scholarly journals Rapid proliferation due to better metabolic adaptation results in full virulence of a filament-deficient Candida albicans strain

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Dunker ◽  
Melanie Polke ◽  
Bianca Schulze-Richter ◽  
Katja Schubert ◽  
Sven Rudolphi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Hyphal Growth ◽  
Metabolic Adaptation ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Intraperitoneal Infection ◽  
Systemic Infections

AbstractThe ability of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans to undergo a yeast-to-hypha transition is believed to be a key virulence factor, as filaments mediate tissue damage. Here, we show that virulence is not necessarily reduced in filament-deficient strains, and the results depend on the infection model used. We generate a filament-deficient strain by deletion or repression of EED1 (known to be required for maintenance of hyphal growth). Consistent with previous studies, the strain is attenuated in damaging epithelial cells and macrophages in vitro and in a mouse model of intraperitoneal infection. However, in a mouse model of systemic infection, the strain is as virulent as the wild type when mice are challenged with intermediate infectious doses, and even more virulent when using low infectious doses. Retained virulence is associated with rapid yeast proliferation, likely the result of metabolic adaptation and improved fitness, leading to high organ fungal loads. Analyses of cytokine responses in vitro and in vivo, as well as systemic infections in immunosuppressed mice, suggest that differences in immunopathology contribute to some extent to retained virulence of the filament-deficient mutant. Our findings challenge the long-standing hypothesis that hyphae are essential for pathogenesis of systemic candidiasis by C. albicans.

scholarly journals Identification of the Putative Protein Phosphatase Gene PTC1 as a Virulence-Related Gene Using a Silkworm Model of Candida albicans Infection

2008 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 1640-1648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nozomu Hanaoka ◽  
Yukie Takano ◽  
Kazutoshi Shibuya ◽  
Hajime Fugo ◽  
Yoshimasa Uehara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Protein Phosphatase ◽  
Protein Phosphatases ◽  
Hyphal Growth ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Putative Protein

ABSTRACT Protein phosphatases are critical for the regulation of many cellular processes. Null mutants of 21 putative protein phosphatases of Candida albicans were constructed by consecutive allele replacement using the URA3 and ARG4 marker genes. A simple silkworm model of C. albicans infection was used to screen the panel of mutants. Four null mutant (cmp1Δ, yvh1Δ, sit4Δ, and ptc1Δ) strains showed attenuated virulence in the silkworm model relative to that of control and parental strains. Three of the mutants, the cmp1Δ, yvh1Δ, and sit4Δ mutants, had previously been identified as affecting virulence in a conventional mouse model, indicating the validity of the silkworm model screen. Disruption of the putative protein phosphatase gene PTC1 of C. albicans, which has 52% identity to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae type 2C protein phosphatase PTC1, significantly reduced virulence in the silkworm model. The mutant was also avirulent in a mouse model of disseminated candidiasis. Reintroducing either of the C. albicans PTC1 alleles into the disruptant strain, using a cassette containing either allele under the control of a constitutive ACT1 promoter, restored virulence in both infection models. Characterization of ptc1Δ revealed other phenotypic traits, including reduced hyphal growth in vitro and in vivo, and reduced extracellular proteolytic activity. We conclude that PTC1 may contribute to pathogenicity in C. albicans.

scholarly journals In Vitro and In Vivo Antibacterial Activities of CS-023 (RO4908463), a Novel Parenteral Carbapenem

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 3239-3250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsufumi Koga ◽  
Tomomi Abe ◽  
Harumi Inoue ◽  
Takashi Takenouchi ◽  
Akiko Kitayama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Antibacterial Activities ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Lung Infections ◽  
Systemic Infections

