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Ullah Z, Iqbal J, Gul F, Abbasi BA, Kanwal S, Elsadek MF, Ali MA, Iqbal R, Elsalahy HH, Mahmood T. Biogenic synthesis, characterization, and in vitro biological investigation of silver oxide nanoparticles (AgONPs) using Rhynchosia capitata. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10484. [PMID: 38714767 PMCID: PMC11076632 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60694-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The current research aimed to study the green synthesis of silver oxide nanoparticles (AgONPs) using Rhynchosia capitata (RC) aqueous extract as a potent reducing and stabilizing agent. The obtained RC-AgONPs were characterized using UV, FT-IR, XRD, DLS, SEM, and EDX to investigate the morphology, size, and elemental composition. The size of the RC-AgONPs was found to be ~ 21.66 nm and an almost uniform distribution was executed by XRD analysis. In vitro studies were performed to reveal biological potential. The AgONPs exhibited efficient DPPH free radical scavenging potential (71.3%), reducing power (63.8 ± 1.77%), and total antioxidant capacity (88.5 ± 4.8%) to estimate their antioxidative power. Antibacterial and antifungal potentials were evaluated using the disc diffusion method against various bacterial and fungal strains, and the zones of inhibition (ZOI) were determined. A brine shrimp cytotoxicity assay was conducted to measure the cytotoxicity potential (LC50: 2.26 μg/mL). In addition, biocompatibility tests were performed to evaluate the biocompatible nature of RC-AgONPs using red blood cells, HEK, and VERO cell lines (< 200 μg/mL). An alpha-amylase inhibition assay was carried out with 67.6% inhibition. Moreover, In vitro, anticancer activity was performed against Hep-2 liver cancer cell lines, and an LC50 value of 45.94 μg/mL was achieved. Overall, the present study has demonstrated that the utilization of R. capitata extract for the biosynthesis of AgONPs offers a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and forthright alternative to traditional approaches for silver nanoparticle synthesis. The RC-AgONPs obtained exhibited significant bioactive properties, positioning them as promising candidates for diverse applications in the spheres of medicine and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zakir Ullah
- Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Javed Iqbal
- Department of Botany, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, 24420, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
| | - Farhat Gul
- Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Banzeer Ahsan Abbasi
- Department of Botany, Rawalpindi Women University, 6th Road, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan
| | - Sobia Kanwal
- Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Mohamed Farouk Elsadek
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. 2455, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - M Ajmal Ali
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rashid Iqbal
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan.
| | - Heba H Elsalahy
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), 15374, Müncheberg, Germany.
| | - Tariq Mahmood
- Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan.
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Gao L, Xia X, Gong X, Zhang H, Sun Y. In vitro interactions of proton pump inhibitors and azoles against pathogenic fungi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1296151. [PMID: 38304196 PMCID: PMC10831725 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1296151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Azole resistance has been increasingly reported and become an issue for clinical managements of invasive mycoses. New strategy with combination therapy arises as a valuable and promising alternative option. The aim of the present study is to investigate the in vitro combinational effect of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and azoles against pathogenic fungi. Methods In vitro interactions of PPIs including omeprazole (OME), lansoprazole (LAN), pantoprazole (PAN), and rabeprazole (RAB), and commonly used azoles including itraconazole (ITC), posaconazole (POS), voriconazole (VRC) and fluconazole (FLC), were investigated via broth microdilution chequerboard procedure adapted from the CLSI M27-A3 and M38-A2. A total of 67 clinically isolated strains, namely 27 strains of Aspergillus spp., 16 strains of Candida spp., and 24 strains of dematiaceous fungi, were studied. C. parapsilosis (ATCC 22019) and A. flavus (ATCC 204304) was included to ensure quality control. Results PPIs individually did not exert any significant antifungal activity. The combination of OME with ITC, POS, or VRC showed synergism against 77.6%, 86.6%, and 4% strains of tested pathogenic fungi, respectively, while synergism of OME/FLC was observed in 50% strains of Candida spp. Synergism between PAN and ITC, POS, or VRC was observed against 47.8%, 77.6% and 1.5% strains of tested fungi, respectively, while synergism of PNA/FLC was observed in 50% strains of Candida spp. Synergism of LAN with ITC, POS, or VRC was observed against 86.6%, 86.6%, and 3% of tested strains, respectively, while synergism of LAN/FLC was observed in 31.3% strains of Candida spp. Synergy of the combination of RAB with ITC, POS, or VRC was observed against 25.4%, 64.2%, and 4.5% of tested strains, respectively, while synergism of RAB/FLC was observed in 12.5% of Candida spp.. Among PPIs, synergism was least observed between RAB and triazoles, while among triazoles, synergism was least observed between VRC and PPIs. Among species, synergy was much more frequently observed in Aspergillus spp. and dematiaceous fungi as compared to Candida spp. Antagonism between PPIs with ITC or VRC was occasionally observed in Aspergillus spp. and dematiaceous fungi. It is notable that PPIs combined with azoles showed synergy against azole resistant A. fumigatus, and resulted in category change of susceptibility of ITC and POS against Candida spp. Discussion The results suggested that PPIs combined with azoles has the potential to enhance the susceptibilities of azoles against multiple pathogenic fungi and could be a promising strategy to overcome azole resistance issues. However, further investigations are warranted to study the combinational efficacy in more isolates and more species, to investigate the underlying mechanism of interaction and to evaluate the potential for concomitant use of these agents in human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lujuan Gao
- Department of Dermatology, Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen), Fudan University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Department of Dermatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuqiong Xia
- Department of Dermatology, Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Gong
- Department of Dermatology, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Dermatology, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
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Proctor DM, Drummond RA, Lionakis MS, Segre JA. One population, multiple lifestyles: Commensalism and pathogenesis in the human mycobiome. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:539-553. [PMID: 37054674 PMCID: PMC10155287 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Candida auris and Candida albicans can result in invasive fungal diseases. And yet, these species can stably and asymptomatically colonize human skin and gastrointestinal tracts. To consider these disparate microbial lifestyles, we first review factors shown to influence the underlying microbiome. Structured by the damage response framework, we then consider the molecular mechanisms deployed by C. albicans to switch between commensal and pathogenic lifestyles. Next, we explore this framework with C. auris to highlight how host physiology, immunity, and/or antibiotic receipt are associated with progression from colonization to infection. While treatment with antibiotics increases the risk that an individual will succumb to invasive candidiasis, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we describe several hypotheses that may explain this phenomenon. We conclude by highlighting future directions integrating genomics with immunology to advance our understanding of invasive candidiasis and human fungal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M Proctor
