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Bouglita W, Rabhi S, Raich N, Bouabid C, Belghith C, Slimani O, Hkimi C, Ghedira K, Karess RE, Guizani-Tabbane L, Attia L, Rabhi I. Microbiological and molecular screening of Candida spp. isolated from genital tract of asymptomatic pregnant women. J Med Microbiol 2022; 71. [PMID: 36126092 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Candida spp. may cause opportunistic infections called vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), which is estimated to be the second most common cause of vaginitis worldwide.Gap Statement. Under various circumstances, VVC could compromise pregnancy outcomes. Emerging data suggests that VVC during pregnancy may be associated with increased risk of complications and congenital cutaneous candidiasis.Aim. To assess the prevalence of Candida spp. in asymptomatic pregnant women and determine the susceptibility of the isolates to antifungal drugs.Methodology. In a prospective cohort, 65 high vaginal swab samples of consented pregnant women. Candida isolates were identified using both microbiological and molecular tools and drug susceptibilities were profiled.Results. The prevalence of VVC among our study participants was 37 %, 24 of the 65 asymptomatic pregnant women show Candida spp. colonization. C. albicans was the most common species 61 %, followed by C. glabrata 39 %. In addition, a significant fraction of the isolated colonies showed resistance to Fluconazole, with a ratio of 63 % for C. albicans isolates and 16 % for Candida glabrata isolates. Moreover, relative quantification of genes related to resistance to fluconazole, CDR1, ERG11 as well as HWP1, showed a significant change compared to controls.Conclusion. Monitoring of vaginal Candida colonization before the third trimester of pregnancy, that could reduce congenital Candida colonization and risk of pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wafa Bouglita
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologie and Biomolecules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.,Université Tunis El-Manar, 13 Place Pasteur -BP74, 1002 Tunis-Belvédère, Tunisia.,Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia
| | - Sameh Rabhi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologie and Biomolecules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Natacha Raich
- Université de Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-750013 Paris, France
| | - Cyrine Bouabid
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologie and Biomolecules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.,Université Tunis El-Manar, 13 Place Pasteur -BP74, 1002 Tunis-Belvédère, Tunisia
| | - Cyrine Belghith
- Service de Gynécologie Obstétrique A, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Olfa Slimani
- Service de Gynécologie Obstétrique A, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Chaima Hkimi
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, BioMathematics and Biostatistics (LR16IPT09), Pasteur Institute of Tunisia, University of Tunis, El Manar, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Kais Ghedira
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, BioMathematics and Biostatistics (LR16IPT09), Pasteur Institute of Tunisia, University of Tunis, El Manar, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Roger E Karess
- Université de Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-750013 Paris, France
| | - Lamia Guizani-Tabbane
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologie and Biomolecules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Leila Attia
- Service de Gynécologie Obstétrique A, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Imen Rabhi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologie and Biomolecules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.,Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia
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2
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Rather IA, Sabir JSM, Asseri AH, Wani MY, Ahmad A. Triazole Derivatives Target 14α-Demethylase (LDM) Enzyme in Candida albicans Causing Ergosterol Biosynthesis Inhibition. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8070688. [PMID: 35887444 PMCID: PMC9323696 DOI: 10.3390/jof8070688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most dominant and prevalent cause of fungal infections in humans. Azoles are considered as first-line drugs for the treatment of these infections. However, their prolonged and insistent use has led to multidrug resistance and treatment failures. To overcome this, modification or derivatization of the azole ring has led to the development of new and effective antifungal molecules. In a previous study, we reported on the development of new triazole-based molecules as potential antifungal agents against Candida auris. In this study, the most potent molecules from the previous study were docked and simulated with lanosterol 14-alpha demethylase enzyme. These compounds were further evaluated for in vitro susceptibility testing against C. albicans. In silico results revealed favorable structural dynamics of the compounds, implying that the compounds would be able to effectively bind to the target enzyme, which was further manifested by the strong interaction of the test compounds with the amino acid residues of the target enzyme. In vitro studies targeting quantification of ergosterol content revealed that pta1 was the most active compound and inhibited ergosterol production by >90% in both drug-susceptible and resistant C. albicans isolates. Furthermore, RT-qPCR results revealed downregulation of ERG11 gene when C. albicans cells were treated with the test compound, which aligns with the decreased ergosterol content. In addition, the active triazole derivatives were also found to be potent inhibitors of biofilm formation. Both in silico and in vitro results indicate that these triazole derivatives have the potential to be taken to the next level of antifungal drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irfan A. Rather
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
- Centre of Excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (I.A.R.); (M.Y.W.); (A.A.)
