• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• 제29권3호
• /
• pp.249-255
• /
• 2006

Ability of iron acquisition of pathogenic microorganisms functions as a virulence factor. Candida albicans, a fungal pathogen that requires iron for growth, is susceptible to growth retardation by high-affinity iron binding proteins such as transferrin. Recently, we reported that C. albicans could utilize the heme as a part of heme-containing proteins dissociated by heme oxygenase, CaHMX1. In search of another pathway that C. albicans can use to bypass the growth regulation produced by iron limitation, this present study examined utilization of non-candidal siderophores such as Desferal and rhodotorulic acid (RA) for acquisition of inorganic iron by the fungus. C. albicans secreting no siderophores was cultured in iron-free (pretreated with apotransferrin for 24 h) (culture medium). Once growth of the yeast reached stasis from iron starvation, a siderophore was added to the culture media. Results showed that cultures containing apotransferrin within a dialysis membrane recovered growth to the level of untreated controls, whereas C. albicans yeast cells in direct contact with soluble iron-free (apo) transferrin recovered growth only partially. When static growth from iron limitation was reached, the addition of siderophore-apotransferrin complex to culture medium also permitted the yeast to recover growth from apotransferrin growth regulation. All the data show that C. albicans can utilize the non-candidal siderophores for iron acquisition under transferrin regulation as can pathogenic bacteria.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• 제20권6호
• /
• pp.49.1-49.15
• /
• 2020

C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) regulates the trafficking of various immune cells to sites of infection. In this study, we showed that expression of CCR5 and its ligands was rapidly increased in the kidney after systemic Candida albicans infection, and infected CCR5^-/- mice exhibited increased mortality and morbidity, indicating that CCR5 contributes to an effective defense mechanism against systemic C. albicans infection. The susceptibility of CCR5^-/- mice to C. albicans infection was due to impaired fungal clearance, which in turn resulted in exacerbated renal inflammation and damage. CCR5-mediated recruitment of NK cells to the kidney in response to C. albicans infection was necessary for the anti-microbial activity of neutrophils, the main fungicidal effector cells. Mechanistically, C. albicans induced expression of IL-23 by CD11c⁺ dendritic cells (DCs). IL-23 in turn augmented the fungicidal activity of neutrophils through GM-CSF production by NK cells. As GM-CSF potentiated production of IL-23 in response to C. albicans, a positive feedback loop formed between NK cells and DCs seemed to function as an amplification point for host defense. Taken together, our results suggest that CCR5-mediated recruitment of NK cells to the site of fungal infection is an important step that underlies innate resistance to systemic C. albicans infection.

• 약학회지
• /
• 제55권3호
• /
• pp.227-233
• /
• 2011

We previously reported the protein isolated from Coptidis Rhizoma (CRP), which has antifungal activity against a fungal pathogen, Candida albicans. In the current study, we investigated what portion in the CRP is responsible for the antifungal activity. For the investigation, the CRP was fractionated on a Shepadex G-50 column. Data resulting from the fractionation, seven fractions were obtained. Fractions (Fr.) I, II, and III eluted initially from the column showed no inhibitory effect on the growth of C. albicans, whereas Fr. IV, V, and VI eluted later revealed inhibition of the growth, and Fr. IV and VI showed potent antifungal activity by broth susceptibility analysis. However, Fr. VI was contained in the CRP more than Fr. IV, which led us to select the VI for the following experiments. In a murine model of a subcutaneous candidiasis caused by C. albicans, the Fr. VI displayed a therapeutic effect on nude mice pretreated with anti-neutrophil monoclonal antibody (RB68C5) and then infected subcutaneously with live C. albicans. At day 16, these mice were healed almost up to 78% of the infected area when compared to infected area of control nude mice that received diluent (Dulbecco's Phosphate-Buffered Saline; DPBS), instead of the Fr. VI (P<0.01). The Fr. VI blocked hyphal formation from blastoconidial form of C. albicans (P<0.01), which might prevent penetration of hyphae to the deeper site of skin and thus helps the healing. In the ionic strength test, the effect of Fr. was influenced by $Ca^{2+}$ ion just like other known antimicrobial peptides, but the influence was affected at an extremely high concentration such as 500 mM. Thus, such ion-concentration is considered to be meaningless in the clinical situation. Considering all data together, Coptidis Rhizoma is appeared to produce an antimicrobial peptide that has therapeutic effect on subcutaneous infection caused by C. albicans.