- Microbial Genomics Section, Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Rebecca A Drummond
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, Institute of Microbiology & Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Michail S Lionakis
- Fungal Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology (LCIM), National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Julia A Segre
- Microbial Genomics Section, Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Kaluzhskiy LA, Ershov PV, Yablokov EO, Mezentsev YV, Gnedenko OV, Shkel TV, Gilep AA, Usanov SA, Ivanov AS. Screening of Potential Non-Azole Inhibitors of Lanosterol 14-Alpha Demethylase (CYP51) of the Сandida Fungi. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW), SUPPLEMENT SERIES B: BIOMEDICAL CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1990750821030045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Lokočová K, Maťátková O, Vaňková E, Kolouchová I, Čejková A, Masák J. Synergistic Inhibitory Effect of Chitosan and Amphotericin B on Planktonic and Biofilm Populations of C. albicans, C. parapsilosis and C. krusei. Microbiology (Reading) 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026261721030061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Rossato L, Camargo Dos Santos M, Vitale RG, de Hoog S, Ishida K. Alternative treatment of fungal infections: Synergy with non-antifungal agents. Mycoses 2020; 64:232-244. [PMID: 33098146 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections are responsible for high mortality rates in immunocompromised and high-risk surgical patients. Therapy failures during the last decades due to increasing multidrug resistance demand innovative strategies for novel and effective antifungal drugs. Synergistic combinations of antifungals with non-antifungal agents highlight a pragmatic strategy to reduce the development of drug resistance and potentially repurpose known compounds with other functions to bypass costly and time-consuming novel drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Rossato
- Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Roxana G Vitale
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET) and Hospital JM Ramos Mejía, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sybren de Hoog
- Center of Expertise in Mycology of Radboud University Medical Center, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kelly Ishida
- Laboratory of Antifungal Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Hussein M, Hu X, Paulin OK, Crawford S, Tony Zhou Q, Baker M, Schneider-Futschik EK, Zhu Y, Li J, Velkov T. Polymyxin B combinations with FDA-approved non-antibiotic phenothiazine drugs targeting multi-drug resistance of Gram-negative pathogens. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:2247-2258. [PMID: 32952938 PMCID: PMC7481501 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The status quo for combating uprising antibacterial resistance is to employ synergistic combinations of antibiotics. Nevertheless, the currently available combination therapies are fast becoming untenable. Combining antibiotics with various FDA-approved non-antibiotic drugs has emerged as a novel strategy against otherwise untreatable multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens. The apex of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of antibacterial synergy of the combination of polymyxin B with the phenothiazines against the MDR Gram-negative pathogens Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The synergistic antibacterial effects were tested using checkerboard and static time-kill assays. Electron microscopy (EM) and untargeted metabolomics were used to ascertain the mechanism(s) of the antibacterial synergy. The combination of polymyxin B and the phenothiazines showed synergistic antibacterial activity in checkerboard and static time-kill assays at clinically relevant concentrations against both polymyxin-susceptible and polymyxin-resistant isolates. EM revealed that the polymyxin B-prochlorperazine combination resulted in greater damage to the bacterial cell compared to each drug monotherapy. In metabolomics, at 0.5 h, polymyxin B monotherapy and the combination (to a greatest extent) disorganised the bacterial cell envelope as manifested by a major perturbation in bacterial membrane lipids (glycerophospholipids and fatty acids), peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis. At the late time exposure (4 h), the aforementioned effects (except LPS biosynthesis) perpetuated mainly with the combination therapy, indicating the disorganising bacterial membrane biogenesis is potentially behind the mechanisms of antibacterial synergy. In conclusion, the study highlights the potential usefulness of the combination of polymyxin B with phenothiazines for the treatment of polymyxin-resistant Gram-negative infections (e.g. CNS infections).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maytham Hussein
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Xiaohan Hu
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Olivia K.A. Paulin
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Simon Crawford
- The Monash Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Qi Tony Zhou
- Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2091, USA
| | - Mark Baker
- Discipline of Biological Sciences, Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Science and IT, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Elena K. Schneider-Futschik
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Yan Zhu
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Jian Li
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Tony Velkov
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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SCORZONI LILIANA, MENEZES RAQUELTDE, PEREIRA THAISC, OLIVEIRA PRISCILAS, RIBEIRO FELIPEDECAMARGO, SANTOS EVELYNLUZIADESOUZA, FUGISAKI LUCIANAR, OLIVEIRA LUCIANEDDE, AMORIM JOSÉBENEDITOO. Antifungal and anti-biofilm effect of the calcium channel blocker verapamil on non-albicans Candida species. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 92:e20200703. [DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202020200703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Parihar SP, Guler R, Brombacher F. Statins: a viable candidate for host-directed therapy against infectious diseases. Nat Rev Immunol 2019; 19:104-117. [PMID: 30487528 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-018-0094-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Statins were first identified over 40 years ago as lipid-lowering drugs and have been remarkably effective in treating cardiovascular diseases. As research advanced, the protective effects of statins were additionally attributed to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-thrombotic and immunomodulatory functions rather than lipid-lowering abilities alone. By promoting host defence mechanisms and inhibiting pathological inflammation, statins increase survival in human infectious diseases. At the cellular level, statins inhibit the intermediates of the host mevalonate pathway, thus compromising the immune evasion strategies of pathogens and their survival. Here, we discuss the potential use of statins as an inexpensive and practical alternative or adjunctive host-directed therapy for infectious diseases caused by intracellular pathogens, such as viruses, protozoa, fungi and bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suraj P Parihar
