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Augmenting Azoles with Drug Synergy to Expand the Antifungal Toolbox. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040482. [PMID: 35455479 PMCID: PMC9027798 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections impact the lives of at least 12 million people every year, killing over 1.5 million. Wide-spread use of fungicides and prophylactic antifungal therapy have driven resistance in many serious fungal pathogens, and there is an urgent need to expand the current antifungal arsenal. Recent research has focused on improving azoles, our most successful class of antifungals, by looking for synergistic interactions with secondary compounds. Synergists can co-operate with azoles by targeting steps in related pathways, or they may act on mechanisms related to resistance such as active efflux or on totally disparate pathways or processes. A variety of sources of potential synergists have been explored, including pre-existing antimicrobials, pharmaceuticals approved for other uses, bioactive natural compounds and phytochemicals, and novel synthetic compounds. Synergy can successfully widen the antifungal spectrum, decrease inhibitory dosages, reduce toxicity, and prevent the development of resistance. This review highlights the diversity of mechanisms that have been exploited for the purposes of azole synergy and demonstrates that synergy remains a promising approach for meeting the urgent need for novel antifungal strategies.
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Odysseos G, Mayr U, Bozsaki G, Seidensticker C, Ehmer U, Schmid RM, Lahmer T, Dill V. Isavuconazole and Liposomal Amphotericin B as Successful Combination Therapy of Refractory Invasive Candidiasis in a Liver Transplant Recipient: A Case Report and Literature Review. Mycopathologia 2021; 187:113-120. [PMID: 34718931 PMCID: PMC8807427 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00599-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections in liver transplant recipients are associated with elevated morbidity and mortality and pose a challenge to the treating physicians. Despite of lacking clinical data, the use of antifungal combination therapy is often considered to improve response rates in an immunocompromised patient population. We herein report a case of refractory invasive candidiasis in a liver transplant recipient treated successfully with a combination of isavuconazole und high-dose liposomal amphotericin B. The antimycotic combination treatment was able to clear a bloodstream infection with C. glabrata and led to regression of bilomas among tolerable side effects. The use of the above-mentioned antifungal combination therapy in a liver transplant recipient has not been reported previously. This case highlights the efficacy and safety of antifungal combination therapy in immunocompromised patients with refractory invasive candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Odysseos
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich Mayr
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Gabor Bozsaki
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Seidensticker
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ursula Ehmer
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Roland M Schmid
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Lahmer
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Veronika Dill
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin III, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, Germany.
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Vitale RG. Role of Antifungal Combinations in Difficult to Treat Candida Infections. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:731. [PMID: 34575770 PMCID: PMC8468556 DOI: 10.3390/jof7090731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida infections are varied and, depending on the immune status of the patient, a life-threatening form may develop. C. albicans is the most prevalent species isolated, however, a significant shift towards other Candida species has been noted. Monotherapy is frequently indicated, but the patient's evolution is not always favorable. Drug combinations are a suitable option in specific situations. The aim of this review is to address this problem and to discuss the role of drug combinations in difficult to treat Candida infections. A search for eligible studies in PubMed and Google Scholar databases was performed. An analysis of the data was carried out to define in which cases a combination therapy is the most appropriate. Combination therapy may be used for refractory candidiasis, endocarditis, meningitis, eye infections and osteomyelitis, among others. The role of the drug combination would be to increase efficacy, reduce toxicity and improve the prognosis of the patient in infections that are difficult to treat. More clinical studies and reporting of cases in which drug combinations are used are needed in order to have more data that support the use of this therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana G. Vitale
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina;
- Unidad de Parasitología, Sector Micología, Hospital J. M. Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Comparative Efficacy of Antifungal Agents Used in the Treatment of Oropharyngeal Candidiasis among HIV-Infected Adults: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7080637. [PMID: 34436176 PMCID: PMC8398874 DOI: 10.3390/jof7080637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of different antifungal agents used for the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in adult patients with HIV. A systematic search was performed on the four major databases (Medline, Embase, CENTRAL and Scopus) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the efficacy of antifungal agents in HIV patients with OPC. A network meta-analysis was performed from the data extracted from the selected studies. The agents were ranked according using surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA). The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to determine the quality of evidence. A total of 15 trials were included in the quantitative analysis involving the data from a total of 2883 participants. Fluconazole was ranked as the most effective antifungal agent to achieve clinical cure (SUCRA = 0.87) in OPC followed by posaconazole and itraconazole. Posaconazole was ranked the most efficacious agent in achieving mycological cure (SUCRA = 0.81), followed by fluconazole. While nystatin was ranked the safest, the effect estimates of none of the other systemic antifungal agents were significantly higher than fluconazole. Based on the available evidence, fluconazole can be considered as the most effective drug in the treatment of OPC among HIV-infected adults and has a favorable safety profile, followed by posaconazole.
