title: The fungicidal effect of human lactoferrin on Candida albicans and Candida krusei.
abstract: Five oral isolates each of Candida albicans and Candida krusei were studied for their sensitivity to the fungicidal effect of human lactoferrin. Significant inter- and intraspecies variations were observed and with most isolates the sensitivity of C. krusei to lactoferrin was greater than that of C. albicans. Fungicidal activity of lactoferrin was dose-dependent and observable only with the iron-free form of the molecule (apo-lactoferrin). Iron-saturated lactoferrin was ineffective against all isolates. Supernatant protein assays and scanning electron microscopy indicated cell surface alterations--leakage of proteins and formation of surface blebs--only in those Candida isolates that were sensitive to apo-lactoferrin. As lactoferrin is a common, non-immune, mucosal defence protein, its varying mode of action against C. albicans and C. krusei may be related to their different oral carriage rates.
authors.affiliation: Oral Biology Unit, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, University of Hong Kong.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nikawa
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Samaranayake
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tenovuo
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hamada
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001059:Apoproteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D001059:Apoproteins; C039223:apolactoferrin; D007781:Lactoferrin