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town-Component, Cape Town, South Africa. .,Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Department of Pathology, Division of Immunology and South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. .,Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa (CIDRI-Africa) and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. .,Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Reto Guler
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town-Component, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Department of Pathology, Division of Immunology and South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa (CIDRI-Africa) and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Frank Brombacher
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town-Component, Cape Town, South Africa. .,Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Department of Pathology, Division of Immunology and South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. .,Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa (CIDRI-Africa) and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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N-haloacetyl phenothiazines and derivatives: Preparation, characterization and structure-activity relationship for antifungal activity. ARAB J CHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2017.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Venturini TP, Al-Hatmi AM, Rossato L, Azevedo MI, Keller JT, Weiblen C, Santurio JM, Alves SH. Do antibacterial and antifungal combinations have better activity against clinically relevant fusarium species? in vitro synergism. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2018; 51:784-788. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2017.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Loss O, Bertuzzi M, Yan Y, Fedorova N, McCann BL, Armstrong-James D, Espeso EA, Read ND, Nierman WC, Bignell EM. Mutual independence of alkaline- and calcium-mediated signalling in Aspergillus fumigatus refutes the existence of a conserved druggable signalling nexus. Mol Microbiol 2017; 106:861-875. [PMID: 28922497 PMCID: PMC5725717 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Functional coupling of calcium‐ and alkaline responsive signalling occurs in multiple fungi to afford efficient cation homeostasis. Host microenvironments exert alkaline stress and potentially toxic concentrations of Ca2+, such that highly conserved regulators of both calcium‐ (Crz) and pH‐ (PacC/Rim101) responsive signalling are crucial for fungal pathogenicity. Drugs targeting calcineurin are potent antifungal agents but also perturb human immunity thereby negating their use as anti‐infectives, abrogation of alkaline signalling has, therefore, been postulated as an adjunctive antifungal strategy. We examined the interdependency of pH‐ and calcium‐mediated signalling in Aspergillus fumigatus and found that calcium chelation severely impedes hyphal growth indicating a critical requirement for this ion independently of ambient pH. Transcriptomic responses to alkaline pH or calcium excess exhibited minimal similarity. Mutants lacking calcineurin, or its client CrzA, displayed normal alkaline tolerance and nuclear translocation of CrzA was unaffected by ambient pH. Expression of a highly conserved, alkaline‐regulated, sodium ATPase was tolerant of genetic or chemical perturbations of calcium‐mediated signalling, but abolished in null mutants of the pH‐responsive transcription factor PacC, and PacC proteolytic processing occurred normally during calcium excess. Taken together our data demonstrate that in A. fumigatus the regulatory hierarchy governing alkaline tolerance circumvents calcineurin signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Loss
- Microbiology Section, Centre for Molecular Microbiology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Margherita Bertuzzi
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Yu Yan
- The J. Craig Venter Institute, Infectious Diseases Program, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Natalie Fedorova
- The J. Craig Venter Institute, Infectious Diseases Program, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Bethany L McCann
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Darius Armstrong-James
- Fungal Pathogens Laboratory, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London SW7 2AY, UK
| | - Eduardo A Espeso
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas (C.S.I.C.), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nick D Read
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - William C Nierman
- The J. Craig Venter Institute, Infectious Diseases Program, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Elaine M Bignell
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
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Repurposing antipsychotic drugs into antifungal agents: Synergistic combinations of azoles and bromperidol derivatives in the treatment of various fungal infections. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 139:12-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 07/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Passera A, Venturini G, Battelli G, Casati P, Penaca F, Quaglino F, Bianco PA. Competition assays revealed Paenibacillus pasadenensis strain R16 as a novel antifungal agent. Microbiol Res 2017; 198:16-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Revised: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Iatta R, Puttilli MR, Immediato D, Otranto D, Cafarchia C. The role of drug efflux pumps inMalassezia pachydermatisandMalassezia furfurdefence against azoles. Mycoses 2016; 60:178-182. [DOI: 10.1111/myc.12577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Iatta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria; Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”; Bari Italy
| | - Maria Rita Puttilli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria; Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”; Bari Italy
| | - Davide Immediato
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria; Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”; Bari Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria; Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”; Bari Italy
| | - Claudia Cafarchia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria; Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”; Bari Italy
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Rossato L, Loreto ÉS, Zanette RA, Chassot F, Santurio JM, Alves SH. In vitro synergistic effects of chlorpromazine and sertraline in combination with amphotericin B against Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2016; 61:399-403. [DOI: 10.1007/s12223-016-0449-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Rossato L, Loreto ÉS, Venturini TP, Azevedo MI, Weiblen C, Botton SA, Santurio JM, Alves SH. In vitro interaction of antifungal and antibacterial drugs against Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii before and after capsular induction. Med Mycol 2015; 53:885-9. [PMID: 26333356 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myv059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
This study evaluated the synergistic interactions between amphotericin B (AMB) and azithromycin (AZM), daptomycin (DAP), linezolid (LNZ), minocycline (MINO), fluconazole (FLZ), flucytosine (5FC), linezolid (LZD), or tigecycline (TIG) against clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii before and after capsule induction. High synergism (>75%) was observed for the combinations, AMB+5FC, AMB+TIG, AMB+AZM, AMB+LZD and AMB+MINO but only in the strains after capsule induction. The results show that the presence of the capsule may lower the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antifungal agents, but antimicrobial activity can be improved by combining antifungal and antibacterial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Rossato