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The in vivo anti-Candida albicans activity of flavonoids. J Oral Biosci 2021; 63:120-128. [PMID: 33839266 DOI: 10.1016/j.job.2021.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging drug-resistant strains of Candida albicans have led to the recurrence of fungal disease, rendering conventional drug therapies ineffective. Although in vitro studies on flavonoids as novel antifungal products have shown promising results, there is currently limited information regarding their in vivo effects. The aim of this review is to evaluate in vivo studies on the antifungal activity of flavonoids against C. albicans, as novel therapeutic agents. In this regard, we conducted broad searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase covering the years 2009-2020. HIGHLIGHT Flavonoids represent new natural therapeutic compounds to treat oral candidiasis. Among subclasses of flavonoids, flavonols and chalcones appear to have the most significant antifungal activities. Oral administration of Canthin-6-one, a flavonol, has the potential to damage fungal cell membrane while having minimal toxic effects on mice. Similarly, topical oral application of lichochalcone-A, a chalcone, reduces oral candidiasis in mice. There appears to be structural similarities in the hydroxyl residues among compounds within the same subclass of flavonoids, which may contribute to antibiofilm activity. Oral topical application of flavonoids shows low toxicity and has clinical relevance as potential novel antifungal treatments. CONCLUSION Flavonoids are a group of natural products exhibiting antifungal activity. The subclasses flavonols and chalcones appear to have the most significant in vivo antifungal activity against C. albicans infections in mouse models. Specifically, quercetin (flavonol) has been applied via vaginal gavage in a murine vulvovaginal candidiasis model, whereas lichochalcone-A (chalcone) has shown topical oral application in C. albicans-inoculated mice. Both compounds show efficacy in fungal elimination via biofilm inhibition for their respective subclasses. The translational significance of these in vivo studies should be examined in clinical trials of selected potent compounds for the treatment of oral candidiasis. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the specific mechanisms of flavonoids as antifungal agents.
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Roshdy A, Elmansi H, Shalan S, El-Brashy A. Factorial design-assisted reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography method for simultaneous determination of fluconazole, itraconazole and terbinafine. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:202130. [PMID: 33972882 PMCID: PMC8103232 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.202130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A 23 full factorial design model was used for the development of a new high performance liquid chromatography method with UV detection to estimate three antifungal drugs simultaneously. Fluconazole (FLU), itraconazole (ITR) and terbinafine (TRH) are co-administered for severe fungal infections. They have been determined using MOS-1 Hypersil C18 column and an isocratic eluent; methanol 95% and phosphate buffer 5% with 0.001% triethylamine. The pH was adjusted to 7, and the flow rate was 0.7 ml min-1. The three drugs were separated within less than 7 min at 210 nm. The developed method gave a linear response over 5-80 µg ml-1, 5-50 µg ml-1 and 1-50 µg ml-1 for FLU, ITR and TRH, respectively. It showed detection limits of 0.88, 0.29 and 0.20 µg ml-1 and quantification limits of 2.66, 0.88 and 0.60 µg ml-1 for the three drugs, respectively. The design of the experiment facilitated the optimization of different variables affecting the separation of the three drugs. The sensitivity of the designed method permitted the simultaneous estimation of ITR and TRH in spiked human plasma successfully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Roshdy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University-Egypt, New Damietta, Egypt
| | - Heba Elmansi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Shereen Shalan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Amina El-Brashy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
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Tits J, Cammue BPA, Thevissen K. Combination Therapy to Treat Fungal Biofilm-Based Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228873. [PMID: 33238622 PMCID: PMC7700406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of people is affected by fungal biofilm-based infections, which are resistant to the majority of currently-used antifungal drugs. Such infections are often caused by species from the genera Candida, Aspergillus or Cryptococcus. Only a few antifungal drugs, including echinocandins and liposomal formulations of amphotericin B, are available to treat such biofilm-based fungal infections. This review discusses combination therapy as a novel antibiofilm strategy. More specifically, in vitro methods to discover new antibiofilm combinations will be discussed. Furthermore, an overview of the main modes of action of promising antibiofilm combination treatments will be provided as this knowledge may facilitate the optimization of existing antibiofilm combinations or the development of new ones with a similar mode of action.
