itraconazole - Histology

What is Itraconazole?

Itraconazole is an antifungal medication used to treat various fungal infections. It belongs to the azole class of antifungals and works by inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol, an essential component of fungal cell membranes. This disruption leads to fungal cell death.

Mechanism of Action

Itraconazole inhibits the enzyme lanosterol 14α-demethylase, which is crucial for converting lanosterol to ergosterol. Ergosterol is a vital component of the fungal cell membrane, and its depletion results in increased membrane permeability and cell death.

Histological Effects

Histologically, the effects of itraconazole on fungal cells can be observed through various staining techniques. The disruption of the cell membrane integrity leads to distorted cell morphology, often visualized under a light microscope. Additionally, electron microscopy can reveal ultrastructural changes like vacuolization and organelle disintegration.

Applications in Medical Histology

Itraconazole is used in the treatment of histologically confirmed fungal infections such as aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, and certain types of dermatomycoses. Biopsies from affected tissues often show characteristic fungal elements that can be identified using special stains like Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) or Gomori methenamine silver (GMS).

Side Effects and Histological Findings

While effective, itraconazole can have side effects that may be observed histologically. Hepatotoxicity is a notable adverse effect, and liver biopsies from affected patients may show hepatocellular injury, steatosis, or even cholestasis. Other organs like the kidneys may also exhibit histological changes under prolonged use.

Drug Resistance

The emergence of resistant fungal strains poses a challenge. Histologically, resistant strains may not show the same degree of cell membrane disruption. Molecular techniques like PCR and sequencing are often used in conjunction with histology to identify resistant strains.

Conclusion

Understanding the histological impact of itraconazole is crucial for diagnosing and managing fungal infections. Through various staining techniques and microscopy methods, the effects of this antifungal can be studied in great detail, providing valuable insights into its mechanism of action and potential side effects.

Relevant Publications

[Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Issue Release: 2024

Autochtonal case of chronic, unifocal, pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis with methotrexate use, in Salvador ‒ Brazil.

Issue Release: 2024

Hedgehog signaling mastery: R51211\'s promise in augmenting the therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib.

Issue Release: 2024

[Dermatomycoses: topical and systemic antifungal treatment].

Issue Release: 2024

Triazole derivatives inhibit the VOR complex-mediated nuclear transport of extracellular particles: Potential application in cancer and HIV-1 infection.

Issue Release: 2024

Fusarium species,Scedosporium species, and Lomentospora prolificans: A systematic review to inform the World Health Organization priority list of fungal pathogens.

Issue Release: 2024

Histoplasmosis: A systematic review to inform the World Health Organization of a fungal priority pathogens list.

Issue Release: 2024

Talaromyces marneffei, Coccidioides species, and Paracoccidioides species-a systematic review to inform the World Health Organization priority list of fungal pathogens.

Issue Release: 2024

PHACES syndrome-associated large segmental facial hemangioma successfully treated with oral itraconazole.

Issue Release: 2024

An Unusual High Prevalence of Cryptococcus (Naganishia) diffluens Colonization in Neonates Hospitalized in a Referral Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Issue Release: 2024

Two dose levels of once-weekly fosravuconazole versus daily itraconazole in combination with surgery in patients with eumycetoma in Sudan: a randomised, double-blind, phase 2, proof-of-concept superiority trial.

Issue Release: 2024

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: comprehensive insights into epidemiology, treatment, and unresolved challenges.

Issue Release: 2024

Long-term remission of candidiasis with fermented lingonberry mouth rinse in an adult patient with APECED.

Issue Release: 2024

Antifungal susceptibility of molecularly confirmed Aspergillus species from clinical samples.

Issue Release: 2024

Beyond the Charge: Interplay of Nanogels\' Functional Group and Zeta-Potential for Antifungal Drug Delivery to Human Pathogenic Fungus Aspergillus fumigatus.

Issue Release: 2024

The \"COVID effect\" in culture-based clinical microbiology: Changes induced by COVID-19 pandemic in a Hungarian tertiary care center.

Issue Release: 2024

Epidemiologic features and therapeutic strategies of kerion: A nationwide multicentre study.

Issue Release: 2024

Bisphosphonates synergistically enhance the antifungal activity of azoles in dermatophytes and other pathogenic molds.

Issue Release: 2024

Investigation of Antifungal Susceptibility of Aspergillus Species Isolated from Systemic Clinical Specimens by Different Methods.

Issue Release: 2024

Misdiagnosis of cutaneous facial sporotrichosis: An analysis of five cases.

Issue Release: 2024

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