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brasil
| | - Érico S Loreto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brasil
| | - Tarcieli P Venturini
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brasil
| | - Maria I Azevedo
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brasil
| | - Carla Weiblen
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brasil
| | - Sonia A Botton
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brasil
| | - Janio M Santurio
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brasil
| | - Sydney H Alves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brasil
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Jesus F, Ferreiro L, Bizzi K, Loreto É, Pilotto M, Ludwig A, Alves S, Zanette R, Santurio J. In vitro activity of carvacrol and thymol combined with antifungals or antibacterials against Pythium insidiosum. J Mycol Med 2015; 25:e89-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2014.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Revised: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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19
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Kumar SN, Aravind SR, Sreelekha TT, Jacob J, Kumar BSD. Asarones from Acorus calamus in Combination with Azoles and Amphotericin B: A Novel Synergistic Combination to Compete Against Human Pathogenic Candida Species In Vitro. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2015; 175:3683-95. [DOI: 10.1007/s12010-015-1537-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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20
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Nyilasi I, Kocsubé S, Krizsán K, Galgóczy L, Papp T, Pesti M, Nagy K, Vágvölgyi C. Susceptibility of clinically important dermatophytes against statins and different statin-antifungal combinations. Med Mycol 2014; 52:140-8. [PMID: 24004389 DOI: 10.3109/13693786.2013.828160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The investigation of the antifungal activities of drugs whose primary activities are not related to their antimicrobial potential is in the current forefront of research. Statin compounds, which are routinely used as cholesterol-lowering drugs, may also exert direct antimicrobial effects. In this study, the in vitro antifungal activities of various statins (lovastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin and pravastatin) were examined against one isolate each of four dermatophyte species (Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum canis and Microsporum gypseum). Basically, statins were effective in inhibiting all dermatophyte studied, but were particularly active against M. canis and T. mentagrophytes. Fluvastatin and simvastatin were active against all of the tested fungi causing a complete inhibition of their growth at very low concentrations (6.25-12.5 μg/ml). Lovastatin and rosuvastatin had inhibitory effects at higher concentrations (25-128 μg/ml), while atorvastatin and pravastatin proved the less effective. The in vitro interactions between statins and different antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, amphotericin B, nystatin, griseofulvin, terbinafine and primycin) were also investigated using a standard chequerboard broth microdilution method. Synergetic interactions were observed in several cases, most of them were noticed when statins were combined with terbinafine and the different azoles. Some combinations were particularly active (ketoconazole-simvastatin or terbinafine-simvastatin), as they were found to exert synergistic effect against all of the investigated isolates. The other antifungals showed synergistic interactions with statins in only certain cases. These results suggest that statins exert substantial antifungal effects against dermatophyte fungi and they should be promising components in a combination therapy as they can act synergistically with a number of clinically used antifungal agents.
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In vitro synergism observed with azithromycin, clarithromycin, minocycline, or tigecycline in association with antifungal agents against Pythium insidiosum. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:5621-5. [PMID: 25001300 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02349-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe here the in vitro activities of azithromycin, clarithromycin, minocycline, or tigecycline alone and in combination with amphotericin B, itraconazole, terbinafine, voriconazole, anidulafungin, caspofungin, or micafungin against 30 isolates of the oomycete Pythium insidiosum. The assays were based on the CLSI M38-A2 technique and the checkerboard microdilution method. The main synergisms observed were through the combination of minocycline with amphotericin B (73.33%), itraconazole (70%), and micafungin (70%) and of clarithromycin with micafungin (73.33%).
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22
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de Aguiar Cordeiro R, de Farias Marques FJ, de Aguiar Cordeiro R, da Silva MR, Donato Maia Malaquias A, Silva de Melo CV, Mafezoli J, Ferreira de Oliveira MDC, Nogueira Brilhante RS, Gadelha Rocha MF, Pinheiro Gomes Bandeira TDJ, Costa Sidrim JJ. Synthesis and antifungal activity in vitro of isoniazid derivatives against histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:2504-11. [PMID: 24514090 PMCID: PMC3993233 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01654-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 12/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Histoplasmosis is a severe infection that affects millions of patients worldwide and is endemic in the Americas. Amphotericin B (AMB) and itraconazole are highly effective for the treatment of severe and milder forms of the disease, but AMB is toxic, and the bioavailability of itraconazole is erratic. Therefore, it is important to investigate new classes of drugs for histoplasmosis treatment. In this study, a series of nine isoniazid hydrazone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their antifungal activities in vitro against the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum. The drugs were tested by microdilution in accordance with CLSI guidelines. The compound N'-(1-phenylethylidene)isonicotinohydrazide had the lowest MIC range of all the compounds for the yeast and filamentous forms of H. capsulatum. The in vitro synergy of this compound with AMB against the planktonic and biofilm forms of H. capsulatum cells was assessed by the checkerboard method. The effects of this hydrazone on cellular ergosterol content and membrane integrity were also investigated. The study showed that the compound alone is able to reduce the ergosterol content of planktonic cells and can alter the membrane permeability of the fungus. Furthermore, the compound alone or in combination with AMB showed inhibitory effects against mature biofilms of H. capsulatum. N'-(1-Phenylethylidene)isonicotinohydrazide alone or combined with AMB might be of interest in the management of histoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossana de Aguiar Cordeiro
- Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcos Reinaldo da Silva
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jair Mafezoli
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | - Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira Brilhante
- Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Marcos Fábio Gadelha Rocha
- Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Veterinary Science, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Tereza de Jesus Pinheiro Gomes Bandeira
- Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
- Christus College, School of Medicine, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - José Júlio Costa Sidrim
- Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
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Abstract
