UC Davis Health researchers have discovered that mesalamine, a common anti-inflammatory drug, can mimic the beneficial effects of good bacteria in the gut to combat the fungus Candida albicans. C. albicans, known for causing yeast infections, can lead to invasive candidiasis, a potentially fatal infection in immunocompromised patients. The study demonstrated that mesalamine maintains a low-oxygen environment in the gut, preventing the fungal bloom.
The researchers found that C. albicans thrives on simple sugars and requires oxygen to grow. Antibiotic use can disrupt gut microbiota, reducing bacteria like Clostridia that naturally inhibit fungal colonization. Mesalamine effectively replicates the oxygen-limiting function of these bacteria, offering a safer alternative for patients with blood cancers who are prone to invasive candidiasis due to antibiotic use. This novel approach could provide a new treatment option for managing fatal fungal infections in vulnerable patients.
Reference: Yehya N. An anti-inflammatory curbs fungi spread causing serious blood infections. UC Davis Health. Published June 4, 2024. Accessed June 23, 2024. https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/an-anti-inflammatory-curbs-fungi-spread-causing-serious-blood-infections/2024/06