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Structural design of microbicidal cationic oligomers and their synergistic interaction with azoles against Candida albicans. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11885. [PMID: 31417167 PMCID: PMC6695401 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48322-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane-disrupting synthetic antimicrobial polymers have been well developed as antimicrobial peptide (AMP) mimics to mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, synthetic polymers possess inherent drawbacks, being a mixture of different chain lengths, which restricts their clinical applications. In fact, synthetic oligomers with defined chain length and molecular structure could be better representatives of AMPs. Herein, a series of novel imidazolium-ammonium oligomers developed in this work exhibit excellent broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, specifically the salient structure dependent high efficiency against C. albicans. Moreover, synergistic effect emerged when the combined azoles and synthetic oligomers were applied against C. albicans. The detail structural coupling between azoles and oligomers was scrutinized through molecular dynamics simulations to unravel the interaction details with the atomistic resolution. The labile interaction between oligomer and azoles facilitated the transfer of drug into fungal cells, which can be a synergistic solution to prevent the development of resistance on C. albicans.
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Xu J, Liu R, Sun F, An L, Shang Z, Kong L, Yang M. Eucalyptal D Enhances the Antifungal Effect of Fluconazole on Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans by Competitively Inhibiting Efflux Pump. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:211. [PMID: 31281800 PMCID: PMC6595430 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The frequent emergence of azole-resistant strains has increasingly led azoles to fail in treating candidiasis. Combination with other drugs is a good option to effectively reduce or retard its incidence of resistance. Natural products are a promising synergist source to assist azoles in treating resistant candidiasis. Eucalyptal D (ED), a formyl-phloroglucinol meroterpenoid, is one of the natural synergists, which could significantly enhance the anticandidal activity of fluconazole (FLC) in treating FLC resistant C. albicans. The checkerboard microdilution assay showed their synergistic effect. The agar disk diffusion test illustrated the key role of ED in synergy. The rhodamine 6G (R6G) efflux assay reflected ED could reduce drug efflux, but quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis revealed the upregulation of CDR1 and CDR2 genes in ED treating group. Efflux pump-deficient strains were hyper-susceptible to ED, thus ED was speculated to be the substrate of efflux pump Cdr1p and Cdr2p to competitively inhibit the excretion of FLC or R6G, which mainly contributed to its synergistic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruihuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fujuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin An
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhichun Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lingyi Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Minghua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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Tome M, Zupan J, Tomičić Z, Matos T, Raspor P. Synergistic and antagonistic effects of immunomodulatory drugs on the action of antifungals against Candida glabrata and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. PeerJ 2018; 6:e4999. [PMID: 29915703 PMCID: PMC6004109 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Candidemia and other forms of invasive fungal infections caused by Candida glabrata and to a lesser extent Saccharomyces cerevisiae are a serious health problem, especially if their steadily rising resistance to the limited range of antifungal drugs is taken into consideration. Various drug combinations are an attractive solution to the resistance problem, and some drug combinations are already common in the clinical environment due to the nature of diseases or therapies. We tested a few of the common antifungal-immunomodulatory drug combinations and evaluated their effect on selected strains of C. glabrata and S. cerevisiae. The combinations were performed using the checkerboard microdilution assay and interpreted using the Loewe additivity model and a model based on the Bliss independence criterion. A synergistic interaction was confirmed between calcineurin inhibitors (Fk506 and cyclosporine A) and antifungals (fluconazole, itraconazole, and amphotericin B). A new antagonistic interaction between mycophenolic acid (MPA) and azole antifungals was discovered in non-resistant strains. A possible mechanism that explains this is induction of the Cdr1 efflux pump by MPA in C. glabrata ATCC 2001. The Pdr1 regulatory cascade plays a role in overall resistance to fluconazole, but it is not essential for the antagonistic interaction. This was confirmed by the Cgpdr1Δ mutant still displaying the antagonistic interaction between the drugs, although at lower concentrations of fluconazole. This antagonism calls into question the use of simultaneous therapy with MPA and azoles in the clinical environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miha Tome
