title: Co-administration of immunomodulator tuftsin and liposomised nystatin can combat less susceptible Candida albicans infection in temporarily neutropenic mice.
abstract: In order to develop a prospective chemotherapeutic agent against opportunistic infections, it is important to know that host factors such as degree of immunological debility as well as recovery of immune functions to normality may contribute significantly to a successful elimination of the pathogens. We demonstrated previously that concomitant delivery of antimicrobial agents and immunomodulators to the pathogen harbouring-host contributes to the complete elimination of the deep-seated fungal infections (aspergillosis and candidiasis) in animals with normal immune status. Considering that neutropenic hosts are the main targets of such infections, it can be argued about the potential of the immunomodulator-based therapy in subjects with non-functional immune system. To resolve the hypothesis, we studied the role of immunomodulator tuftsin against experimental murine candidiasis in temporarily neutropenic Balb/c mice. The neutropenic mice were challenged with an isolate of Candida albicans that was showing less susceptibility to both free and liposomised-amphotericin B. The co-administration of tuftsin increased the efficiency of liposomised-polyene antibiotics (nystatin and amphotericin B) against experimental murine candidiasis in immunocompromised Balb/c mice. Pretreatment with liposomised tuftsin prior to C. albicans infection clearly enhanced protection against candidiasis, suggesting a prophylactic role of tuftsin in normal and temporarily neutropenic animals.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, 202002, India.
authors.forename: Masood A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Nasti
authors.forename: Khanam
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saima
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Mallick
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Firoz
authors.forename: Haq
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wajahul
authors.forename: Nadeem
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Owais
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mohammad
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D008081:Liposomes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000150:complications*; D009761:Nystatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014405:Tuftsin / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D008081:Liposomes; D009761:Nystatin; D014405:Tuftsin