• 약학회지
• /
• 제57권6호
• /
• pp.383-387
• /
• 2013

In the present study, we determined the antifungal effect of obacunone isolated from Phellodendri Cortex against Candida ablicans, a pathogenic fungus. The antifungal effect was analyzed by an in-vitro susceptibility test and in a murine model of disseminated candidiasis. Possible mechanism of the antifungal activity was also examined. Analyses of data resulting from the susceptibility test revealed that the compound inhibited C. albicans growth. At 25 ${\mu}g$ obacunone/ml, there was app. 45% reduction of CFUs (colony forming units) as compared to obacunone-untreated C. albicans yeast cells (P<0.01). In the murine model of disseminated candidiasis due to C. albicans, obacunone enhanced resistance of mice against disseminated candidiasis. During an entire period of 30-day observation, control animals all died within 14 days, whereas 60% of obacunone-treated mice survived (P<0.05). In addition, obacunone inhibited the hyphal production, a major virulence factor of C. albicans, from the blastoconidial form. Thus, obacunone appears to have antifungal activity for C. albicans infection. This may possibly be mediated by the blockage of hyphal production.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
• /
• 제23권2호
• /
• pp.170-177
• /
• 1995

To search and develop the compounds exhibiting antifungal activities against the mycelial phase of Candida albicans, approximately 2,900 microorganisms isolated from soil were examined for antifungal activity. Among them, a strain with preferential activity against the mycelial phase of Candida albicans was isolated and identified as Streptomyces sp. A393. Isolation and purification of compounds A393 showing antifungal activity against the mycelial phase of C. albicans were performed using XAD-7 column chromatography, silica gel chromatography, preparative thin- layer silica gel chromatography, and HPLC. The molecular weights of compounds isolated from Streptomyces sp. A393 were determined as 774, 790, 804 and 820. These compounds appeared to have a structure of macrolide antibiotics, oligomycin A, B, C and E. Especially, oligomycin E, which is formerly reported to have no antifungal activity, showed antifungal activity against the mycelial phase of Candida albicans.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
• /
• 제6권1호
• /
• pp.30-34
• /
• 2014

PURPOSE. This study evaluated the adhesion to acrylic resin specimens and biofilm formation capability of Candida albicans strains isolated from HIV positive subjects' oral rinse solutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The material tested was a heat-cured acrylic resin (Acron Duo). Using the adhesion and crystal violet assays, 14 oral Candida albicans isolated from HIV-positive subjects and 2 references Candida strains (C. albicans ATCC 90028 and C. albicans ATCC 90128) were compared for their biofilm production and adhesion properties to acrylic surfaces in vitro. RESULTS. There were no significant differences in adhesion (P=.52) and biofilm formation assays (P=.42) by statistical analysis with Mann-Whitney test. CONCLUSION. Denture stomatitis and increased prevalence of candidal carriage in HIV infected patients is unlikely to be related to the biofilm formation and adhesion abilities of C. albicans to acrylic resin materials.

