However, we identified three intrinsic amino acid residues (G138S, M220I, and T289A) in the Cyp51 protein that were linked to azole resistance. Likewise, two intrinsic amino acid residues (F639Y, W695F) that have reported to confer echinocandin resistance were found in Fks1 hot spot regions. In addition, three new amino acid alterations (D440A, S634R, and H1245R) were found outside Fks1 hot spot regions, and their contributions to echinocandin resistance need future investigation. Overall, our findings support the notion that L. prolificans is intrinsically resistant to azoles and echinocandins.Porphyromonas gingivalis is one of the primary causative agents of periodontal disease and initially colonizes the oral cavity by adhering to commensal streptococci. Adherence requires the interaction of a minor fimbrial protein (Mfa1) of P. gingivalis with streptococcal antigen I/II (AgI/II). Our previous work identified an AgI/II peptide that potently inhibited adherence and significantly reduced P. gingivalis virulence in vivo, suggesting that this interaction represents a potential target for drug discovery. To develop targeted small-molecule inhibitors of this protein-protein interaction, we performed a virtual screen of the ZINC databases to identify compounds that exhibit structural similarity with the two functional motifs (NITVK and VQDLL) of the AgI/II peptide. Thirty three compounds were tested for in vitro inhibition of P. gingivalis adherence and the three most potent compounds, namely, N7, N17, and V8, were selected for further analysis. The in vivo efficacy of these compounds was evaluated in a murine model of periodontitis. Treatment of mice with each of the compounds significantly reduced maxillary alveolar bone resorption in infected animals. Finally, a series of cytotoxicity tests were performed against human and murine cell lines. Compounds N17 and V8 exhibited no significant cytotoxic activity toward any of the cell lines, whereas compound N7 was cytotoxic at the highest concentrations that were tested (20 and 40 μM). These results identify compounds N17 and V8 as potential lead compounds that will facilitate the design of more potent therapeutic agents that may function to limit or prevent P. gingivalis colonization of the oral cavity.Little is known about the influence of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of caspofungin. The aim of this study was to describe population PK of caspofungin in patients with and without ECMO during the postoperative period of lung transplantation (LTx) and to investigate covariates influencing caspofungin PK. We compared ECMO patients with non-ECMO patients, and patients before and after ECMO weaning as self-controls, to analyzed changes in caspofungin PK. Eight serial blood samples were collected from each patient for PK analysis. The population PK of caspofungin was described using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. Twelve ECMO and 7 non-ECMO lung transplant recipients were enrolled in this study. None of the patients received renal replacement therapy during any part of the study period. The PK of caspofungin was best described by a two-compartment model. There were no significant differences in the PK parameters and concentrations of caspofungin among the ECMO, non-ECMO, and self-control group. In the final covariate model, we found that there was a significant association between the male gender and increased distribution volume, that a higher sequential organ failure assessment score was related to an increase in intercompartmental clearance, and that a longer operative time was related to an increase in clearance and the volume of distribution. ECMO did not have a significant impact on the PK of caspofungin in patients after LTx. Some factors were identified as statistically significant covariates related to the PK of caspofungin; however, their impact on clinical practice of caspofungin needs to be investigated further in more studies. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT03766282.).Fluconazole is frequently used for the treatment of invasive Candida infections in critically ill patients. However, alterations in renal functions might influence fluconazole clearance. Therefore, our objective was to study the impact of renal function on the population pharmacokinetics of fluconazole in critically ill patients with various degrees of renal function or undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). This was an open-label, multicenter observational study. Critically ill patients receiving fluconazole were included. Baseline and clinical data were collected. At days 3 and 7 of enrollment, blood samples were drawn for pharmacokinetic curves. Additionally, daily trough samples were taken. A nonlinear mixed-effects model was built, followed by Monte Carlo simulations for assessment of exposure to various dosages of fluconazole. Nineteen patients were included with a median age of 64.4 (range, 23 to 81) years and median weight of 82.0 (range, 44.0 to 119.5) kg. A linear two-compartment model best described fluconazole pharmacokinetics and demonstrated higher clearance than expected in critically ill patients. Simulations showed that daily dosages of 600 mg and 800 mg are needed for intensive care unit (ICU) patients with normal renal function and patients on CRRT, respectively, to achieve the EUCAST-recommended target fAUC (area under the concentration-time curve for the free, unbound fraction of the drug)/MIC ratio of 100. In conclusion, fluconazole clearance is highly variable in ICU patients and is strongly dependent on renal function and CRRT. Trough concentrations correlated well with the AUC, opening up opportunities for tailored dosing using therapeutic drug monitoring. We recommend doses of 400 mg for patients with poor to moderate renal function, 600 mg for patients with adequate renal function, and 800 mg for patients treated with CRRT. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT02666716.).Achromobacter spp. Selleck Rocaglamide are recognized as emerging pathogens in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Though recent works have established species-level identification using nrdA sequencing, there is a dearth in knowledge relating to species-level antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and antimicrobial combinations, which hampers the use of optimal antimicrobial combinations for the treatment of chronic infections. The aims of this study were to (i) identify at species-level referred Achromobacter isolates, (ii) describe species-level antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, and (iii) determine the most promising antimicrobial combination for chronic Achromobacter infections. A total of 112 multidrug-resistant (MDR) Achromobacter species isolates from 39 patients were identified using nrdA sequencing. Antimicrobial susceptibility and combination testing were carried out using the Etest method. We detected six species of Achromobacter and found that Achromobacter xylosoxidans was the most prevalent species. Interestingly, sequence analysis showed it was responsible for persistent infection (18/28 patients), followed by Achromobacter ruhlandii (2/3 patients).