Luís, Cláudia2022-07-202024-10-312021-10-25http://hdl.handle.net/10362/142188"Fungal infections range from superficial skin rashes to health-threatening invasive infections. Invasive candidiasis, caused by the opportunistic yeast Candida spp., is the most common fungal infection among hospitalized patients, being associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. For the treatment of this disease echinocandins are generally the preferred antifungal option because they are fungicidal and potent inhibitors of the fungal enzyme β-1,3-glucan synthetase. Iron overload promotes microbial growth and therefore it is considered a risk factor for many infections. Preliminary results from our laboratory suggest that iron overload may as well affect the efficacy of echinocandins against Candida albicans, putting forward the idea that the availability of iron in the host may interfere with the treatment of serious infections caused by Candida albicans. (...)"engResearch Subject Categories::INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AREASResearch Subject Categories::INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AREASmaster thesis