Production and evaluation of the antifungal capacity of Satanin 1 immobilized in metallic nanoparticles against yeasts of the genus Candida.

In the world, fungal infections caused by opportunistic yeasts represent important public health problems due to the high morbidity and mortality they present. The frequency of candidemia varies according to the hospitalization services and the risk factors, in addition to the incidence and resistance to antifungals that yeasts present. In Colombia, fungal infections caused by yeast species of the genus Candida are very common in hospitalized patients with signs of immunosuppression and/or other comorbidities. It is estimated that, in 2013, the frequency of invasive candidiasis presented higher data in Colombia compared to developed countries, increasing the incidence and prevalence in 2.3 cases per 1000 days of stay in intensive care units, which correspond to a 44% of the isolates performed. Antimicrobial peptides have been studied in order to develop new therapeutic alternatives, especially against multidrug-resistant microorganisms, demonstrating effective sensitivity against different bacteria. In addition, interdisciplinary techniques are currently being developed in which biomedical sciences and engineering are involved with the purpose of advancing in the treatment of different infectious diseases. Among these techniques is the application of metallic nanoparticles for the treatment of infectious diseases, as an alternative therapy against pathogens, managing to design nanometric-scale systems capable of acting as vehicles, largely mitigating the side effects produced by the drugs used in infection control. Taking into account the above, it is proposed to design an immobilization system of the antimicrobial peptide Satanil 1 from the Dynastes satan beetle, immobilized in metallic nanoparticles, thanks to the compatibility that they present, a controlled and prolonged release of the therapeutic compound can be ensured, to later determine the antifungal activity of this conjugate against yeasts of clinical importance such as species of the genus Candida.

Antimicrobial peptides, Satanil 1, Candida spp., Candidiasis, metal nanoparticles.