Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
3360522 | International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents | 2008 | 6 Pages |
Abstract
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Since the analogue 5-fluorouracil increases Candida albicans virulence in vitro, and zidovudine therapy is associated with enhanced C. albicans adherence and biofilm formation, we investigated the effects of commonly used NRTIs on the virulence of C. albicans isolated from 21 antiretroviral-naïve HIV/AIDS patients. The isolates were exposed to didanosine, lamivudine, stavudine and zidovudine at their expected patient serum peak levels and at one-half and two times these levels for 24Â h and 72Â h. Assays assessing changes in adherence, proliferation, biofilm formation and antifungal susceptibility were performed. No differences in these virulence characteristics of isolates exposed to NRTIs were noted in most cases. However, at 24Â h and 72Â h a significant increase in the rate of proliferation was observed in response to two-fold the peak concentration of lamivudine. The results suggest a limited effect of NRTIs on C. albicans virulence.
Related Topics
Life Sciences
Immunology and Microbiology
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Authors
Bintou Ahmadou Ahidjo, Rob Veale, Adriano G. Dusé, Piet Becker, Else Marais,