Mehak Chaudhary

Ms. Mehak Chaudhary


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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12 December 2021 in Journal of Fungi
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
PSPratibha Sharma
Pratibha Sharma
MCMehak Chaudhary
Mehak Chaudhary
GKGarima Khanna
Garima Khanna
PRPraveen Rishi
Praveen Rishi
Indu Pal KaurIndu Pal Kaur
Indu Pal Kaur
Fungi are reported to cause a range of superficial to invasive human infections. These often result in high morbidity and at times mortality. Conventional antifungal agents though effective invariably exhibit drug interactions, treatment-related toxicity, and fail to elicit significant effect, thus indicating a need to look for suitable alternatives. Fungi thrive in humid, nutrient-enriched areas. Such an environment is well-supported by the oral cavity. Despite this, there is a relatively low incidence of severe oral and periodontal fungal infections, attributed to the presence of antimicrobial peptides hosted by saliva, viz. histatin 5 (Hstn 5). It displays fungicidal activity against a variety of fungi including Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Cryptococcus neoformans, and unicellular yeast-like Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Candida albicans alone accounts for about 70% of all global fungal infections including periodontal disease. This review intends to discuss the scope of Hstn 5 as a novel recourse for the control of fungal infections.