title: Influence of econazole and 5-fluorocytosine on the ultrastructure of Aspergillus fumigatus and the cytochemical localization of calcium ions as measured by laser microprobe mass analysis.
abstract: The ultrastructural changes and the localization of Ca++ ions have been investigated in Aspergillus fumigatus after exposure in vitro to econazole (50 micrograms ml-1) and to 5-fluorocytosine (100 micrograms ml-1) for 24 h. The changes obtained with econazole concerned the cell periphery, necrotization of mitochondria and hyperactivity of the central vacuole. After cytochemical Ca++ localization a marked increase in precipitate was observed on mitochondria, vacuoles and collapsed membranes, compared to the control. Laser microprobe mass analysis confirmed that the measured amount of Ca++ ions corresponded to the degree of precipitate formation in the different cellular compartments. After exposure to 5-fluorocytosine, abnormal behaviour of the nuclei and internal lipidification of the mitochondria and of the cytoplasm were seen. No discernible Ca++ activity was present on the cellular structures by cytochemical localization. Assay by laser microprobe mass analysis, however, showed a slight increase in Ca++ which points to a structural bonding of the Ca++.
mesh_terms: D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003596:Cytosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004464:Econazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005437:Flucytosine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006003:Glycogen / Q000032:analysis; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007834:Lasers; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008830:Microbodies / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D004464:Econazole; D003596:Cytosine; D006003:Glycogen; D005437:Flucytosine; D002118:Calcium