Bacteria are sparsely distributed in the stomach due to the gastric microbicidal barrier. Several innate defenses (low pH, migrating motor complex and the entero-salivary circulation of nitrate) as well as external factors (diet, Helicobacter pylori infection, proton pump inhibitors, antibiotics and stomach diseases) have been shown to influence significantly the microbiota composition in the stomach. In recent years new culture-independent technologies have allowed the investigation of the cross talk that occurs between hosts and stomach-associated microflora, which helps us to understand the role of gastric bacterial flora in the gastrointestinal microbiological system, both in physiological and pathological conditions. Here, we reviewed the literatures related to this topic and set the stage for future developments of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Ming Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Rajput SB, Shinde RB, Routh MM, Karuppayil SM. Anti-Candida properties of asaronaldehyde of Acorus gramineus rhizome and three structural isomers. Chin Med 2013; 8:18. [PMID: 24010893 PMCID: PMC3847626 DOI: 10.1186/1749-8546-8-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asaronaldehyde (2, 4, 5-trimethoxybeznaldehyde) is an active component of Acorus gramineus rhizome. This study aims to evaluate the anti-Candida efficacy of asaronaldehyde and its three structural isomers, namely, 2, 3, 4-trimethoxybenzaldehyde, 3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde, and 2, 4, 6- trimethoxybenzaldehyde. METHODS Susceptibility testing of test compounds was carried out using standard methodology (M27-A2) as per clinical and laboratory standards institute guidelines. Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was determined as the lowest concentration of drug killing 99.9% of Candida cells. The effect on sterol profile was evaluated using the ergosterol quantitation method. Effects on morphogenesis, adhesion and biofilm formation in C. albicans were studied using germ-tube, adherence and biofilm formation assays respectively. Cytotoxicity of test compounds to human RBCs was determined by hemolysis assay. RESULTS 2, 4, 6-Trimethoxybenzaldehyde exhibited significant anti-Candida activity (P = 0.0412). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were established as 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL, respectively. All of the test compounds showed significant inhibition of hyphal form transition in yeast at MIC/2 and MIC/4 values. 3, 4, 5-Trimethoxybenzaldehyde and 2, 4, 6-trimethoxybenzaldehyde inhibited adhesion and biofilms. A hemolytic assay of these compounds revealed that they were non-toxic at MIC values. Asaronaldehyde reduced sterol content. CONCLUSION Asaronaldehyde and 2, 4, 6-trimethoxybenzaldehyde showed anti-Candida efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep B Rajput
- DST-FIST and UGC-SAP Sponsored School of Life Sciences, SRTM University, Nanded 431-606, MS, India.
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25
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Galgóczy L, Tóth L, Virágh M, Papp T, Vágvölgyi CS. In vitro interactions of amantadine hydrochloride, R-(-)-deprenyl hydrochloride and valproic acid sodium salt with antifungal agents against filamentous fungal species causing central nervous system infection. ACTA BIOLOGICA HUNGARICA 2012; 63:490-500. [PMID: 23134606 DOI: 10.1556/abiol.63.2012.4.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The mortality rates of fungal infections that affect the central nervous system are high in consequence of the absence of effective antifungal drugs with good penetration across the blood-brain barrier and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. In the present work in vitro antifungal activities of three good penetrating non-antifungal drugs (amantadine hydrochloride, R-(-)-deprenyl hydrochloride, valproic acid sodium salt) and their combinations with three antifungal agents (amphotericin B, itraconazole, terbinafine) were tested with broth microdilution method against eight fungal isolates belonging to Zygomycetes (Lichtheimia corymbifera, Rhizomucor miehei, Rhizopus microsporus var. rhizopodiformis, Saksenaeavasiformis) and Aspergillus genus (A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. nidulans, A. terreus). These are known to be possible agents of central nervous fungal infections (CNFI). When used alone, the investigated nonantifungal drugs exerted slight antifungal effects. In their combinations with antifungal agents they acted antagonistically, additively and synergistically against zygomyceteous isolates. Primarily antagonistic interactions were revealed between the investigated drugs in case of Aspergilli, but additive and synergistic interactions were also observed. The additive and synergistic combinations allowed the usage of reduced concentrations of antifungal agents to inhibit the fungal growth in our study. These combinations would be a basis of an effective, less toxic therapy for treatment of CNFI.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Galgóczy
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
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26
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Antibiotic exposure as a risk factor for fluconazole-resistant Candida bloodstream infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2012; 56:2518-23. [PMID: 22314534 DOI: 10.1128/aac.05947-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent exposure to azoles is an important risk factor for infection with fluconazole-resistant Candida spp., but little is known about the role of antibacterial drug exposure in the emergence of drug-resistant Candida. We did a prospective nationwide surveillance study of candidemia in Israel and analyzed the propensity score-adjusted association between antifungal and antibacterial drug exposure and bloodstream infection with C. glabrata and fluconazole-resistant Candida isolates. Four hundred forty-four episodes of candidemia (450 Candida isolates, 69 [15%] C. glabrata isolates, and 38 [8.5%] fluconazole-resistant isolates) from 18 medical centers in Israel were included. C. glabrata bloodstream infection was strongly associated with recent metronidazole exposure (odds ratio [OR], 3.2; P < 0.001). Infection with a fluconazole-resistant isolate was associated with exposure to carbapenems, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, and colistin (odds ratio, 2.8; P = 0.01). The inclusion of antibacterial drug exposure in a multivariable model significantly enhanced the model's predictive accuracy for fluconazole-resistant Candida bloodstream infection. Our findings may be relevant to the selection of empirical antifungal treatment and broaden the scope of antibiotic-associated collateral damage.
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Abstract
Fungal infections are increasing and their treatment is difficult, because the most widely used antifungal drugs are relatively toxic and have serious side effects. Therefore, interest has focused on safely applicable and clinically introduced non-antifungal drugs, which have potent antifungal activity. Statins were originally used as cholesterol lowering agents in human therapy, but recent studies demonstrated their in vitro antifungal activity against yeasts and filamentous fungi. This indicated their potential application, alone or in combination with other drugs, in the treatment of such diseases. Their effective concentrations are higher than their maximum achievable serum levels; therefore, the application of statins for the treatment of invasive fungal infections is only possible in combination with antifungal agents. These synergistic combinations establish a basis for a new safely applicable therapy. This review focuses on the antifungal activity of statins alone and in combination with antifungal and non-antifungal drugs, and their possible application in clinical therapy.
