Figure
2. Mechanisms of Resistance with Fluconazole-Resistant Candidiasis

Candida species have adapted
several mechanisms of fluconazole resistance, with the most important of these
consisting of an alteration in the target enzyme 14 alpha-demethylase (change
in binding site or overexpression of the enzyme) or from enhanced drug efflux
caused by plasma membrane transporters. The net effect of the efflux pump is
to decrease the intracellular concentration of fluconazole and thus reduce the
concentration of drug that reaches the active site at the enzyme 14 alpha-demethylase.
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