ABSTRACT CS-023 (RO4908463, formerly R-115685) is a novel 1β-methylcarbapenem with 5-substituted pyrrolidin-3-ylthio groups, including an amidine moiety at the C-2 position. Its antibacterial activity was tested against 1,214 clinical isolates of 32 species and was compared with those of imipenem, meropenem, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, ampicillin, amikacin, and levofloxacin. CS-023 exhibited a broad spectrum of activity against gram-positive and -negative aerobes and anaerobes, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis, penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP), β-lactamase-negative ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CS-023 showed the most potent activity among the compounds tested against P. aeruginosa and MRSA, with MICs at which 90% of isolates tested were inhibited of 4 μg/ml and 8 μg/ml, respectively. CS-023 was stable against hydrolysis by the β-lactamases from Enterobacter cloacae and Proteus vulgaris. CS-023 also showed potent activity against extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli. The in vivo efficacy of CS-023 was evaluated with a murine systemic infection model induced by 13 strains of gram-positive and -negative pathogens and a lung infection model induced by 2 strains of PRSP (serotypes 6 and 19). Against the systemic infections with PRSP, MRSA, and P. aeruginosa and the lung infections, the efficacy of CS-023 was comparable to those of imipenem/cilastatin and vancomycin (tested against lung infections only) and superior to those of meropenem, ceftriaxone, and ceftazidime (tested against P. aeruginosa infections only). These results suggest that CS-023 has potential for the treatment of nosocomial bacterial infections by gram-positive and -negative pathogens, including MRSA and P. aeruginosa.

scholarly journals Candida albicans Septin Mutants Are Defective for Invasive Growth and Virulence

2003 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 4045-4051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy J. Warenda ◽  
Sarah Kauffman ◽  
Taylor P. Sherrill ◽  
Jeffrey M. Becker ◽  
James B. Konopka
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Hyphal Growth ◽  
Invasive Growth ◽  
Important Virulence Factor ◽  
Opportunistic Human Pathogen ◽  
Cytoskeletal Elements ◽  
Organ Invasion

ABSTRACT Hyphal growth of Candida albicans is implicated as an important virulence factor for this opportunistic human pathogen. Septin proteins, a family of cytoskeletal elements that regulate membrane events and are important for proper morphogenesis of C. albicans, were examined for their role in tissue invasion and virulence in the mouse model of systemic infection. In vitro, septin mutants are only mildly defective for hyphal growth in liquid culture but display pronounced defects for invasive growth into agar. In vivo, the septin mutants were found to exhibit attenuated virulence. However, mice infected with the mutants displayed high fungal burdens in their kidneys without obvious symptoms of disease. Histological examination of infected kidneys revealed defects in organ invasion for the cdc10Δ and cdc11Δ deletion mutants, which displayed both reduced tissue penetration and noninvasive fungal masses. Thus, the septin proteins are necessary for invasive growth, which appears to be more important to the successful pathogenesis of C. albicans than hyphal growth alone.

scholarly journals Interaction between Posaconazole and Amphotericin B in Concomitant Treatment against Candida albicans In Vivo

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 638-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Cacciapuoti ◽  
Maya Gurnani ◽  
Judith Halpern ◽  
Christine Norris ◽  
Reena Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Concomitant Treatment ◽  
Survival Curves ◽  
Immunocompetent Mice ◽  
Systemic Infections ◽  
Dose Levels

ABSTRACT The interaction of posaconazole and amphotericin B was evaluated in concomitant treatment of Candida albicans systemic infections in immunocompetent mice by using four strains of C. albicans with different susceptibilities to fluconazole. Posaconazole and amphotericin B were each tested at four dose levels alone and in all possible combinations against each C. albicans strain. Survival curves of mice treated with combinations of posaconazole and amphotericin B were statistically compared with those of mice treated with the component monotherapies. Of the 64 total combinations evaluated against the C. albicans strains (16 combinations per strain), 20.3% were more effective in prolonging mouse survival than both of the monotherapies, 45.3% were more effective than one of the monotherapies, and 32.8% were similar to both monotherapies. No evidence of antagonism was observed between posaconazole and amphotericin B in this mouse model, consistent with in vitro results against the same strains.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation Inhibits Candida albicans Virulence Factors and ReducesIn VivoPathogenicity

2012 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 445-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilka Tiemy Kato ◽  
Renato Araujo Prates ◽  
Caetano Padial Sabino ◽  
Beth Burgwyn Fuchs ◽  
George P. Tegos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Tube Formation ◽  
Photodynamic Inactivation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Daughter Cells

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to evaluate whetherCandida albicansexhibits altered pathogenicity characteristics following sublethal antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (APDI) and if such alterations are maintained in the daughter cells.C. albicanswas exposed to sublethal APDI by using methylene blue (MB) as a photosensitizer (0.05 mM) combined with a GaAlAs diode laser (λ 660 nm, 75 mW/cm2, 9 to 27 J/cm2).In vitro, we evaluated APDI effects onC. albicansgrowth, germ tube formation, sensitivity to oxidative and osmotic stress, cell wall integrity, and fluconazole susceptibility.In vivo, we evaluatedC. albicanspathogenicity with a mouse model of systemic infection. Animal survival was evaluated daily. Sublethal MB-mediated APDI reduced the growth rate and the ability ofC. albicansto form germ tubes compared to untreated cells (P< 0.05). Survival of mice systemically infected withC. albicanspretreated with APDI was significantly increased compared to mice infected with untreated yeast (P< 0.05). APDI increasedC. albicanssensitivity to sodium dodecyl sulfate, caffeine, and hydrogen peroxide. The MIC for fluconazole forC. albicanswas also reduced following sublethal MB-mediated APDI. However, none of those pathogenic parameters was altered in daughter cells ofC. albicanssubmitted to APDI. These data suggest that APDI may inhibit virulence factors and reducein vivopathogenicity ofC. albicans. The absence of alterations in daughter cells indicates that APDI effects are transitory. The MIC reduction for fluconazole following APDI suggests that this antifungal could be combined with APDI to treatC. albicansinfections.

scholarly journals Impact of the Order of Initiation of Fluconazole and Amphotericin B in Sequential or Combination Therapy on Killing of Candida albicans In Vitro and in a Rabbit Model of Endocarditis and Pyelonephritis

2001 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 485-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnold Louie ◽  
Pamela Kaw ◽  
Partha Banerjee ◽  
Weiguo Liu ◽  
George Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Induced Resistance ◽  
Rabbit Model ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Simultaneous Exposure ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT In vitro time-kill studies and a rabbit model of endocarditis and pyelonephritis were used to define the impact that the order of exposure of Candida albicans to fluconazole (FLC) and amphotericin B (AMB), as sequential and combination therapies, had on the susceptibility of C. albicans to AMB and on the outcome. The contribution of FLC-induced resistance to AMB for C. albicans also was assessed. In vitro, AMB monotherapy rapidly killed each of four C. albicans strains; FLC alone was fungistatic. Preincubation of these fungi with FLC for 18 h prior to exposure to AMB decreased their susceptibilities to AMB for 8 to >40 h. Induced resistance to AMB was transient, but the duration of resistance increased with the length of FLC preincubation. Yeast sequentially incubated with FLC followed by AMB plus FLC (FLC→AMB+FLC) showed fungistatic growth kinetics similar to that of fungi that were exposed to FLC alone. This antagonistic effect persisted for at least 24 h. Simultaneous exposure of C. albicans to AMB and FLC [AMB+FLC(simult)] demonstrated activity similar to that with AMB alone for AMB concentrations of ≥1 μg/ml; antagonism was seen using an AMB concentration of 0.5 μg/ml. The in vitro findings accurately predicted outcomes in our rabbit infection model. In vivo, AMB monotherapy and treatment with AMB for 24 h followed by AMB plus FLC (AMB→AMB+FLC) rapidly sterilized kidneys and cardiac vegetations. AMB+FLC(simult) and FLC→AMB treatments were slower in clearing fungi from infected tissues. FLC monotherapy and FLC→AMB+FLC were both fungistatic and were the least active regimens. No adverse interaction was observed between AMB and FLC for the AMB→FLC regimen. However, FLC→AMB treatment was slower than AMB alone in clearing fungi from tissues. Thus, our in vitro and in vivo studies both demonstrate that preexposure of C. albicans to FLC reduces fungal susceptibility to AMB. The length of FLC preexposure and whether AMB is subsequently used alone or in combination with FLC determine the duration of induced resistance to AMB.

scholarly journals 1366. In Vitro and In Vivo Activity of Cefiderocol against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Clinical Isolates

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S418-S418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akinobu Ito ◽  
Merime Ota ◽  
Rio Nakamura ◽  
Masakatsu Tsuji ◽  
Takafumi Sato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Vitro Activity ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
In Vitro Activity ◽  
In Vivo Efficacy ◽  
Broth Microdilution Method

Abstract Background Cefiderocol (S-649266, CFDC) is a novel siderophore cephalosporin against Gram-negatives, including carbapenem (CR)-resistant strains. Its spectrum includes both the Enterobacteriaceae but also nonfermenters, including Stenotrophomonas maltophilia—an opportunistic pathogen with intrinsic resistance to carbapenem antibiotics. In this study, in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy of CFDC and comparators against S. maltophilia were determined. Methods MICs of CFDC and comparators (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), minocycline (MINO), tigecycline (TGC), ciprofloxacin (CPFX), cefepime (CFPM), meropenem (MEPM), and colistin (CL)) were determined by broth microdilution method as recommended by CLSI. The MIC against CFDC was determined using iron-depleted cation-adjusted Mueller–Hinton broth. In vivo efficacy of CFDC, CFPM, ceftazidime–avibactam (CAZ/AVI), MEPM, and CL was evaluated using neutropenic murine systemic infection model caused by strain SR21970. The 50% effective doses (ED50s) were calculated by the logit method using the survival number at each dose 7 days after infection. Results MIC90 of CFDC and comparators against the 216 clinical isolates from global countries collected in SIDERO-CR 2014/2016 study are shown in the table. CFDC, TMP/SMX, MINO, and TGC showed good activity with MIC90 of 0.5, 0.25/4.75, 1, and 2 µg/mL, respectively. CFDC, MINO, and TGC inhibited growth of all tested strains at ≤1, ≤4, and ≤8 µg/mL although two strains showed resistance to TMP/SMX. MICs of CFPM, CAZ/AVI, MEPM, and CL were ≥32 µg/mL. The ED50 of CFDC against S. maltophilia SR21970 with MIC of 0.125 mg/mL was 1.17 mg/kg/dose. Conversely, MICs of CFPM, CAZ/AVI, MEPM/CS, and CL against SR21970 were 32 μg/mL or higher, and ED50s were &gt;100 mg/kg/dose, showing that CFDC had potent in vivo efficacy against S. maltophilia strain which was resistant to other antibiotics. Conclusion CFDC showed potent in vitro activity against S. maltophilia, including TMP/SMX-resistant isolates. CFDC also showed potent in vivo efficacy reflecting in vitro activity against S. maltophilia in murine systemic infection model. Disclosures A. Ito, Shionogi & Co., Ltd.: Employee, Salary. M. Ota, Shionogi & Co., Ltd.: Employee, Salary. R. Nakamura, Shionogi & Co., Ltd.: Employee, Salary. M. Tsuji, Shionogi & Co., Ltd.: Employee, Salary. T. Sato, Shionogi & Co., Ltd.: Employee, Salary. Y. Yamano, Shionogi & Co., Ltd.: Employee, Salary.

scholarly journals Deletion of the ATP2 Gene in Candida albicans Blocks Its Escape From Macrophage Clearance

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yishan Zhang ◽  
Chuanyan Tang ◽  
Zhanpeng Zhang ◽  
Shuixiu Li ◽  
Yajing Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Drug Target ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Invasive Infection ◽  
First Line ◽  
Dramatic Decrease

Macrophages provide the first-line defense against invasive fungal infections and, therefore, escape from macrophage becomes the basis for the establishment of Candida albicans invasive infection. Here, we found that deletion of ATP2 (atp2Δ/Δ) in C. albicans resulted in a dramatic decrease from 69.2% (WT) to 1.2% in the escape rate in vitro. The effect of ATP2 on macrophage clearance stands out among the genes currently known to affect clearance. In the normal mice, the atp2Δ/Δ cells were undetectable in major organs 72 h after systemic infection, while WT cells persisted in vivo. However, in the macrophage-depleted mice, atp2Δ/Δ could persist for 72 h at an amount comparable to that at 24 h. Regarding the mechanism, WT cells sustained growth and switched to hyphal form, which was more conducive to escape from macrophages, in media that mimic the glucose-deficient environment in macrophages. In contrast, atp2Δ/Δ cells can remained viable but were unable to complete morphogenesis in these media, resulting in them being trapped within macrophages in the yeast form. Meanwhile, atp2Δ/Δ cells were killed by oxidative stress in alternative carbon sources by 2- to 3-fold more than WT cells. Taken together, ATP2 deletion prevents C. albicans from escaping macrophage clearance, and therefore ATP2 has a functional basis as a drug target that interferes with macrophage clearance.

scholarly journals YraP Contributes to Cell Envelope Integrity and Virulence ofSalmonella entericaSerovar Typhimurium

2018 ◽  
Vol 86 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faye C. Morris ◽  
Timothy J. Wells ◽  
Jack A. Bryant ◽  
Anna E. Schager ◽  
Yanina R. Sevastsyanovich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Cell Envelope ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Eukaryotic Cell ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
K 12

ABSTRACTMutations in σE-regulated lipoproteins have previously been shown to impact bacterial viability under conditions of stress and duringin vivoinfection. YraP is conserved across a number of Gram-negative pathogens, includingNeisseria meningitidis, where the homolog is a component of the Bexsero meningococcal group B vaccine. Investigations using laboratory-adaptedEscherichia coliK-12 have shown thatyraPmutants have elevated sensitivity to a range of compounds, including detergents and normally ineffective antibiotics. In this study, we investigate the role of the outer membrane lipoprotein YraP in the pathogenesis ofSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium. We show that mutations inS. TyphimuriumyraPresult in a defective outer membrane barrier with elevated sensitivity to a range of compounds. This defect is associated with attenuated virulence in an oral infection model and during the early stages of systemic infection. We show that this attenuation is not a result of defects in lipopolysaccharide and O-antigen synthesis, changes in outer membrane protein levels, or the ability to adhere to and invade eukaryotic cell linesin vitro.

In vitro and in vivo activity of chelerythrine against Candida albicans and underlying mechanisms

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (18) ◽  
pp. 1545-1557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Gong ◽  
Siwen Li ◽  
Weixin Wang ◽  
Yiman Li ◽  
Wenli Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Calcium Concentration ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Hyphal Growth ◽  
Drug Transporter ◽  
Antifungal Effect ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Aim: To evaluate whether chelerythrine (CHT) exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Materials & methods: Broth microdilution assay and Galleria mellonella model were used to evaluate the antifungal effect in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Mechanism studies were investigated by morphogenesis observation, Fluo-3/AM, DCFH-DA and rhodamine6G assay, respectively. Results: CHT exhibited antifungal activity against C. albicans and preformed biofilms with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 2 to 16 μg/ml. Besides, CHT protected G. mellonella larvae infected by C. albicans. Mechanisms studies revealed that CHT inhibited hyphal growth, increased intracellular calcium concentration, induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species and inhibited drug transporter activity. Conclusion: CHT exhibited antifungal activity against C. albicans.

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