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28
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Cordeiro RDA, Astete-Medrano DJ, Marques FJDF, Andrade HTL, Perdigão Neto LV, Tavares JL, Lima RACD, Patoilo KKNR, Monteiro AJ, Brilhante RSN, Rocha MFG, Camargo ZPD, Sidrim JJC. Cotrimoxazole enhances the in vitro susceptibility of Coccidioides posadasii to antifungals. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2011; 106:1045-8. [DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762011000800024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2010] [Accepted: 08/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Liu X, Bolla K, Ashforth EJ, Zhuo Y, Gao H, Huang P, Stanley SA, Hung DT, Zhang L. Systematics-guided bioprospecting for bioactive microbial natural products. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2011; 101:55-66. [PMID: 22086462 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-011-9671-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2011] [Accepted: 10/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Advances in the taxonomic characterization of microorganisms have accelerated the rate at which new producers of natural products can be understood in relation to known organisms. Yet for many reasons, chemical efforts to characterize new compounds from new microbes have not kept pace with taxonomic advances. That there exists an ever-widening gap between the biological versus chemical characterization of new microorganisms creates tremendous opportunity for the discovery of novel natural products through the calculated selection and study of organisms from unique, untapped, ecological niches. A systematics-guided bioprospecting, including the construction of high quality libraries of marine microbes and their crude extracts, investigation of bioactive compounds, and increasing the active compounds by precision engineering, has become an efficient approach to drive drug leads discovery. This review outlines the recent advances in these issues and shares our experiences on anti-infectious drug discovery and improvement of avermectins production as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueting Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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30
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Chen SCA, Lewis RE, Kontoyiannis DP. Direct effects of non-antifungal agents used in cancer chemotherapy and organ transplantation on the development and virulence of Candida and Aspergillus species. Virulence 2011; 2:280-95. [PMID: 21701255 PMCID: PMC3173675 DOI: 10.4161/viru.2.4.16764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2011] [Revised: 06/01/2011] [Accepted: 06/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional antineoplastic, novel immunosuppressive agents and antibiotics used in cancer treatment can directly affect the growth, development and virulence of Candida and Aspergillus species. Cytotoxic and cisplatin compounds have anti-Candida activity and may be synergistic with antifungal drugs; they also inhibit Candida and Aspergillus filamentation/conidation and effect increased virulence in vitro. Glucocorticoids enhance Candida adherence to epithelial cells, germination in serum and in vitro secretion of phospholipases and proteases, as well as growth of A. fumigatus. Calcineurin and target of rapamycin inhibitors perturb Candida and Aspergillus morphogenesis, stress responses and survival in serum, reduce azole tolerance in Candida, but yield conflicting in vivo data. Inhibition of candidal heat shock protein 90 and candidal-specific histone deacetylase represent feasible therapeutic approaches for candidiasis. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors inhibit fungal cell entry into epithelial cells and phagocytosis. Quinolone and other antibiotics may augment activity of azole and polyene agents. The correlation of in vitro effects with clinically meaningful in vivo systems is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon C-A Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW Australia
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31
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Galgóczy L, Bácsi A, Homa M, Virágh M, Papp T, Vágvölgyi C. In vitro antifungal activity of phenothiazines and their combination with amphotericin B against different Candida species. Mycoses 2011; 54:e737-43. [PMID: 21605196 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2010.02010.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Candidiosis is a mycosis that is currently increasingly affecting the population in consequence of its frequency and the severity of its complications, especially among immunocompromised hosts. In this work, the in vitro anticandidal activities of two phenothiazines (PTZs), chlorpromazine (CPZ) and trifluoperazine (TFP), and their combinations with amphotericin B (AMB) were tested against 12 different Candida strains representing 12 species (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida guillermondii, Candida inconspicua, Candida krusei, Candida lusitaniae, Candida lypolitica, Candida norvegica, Candida parapsilosis, Candida pulcherrima, Candida tropicalis and Candida zeylanoides). When used alone, both tested PTZs exerted antifungal effects against these strains. In their combinations, these PTZs and AMB mainly acted antagonistically at higher concentrations, but additively and synergistically at lower concentrations as concerns the clinically most important species (C. albicans and C. parapsilosis). For C. albicans, only synergistic interactions were revealed between CPZ and AMB. Synergistic, additive or no interactions were demonstrated between the investigated compounds for the most PTZ-susceptible (C. glabrata to TFP and C. krusei to CPZ) and insusceptible strains (C. glabrata to CPZ and C. lypolitica to TFP).