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jure Zupan
- Biotechnology, Microbiology, and Food Safety, Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Lek d.d., Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Zorica Tomičić
- Faculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Tadeja Matos
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Raspor
- Biotechnology, Microbiology, and Food Safety, Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Retired from University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Szabó P, Daróczi TB, Tóth G, Zelkó R. In vitro and in silico investigation of electrospun terbinafine hydrochloride-loaded buccal nanofibrous sheets. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2016; 131:156-159. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2016.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Reichert-Lima F, Busso-Lopes AF, Lyra L, Peron IH, Taguchi H, Mikami Y, Kamei K, Moretti ML, Schreiber AZ. Evaluation of antifungal combination againstCryptococcusspp. Mycoses 2016; 59:585-93. [DOI: 10.1111/myc.12510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Revised: 04/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Franqueline Reichert-Lima
- Clinical Pathology Department; Faculty of Medical Sciences; State University of Campinas; Campinas Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - Ariane F. Busso-Lopes
- Internal Medicine Department; Faculty of Medical Sciences; State University of Campinas; Campinas Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - Luzia Lyra
- Clinical Pathology Department; Faculty of Medical Sciences; State University of Campinas; Campinas Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - Isabela Haddad Peron
- Clinical Pathology Department; Faculty of Medical Sciences; State University of Campinas; Campinas Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - Hideaki Taguchi
- Medical Mycology Research Center; Chiba University; Chiba Japan
| | - Yuzuru Mikami
- Medical Mycology Research Center; Chiba University; Chiba Japan
| | - Katsuiko Kamei
- Medical Mycology Research Center; Chiba University; Chiba Japan
| | - Maria Luiza Moretti
- Internal Medicine Department; Faculty of Medical Sciences; State University of Campinas; Campinas Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - Angelica Z. Schreiber
- Clinical Pathology Department; Faculty of Medical Sciences; State University of Campinas; Campinas Sao Paulo Brazil
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Cui J, Ren B, Tong Y, Dai H, Zhang L. Synergistic combinations of antifungals and anti-virulence agents to fight against Candida albicans. Virulence 2016; 6:362-71. [PMID: 26048362 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2015.1039885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans, one of the pathogenic Candida species, causes high mortality rate in immunocompromised and high-risk surgical patients. In the last decade, only one new class of antifungal drug echinocandin was applied. The increased therapy failures, such as the one caused by multi-drug resistance, demand innovative strategies for new effective antifungal drugs. Synergistic combinations of antifungals and anti-virulence agents highlight the pragmatic strategy to reduce the development of drug resistant and potentially repurpose known antifungals, which bypass the costly and time-consuming pipeline of new drug development. Anti-virulence and synergistic combination provide new options for antifungal drug discovery by counteracting the difficulty or failure of traditional therapy for fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhui Cui
- a CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology; Institute of Microbiology; Chinese Academy of Sciences ; Beijing , China
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14
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Louis B, Waikhom SD, Atadja PW. Current trends in outwitting resistance development inCandidainfections through photodynamic and short peptide therapies: a strategic-shift from conventional antifungal agents. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2016; 14:345-52. [DOI: 10.1586/14787210.2016.1147953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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15
