it comes to systemic fungal infections.  Until the recent arrival of voriconazole and posaconazole, infections caused by molds always required amphotericin B to control.  Only for Candida several good treatments exist on the Continue reading Nikkomycins Are Finally Getting Some Respect