Cryptococcus neoformans isolates from transplant recipients are not selected for resistance to calcineurin inhibitors by current immunosuppressive regimens.
The immunosuppressants tacrolimus (FK506) and cyclosporine A inhibit calcineurin and have potent antifungal activity. In this study, 24% of Cryptococcus neoformans isolates from solid-organ transplant patients exhibited altered sensitivity to these drugs, which may have an impact on the infectious course but does not appear to be the consequence of immunosuppressive therapy.
Blankenship
Jill R
JR
Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, 322 CARL Building, Box 3546, Duke University Medical Center, Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Singh
Nina
N
Alexander
Barbara D
BD
Heitman
Joseph
J
D019703:Calcineurin / Q000378:metabolism; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000382:microbiology; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D025141:Drug Resistance, Fungal; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D019703:Calcineurin; D016559:Tacrolimus