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Khodavandi A, Alizadeh F, Vanda NA, Karimi G, Chong PP. Possible mechanisms of the antifungal activity of fluconazole in combination with terbinafine against Candida albicans. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2014; 52:1505-1509. [PMID: 24863276 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.900808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Candidiasis is a term describing infections by yeasts from the genus Candida, the majority Candida albicans. Treatment of such infections often requires antifungals such as the azoles, but increased use of these drugs has led to selection of yeasts with increased resistance to these drugs. OBJECTIVE Combination therapy would be one of the best strategies for the treatment of candidiasis due to increased resistance to azoles. MATERIALS AND METHODS The antifungal activities of fluconazole and terbinafine were evaluated in vitro alone and in combination using broth microdilution test and time kill study. Eventually the expression level of selected genes involved in ergosterol biosynthesis of Candida was evaluated using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS The obtained results showed the significant MICs ranging from 0.25 to 8 µg/mL followed by FICs ranged from 0.37 to 1 in combination with fluconazole/terbinafine. Our findings have demonstrated that the combination of fluconazole and terbinafine could also significantly reduce the expression of ERG1, 3, and 11 in the cell membrane of Candida in all concentrations tested ranging from 1.73- to 6.99-fold. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This study was undertaken with the ultimate goal of finding the probable targets of fluconazole/terbinafine in C. albicans by looking at its effects on cell membrane synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Khodavandi
- Department of Paramedical Sciences, Gachsaran Branch, Islamic Azad University , Gachsaran , Iran
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16
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Hatipoglu N, Hatipoglu H. Combination antifungal therapy for invasive fungal infections in children and adults. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2014; 11:523-35. [DOI: 10.1586/eri.13.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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17
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Antifungal agents commonly used in the superficial and mucosal candidiasis treatment: mode of action and resistance development. Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2013; 30:293-301. [PMID: 24353489 PMCID: PMC3858657 DOI: 10.5114/pdia.2013.38358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Revised: 04/16/2013] [Accepted: 06/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent progress in medical sciences and therapy resulted in an increased number of immunocompromised individuals. Candida albicans is the leading opportunistic fungal pathogen causing infections in humans, ranging from superficial mucosal lesions to disseminated or bloodstream candidiasis. Superficial candidiasis not always presents a risk to the life of the infected host, however it significantly lowers the quality of life. Superficial Candida infections are difficult to treat and their frequency of occurrence is currently rising. To implement successful treatment doctors should be up to date with better understanding of C. albicans resistance mechanisms. Despite high frequency of Candida infections there is a limited number of antimycotics available for therapy. This review focuses on current understanding of the mode of action and resistance mechanisms to conventional and emerging antifungal agents for treatment of superficial and mucosal candidiasis.
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Lafleur MD, Sun L, Lister I, Keating J, Nantel A, Long L, Ghannoum M, North J, Lee RE, Coleman K, Dahl T, Lewis K. Potentiation of azole antifungals by 2-adamantanamine. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013; 57:3585-92. [PMID: 23689724 PMCID: PMC3719723 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00294-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Azoles are among the most successful classes of antifungals. They act by inhibiting α-14 lanosterol demethylase in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway. Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) occurs in about 90% of HIV-infected individuals, and 4 to 5% are refractory to current therapies, including azoles, due to the formation of resistant biofilms produced in the course of OPC. We reasoned that compounds affecting a different target may potentiate azoles to produce increased killing and an antibiofilm therapeutic. 2-Adamantanamine (AC17) was identified in a screen for compounds potentiating the action of miconazole against biofilms of Candida albicans. AC17, a close structural analog to the antiviral amantadine, did not affect the viability of C. albicans but caused the normally fungistatic azoles to become fungicidal. Transcriptome analysis of cells treated with AC17 revealed that the ergosterol and filamentation pathways were affected. Indeed, cells exposed to AC17 had decreased ergosterol contents and were unable to invade agar. In vivo, the combination of AC17 and fluconazole produced a significant reduction in fungal tissue burden in a guinea pig model of cutaneous candidiasis, while each treatment alone did not have a significant effect. The combination of fluconazole and AC17 also showed improved efficacy (P value of 0.018) compared to fluconazole alone when fungal lesions were evaluated. AC17 is a promising lead in the search for more effective antifungal therapeutics.
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Scheid LA, Nunes Mario DA, Kubiça TF, Santurio JM, Alves SH. In vitro activities of antifungal agents alone and in combination against fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant strains of Candida dubliniensis. Braz J Infect Dis 2012; 16:78-81. [DOI: 10.1016/s1413-8670(12)70279-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2011] [Accepted: 08/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Shi JP, Zhang H, Zhang ZD, Zhang GH, Gao AL, Xiang SB. Synergistic effects of tetrandrine on the antifungal activity of topical ketoconazole cream in the treatment of dermatophytoses: A clinical trial. Chin J Integr Med 2011; 17:499-504. [DOI: 10.1007/s11655-010-0782-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2009] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Johnson MD, Perfect JR. Use of Antifungal Combination Therapy: Agents, Order, and Timing. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2010; 4:87-95. [PMID: 20574543 DOI: 10.1007/s12281-010-0018-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Given the substantial morbidity and mortality related to invasive fungal infections, treatment with a combination of antifungal agents is often considered. A growing body of literature from in vitro studies, animal models, and clinical experience provides data evaluating this approach. This review describes combination antifungal strategies for the management of cryptococcal meningitis, invasive candidiasis, invasive aspergillosis, and rare mold infections. The potential effects that sequencing and timing have on the efficacy of such approaches are discussed, with a focus on recent clinical data in this arena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa D Johnson
- Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Box 3306 DUMC, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Krishnan-Natesan S. Terbinafine: a pharmacological and clinical review. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2009; 10:2723-33. [DOI: 10.1517/14656560903307462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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23
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Garg S, Naidu J, Singh S, Nawange S, Jharia N, Saxena M. In vitro activity of terbinafine against Indian clinical isolates of Candida albicans and non- albicans using a macrodilution method. J Mycol Med 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2006.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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24
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Abstract
Combination antifungal therapy has been an area of research and clinical interest since systemic antifungals became available decades ago. In vitro and clinical data were generated for some of the more common invasive fungal infections, especially candidiasis, but until very recently few clinical studies were performed. The first invasive fungal infection to be examined in clinical trials with adequate statistical power was cryptococcal meningitis and several of these trials stand out as classical studies in the clinical evaluation of combination antifungal therapy. More recently, since the availability of the newer antifungal agents, including the echinocandins and extended-spectrum triazoles, there has been a growing interest in examining combination antifungal therapy for invasive fungal disease, especially invasive aspergillosis. This is by no means a comprehensive review of all existing experimental data. Instead, the focus is on the clinical data that have been generated to date and on providing insights into potential future clinical directions. For instance, recent clinical data for cryptococcosis confirm that amphotericin B plus flucytosine is the most active combination for patients with cryptococcal meningitis. A recently completed clinical trial in candidaemia suggests a trend towards improved outcomes among patients receiving amphotericin B plus fluconazole versus fluconazole alone. In aspergillosis, several experimental models suggest benefit of a variety of antifungal combinations, but have not been confirmed in prospective clinical trials. Ultimately, the goal is to provide the reader with a comprehensive but useful review to this complicated and often confusing therapeutic dilemma.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Baddley
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Birmingham Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0006, USA
