scholarly journals Effects of Antifungal Interventions on the Outcome of Experimental Infections with Phenotypic Switch Variants of Cryptococcus neoformans

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 350-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bettina C. Fries ◽  
Emily Cook ◽  
Xiabo Wang ◽  
Arturo Casadevall
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Drug Therapy ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Phenotypic Switching ◽  
Phenotypic Switch ◽  
Fungal Burden ◽  
Cryptococcal Infection ◽  
Selection Of

ABSTRACT In cryptococcal infection, phenotypic switching from a smooth to a mucoid variant can occur in vivo, producing variants with enhanced virulence that are subsequently selected and affect the outcome of infection. Here, we demonstrate that antifungal treatment of the chronically infected host can promote this phenomenon. Amphotericin B treatment reduces fungal burden less effectively in mucoid variant-infected than in smooth variant-infected mice. Consequently, amphotericin B treatment resulted in a more pronounced prolongation of survival in smooth variant-infected than in mucoid variant-infected mice (20 versus 42 days; P < 0.05). Administration of anticapsular monoclonal antibody mediated better protection in smooth variant-infected than in mucoid variant-infected mice, although a protective effect was not consistently observed at all doses. Most interestingly, both antifungal drug therapy and administration of anticapsular monoclonal antibody promoted the selection of mucoid variants in smooth variant-infected mice, a phenomenon manifested by a statistically higher percentage of mucoid colonies in smooth variant-infected mice than in nontreated control mice. This finding suggests that both chemotherapeutic and immunological antifungal interventions may promote the selection of the more virulent mucoid variant, which could affect the outcome of infection in chronically infected hosts.

scholarly journals Phenotypic switching in Cryptococcus neoformans

Microbiology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 152 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Guerrero ◽  
N. Jain ◽  
D. L. Goldman ◽  
B. C. Fries
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Chronic Infection ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Phenotypic Switching ◽  
Phenotypic Switch ◽  
Intracerebral Pressure ◽  
Differential Gene ◽  
Selection Of

Phenotypic switching has been described in serotype A and D strains of Cryptococcus neoformans. It occurs in vivo during chronic infection and is associated with differential gene expression and changes in virulence. The switch involves changes in the polysaccharide capsule and cell wall that affect the yeast's ability to resist phagocytosis. In addition, the phenotypic switch variants elicit qualitatively different inflammatory responses in the host. In animal models of chronic cryptococosis, the immune response of the host ultimately determines which of the switch variants are selected and maintained. The importance of phenotypic switching is further underscored by several findings that are relevant in the setting of human disease. These include the ability of the mucoid colony variant of RC-2 (RC-2 MC) but not the smooth variant (RC-2 SM) to promote increased intracerebral pressure in a rat model of cryptococcal meningitis. Furthermore, chemotherapeutic and immunological antifungal interventions can promote the selection of the RC-2 MC variant during chronic murine infection.

scholarly journals In Vitro and In Vivo Antifungal Activity of AmBisome Compared to Conventional Amphotericin B and Fluconazole against Candida auris

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Herrada ◽  
Ahmed Gamal ◽  
Lisa Long ◽  
Sonia P. Sanchez ◽  
Thomas S. McCormick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Kidney Tissue ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Untreated Group ◽  
Candida Auris ◽  
Fungal Burden ◽  
In Vivo Antifungal Activity

Antifungal activity of AmBisome against Candida auris was determined in vitro and in vivo. AmBisome showed MIC50 and MIC90 values of 1 and 2 μg/mL, respectively. Unlike conventional amphotericin B, significant in vivo efficacy was observed in the AmBisome 7.5 mg/kg -treated group in survival and reduction of kidney tissue fungal burden compared to the untreated group. Our data shows that AmBisome shows significant antifungal activity against C. auris in vitro as well as in vivo.

scholarly journals 1577. Particle Characterization of Nebulized Liposomal Amphotericin B and Its Use in the Treatment of Murine Pulmonary Aspergillosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S576-S576
Author(s):  
Janam J Dave ◽  
Adilene Sandoval ◽  
Jon Olson ◽  
Jill Adler-Moore
Keyword(s):  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Liposomal Amphotericin ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Liposomal Amphotericin B ◽  
Drug Penetration ◽  
Particle Characterization ◽  
Pulmonary Aspergillosis ◽  
Fungal Burden

