title: Effects of antifungals on the viability of heart valve cusp derived fibroblasts.
abstract: Fibroblasts were isolated from fresh porcine aortic cusps and their identity confirmed morphologically and biochemically. The fibroblasts were used to assess the cytotoxicity of nystatin and amphotericin B at room temperature and 4 degrees C, following exposure periods of 4, 24, and 48 h. Except at the highest concentration and the longest exposure period at room temperature, nystatin had little detrimental effect compared with the nystatin free control. In contrast, amphotericin B proved highly cytotoxic. Published protocols for the use of amphotericin B in the disinfection of viable heart valve allografts would result in little residual fibroblast viability. We recommend that amphotericin B is no longer used in this situation.
authors.affiliation: Yorkshire Regional Tissue Bank, Pinderfields General Hospital, Wakefield, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Aguirregoicoa
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Kearney
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gowland
mesh_terms: D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D009761:Nystatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D009761:Nystatin; D000666:Amphotericin B