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Preventing fungal infections could have a significant impact on the 30-50 percent mortality rates associated with nosocomial Candida infections.
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BACKGROUND Candida albicans is the most widespread fungal infectious agent of humans and one of the most frequent hospital-acquired infections. Adhesion to surfaces is the first step in a fungal infection setting in. We have identified an agent that inhibits adhesion of C. albicans to human cells and polystyrene, a material used in medical devices such as catheters. SUMMARY The objective of this invention is to prevent fungal infections The compound can be applied as a coating on materials used in medical devices and can be added to disinfectants, cosmetics, household products, textiles, and plastics This technology provides an anti- fungal agent that can be used in therapy or prophylaxis ADVANTAGES The compound is non-toxic to human cells and can be used to coat plastics to prevent fungal colonization Compound can inhibit invasive fungal growth, even in the absence of adhesion Preventing fungal infections could have a significant impact on the 30-50 percent mortality rates associated with nosocomial Candida infections - and on the estimated annual cost of treatment, which is estimated at more than $1 billion a year