Study of the impact of immunosuppressants on the prevention of organ and cell rejection on the genetic evolution of the main fungal species, in particular those of the genus Candida

Fungal infections are now a global public health problem, causing more than 3 million deaths each year. Those most at risk from these microbial infections are immunocompromised patients. In this regard, transplant recipients are particularly vulnerable, as the immunosuppressants (IS) administered daily to prevent rejection of transplanted organs or cells also weaken their natural defences against microbes. Knowledge of these dangerous fungal infections in the context of transplantation remains patchy. Whilst recent studies suggest that the antimicrobials used to prevent infectious diseases in transplant recipients may promote the emergence of resistant microbes, the influence of IS on the fungal species that threaten them remains to be explored. Against this backdrop, this research project aims to investigate the impact of the most commonly used ISs for preventing organ/cell rejection on the genetic evolution of the main fungal species infecting transplant recipients, particularly species of the genus Candida. The identification of these ‘molecular markers’ could, in the short term, provide new diagnostic tools enabling the personalisation of drug treatments.

This project is being carried out in collaboration with the University of Extremadura (Prof. Guillermo Gervasini) as part of a programme supported by the EU GREEN alliance.

The IRF Unit would like to extend its warmest thanks to the University of Angers, the Pays de la Loire Region, Angers Loire Métropole and the National Research Agency (France 2030) for their financial support, which has made this research possible as part of the EU GREEN Alliance.