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Mukherjee PK, Sheehan DJ, Hitchcock CA, Ghannoum MA. Combination treatment of invasive fungal infections. Clin Microbiol Rev 2005; 18:163-94. [PMID: 15653825 PMCID: PMC544182 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.18.1.163-194.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The persistence of high morbidity and mortality from systemic fungal infections despite the availability of novel antifungals points to the need for effective treatment strategies. Treatment of invasive fungal infections is often hampered by drug toxicity, tolerability, and specificity issues, and added complications often arise due to the lack of diagnostic tests and to treatment complexities. Combination therapy has been suggested as a possible approach to improve treatment outcome. In this article, we undertake a historical review of studies of combination therapy and also focus on recent studies involving newly approved antifungal agents. The limitations surrounding antifungal combinations include nonuniform interpretation criteria, inability to predict the likelihood of clinical success, strain variability, and variations in pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic properties of antifungals used in combination. The issue of antagonism between polyenes and azoles is beginning to be addressed, but data regarding other drug combinations are not adequate for us to draw definite conclusions. However, recent data have identified potentially useful combinations. Standardization of assay methods and adoption of common interpretive criteria are essential to avoid discrepancies between different in vitro studies. Larger clinical trials are needed to assess whether combination therapy improves survival and treatment outcome in the most seriously debilitated patients afflicted with life-threatening fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranab K Mukherjee
- Center for Medical Mycology, Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland, 11100 Euclid Ave., LKS-5028, Cleveland, OH 44106-5028, USA
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Petraitis V, Petraitiene R, Kelaher AM, Sarafandi AA, Sein T, Mickiene D, Bacher J, Groll AH, Walsh TJ. Efficacy of PLD-118, a novel inhibitor of candida isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, against experimental oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis caused by fluconazole-resistant C. albicans. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2004; 48:3959-67. [PMID: 15388459 PMCID: PMC521932 DOI: 10.1128/aac.48.10.3959-3967.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2003] [Revised: 02/10/2004] [Accepted: 06/17/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PLD-118, formerly BAY 10-8888, is a synthetic antifungal derivative of the naturally occurring beta-amino acid cispentacin. We studied the activity of PLD-118 in escalating dosages against experimental oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis (OPEC) caused by fluconazole (FLC)-resistant Candida albicans in immunocompromised rabbits. Infection was established by fluconazole-resistant (MIC > 64 microg/ml) clinical isolates from patients with refractory esophageal candidiasis. Antifungal therapy was administered for 7 days. Study groups consisted of untreated controls; animals receiving PLD-118 at 4, 10, 25, or 50 mg/kg of body weight/day via intravenous (i.v.) twice daily (BID) injections; animals receiving FLC at 2 mg/kg/day via i.v. BID injections; and animals receiving desoxycholate amphotericin B (DAMB) i.v. at 0.5 mg/kg/day. PLD-118- and DAMB-treated animals showed a significant dosage-dependent clearance of C. albicans from the tongue, oropharynx, and esophagus in comparison to untreated controls (P = 0.05, P = 0.01, P = 0.001, respectively), while FLC had no significant activity. PLD-118 demonstrated nonlinear plasma pharmacokinetics across the investigated dosage range, as was evident from a dose-dependent increase in plasma clearance and a dose-dependent decrease in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve. The biochemical safety profile was similar to that of FLC. In summary, PLD-118 demonstrated dosage-dependent antifungal activity and nonlinear plasma pharmacokinetics in treatment of experimental FLC-resistant oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidmantas Petraitis
- Immunocompromised Host Section, Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Rm. 13N240, Center Dr., Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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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: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [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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Johnson MD, MacDougall C, Ostrosky-Zeichner L, Perfect JR, Rex JH. Combination antifungal therapy. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2004; 48:693-715. [PMID: 14982754 PMCID: PMC353116 DOI: 10.1128/aac.48.3.693-715.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 395] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa D Johnson
- Departments of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
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Dannaoui E, Afeltra J, Meis JFGM, Verweij PE. In vitro susceptibilities of zygomycetes to combinations of antimicrobial agents. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2002; 46:2708-11. [PMID: 12121963 PMCID: PMC127328 DOI: 10.1128/aac.46.8.2708-2711.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2002] [Accepted: 04/30/2002] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Combinations of antimicrobial agents were tested against 35 strains of zygomycetes. The interaction between amphotericin B and rifampin was synergistic or additive. Flucytosine alone was inactive and, upon combination with amphotericin B, synergy was not achieved. The combination of amphotericin B with terbinafine was synergistic for 20% of strains, and the interaction between terbinafine and voriconazole was synergistic for 44% of strains. Antagonism was not observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Dannaoui
