Specific antibody to Cryptococcus neoformans glucurunoxylomannan antagonizes antifungal drug action against cryptococcal biofilms in vitro

J Infect Dis. 2006 Jul 15;194(2):261-6. doi: 10.1086/504722. Epub 2006 Jun 14.

Abstract

The fungus Cryptococcus neoformans possesses a polysaccharide capsule and can form biofilms on medical devices. We investigated the efficacy that the combination of a specific antibody to the capsular polysaccharide and antifungal therapy has against cryptococcal biofilms. The antibody enhanced the susceptibility of planktonic cells to antifungal agents, but an antagonistic effect was observed for combination therapy against C. neoformans biofilms. Our findings suggest that antibody therapies for infectious diseases that involve biofilms may antagonize certain antimicrobial therapies, and they also imply that products of the immune response may contribute to drug resistance of biofilms formed in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Fungal / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Fungal / pharmacology*
  • Antifungal Agents / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Caspofungin
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / chemistry
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / drug effects*
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / immunology*
  • Echinocandins
  • Lipopeptides
  • Mannans / immunology*
  • Mannans / metabolism
  • Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Fungal
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Echinocandins
  • Lipopeptides
  • Mannans
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Amphotericin B
  • Caspofungin