CanDRes: Exploring the Mutation Landscape of Candida and its Role in Antifungal Resistance.

PURPOSE: Candida spp. has emerged as major fungal pathogens, especially in immunocompromised individuals, posing significant challenges in clinical settings. Their growing prevalence and increasing resistance to antifungal agents underscore the urgent need for systematic investigation into resistance mechanisms. Constant monitoring of resistance-associated mutations is essential to mitigate drug resistance and develop effective therapeutic strategies.

METHOD: We developed CanDRes, a manually curated, open-access resource cataloging mutations linked to antifungal resistance in Candida spp. Mutations were systematically compiled from published literature, focusing on those identified in drug-resistant clinical isolates. Each entry was annotated with gene-level information, drug associations, organism specificity, resistance mechanisms, and evidence-based validation scores. 3D structures of mutant proteins were developed and are available for download from the CanDRes database.

RESULTS

CanDRes encompasses 1053 unique mutations across 56 genes from drug-resistant strains of 13 Candida spp., assessed against 19 antifungal drugs. The database also includes resistance mechanisms, protein sequences, predicted 3D structural models, and mutation plots. These data provide a valuable foundation for understanding molecular resistance patterns and for guiding therapeutic decision-making.

CONCLUSION

Our study emphasizes the critical need to investigate antifungal resistance in Candida spp., which are among the most clinically challenging fungal pathogens. Understanding the mechanisms driving resistance to frontline antifungals can improve treatment strategies. CanDRes serves as a free and accessible resource for clinicians and researchers aiming to address antifungal resistance. Users can access CanDRes via https://candres.bicnirrh.res.in/ .