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center St. Radboud, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Te Dorsthorst DTA, Verweij PE, Meis JFGM, Punt NC, Mouton JW. Comparison of fractional inhibitory concentration index with response surface modeling for characterization of in vitro interaction of antifungals against itraconazole-susceptible and -resistant Aspergillus fumigatus isolates. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2002; 46:702-7. [PMID: 11850251 PMCID: PMC127491 DOI: 10.1128/aac.46.3.702-707.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index is most frequently used to define or to describe drug interactions, it has some important disadvantages when used for drugs against filamentous fungi. This includes observer bias in the determination of the MIC and no agreement on the endpoints (MIC-0, MIC-1, or MIC-2 [> or = 95, > or = 75, and > or = 50% growth inhibition, respectively]) when studying drug combinations. Furthermore, statistical analysis and comparisons are troublesome. The use of a spectrophotometric method to determine the effect of drug combinations yields quantitative data and permits the use of model fits to the whole response surface. We applied the response surface model described by Greco et al. (W. R. Greco, G. Bravo, and J. C. Parsons, Pharmacol. Rev. 47:331-385, 1995) to determine the interaction coefficient alpha (ICalpha) using a program developed for that purpose and compared the results with FIC indices. The susceptibilities of amphotericin B (AM), itraconazole (IT), and terbinafine (TB) were tested either alone or in combination against 10 IT-susceptible (IT-S) and 5 IT-resistant (IT-R) clinical strains of Aspergillus fumigatus using a modified checkerboard microdilution method that employs the dye MTT [3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazyl)2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide]. Growth in each well was determined by a spectrophotometer. FIC indices were determined and ICalpha values were estimated for each organism strain combination, and the latter included error estimates. Depending on the MIC endpoint used, the FIC index ranged from 1.016 to 2.077 for AM-IT, from 0.544 to 1.767 for AM-TB, and from 0.656 to 0.740 for IT-TB for the IT-S strains. For the IT-R strains the FIC index ranged from 0.308 to 1.767 for AM-IT, from 0.512 to 1.646 for AM-TB, and from 0.403 to 0.497 for IT-TB. The results indicate that the degree of interaction is not only determined by the agents themselves but also by the choice of the endpoint. Estimates of the ICalpha values showed more consistent results. Although the absolute FIC indices were difficult to interpret, there was a good correlation with the results obtained using the ICalpha values. The combination of AM with either IT or TB was antagonistic in vitro, whereas the combination of IT and TB was synergistic in vitro for both IT-S and IT-R strains. The use of response surface modeling to determine the interaction of drugs against filamentous fungi is promising, and more consistent results are obtained by this method than by using FIC indices.
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Affiliation(s)
- D T A Te Dorsthorst
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Abstract
The relentless increase of invasive fungal infections and poor outcomes associated with available antifungal agents prompted the search for better therapeutic strategies. Combining antifungal drugs was recommended as a means to enhance efficacy in a variety of invasive infections including cryptococcosis, candidiasis, and aspergillosis. With the exception of cryptococcal meningitis, data from controlled clinical trials supporting such combinations are sparse. Moreover, little consensus exists regarding which combinations are synergistic or antagonistic in vitro and in vivo. Based on available data, several principles underlie these combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- R E Lewis
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Administration, University of Houston College of Pharmacy Texas Medical Center, 77030-4095, USA
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Abstract
The risk of fungal infection is increasing in intensive care unit patients and the spectrum of pathogens is changing. A number of new antifungal agents are becoming available, but their use in critically ill patients has not been assessed in randomized controlled trials. Furthermore, distinguishing colonization from infection is problematic in intensive care unit patients. Clinicians who are involved in the management of intensive care unit patients must remain vigilant and devise a risk-based antifungal strategy that is based on local experience and susceptibility patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary A. Barnes
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
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