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Affiliation(s)
- László Galgóczy
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
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32
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Ali I, Sharma P, Suri KA, Satti NK, Dutt P, Afrin F, Khan IA. In vitro antifungal activities of amphotericin B in combination with acteoside, a phenylethanoid glycoside from Colebrookea oppositifolia. J Med Microbiol 2011; 60:1326-1336. [PMID: 21474610 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.031906-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was undertaken to investigate the synergistic interaction between amphotericin B (AmB) and acteoside, isolated from the aerial parts of the shrub Colebrookea oppositifolia (Lamiaceae). Acteoside alone exhibited no intrinsic antifungal activity but showed a potent synergism in combination with AmB against selected pathogenic species, with fractional inhibitory concentration indices in the range of 0.0312-0.1562. The combination of acteoside at 3.12 and 12.5 µg ml(-1) with subinhibitory concentrations of AmB resulted in a potent fungicidal effect and also exhibited a significantly extended post-antifungal effect. Furthermore, the combination also reduced the minimum biofilm reduction concentration values of AmB (2-16-fold) in preformed biofilms of Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus. There was decreased viability of the cells, increased uptake of propidium iodide and enhanced leakage of 260 nm-absorbing material by Candida albicans cells when exposed to AmB in the presence of acteoside. The reason for potentiation is likely to be that the subinhibitory concentrations of AmB facilitated the uptake of acteoside, which resulted in increased killing of the fungal cells. Administration of acteoside in mice at up to 2000 mg (kg body weight)(-1) by the intraperitoneal or oral route produced no overt toxicity. The data presented here support synergism between acteoside and AmB, and it is therefore proposed that a prospective new management strategy for therapeutic application of this combination should be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Intzar Ali
- Clinical Microbiology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi 180 001, India
| | - Punita Sharma
- Natural Product Chemistry Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi 180 001, India
| | - Krishan Avtar Suri
- Natural Product Chemistry Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi 180 001, India
| | - Naresh Kumar Satti
- Natural Product Chemistry Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi 180 001, India
| | - Prabhu Dutt
- Natural Product Chemistry Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi 180 001, India
| | - Farhat Afrin
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Hamdard University, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi 110 062, India
| | - Inshad Ali Khan
- Clinical Microbiology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi 180 001, India
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33
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Nyilasi I, Kocsubé S, Krizsán K, Galgóczy L, Pesti M, Papp T, Vágvölgyi C. In vitro synergistic interactions of the effects of various statins and azoles against some clinically important fungi. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2010; 307:175-84. [PMID: 20636975 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2010.01972.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment of opportunistic fungal infections is often difficult as the number of available antifungal agents is limited. Nowadays, there is increasing interest in the investigation of the antifungal activity of nonantifungal drugs, and in the development of efficient antifungal combination therapy. In this study, the in vitro interactions of the effects of various statins (lovastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin (ATO), rosuvastatin (ROS) and pravastatin) and various azole antifungals [miconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole (FLU)] against different opportunistic pathogenic fungi were investigated using a standard chequerboard broth microdilution method. When the investigated strains were sensitive to both compounds of the combination, additive interactions were frequently noticed. Synergistic interactions were observed in many cases when a strain was sensitive only to the azole compound (as in certain combinations with ATO or ROS) or the statin compound (as in certain combinations with FLU). In many combinations with an additive effect, the concentrations of drugs needed for total growth inhibition could be decreased by several dilution steps. Similar interactions were observed when the variability of the within-species sensitivities to some selected drug combinations was investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildikó Nyilasi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
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34
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Nyilasi I, Kocsubé S, Pesti M, Lukács G, Papp T, Vágvölgyi C. In vitro interactions between primycin and different statins in their effects against some clinically important fungi. J Med Microbiol 2009; 59:200-205. [PMID: 19875509 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.013946-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The in vitro antifungal activities of primycin (PN) and various statins against some opportunistic pathogenic fungi were investigated. PN completely inhibited the growth of Candida albicans (MIC 64 microg ml(-1)) and Candida glabrata (MIC 32 microg ml(-1)), and was very effective against Paecilomyces variotii (MIC 2 microg ml(-1)), but had little effect on Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus or Rhizopus oryzae (MICs >64 microg ml(-1)). The fungi exhibited different degrees of sensitivity to the statins; fluvastatin (FLV) and simvastatin (SIM) exerted potent antifungal activities against a wide variety of clinically important fungal pathogens. Atorvastatin, rosuvastatin and lovastatin (LOV) had a slight effect against all fungal isolates tested, whereas pravastatin was completely ineffective. The in vitro interactions between PN and the different statins were investigated using a standard chequerboard titration method. When PN was combined with FLV, LOV or SIM, both synergistic and additive effects were observed. The extent of inhibition was higher when these compounds were applied together, and the concentrations of PN and the given statin needed to block fungal growth completely could be decreased by several dilution steps. Similar interactions were observed when the variability of the within-species sensitivities was investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildikó Nyilasi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép Fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary.,PannonPharma Ltd, Pannonpharma Út 1, H-7720 Pécsvárad, Hungary
| | - Sándor Kocsubé
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép Fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary.,PannonPharma Ltd, Pannonpharma Út 1, H-7720 Pécsvárad, Hungary
| | - Miklós Pesti
- Department of General and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Ifjúság U. 6, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gyöngyi Lukács
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép Fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás Papp
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép Fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Csaba Vágvölgyi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép Fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
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Dolan K, Montgomery S, Buchheit B, Didone L, Wellington M, Krysan DJ. Antifungal activity of tamoxifen: in vitro and in vivo activities and mechanistic characterization. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2009; 53:3337-46. [PMID: 19487443 PMCID: PMC2715577 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01564-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2008] [Revised: 01/28/2009] [Accepted: 05/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tamoxifen (TAM), an estrogen receptor antagonist used primarily to treat breast cancer, has well-recognized antifungal properties, but the activity of TAM has not been fully characterized using standardized (i.e., CLSI) in vitro susceptibility testing, nor has it been demonstrated in an in vivo model of fungal infection. In addition, its mechanism of action remains to be clearly defined at the molecular level. Here, we report that TAM displays in vitro activity (MIC, 8 to 64 microg/ml) against pathogenic yeasts (Candida albicans, other Candida spp., and Cryptococcus neoformans). In vivo, 200 mg/kg of body weight per day TAM reduced kidney fungal burden (-1.5 log(10) CFU per g tissue; P = 0.008) in a murine model of disseminated candidiasis. TAM is a known inhibitor of mammalian calmodulin, and TAM-treated yeast show phenotypes consistent with decreased calmodulin function, including lysis, decreased new bud formation, disrupted actin polarization, and decreased germ tube formation. The overexpression of calmodulin suppresses TAM toxicity, hypofunctional calmodulin mutants are hypersensitive to TAM, and TAM interferes with the interaction between Myo2p and calmodulin, suggesting that TAM targets calmodulin as part of its mechanism of action. Taken together, these experiments indicate that the further study of compounds related to TAM as antifungal agents is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristy Dolan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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Galgóczy L, Papp T, Vágvölgyi C. In vitro interaction between suramin and fluvastatin against clinically important Zygomycetes. Mycoses 2008; 52:447-53. [PMID: 18983427 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2008.01634.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The in vitro antifungal activity of suramin and its combinations with fluvastatin was investigated in this study. Several species belonging to the class Zygomycetes are considered agents of opportunistic human or animal infections. In the present work, 15 fungal isolates representing eight clinically important genera (Absidia, Micromucor, Mortierella, Mucor, Rhizomucor, Rhizopus, Saksenaea and Syncephalastrum) were investigated. The efficiency with which fluvastatin inhibited growth in the presence of suramin (100 microg ml(-1)) was studied. The investigated compounds acted synergistically and additively on the growth when a strain was resistant to suramin and sensitive to fluvastatin; at the same time, antagonistic interactions were detected when strains were sensitive to both agents. In these cases, the growth inhibition effect of suramin was dominant.
