In vitro activity of the synthetic lipopeptide PAL-Lys-Lys-NH(2) alone and in combination with antifungal agents against clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans.
The in vitro activity of the lipopeptide PAL-Lys-Lys-NH(2) (PAL), alone or combined with either fluconazole (FLU) or amphotericin B (AMB), was investigated against 14 Cryptococcus neoformans isolates. PAL MICs ranged from 1.0 to 4.0 microg/ml. Fungicidal activity was observed. Synergy, defined as a fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index of < or =0.5, was observed in 21.4% of PAL/AMB interactions. Antagonism (FIC index>4) was never observed. The broad antifungal activity and the positive interactions with AMB suggest that PAL can represent a promising candidate in infections due to C. neoformans.
Barchiesi
Francesco
F
Institute of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
Giacometti
Andrea
A
Cirioni
Oscar
O
Arzeni
Daniela
D
Silvestri
Carmela
C
Kamysz
Wojciech
W
Abbruzzetti
Alessandra
A
Riva
Alessandra
A
Kamysz
Elzbieta
E
Scalise
Giorgio
G
D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004151:Dipeptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D004151:Dipeptides; D000666:Amphotericin B; D015725:Fluconazole