Evaluation of the efficacy of antifungal drugs against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Paracoccidioides lutzii in a Galleria mellonella model

Author(s)

Singulani, Junya de Lacorte ; Scorzoni, Liliana ; Alves de Paula e Silva, Ana Carolina ; Fusco-Almeida, Ana Marisa ; Soares Mendes-Giannini, Maria Jose

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS; v. 48, n. 3, p. 292-297, SEP 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 11

Abstract

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii belong to a group of thermodimorphic fungi and cause paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), which is a human systemic mycosis endemic in South and Central America. Patients with this mycosis are commonly treated with amphotericin B (AmB) and azoles. The study of fungal virulence and the efficacy and toxicity of antifungal drugs has been successfully performed in a Galleria mellonella infection model. In this work, G. mellonella larvae were infected with two Paracoccidioides spp. and the efficacy and toxicity of AmB and itraconazole were evaluated in this model for the first time. AmB and itraconazole treatments were effective in increasing larval survival and reducing the fungal burden. The fungicidal and fungistatic effects of AmB and itraconazole, respectively, were observed in the model. Furthermore, these effects were independent of changes in haemocyte number. G. mellonella can serve as a rapid model for the screening of new antifungal compounds against Paracoccidioides and can contribute to a reduction in experimental animal numbers in the study of PCM. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. and International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/10917-9 - Alternative animal models: Virulence of different phylogenetic species of Paracoccidioides and effect of the 30kDa 43kDa protein and their antibodies
• Grantee: Liliana Scorzoni
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 14/10446-9 - Evaluation of new therapies and biomarkers in paracoccidioidomycosis: antifungal activity of alkyl gallates in alternative models and mice and identification of circulating microRNAs
• Grantee: Junya de Lacorte Singulani
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/03700-9 - Alternative animal as a model to study Paracoccidioides- host interaction: virulence, efficacy and toxicology of antifungal compounds and new preventive treatments
• Grantee: Maria José Soares Mendes Giannini
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants