title: In vitro anti-cryptosporidial activity of cationic peptides alone and in combination with inhibitors of ion transport systems.
abstract: The anti-cryptosporidial activity of four cationic peptides alone and in combination with five ion transport system (ITS) inhibitors was investigated for six clinical isolates of Cryptosporidium parvum recovered from stools of AIDS patients. The susceptibility tests were performed by inoculating the protozoa on to cell monolayers and determining the parasite count after 48 h incubation at 37 degrees C. The culture medium was supplemented with serial dilutions of cecropin P1, magainin II, indolicidin and ranalexin alone or in combination with amiloride and its analogues. No agent was able to inhibit parasite growth completely. The peptides had some inhibitory effect on parasite growth: cecropin P1, magainin II, indolicidin and ranalexin at a concentration of 50 microM produced 30.6, 33.2, 38.5 and 42.1% reductions, respectively, in schizont count. Conversely, the ITS inhibitors were scarcely effective. Positive interaction was demonstrated when the peptides were tested in combination with ITS inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, University of Ancona, Piazza Cappelli 1, 60121 Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giacometti
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cirioni
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barchiesi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ancarani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scalise
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D000584:Amiloride / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000469:parasitology; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D004347:Drug Interactions; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000187:drug effects*; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D010455:Peptides; D000584:Amiloride