| | - Jamal S. M. Sabir
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
- Centre of Excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amer H. Asseri
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mohmmad Younus Wani
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (I.A.R.); (M.Y.W.); (A.A.)
| | - Aijaz Ahmad
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
- Academic Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Infection Control Unit, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
- Correspondence: (I.A.R.); (M.Y.W.); (A.A.)
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Macedo D, Leonardelli F, Cabeza MS, Gamarra S, Garcia-Effron G. The natural occurring Y129F polymorphism in Rhizopus oryzae (R. arrhizus) Cyp51Ap accounts for its intrinsic voriconazole resistance. Med Mycol 2021; 59:1202-1209. [PMID: 34550395 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myab052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhizopus oryzae (heterotypic synonym: R. arrhizus) intrinsic voriconazole and fluconazole resistance has been linked to its CYP51A gene. However, the amino acid residues involved in this phenotype have not yet been established. A comparison between R. oryzae and Aspergillus fumigatus Cyp51Ap sequences showed differences in several amino acid residues. Some of them were already linked with voriconazole resistance in A. fumigatus. The objective of this work was to analyze the role of two natural polymorphisms in the intrinsic voriconazole resistance phenotype of R. oryzae (Y129F and T290A, equivalent to Y121F and T289A seen in triazole-resistant A. fumigatus). We have generated A. fumigatus chimeric strains harboring different R. oryzae CYP51A genes (wild-type and mutants). These mutant R. oryzae CYP51A genes were designed to carry nucleotide changes that produce mutations at Cyp51Ap residues 129 and 290 (emulating the Cyp51Ap protein of azole susceptible A. fumigatus). Antifungal susceptibilities were evaluated for all the obtained mutants. The polymorphism T290A (alone or in combination with Y129F) had no impact on triazole MIC. On the other hand, a > 8-fold decrease in voriconazole MICs was observed in A. fumigatus chimeric strains harboring the RoCYP51Ap-F129Y. This phenotype supports the assumption that the naturally occurring polymorphism Y129F at R. oryzae Cyp51Ap is responsible for its voriconazole resistance phenotype. In addition, these chimeric mutants were posaconazole hypersusceptible. Thus, our experimental data demonstrate that the RoCYP51Ap-F129 residue strongly impacts VRC susceptibility and that it would be related with posaconazole-RoCYP51Ap interaction. LAY SUMMARY Rhizopus oryzae is intrinsically resistant to voriconazole, a commonly used antifungal agent. In this work, we analyze the role of two natural polymorphisms present in the target of azole drugs. We established that F129 residue is responsible of the intrinsic voriconazole resistance in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiana Macedo
- Laboratorio de Micología y Diagnóstico Molecular, Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, C.P. 3000, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), CCT, Santa Fe, C.P. 3000, Argentina
| | - Florencia Leonardelli
- Laboratorio de Micología y Diagnóstico Molecular, Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, C.P. 3000, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), CCT, Santa Fe, C.P. 3000, Argentina
| | - Matias S Cabeza
- Laboratorio de Micología y Diagnóstico Molecular, Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, C.P. 3000, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), CCT, Santa Fe, C.P. 3000, Argentina
| | - Soledad Gamarra
- Laboratorio de Micología y Diagnóstico Molecular, Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, C.P. 3000, Argentina
| | - Guillermo Garcia-Effron
- Laboratorio de Micología y Diagnóstico Molecular, Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, C.P. 3000, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), CCT, Santa Fe, C.P. 3000, Argentina
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Howard KC, Dennis EK, Watt DS, Garneau-Tsodikova S. A comprehensive overview of the medicinal chemistry of antifungal drugs: perspectives and promise. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:2426-2480. [PMID: 32140691 DOI: 10.1039/c9cs00556k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of new fungal pathogens makes the development of new antifungal drugs a medical imperative that in recent years motivates the talents of numerous investigators across the world. Understanding not only the structural families of these drugs but also their biological targets provides a rational means for evaluating the merits and selectivity of new agents for fungal pathogens and normal cells. An equally important aspect of modern antifungal drug development takes a balanced look at the problems of drug potency and drug resistance. The future development of new antifungal agents will rest with those who employ synthetic and semisynthetic methodology as well as natural product isolation to tackle these problems and with those who possess a clear understanding of fungal cell architecture and drug resistance mechanisms. This review endeavors to provide an introduction to a growing and increasingly important literature, including coverage of the new developments in medicinal chemistry since 2015, and also endeavors to spark the curiosity of investigators who might enter this fascinatingly complex fungal landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlind C Howard
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0596, USA.
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5
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Zhang T, Cao Q, Li N, Liu D, Yuan Y. Transcriptome analysis of fungicide-responsive gene expression profiles in two Penicillium italicum strains with different response to the sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicide prochloraz. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:156. [PMID: 32050894 PMCID: PMC7017498 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-6564-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Penicillium italicum (blue mold) is one of citrus pathogens causing undesirable citrus fruit decay even at strictly-controlled low temperatures (< 10 °C) during shipping and storage. P. italicum isolates with considerably high resistance to sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides have emerged; however, mechanism(s) underlying such DMI-resistance remains unclear. In contrast to available elucidation on anti-DMI mechanism for P. digitatum (green mold), how P. italicum DMI-resistance develops has not yet been clarified. Results The present study prepared RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) libraries for two P. italicum strains (highly resistant (Pi-R) versus highly sensitive (Pi-S) to DMI fungicides), with and without prochloraz treatment, to identify prochloraz-responsive genes facilitating DMI-resistance. After 6 h prochloraz-treatment, comparative transcriptome profiling showed more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Pi-R than Pi-S. Functional enrichments identified 15 DEGs in the prochloraz-induced Pi-R transcriptome, simultaneously up-regulated in P. italicum resistance. These included ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter-encoding genes, major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter-encoding genes, ergosterol (ERG) anabolism component genes ERG2, ERG6 and EGR11 (CYP51A), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling-inducer genes Mkk1 and Hog1, and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaMK) signaling-inducer genes CaMK1 and CaMK2. Fragments Per Kilobase per Million mapped reads (FPKM) analysis of Pi-R transcrtiptome showed that prochloraz induced mRNA increase of additional 4 unigenes, including the other two ERG11 isoforms CYP51B and CYP51C and the remaining kinase-encoding genes (i.e., Bck1 and Slt2) required for Slt2-MAPK signaling. The expression patterns of all the 19 prochloraz-responsive genes, obtained in our RNA-seq data sets, have been validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). These lines of evidence in together draw a general portrait of anti-DMI mechanisms for P. italicum species. Intriguingly, some strategies adopted by the present Pi-R were not observed in the previously documented prochloraz-resistant P. digitatum transcrtiptomes. These included simultaneous induction of all major EGR11 isoforms (CYP51A/B/C), over-expression of ERG2 and ERG6 to modulate ergosterol anabolism, and concurrent mobilization of Slt2-MAPK and CaMK signaling processes to overcome fungicide-induced stresses. Conclusions The present findings provided transcriptomic evidence on P. italicum DMI-resistance mechanisms and revealed some diversity in anti-DMI strategies between P. italicum and P. digitatum species, contributing to our knowledge on P. italicum DMI-resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingfu Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Qianwen Cao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Na Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China.,Yunnan Higher Education Institutions, College of Life Science and Technology, Honghe University, Mengzi, 661199, China
| | - Deli Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
| | - Yongze Yuan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
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6
