The Sociomicrobiology Group published in the “ NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes“ a paper entitled “Long-chain 4-aminoquinolines inhibit filamentation and increase efficacy of nystatin against Candida albicans infections in vivo“.

A new class of compounds called 4-aminoquinoline (4-AQ) derivatives show promise in fighting dangerous fungal infections. These compounds prevent a common fungal pathogen, Candida albicans, from forming filaments, harmful structures that help it cause disease. In lab tests with zebrafish, the 4-AQs were effective at low doses and showed no toxicity. When combined with the antifungal drug nystatin, they boosted survival rates of infected fish from 65-75% to 100% and completely wiped out the fungus. Some of these compounds also showed strong effects against Candida biofilms, which are difficult-to-treat clusters of fungi. This research suggests that 4-AQs could enhance existing antifungal treatments.

The study was carried out in collaboration with Institute of Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade.