c.i.-fluorescent-brightening-agent-28 and Candidiasis

The diagnosis of candidemia by blood culture has poor sensitivity; therefore, immunossupresed patients and those with risk factors may receive empirical antifungal therapy, wich is potentially toxic. Fluorescent tests have been developed to obtain an early and more sensitive diagnosis than blood culture. The aim of this study was to compare indirect immunofluorescence vs direct calcofluor white fluorescence in buffy coat for candidemia diagnosis. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, of positive and negative samples were 60%, 86%, 33%, 95% and 90%, 80%, 35%, 99%, for indirect immunofluorescence and calcofluor white, respectively.

Topics: Adolescent; Benzenesulfonates; Candidiasis; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Fluorescent Dyes; Fungemia; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Leukocytes; Male; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Predictive Value of Tests; Sensitivity and Specificity

Many fungal cell adhesion proteins form functional amyloid patches on the surface of adhering cells. The Candida albicans Agglutinin-like sequence (Als) adhesins are exemplars for this phenomenon, and have amyloid forming sequences that are conserved between family members. The Als5p amyloid sequence mediates amyloid fibril formation and is critical for cell adhesion and biofilm formation, and is also present in the related adhesins Als1p and Als3p. We have developed a fluorescent peptide probe containing the conserved Als amyloid-forming sequence. This peptide bound specifically to yeast expressing Als5p, but not to cells lacking the adhesin. The probe bound to both yeast and hyphal forms of C. albicans. Δals1/Δals3 single and double deletion strains exhibited reduced fluorescence, indicating that probe binding required expression of these proteins. Additionally, the Als peptide specifically stained fungal cells in abscesses in autopsy sections. Counterstaining with calcofluor white showed colocalization with the amyloid peptide. In addition, fungi in autopsy sections derived from the gastrointestinal tract showed colocalization of the amyloid-specific dye thioflavin T and the fluorescent peptide. Collectively, our data demonstrate that we can exploit amyloid sequence specificity for detection of functional amyloids in situ.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Amyloid; Autopsy; Benzenesulfonates; Benzothiazoles; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Fluorescent Dyes; Fungal Proteins; Gene Deletion; Humans; Hyphae; Molecular Sequence Data; Organ Specificity; Peptides; Protein Binding; Protein Structure, Quaternary; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Silver Staining; Staining and Labeling; Thiazoles

Candida albicans is a ubiquitous fungus, which can cause very serious and sometimes life-threatening infections in susceptible patients. We used Caenorhabditis elegans as a model host to screen a library of C. albicans mutants for decreased virulence and identified SPT20 as important for virulence. The transcription co-activator SPT20 was identified originally as a suppressor of Ty and solo δ insertion mutations, which can cause transcription defects in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is resistant to the toxicity caused by overexpression of GAL4-VP16. We constructed a C. albicans spt20Δ/Δ mutant and found the spt20Δ/Δ strain was significantly less virulent than the wild-type strain SC5314 in C. elegans (p < 0.0001), Galleria mellonella (p < 0.01) and mice (p < 0.001). Morphologically, spt20Δ/Δ mutant cells demonstrated a "snow-flake" shape and clustered together; prolonged culture times resulted in increased size of the cluster. The clustered morphology was associated with defects in nuclei distribution, as the nuclei were not observed in many cellular compartments. In addition, the C. albicans spt20Δ/Δ mutant resulted in defects in hyphae and biofilm formation (compared to the wild-type strain, p < 0.05), and sensitivity to cell wall and osmotic stressors, and to antifungal agents. Thus our study demonstrated a role of C. albicans SPT20 in overall morphology and distribution of nuclear material, which may cause the defects in filamentation and biofilm formation directly when this gene is deleted.

Topics: Animals; Antifungal Agents; Benzenesulfonates; Biofilms; Caenorhabditis elegans; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Cell Nucleus; Cell Wall; Disease Models, Animal; Fungal Proteins; Hyphae; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Moths; Mutation; Protein Transport; Virulence

A Candida glabrata calcineurin mutant exhibited increased susceptibility to both azole antifungal and cell wall-damaging agents and was also attenuated in virulence. Although a mutant lacking the downstream transcription factor Crz1 displayed a cell wall-associated phenotype intermediate to that of the calcineurin mutant and was modestly attenuated in virulence, it did not show increased azole susceptibility. These results suggest that calcineurin regulates both Crz1-dependent and -independent pathways depending on the type of stress.

Topics: Animals; Antifungal Agents; Base Sequence; Calcineurin; Candida glabrata; Candidiasis; DNA Primers; DNA, Fungal; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Female; Fungal Proteins; Genes, Fungal; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mutation; Opportunistic Infections; Transcription Factors; Virulence

In this study, we measured time-kills and post-antifungal effects (PAFEs) for micafungin against Candida albicans (n=4), Candida glabrata (n=3), Candida parapsilosis (n=3) and Candida krusei (n=2) isolates and further characterised the PAFEs. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were 0.5-1.0 mg/L against C. parapsilosis and 0.008-0.125 mg/L against the other species. Micafungin caused kills >1 log at 1 x MIC, 4 x MIC (range 1.19-3.10 log) and 16 x MIC (2.27-3.68 log), achieving fungicidal levels (> or = 3 log) against nine isolates. One-hour drug exposure during PAFE experiments resulted in kills of 0.73-2.88 log and 1.72-3.55 log at 4 x and 16 x MIC, respectively, achieving fungicidal levels against five isolates. Isolates of each species collected 8 h after a 1-h exposure to micafungin (4 x and 16 x MIC) were hypersusceptible to sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and Calcofluor White. Cells tested during the PAFE period demonstrated cell wall disturbances as evident on electron micrographs as well as significant reductions in adherence to epithelial cells. Phagocytosis by J774 macrophages was significantly enhanced for three PAFE isolates tested. Micafungin is fungicidal and exerts PAFEs that kill diverse Candida spp., disturb cell walls of viable organisms, reduce adherence and enhance susceptibility to phagocytosis.

Topics: Animals; Antifungal Agents; Benzenesulfonates; Candida; Candidiasis; Cell Adhesion; Cell Line; Cell Wall; Cells, Cultured; Echinocandins; Epithelial Cells; Humans; Lipopeptides; Macrophages; Micafungin; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microbial Viability; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Phagocytosis; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; Time Factors

Rck2p is the Hog1p-MAP kinase-activated protein kinase required for the attenuation of protein synthesis in response to an osmotic challenge in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Rck2p also regulates rapamycin sensitivity in both S. cerevisiae and Candida albicans. In this study, we demonstrate that the deletion of CaRCK2 renders C. albicans cells sensitive to, and CaRck2p translocates from the cytosol to the nucleus in response to, cell wall stresses caused by Congo red, Calcoflor White, elevated heat and zymolyase. However, the kinase activity of CaRck2p is not required for the cellular response to these cell wall stresses. Furthermore, transcripts of cell wall protein-encoding genes CaBGL2, CaHWP1 and CaXOG1 are reduced in C. albicans cells lacking CaRCK2. The deletion of CaRCK2 also reduces the in vitro filamentation of C. albicans and its virulence in a mouse model of systemic candidasis. The kinase activity of CaRck2p is required for the virulence, but not for the in vitro filamentation, in C. albicans. Therefore, Rck2p regulates cellular responses to cell wall stresses, filamentation and virulence in the human fungal pathogen C. albicans.

Topics: Animals; Benzenesulfonates; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Cell Nucleus; Cell Wall; Congo Red; Cytosol; Fungal Proteins; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Glucan Endo-1,3-beta-D-Glucosidase; Hot Temperature; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Osmotic Pressure; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; Stress, Physiological; Survival Analysis; Virulence; Virulence Factors

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins are involved in cell wall integrity and cell-cell interactions. We disrupted the Candida albicans homologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae GPI7/LAS21 gene, which encodes a GPI anchor-modifying activity. In the mutant and on solid media, the yeast-to-hyphae transition was blocked, whereas chlamydospore formation was enhanced. However, the morphogenetic switch was normal in liquid medium. Abnormal budding patterns, cytokinesis and cell shape were observed in both liquid and solid media. The cell wall structure was also modified in the mutants, as shown by hypersensitivity to Calcofluor white. In vitro and in vivo assays revealed that the mutant interacted with its host in a modified way, resulting in reduced virulence in mice and reduced survival in the gastrointestinal environment of mice. The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway of macrophages was downregulated by the wild-type cells but not by the DeltaCagpi7 null strains. In agreement with this abnormal behaviour, mutant cells were more sensitive to the lytic action of macrophages. Our results indicate that a functional GPI anchor is required for full hyphal formation in C. albicans, and that perturbation of the GPI biosynthesis results in hypersensitivity to host defences.

Topics: Animals; Antifungal Agents; Benzenesulfonates; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Cell Wall; Digestive System; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Fungal Proteins; Fungemia; Glycosylphosphatidylinositols; Hot Temperature; Macrophages; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Mice; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Morphogenesis; Phagocytosis; Phosphorylation; Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor); Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; Spores, Fungal; Virulence

Faeces of immunocompromised patients are often contaminated with the chitin-containing spores of microsporidia and Candida, which exclude the use of the chitin-specific fluorescent brightener Calcofluor white M2R for the identification of microsporidian spores. We developed a combination staining of Calcofluor white M2R with modified trichrome-blue staining and subsequent methylene-blue incubation which permits discrimination between these two types of spores. As a basis for diagnosis, a difference in the fluorescence pattern (365-440 nm) is combined with a difference in the light microscopic staining pattern. Under fluorescence conditions microsporidia spores have a spotted, brilliant white Calcofluor fluorescence and can easily be identified, while Candida spores show a reddish purple colour. Under the light microscope microsporidian spores show a light red colour with nonstained vacuole spots or strips in contrast to the yeast spores with their red-brown colour. This combination technique offers a highly specific means for the diagnosis of microsporidia spores in faeces.

Topics: Animals; Azo Compounds; Benzenesulfonates; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Chlorocebus aethiops; Eosine Yellowish-(YS); Feces; Fluorescent Dyes; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Macaca mulatta; Methyl Green; Methylene Blue; Microsporida; Microsporidiosis; Sensitivity and Specificity; Spores; Staining and Labeling; Vero Cells