In the face of rising antimicrobial resistance, the need for effective antifungal therapies has never been more critical. At Creative Biolabs, we understand the complexities of fungal infections and the challenges of developing new treatments. Our comprehensive Antifungal Susceptibility Testing (AFST) services are designed to provide you with the accurate and reliable data you need to advance your antifungal drug candidates with confidence. Click to Explore Our AFST Solutions | Contact Us for a Customized Quote
Overview: Navigating the Fungal Resistance Landscape
Fungal infections, from common skin mycoses to life-threatening systemic infections, pose a significant global health threat. The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains and the limited arsenal of available antifungal agents underscore the urgent need for robust drug discovery and development.
Our AFST services provide a critical step in this process. By determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of your drug against a wide range of fungal species, we help you:
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Screen and select promising drug candidates.
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Determine the effective dose range.
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Evaluate cross-resistance and synergy with other drugs.
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Support pre-clinical data packages.
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Monitor for emerging resistance patterns.
Detailed Scope of Service: Tailored Solutions for Your Research Needs
We offer a flexible and customizable range of AFST services to meet your specific research objectives:
Workflow
Service Details
Samples
Deliverables
Turnaround Time
Services
Standardized Susceptibility Testing
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CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) Protocols:
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M27 (for yeasts, e.g., Candida, Cryptococcus)
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M38 (for filamentous fungi, e.g., Aspergillus, Fusarium)
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M60 (forCandida auris)
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EUCAST (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) Protocols:
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E.Def 7.3.1 (for yeasts)
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E.Def 9.3.1 (for filamentous fungi)
Drug Combination and Synergy Testing
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Checkerboard assay to evaluate the synergistic, additive, or antagonistic effects of two or more antifungal agents.
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Time-kill curve analysis to assess fungicidal activity.
Resistance Profiling
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Testing against a large panel of well-characterized clinical isolates, including multi-drug resistant strains.
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Evaluation of cross-resistance to existing antifungal drug classes (e.g., azoles, echinocandins, polyenes).
Custom Assays
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Testing against non-standard or unique fungal strains.
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Evaluation of novel antifungal compounds with unique mechanisms of action.
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Development of customized assays to meet specific project requirements.
Methods: Rigorous and Reliable
Our state-of-the-art laboratory is equipped to perform a variety of AFST methods with precision and accuracy:
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Broth Microdilution (BMD): The gold standard method for determining MIC. We utilize both visual and spectrophotometric readouts for enhanced accuracy.
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Disk Diffusion: A qualitative method for rapid screening.
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E-Test (MIC Gradient Strips): A quantitative method that provides a continuous MIC value.
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Time-Kill Assays: To assess fungicidal versus fungistatic activity.
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Molecular Assays: For the detection of specific resistance genes.
Sample Information
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Antifungal Agents: Powder or liquid form, with known concentration and purity.
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Fungal Isolates: Frozen stocks (e.g., in cryovials). We also offer testing against our extensive in-house library of clinical isolates.
Deliverables
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Comprehensive Final Report: Including study protocol, detailed methodology, raw data, and interpreted results.
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MIC Values: Reported in μg/mL.
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Graphical Representation: Time-kill curves, checkerboard plots, etc.
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Scientific Consultation: To help you interpret the results and plan future studies.
Turnaround Time
Our standard turnaround time for most AFST projects is 3-6 weeks from the receipt of samples.
Ready to discuss your project? Let us get in touch and explore how our consulting services can help you achieve your goals.
Necessity: The Criticality of AFST
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Ineffective treatments: Prescribing drugs that are not active against the infecting strain.
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Increased patient morbidity and mortality: Due to treatment failure.
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Prolonged hospital stays and increased healthcare costs.
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Slowing the development of new, much-needed antifungal drugs.
Our services provide the foundational data to combat these challenges, ensuring your drug candidates are potent, effective, and well-characterized.
Mechanism of Action: How AFST Works
AFST measures the effectiveness of an antifungal agent by determining the lowest concentration that inhibits the visible growth of a fungus. This is typically expressed as the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). Our methodologies are based on standardized, globally recognized protocols that ensure reproducible and clinically relevant results.
The most common methods, such as broth microdilution, expose a standardized inoculum of a fungal isolate to a serial dilution of the antifungal drug. After a specified incubation period, the MIC is read visually or by a spectrophotometer. This simple yet powerful principle provides a quantitative measure of a drug's potency.
Our Advantages: Why Partner with Us?
Expertise
Our team of microbiologists and infectious disease experts has extensive experience in antifungal drug discovery and resistance testing.
Accreditation & Standards
We adhere to the highest industry standards, including CLSI and EUCAST guidelines, ensuring the reliability and acceptance of your data.
Customization
We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We tailor our services to your specific project needs.
Comprehensive Panel
Access to a diverse and clinically relevant panel of fungal isolates, including resistant strains, for robust resistance profiling.
Seamless Communication
We provide transparent and timely communication throughout the entire project lifecycle.
Competitive Pricing
High-quality services at a cost-effective price.
Applications: Where Our Services Fit?
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Drug Discovery & Development: Lead compound screening, hit-to-lead optimization.
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Pre-clinical Studies: Pharmacodynamic modeling, dose-finding studies.
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Clinical Trials: Efficacy monitoring, resistance surveillance.
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Academic Research: Investigating new antifungal targets and mechanisms.
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Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Companies: Supporting regulatory submissions and product development pipelines.
Ready to advance your antifungal drug pipeline? Contact us today to discuss your project and receive a personalized quote.
Your next breakthrough is just a conversation away. Let's talk about your challenges and find a custom solution together.
FAQs
What is the difference between CLSI and EUCAST?
Both are globally recognized standards for susceptibility testing. They differ slightly in methodology, breakpoints, and interpretation. We offer testing according to both sets of guidelines to meet your specific needs.
Do you offer testing against clinical isolates?
Yes, we maintain a large and diverse collection of clinical isolates from various geographic regions and infection types, including multidrug-resistant strains.
Can you help us with our study design?
Absolutely. Our scientific team will work closely with you to design a study that addresses your research questions efficiently and effectively.
What is the cost of your services?
The cost is project-specific and depends on the scope of work, the number of compounds, and the number of fungal isolates. Please contact us for a free, no-obligation quote.
