Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: In vitro activity of CG(3)R(6)TAT nanoparticles against Candida albicans was assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration and kill-time curves. In vivo, intravenous treatment with CG(3)R(6)TAT nanoparticles (n = 6; 0.25 mg/kg/day) or fluconazole (n = 6; 100 mg/kg/day) began 3 days after infection and continued for 11 consecutive days; the efficacy was assessed following 11 days of treatment by yeast counting in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the leukocyte concentrations in CSF and the histopathology of brain parenchyma. RESULTS: At a concentration three times higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration (8.1 μmol/l), the nanoparticles complete- ly sterilized C. albicans after 5 h of incubation. In addition, there was a significant reduction in fungal counts and leukocyte concentrations in the CSF from rabbits treated with CG(3)R(6)TAT nanoparticles or fluconazole versus those from untreated control rabbits (p < 0.05, ANCOVA). The median number of days of treatment required to sterilize CSF cultures was 8.5 days for CG(3)R(6)TAT nanoparticle therapy (p = 0.022, vs. control) and 9.7 days for fluconazole therapy (p > 0.05, vs. control). The histopathologic severity of rabbits was significantly attenuated after CG(3)R(6)TAT treatment (p = 0.001, vs. control). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that CG(3)R(6)TAT nanoparticles may be a promising therapeutic agent for candidal meningitis.
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Authors | Kaijin Xu, Huaying Wang, Lihong Liu, Wei Xu, Jifang Sheng, Weimin Fan, Yi-Yan Yang, Lanjuan Li |
Journal | Chemotherapy
(Chemotherapy)
Vol. 57
Issue 5
Pg. 417-25
( 2011)
ISSN: 1421-9794 [Electronic] Switzerland |
PMID | 22024735
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel. |
Chemical References |
- Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
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Topics |
- Animals
- Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
(administration & dosage, pharmacology)
- Candida albicans
(drug effects)
- Candidiasis
(drug therapy, pathology)
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Male
- Meningitis, Fungal
(drug therapy, pathology)
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred ICR
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests
- Nanoparticles
(administration & dosage, chemistry)
- Rabbits
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