In vivo evaluation of the antifungal activity of sertraline against Aspergillus fumigatus.

BACKGROUND: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a life-threatening fungal disease principally caused by the ubiquitous mould Aspergillus fumigatus. This clinical entity is a major cause of morbidity and mortality (principally, but not restricted to, immunocompromised individuals). A few recent reports suggest in vitro fungicidal activity of sertraline against Aspergillus spp., but this activity has not yet been investigated in vivo. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the antifungal activity of sertraline in two in vivo models of aspergillosis. METHODS: The antifungal activity of sertraline as monotherapy at three different doses (3, 10 and 15 mg/kg) was evaluated in Galleria mellonella and in a murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Therapeutic efficacy parameters determined were larval survival and health index score for G. mellonella, whereas pulmonary fungal burden, galactomannan and lung histopathology were assessed in the murine model. RESULTS: Sertraline treatments improved larval survival and health index score, especially at doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg. Moreover, 10 mg/kg sertraline was able to reduce pulmonary fungal burden with an efficacy comparable with that of 3 mg/kg amphotericin B and 10 mg/kg voriconazole. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first in vivo study that evaluates the antifungal activity of sertraline against A. fumigatus, showing a possible promising option for the adjuvant treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis.

Candida parapsilosis complex induces local inflammatory cytokines in immunocompetent mice.

Despite the increasing incidence of the Candida parapsilosis complex in the clinical setting and high mortality rates associated with disseminated infection, the host-fungus interactions regarding Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto and the closely related species C. orthopsilosis and C. metapsilosis remains blurred. In this study, we analyzed inflammatory cytokines levels and histopathology as well as fungal burden in spleen, kidney and lung of mice infected with six strains of the "psilosis" group with different enzymatic profiles. Strong interleukin 22 (IL-22) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) responses were observed in analyzed organs from infected mice (P < .0001) regardless of the species and enzymatic profile. TNF-α and IL-22 levels were related with spleen inflammation and fungal load. Fungal cells were detected only in spleen and kidney of infected mice, especially by day 2 post-challenge. The kidney showed glomerular retraction and partial destruction of renal tubules. Our data suggest that a strong inflammatory response, mainly of IL-22 and TNF-α, could be involved in Candida parapsilosis complex infection control.

Evaluation of the synergistic antifungal activity of micafungin and voriconazole plus sertraline against Candida auris.

Candida auris is an emerging global public health threat. It is an opportunistic yeast that usually affects critically ill patients in healthcare settings and is characterized by reduced susceptibility to multiple antifungal classes. Combination therapy with antifungals and repurposed drugs is a feasible alternative to overcome this problem. The aim of this study was to examine the in vitro interactions and potential synergy of micafungin (MFG) and voriconazole (VRC) plus the antidepressant sertraline (SRT) against clinical isolates of C. auris. Conventional antifungal testing was first performed with the three drugs according to the CLSI methodology. Drug interactions were determined by the checkerboard microdilution assay using the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index. Synergistic interactions were noted with the combination of MFG and SRT plus VRC with FIC values of 0.37 to 0.49 for some strains. Indifferent interactions were observed when MFG was combined with SRT with just one exception (FIC 0.53). No antagonism was observed for any combination. The combination of VRC with MCF or SRT may be relevant for treating C. auris infections.