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Galgóczy L, Papp T, Kovács L, Ordögh L, Vágvölgyi C. In vitro activity of phenothiazines and their combinations with amphotericin B against Zygomycetes causing rhinocerebral zygomycosis. Med Mycol 2008; 47:331-5. [PMID: 18798117 DOI: 10.1080/13693780802378853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The in vitro antifungal activities of two phenothiazine (PTZ) compounds, trifluoperazine (TFP) and chlorpromazine (CPZ) separately and in combination with amphotericin B (AMB) were tested against eight fungal isolates known to be possible agents of rhinocerebral zygomycosis. While both PTZs individually had antifungal effects against these filamentous fungi, only the antifungal activity of TFP increased in presence of AMB. TFP and AMB acted synergistically and caused full inhibition of all strains tested except for Absidia glauca. In contrast, CPZ was found to act antagonistically with AMB with all of studied isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Galgóczy
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
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Bulatova NR, Darwish RM. Effect of chemosensitizers on minimum inhibitory concentrations of fluconazole in Candida albicans. Med Princ Pract 2008; 17:117-21. [PMID: 18287794 DOI: 10.1159/000112964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2007] [Accepted: 08/13/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of chemosensitizers on the in vitro activity of fluconazole against Candida albicans strains. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute method, antifungal activity of fluconazole was determined alone and in combination with 16 chemosensitizers that included verapamil, reserpine, quinine, quinidine, gemfibrozil, lansoprazole, tamoxifen, diltiazem, desipramine, nicardipine, cyclosporine, chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, promethazine, thioridazine, and trifluoperazine. Further studies were done using double combinations of selected chemosensitizers with fluconazole (28 combinations). For testing combinations, half of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each agent was selected in order to avoid the effect of the drug alone. One reference strain (ATCC90028) and one clinical isolate of C. albicans were used for testing the in vitro activity. Broth dilution method was used to determine the MICs of fluconazole and chemosensitizers. RESULTS Of the 16 chemosensitizers tested, 3 exhibited in vitro activity by increasing fluconazole susceptibility to 7-fold. The MICs of the reference strain and clinical isolate for fluconazole were 5.5 and 0.55 microg/ml, respectively, and these were reduced to 0.76 microg/ml by gemfibrozil, 0.83 microg/ml by quinine, and 0.76 microg/ml by chlorpromazine in the reference strain, with MIC reduction to 0.08 microg/ml by all three chemosensitizers in the clinical isolate. Some double combinations reduced the MIC of fluconazole to 10- to 100-fold, even when the chemosensitizers were not effective alone. CONCLUSION The most effective double combinations were those of chlorpromazine with either reserpine or nicardipine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nailya R Bulatova
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
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Zhang L, Yan K, Zhang Y, Huang R, Bian J, Zheng C, Sun H, Chen Z, Sun N, An R, Min F, Zhao W, Zhuo Y, You J, Song Y, Yu Z, Liu Z, Yang K, Gao H, Dai H, Zhang X, Wang J, Fu C, Pei G, Liu J, Zhang S, Goodfellow M, Jiang Y, Kuai J, Zhou G, Chen X. High-throughput synergy screening identifies microbial metabolites as combination agents for the treatment of fungal infections. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:4606-11. [PMID: 17360571 PMCID: PMC1838648 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0609370104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The high mortality rate of immunocompromised patients with fungal infections and the limited availability of highly efficacious and safe agents demand the development of new antifungal therapeutics. To rapidly discover such agents, we developed a high-throughput synergy screening (HTSS) strategy for novel microbial natural products. Specifically, a microbial natural product library was screened for hits that synergize the effect of a low dosage of ketoconazole (KTC) that alone shows little detectable fungicidal activity. Through screening of approximately 20,000 microbial extracts, 12 hits were identified with broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Seven of them showed little cytotoxicity against human hepatoma cells. Fractionation of the active extracts revealed beauvericin (BEA) as the most potent component, because it dramatically synergized KTC activity against diverse fungal pathogens by a checkerboard assay. Significantly, in our immunocompromised mouse model, combinations of BEA (0.5 mg/kg) and KTC (0.5 mg/kg) prolonged survival of the host infected with Candida parapsilosis and reduced fungal colony counts in animal organs including kidneys, lungs, and brains. Such an effect was not achieved even with the high dose of 50 mg/kg KTC. These data support synergism between BEA and KTC and thereby a prospective strategy for antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixin Zhang
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China.
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Cuenca-Estrella M. Combinations of antifungal agents in therapy--what value are they? J Antimicrob Chemother 2004; 54:854-69. [PMID: 15375111 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkh434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Concurrent or sequential antifungal treatment for invasive mycoses has been typically considered as an option to improve results of monotherapy. However, data on the efficacy of combination therapy are sparse and consist largely of results from studies in vitro and experimental animal models. These studies have yielded controversial results depending on the criteria used to evaluate the antifungal interaction. Several combinations that showed synergy in vitro failed to do so in animal models. Overall, apart from cryptococcal infections, combined antifungal therapy is not significantly better than monotherapy in terms of clinical efficacy. It is questionable whether combination therapy should be used in most cases as there is a lack of evidence from well-designed clinical trials. However, combination therapy could be an alternative to monotherapy for patients with invasive infections that are difficult to treat, such as those due to multi-resistant species and for those who fail to respond to standard treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Cuenca-Estrella
- Servicio de Micología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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