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Lone SA, Khan S, Ahmad A. Inhibition of ergosterol synthesis in Candida albicans by novel eugenol tosylate congeners targeting sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) enzyme. Arch Microbiol 2019; 202:711-726. [PMID: 31786635 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-019-01781-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
This study is a continuation and extension of our previous study in which we synthesized seven novel eugenol tosylate congeners (ETC-1 to ETC-7) from a natural compound eugenol and checked their antifungal activity against different isolates of Candida albicans. All these ETCs showed potent antifungal activity to varying degrees. In this study, the aim is to evaluate the effect of most active compounds (ETC-5, ETC-6 and ETC-7) on ergosterol biosynthesis pathway and cellular viability in C. albicans by applying combined approach of in silico and in vitro methodologies. In silico studies were done through all atom molecular mechanics approach and free binding energy estimations, and in vitro study was done by estimating total intracellular sterol content and effect on expression of ERG11 gene. Furthermore, effect on cell viability by these compounds was also tested. Our results demonstrated that these ETCs target ergosterol biosynthesis pathway in C. albicans by inhibiting the lanosterol 14-α demethylase enzyme and also downregulates expression of its related gene ERG11. Furthermore, these ETCs exhibit potent fungicidal effect in cell viability assay, thus overall results advocating the claim that these tosylates have potential to be taken to next level of antifungal drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabir Ahmad Lone
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Shama Khan
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Aijaz Ahmad
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa. .,Infection Control, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.
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7
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Monk BC, Sagatova AA, Hosseini P, Ruma YN, Wilson RK, Keniya MV. Fungal Lanosterol 14α-demethylase: A target for next-generation antifungal design. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2019; 1868:140206. [PMID: 30851431 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The cytochrome P450 enzyme lanosterol 14α-demethylase (LDM) is the target of the azole antifungals used widely in medicine and agriculture as prophylaxis or treatments of infections or diseases caused by fungal pathogens. These drugs and agrochemicals contain an imidazole, triazole or tetrazole substituent, with one of the nitrogens in the azole ring coordinating as the sixth axial ligand to the LDM heme iron. Structural studies show that this membrane bound enzyme contains a relatively rigid ligand binding pocket comprised of a deeply buried heme-containing active site together with a substrate entry channel and putative product exit channel that reach to the membrane. Within the ligand binding pocket the azole antifungals have additional affinity determining interactions with hydrophobic side-chains, the polypeptide backbone and via water-mediated hydrogen bond networks. This review will describe the tools that can be used to identify and characterise the next generation of antifungals targeting LDM, with the goal of obtaining highly potent broad-spectrum fungicides that will be able to avoid target and drug efflux mediated antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C Monk
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
| | - Alia A Sagatova
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Parham Hosseini
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Yasmeen N Ruma
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Rajni K Wilson
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Mikhail V Keniya
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
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Wu Y, Li C, Wang Z, Gao J, Tang Z, Chen H, Ying C. Clonal spread and azole-resistant mechanisms of non-susceptible Candida albicans isolates from vulvovaginal candidiasis patients in three Shanghai maternity hospitals. Med Mycol 2017; 56:687-694. [PMID: 29136186 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- YongQin Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, No. 419 Fangxie Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Cui Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, No. 419 Fangxie Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - ZhiHeng Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, No. 419 Fangxie Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Jing Gao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, No. 419 Fangxie Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - ZhenHua Tang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, No. 910 Hengshan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - HuiFen Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, No. 536 Changle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - ChunMei Ying
