Calcineurin promotes infection of the cornea by Candida albicans and can be targeted to enhance fluconazole therapy

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2006 Nov;50(11):3963-5. doi: 10.1128/AAC.00393-06. Epub 2006 Aug 21.

Abstract

In an established Candida albicans murine keratitis model, combination therapy with ophthalmic preparations of fluconazole and cyclosporine A (CsA) demonstrated in vivo drug synergy and effectively resolved wild-type C. albicans infection more rapidly than monotherapy with either drug. Calcineurin, the target of CsA, was also found to contribute to pathogenicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Calcineurin / physiology*
  • Calcineurin Inhibitors*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects*
  • Candida albicans / physiology
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy*
  • Candidiasis / microbiology*
  • Corneal Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Corneal Diseases / microbiology*
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use
  • Fluconazole / pharmacology
  • Fluconazole / therapeutic use*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Keratitis / drug therapy
  • Keratitis / microbiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Calcineurin Inhibitors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine
  • Fluconazole
  • Calcineurin