• 미생물학회지
• /
• 제50권4호
• /
• pp.360-367
• /
• 2014

Candida albicans는 면역력이 약화된 환자의 표재성에서 전신적 감염까지 다양한 부위에서 감염을 유발시킬 수 있는 기회 감염적 병원성 진균이다. C. albicans는 효모형에서 균사형으로 변환될 수 있으며 이 때 바이오필름을 형성할 수 있다. 바이오필름과 관련된 C. albicans의 감염은 일반적으로 통상적인 항진균제에 대해 내성을 보이므로 새로운 항진균제에 대한 개발이 절실하다. 대황(Rheum undulatum)은 전통적으로 한국과 중국에서 하제나 소염제로 사용되는 약용 식물이다. 본 연구의 목적은 R. undulatum이 캔디다증 환자로부터 분리한 C. albicans 바이오필름 형성 균주에 대한 바이오필름 형성 억제효과와 이에 대한 항진균 활성 기작을 알아보는 것이다. R. undulatum (0.098 mg/ml)은 12종의 바이오필름 형성 임상균주의 캔디다 바이오필름을 $49.4{\pm}6.0%$ 감소시켰고 C. albicans의 폴리스티렌 표면으로의 부착을 억제시켰다. CFDA, AM과 propidium iodide로 이중 염색한 결과 R. undulatum은 C. albicans의 세포막을 손상시켰으며 propidium iodide와 neutral red로 염색하여 공초점 레이저 현미경과 위상차 현미경으로 관찰한 결과 C. albicans의 세포용해를 야기함을 관찰할 수 있었다. Crystal violet 흡수율 실험으로 R. undulatum에 의한 세포막 투과성의 변화를 관찰하였다. 따라서 R. undulatum은 세포막의 손상과 세포막의 투과성 변화로 야기된 세포의 용해와 관련된 항진균 활성이 C. albicans의 바이오필름 형성을 억제하는 것으로 보여진다. 본 연구의 결과는 R. undulatum이 바이오필름과 관련된 캔디다의 감염을 치료하고 제거하기 위한 천연물 기반 항진균제 개발에 대한 좋은 후보물질임을 보여준다.

• 생약학회지
• /
• 제42권4호
• /
• pp.329-335
• /
• 2011

Antimicrobial studies on reproductive organs have been scarcely reported. Candida albicans and Neisseria gonorrhoea test to find out the natural substances of various concentrations in the antimicrobial experiments have been made. Antimicrobial effect of biopole as the natural compound biosynthesis matter that contain anti-inflammatory material, catechin polyphenols and lactic acid as a single natural substance on C. albicans were of great significance. Also the results of antimicrobial effects of biopole, catechin and lactic acid as a single natural substance on N. gonorrhoea, respectively, showed lower concentration than those of the antimicrobial effects on C. albicans. Through the survival of Lactobacillus acidofillus that acts for the protection of the genital tissue the importance of lactic acid was confirmed. Lactobacillus acidofillus protection and C. albicans firmly into disinfected to low concentrations of the natural mixture from biopole and catechin with lactic acid were found and the antimicrobial effects of this natural mixture on N. gonorrhoea were perfect. C. albicans and N. gonorrhoea to disinfect the optimal natural mixture from 2% concentration biopole, 0.2% concentration of catechin and 2% lactic acid were obtained. Through the survival of Lactobacillus acidofillus in the reproductive organs protectable effects were acquired to prevent the infections of reproductive tissue and the recurrence.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제33권1호
• /
• pp.123-126
• /
• 2023

The prevalence of candidiasis, a contagious disease with high morbidity and mortality, has sharply increased globally over the last two decades. Candida albicans can cause serious infections in patients with weak immunity and in recipients of prolonged antibiotic treatment. Consequently, rapid and accurate identification of species can play an important role in the treatment of candidiasis. Here, we investigated the positive rate and infection trend of C. albicans according to age, specimen type, and sex using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction-based testing of samples collected for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases in Korea between 2018 and 2020. When the type of specimen collected was a swab, the positive rate of C. albicans was higher among younger women, and tended to decrease with age. Analysis of swab samples revealed higher positive rates than urinalysis. The reduction trend in positive rates by age was comparable between the overall samples and urine specimens. Among male patients, the positive rate did not differ substantially across the various types of specimens collected. Previous studies have shown a higher prevalence of non-albicans Candida species than C. albicans in clinical specimens, and exclusion of the former from our analysis may be a limitation of this study. However, our findings contribute significantly to the literature because globally, there is a paucity of epidemiological studies using molecular techniques to detect C. albicans in sexually transmitted disease test samples.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• 제40권2호
• /
• pp.146-150
• /
• 2002

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for the identification of two Candida species-albicans and dubliniensis. Three sets of primers were selected from different genomic sequences to specifically amplify a 516 bp fragment within the tops gene, specific for several species of the genus Candida (CCL primers); a 239 bp fragment within the $\alpha$INT1 gene, specific for Candida albicans (CAL primers); and a 175 bp fragment within the ALSD1 gene, specific for Candida dubliniensis (CDL primers). Using the primers in conjunction (multiplex PCR), we were able to detect both C. albicans and C. dubliniensis and to differentiate between them. The detection limit of the PCR assay was approximately 10 cells per milliliter of saline. Thus, this multiplex PCR assay can be applied for differentiation of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis from clinical specimens.