Antifungal activity of human polymorphonuclear and mononuclear phagocytes against non-fumigatus Aspergillus species.
Human phagocytic defenses against non-fumigatus aspergilli were compared with those against Aspergillus fumigatus. Monocyte-derived macrophages exhibited lower phagocytic capacities against non-fumigatus aspergilli, particularly A. nidulans and A. niger, compared with A fumigatus (P < 0.05). Non-opsonized hyphae suppressed oxidative burst (as measured by superoxide anion production) of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Further, these cells responded with less vigorous oxidative burst to serum-opsonized hyphae of non-fumigatus Aspergillus species, particularly A. flavus and A. terreus, compared with A. fumigatus (P < or = 0.05). Similarly, PMNs induced less hyphal damage assessed by XTT colorimetric assay to non-fumigatus species, particularly A. flavus and A. nidulans, compared with A. fumigatus (P < 0.05). Thus, non-fumigatus aspergilli are generally more resistant to mononuclear and polymorphonuclear phagocytes than A. fumigatus, a finding which should be considered during management of invasive aspergillosis caused by these species.
Akpogheneta
O
O
3rd Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration Hospital, 49, Konstantinoupoleos St, GR-546 42 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Gil-Lamaignere
C
C
Maloukou
A
A
Roilides
E
E
D000328:Adult; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D025301:Hyphae / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology*; D010587:Phagocytosis; D016897:Respiratory Burst