title: Study on the comparative activity of echinocandins on murine gut colonization by Candida albicans.
abstract: Colonization of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract by Candida species is a principal pathogenetic event for development of invasive candidiasis. Importantly, the effect of echinocandins, the preferred antifungal agents for treatment of invasive candidiasis, on GI tract colonization by Candida spp. is currently unknown. Herein, we used an established model of persistent murine GI tract colonization by Candida albicans to test the ability of different echinocandins to eradicate the yeast from murine gut. Adult male Crl:CD1 (ICR) BR mice were fed with chow containing C. albicans and subsequently treated with different echinocandins or normal saline via daily intraperitoneal injections for 10 days. Quantitative stool cultures were performed immediately before (week one), and weekly for three months after discontinuation of treatment. Notably, treatment with all three echinocandins used (caspofungin, anidulafungin, and micafungin) resulted in eradication of Candida albicans from the stools, as evidenced by the significant reduction of yeast cells from a mean of 4.2 log10 CFU/g of stool before treatment (week one of colonization) to undetectable (<2 log10 CFU/g of stool) levels (week 12, P < 0.0001). In contrast, there was no significant reduction of Candida yeast cells in the stools of control mice. Collectively, the ability of echinocandins to eradicate C. albicans from the stools could have important implications in prophylaxis of high-risk patients for development of invasive candidiasis originating from the GI tract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Bacteriology sofiamaraki@in.gr.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maraki
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hamilos
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dimopoulou
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Angeliki M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Andrianaki
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Alexander Steven
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Karageorgiadis
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kyvernitakis
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Stelios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lionakis
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Diamantis P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Kofteridis
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Samonis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects*; D058365:Candidiasis, Invasive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D054714:Echinocandins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D064307:Microbiota / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D054714:Echinocandins
keywords: Candida albicans; anidulafungin; caspofungin; gastrointestinal tract; micafungin; mice