Potential antifungal effects of human platelets against zygomycetes in vitro.
Zygomycosis is increasingly recognized in immunocompromised hosts. We investigated whether platelets become activated after contact with Zygomycetes and adhere to conidial and hyphal structures using immunofluorescence. The platelets' influence on fungal viability was evaluated by assessing hyphal elongation and hyphal damage. Platelets became activated and strongly adhered to conidia and hyphae of Zygomycetes. Platelets induced time dependent damage to hyphae and significantly reduced (P<.05) hyphal elongation. We found that platelets possess antifungal capacities against Zygomycetes based on granule dependent mechanisms and significantly reduce fungal growth and spread, both of which are of major importance in evolving invasive disease.
Perkhofer
Susanne
S
Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Social Medicine, Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria. Susanne.Perkhofer@i-med.ac.at
Kainzner
Barbara
B
Kehrel
Beate E
BE
Dierich
Manfred P
MP
Nussbaumer
Walter
W
Lass-Flörl
Cornelia
C
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D009090:Mucorales / Q000276:immunology*; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000276:immunology*
J Infect Dis. 1993 Feb;167(2):312-22
8421166
Clin Microbiol Infect. 2008 May;14 Suppl 4:5-24
18430126
Mycoses. 2008 Mar;51(2):147-54
18254752
J Infect Dis. 2008 Oct 15;198(8):1243-6
18752432
Thromb Res. 2007;120(5):709-13
17287016
Infect Immun. 1998 Mar;66(3):1181-9
9488412
J Antimicrob Chemother. 2001 Dec;48(6):775-9
11733460
J Clin Microbiol. 2006 Feb;44(2):553-60
16455912
Int Microbiol. 1998 Jun;1(2):117-22
10943349
Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2002 Dec;16(4):895-914, vi
12512186
Infect Immun. 1983 Mar;39(3):1457-69
6188697
Nat Rev Microbiol. 2006 Jun;4(6):445-57
16710325
Transplantation. 2000 Jan 15;69(1):70-5
10653383
Intensive Care Med. 1990;16(3):201-7
2351780