title: Activity of novel non-amphipathic cationic antimicrobial peptides against Candida species.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Candida species are problematic opportunistic pathogens in the hospital setting, where they are frequently associated with opportunistic infections of indwelling medical devices. There are only a few effective classes of antifungal agents currently available, and some species, such as Candida lusitaniae, Candida glabrata and Candida krusei, are intrinsically resistant to some of these drugs, further reducing existing therapeutic options. We have recently developed synthetic, non-amphipathic cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAPs) based on the structure of native hydrophobic membrane-spanning domains of integral membrane proteins. In this article, we report on the activity of these CAPs and new variants thereof against eight Candida species.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using a combination of MIC, haemolysis, time-kill and biofilm killing assays, we demonstrate activity of CAPs in the micromolar range against eight Candida species, with little toxicity to mammalian cells. The synthetic peptides killed both the fluconazole-susceptible and fluconazole-resistant strains of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and C. glabrata by 4 logs or more within 3 h, and also killed pre-formed yeast biofilms on plastic surfaces.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These peptides show promise as a basis for development of novel, broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents.
authors.affiliation: Infection, Immunity, Injury and Repair, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada. burrowl@mcmaster.ca
authors.forename: Lori L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Burrows
authors.forename: Margareta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stark
authors.forename: Celine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Evgenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Glukhov
authors.forename: Selva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sinnadurai
authors.forename: Charles M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Deber
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013045:Species Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides