title: Cryptococcus neoformans isolates from transplant recipients are not selected for resistance to calcineurin inhibitors by current immunosuppressive regimens.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, 322 CARL Building, Box 3546, Duke University Medical Center, Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Jill R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Blankenship
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Barbara D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heitman
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D019703:Calcineurin; D016559:Tacrolimus