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, No. 419 Fangxie Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
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Alizadeh F, Khodavandi A, Zalakian S. Quantitation of ergosterol content and gene expression profile of ERG11 gene in fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans. Curr Med Mycol 2017; 3:13-19. [PMID: 29302625 PMCID: PMC5747584 DOI: 10.29252/cmm.3.1.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose: The frequency of opportunistic fungal infections in immunocompromised patients, especially by Candida species, has sharply increased in the last few decades. The objective of this study was to analyse the ergosterol content and gene expression profiling of clinical isolates of fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans. Materials and Methods: Sixty clinical samples were identified and collected from immunocompromised patients, namely recurrent oral, vaginal, and cutaneous candidiasis, during 2015-16. Antifungal susceptibility testing of fluconazole against clinical Candida species was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Ergosterol content and gene expression profiling of sterol 14α-demethylase (ERG11) gene in fluconazole-susceptible and –resistant C. albicans were investigated. Results: The specimens consisted of C. albicans (46.67%), Candida krusei (41.67%), and Candida tropicalis (11.67%). All the isolates were resistant to fluconazole. No significant reduction was noted in total cellular ergosterol content in comparison with untreated controls in terms of fluconazole-resistant C. albicans. The expressionlevel of ERG11 gene was down-regulated in fluconazole-susceptible C. albicans. Eventually, the expression pattern of ERG11 gene revealed no significant changes in fluconazole-resistant isolates compared to untreated controls. The results revealed no significant differences between fluconazole-susceptible and –resistant C. albicans sequences by comparison with ERG11 reference sequence. Conclusion: Our findings provide an insight into the mechanism of fluconazole resistance in C. albicans. The mechanisms proposed for clinical isolates of fluconazole-resistant C. albicans are alteration in sterol biosynthesis, analysis of expression level of ERG11 gene, and analysis of gene sequences. Nonetheless, further studies are imperative to find molecular mechanisms that could be targeted to control fluconazole resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Alizadeh
- Department of Microbiology, Yasooj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yasooj, Iran
| | - A Khodavandi
- Department of Biology, Gachsaran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Gachsaran, Iran
| | - S Zalakian
- Department of Microbiology, Yasooj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yasooj, Iran
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10
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High Virulence and Antifungal Resistance in Clinical Strains of Candida albicans. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY 2016; 2016:5930489. [PMID: 28058052 PMCID: PMC5183749 DOI: 10.1155/2016/5930489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Antifungal resistance and virulence properties of Candida albicans are a growing health problem worldwide. To study the expression of virulence and azole resistance genes in 39 clinical strains of C. albicans, we used a model of infection of human vaginal epithelial cells with C. albicans strains isolated from Mexican women with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). The strains were identified by PCR amplification of the ITS1 and ITS2 regions of rRNA. The detection and expression of virulence genes and azole resistance genes MDR1 and CDR1 were performed using PCR and RT-PCR, respectively. All strains were sensitive to nystatin and 38 (97.4%) and 37 (94.9%) were resistant to ketoconazole and fluconazole, respectively. ALS1, SAP4–SAP6, LIP1, LIP2, LIP4, LIP6, LIP7, LIP9, LIP10, and PLB1-PLB2 were present in all strains; SAP1 was identified in 37 (94.8%) isolates, HWP1 in 35 (89.7%), ALS3 in 14 (35.8%), and CDR1 in 26 (66.6%). In nearly all of the strains, ALS1, HWP1, SAP4–SAP6, LIP1–LIP10, PLB1, and PLB2 were expressed, whereas CDR1 was expressed in 20 (51.3%) and ALS3 in 14 (35.8%). In our in vitro model of infection with C. albicans, the clinical strains showed different expression profiles of virulence genes in association with the azole resistance gene CDR1. The results indicate that the strains that infect Mexican patients suffering from VVC are highly virulent and virtually all are insensitive to azoles.
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