title: Efficacy of human salivary mucin MUC7-derived peptide and histatin 5 in a murine model of candidiasis.
abstract: MUC7 16-mer (residues 36-51 of human salivary mucin, MUC7) and histatin 5 possess potent in vitro antifungal activity. In the present study, we have evaluated the efficacy of these peptides in vivo using the experimental model of murine vulvo-vaginal candidiasis. The treatment groups included MUC7 16-mer, histatin 5, clotrimazole (all in pluronic F127 gel), and placebo (gel alone). Mice were treated intravaginally for 7 consecutive days. At the end of the treatment, anticandidal activities were assessed by colony counts and by histological examination. All groups except clotrimazole presented positive cultures; no statistically significant differences were found in fungal burden amongst placebo and any treatment group except clotrimazole. Histopathological findings confirmed the microbiological results; all groups with the exception of clotrimazole showed variable signs of infection.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Oral Biology and Oral Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 109 Foster Hall, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214-3092, USA.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Intini
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aguirre
authors.forename: Libuse Anna
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Bobek
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D025141:Drug Resistance, Fungal; D005260:Female; D054808:Histatins; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009077:Mucins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; C068075:HTN3 protein, human; D054808:Histatins; C083238:MUC7 protein, human; D009077:Mucins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides