Infectious diseases: Resistance in fungi and modelling of small molecule inhibitors targeting Helicobacter pylori

The yeast Malassezia pachydermatis (M. pachydermatis) is responsible for otitis externa and dermatitis in canine species, and in rare cases life threatening fungemia in immunocompromised people. Current treatment for companion animals involves the use of azole antifungals targeting M. pachydermatis CYP51 (MpCYP51). Despite current treatment efforts, there is evidence to suggest resistance to miconazole and other azoles is occurring in cases of canine otitis externa. Genome sequencing has identified numerous mutations in MpCYP51. However, a lack of published M. pachydermatis structures means the location of mutations has not been identified.