Abstract Background Immunocompromised patients are very susceptible to pulmonary aspergillosis causing 50% mortality with present treatments, indicating a need for improved therapy. To address this, we standardized a nebulization method for effectively delivering liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome®, AmBi) into lungs of Aspergillus fumigatus-infected mice. Methods AmBi particle characterization was done with a Cascade particle impactor and a Schuco S5000 nebulizer containing 1.33 mg/mL AmBi. For in vivo studies, AmBi was nebulized (neb) into a 12 compartment chamber (one mouse/compartment), following immunosuppression with 28 mg/kg triamcinolone IP (d-3, -1, +1). Mice were challenged d0 with 9 x 106A. fumigatus (ATCC#13073) and 4 hours post-challenge, divided into 5 groups (n = 12/gp): 5 days of 20 min/day neb AmBi (Gp1), 5 days of 10 min/day neb AmBi (Gp2), 20 min/day neb AmBi days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 (Gp 3), 5 days of intravenous(IV) AmBi 7.5 mg/kg/day (Gp4) and IV PBS (Gp5). Seven mice/gp were monitored for survival to d21 and lungs, livers, kidneys, spleens (5 mice/gp) analyzed for mean amphotericin B µg/g and CFU/g. Results 87% of neb AmBi particles were between 0.43 mm to 3.3 mm allowing for drug penetration into 1°, 2° and terminal bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. This resulted in very good protection, with 20 min daily neb treatments (Gp1) giving 100% survival and 10 min daily neb treatments producing 71% survival (Gp2). There were no survivors in the PBS gp (P < 0.02 vs. Gp1 and Gp2). Every other day neb AmBi or daily IV AmBi was less effective (43% survival). In addition, neb AmBi for 20 min (Gp1) yielded significantly lower fungal burden in lungs vs. all other AmBi treatments (P < 0.02). While drug was detected in lungs of mice given 20 min of neb AmBi (2.6 µg/g), there was no drug detected in livers, kidneys or spleens of any mice given neb AmBi. In comparison, with IV AmBi, drug was detected in the lungs (7 µg/g), livers (204 µg/g), kidneys (38 µg/g), and spleens (114 µg/g). Conclusion Daily AmBi nebulization was an effective and potentially less nephrotoxic treatment for murine pulmonary aspergillosis since it achieved significantly lower tissue fungal burden and much better survival vs. daily IV AmBi, without delivering drug to the kidneys. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals New Triazole NT-a9 Has Potent Antifungal Efficacy against Cryptococcus neoformans In Vitro and In Vivo

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ren-Yi Lu ◽  
Ting-Jun-Hong Ni ◽  
Jing Wu ◽  
Lan Yan ◽  
Quan-Zhen Lv ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Survival Times ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fungal Burden ◽  
Wide Range

ABSTRACT In the past decades, the incidence of cryptococcosis has increased dramatically, which poses a new threat to human health. However, only a few drugs are available for the treatment of cryptococcosis. Here, we described a leading compound, NT-a9, an analogue of isavuconazole, that showed strong antifungal activities in vitro and in vivo. NT-a9 showed a wide range of activities against several pathogenic fungi in vitro, including Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus gattii, Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, and Candida parapsilosis, with MICs ranging from 0.002 to 1 μg/ml. In particular, NT-a9 exhibited excellent efficacy against C. neoformans, with a MIC as low as 0.002 μg/ml. NT-a9 treatment resulted in changes in the sterol contents in C. neoformans, similarly to fluconazole. In addition, NT-a9 possessed relatively low cytotoxicity and a high selectivity index. The in vivo efficacy of NT-a9 was assessed using a murine disseminated-cryptococcosis model. Mice were infected intravenously with 1.8 × 106 CFU of C. neoformans strain H99. In the survival study, NT-a9 significantly prolonged the survival times of mice compared with the survival times of the control group or the isavuconazole-, fluconazole-, or amphotericin B-treated groups. Of note, 4 and 8 mg/kg of body weight of NT-a9 rescued all the mice, with a survival rate of 100%. In the fungal-burden study, NT-a9 also significantly reduced the fungal burdens in brains and lungs, while fluconazole and amphotericin B only reduced the fungal burden in lungs. Taken together, these data suggested that NT-a9 is a promising antifungal candidate for the treatment of cryptococcosis infection.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Caspofungin against Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus, and Aspergillus nidulans

2006 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
pp. 4202-4205 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Bowman ◽  
G. K. Abruzzo ◽  
A. M. Flattery ◽  
C. J. Gill ◽  
E. J. Hickey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Filamentous Fungi ◽  
Aspergillus Flavus ◽  
Aspergillus Terreus ◽  
Potent Inhibitor ◽  
Murine Models ◽  
Glucan Synthase ◽  
Fungal Burden

ABSTRACT The echinocandin caspofungin is a potent inhibitor of the activity of 1,3-β-d-glucan synthase from Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus, and Aspergillus nidulans. In murine models of disseminated infection, caspofungin prolonged survival and reduced the kidney fungal burden. Caspofungin was at least as effective as amphotericin B against these filamentous fungi in vivo.

scholarly journals Efficacies of Fluconazole, Caspofungin, and Amphotericin B in Candida glabrata-Infected p47phox−/− Knockout Mice

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 1240-1245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justina Y. Ju ◽  
Cynthia Polhamus ◽  
Kieren A. Marr ◽  
Steven M. Holland ◽  
John E. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Murine Model ◽  
Knockout Mice ◽  
Candida Glabrata ◽  
Drug Efficacy ◽  
Fungal Burden ◽  
Lethal Infection

ABSTRACT Candida glabrata is the second leading cause of adult candidemia, resulting in high mortality. Amphotericin B is considered the treatment of choice, while the efficacy of fluconazole is controversial and caspofungin efficacy is unknown. To ascertain drug efficacy in vivo, the utility of a murine model of C. glabrata infection was investigated. C. glabrata was found to cause progressive, lethal infection when injected intravenously into C57BL/6 mice with reduced oxidative microbicidal capacity due to knockout of the p47phox gene. Spleen and kidney organ CFU counts were determined in groups of mice 2 days after the mice completed 6 days of daily intraperitoneal drug treatment, which began on the day of infection. Daily injections of fluconazole at 80 mg/kg did not reduce spleen or kidney CFU counts after infection with C. glabrata strains having in vitro fluconazole MICs of 2, 32, or 256 μg/ml compared to saline-treated controls. However, this fluconazole regimen reduced spleen CFU counts in mice infected with Candida albicans, an infection that is known to be responsive to fluconazole. Caspofungin at 5 mg/kg and amphotericin B at 5 mg/kg were both effective in reducing fungal burden in spleens and kidneys of C. glabrata-infected mice. Ten mice treated for 6 days with caspofungin at 1 mg/kg survived for 15 days, though all 10 saline-injected mice died or were so ill that they had to be sacrificed by 96 h postinfection. This murine model provided evidence of the efficacy of amphotericin B and caspofungin but not of fluconazole against C. glabrata infection.

scholarly journals In Vitro and In Vivo Experimental Activities of Antifungal Agents against Fusarium solani

1999 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 1256-1257 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Guarro ◽  
I. Pujol ◽  
E. Mayayo
Keyword(s):  
Drug Therapy ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Fusarium Solani ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Disseminated Infection

ABSTRACT In the treatment of disseminated Fusarium infections, amphotericin B either alone or in combination with flucytosine and rifampin is the drug therapy most frequently used. The efficacy of these antifungal drugs was evaluated in a murine disseminated-infection model, with five strains of Fusarium solani. All the treatments were clearly ineffective.

scholarly journals Posaconazole and Amphotericin B Combination Therapy against Cryptococcus neoformans Infection

2004 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 3312-3316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Barchiesi ◽  
Elisabetta Spreghini ◽  
Anna M. Schimizzi ◽  
Monia Maracci ◽  
Daniele Giannini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Combination Regimen ◽  
Fungal Burden ◽  
Cryptococcal Infection ◽  
Single Drug ◽  
Cd1 Mice ◽  
Survival Studies ◽  
The Brain

ABSTRACT To investigate the effects of posaconazole (POS) and amphotericin B (AMB) combination therapy in cryptococcal infection, we established an experimental model of systemic cryptococcosis in CD1 mice by intravenous injection of three distinct clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans. Therapy was started 24 h after the infection and continued for 10 consecutive days. POS was given at 3 and 10 mg/kg of body weight/day, while AMB was given at 0.3 mg/kg/day. Combination therapy consisted of POS given at a low (combo 3) or at a high (combo 10) dose plus AMB. Survival studies showed that combo 3 was significantly more effective than POS at 3 mg/kg for two isolates tested (P value, ≤0.001), while combo 10 was significantly more effective than POS at 10 mg/kg for all three isolates (P values ranging from <0.001 to 0.005). However, neither combination regimen was more effective than AMB alone. For two isolates, combination therapy was significantly more effective than each single drug at reducing the fungal burden in the brain (P values ranging from 0.001 to 0.015) but not in the lungs. This study demonstrates that the major impact of POS and AMB combination therapy is on brain fungal burden rather than on survival.

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