In vitro efficacy of nikkomycin Z against the human isolate of the microsporidian species Encephalitozoon hellem.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother
; 44(11): 3012-6, 2000 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11036015
ABSTRACT
Since 1985 microsporidia have been recognized as a cause of emerging infections in humans, mainly in immunocompromised human immunodeficiency virus-positive subjects. As chitin is a basic component of the microsporidian infective stage, the spore, we evaluated in vitro the susceptibility of a human-derived strain of Encephalitozoon hellem to nikkomycin Z, a peptide-nucleoside antibiotic known as a competitive inhibitor of chitin synthase enzymes. Transmission electron microscopy showed that this drug, at 25 microgram/ml, reduced the number of parasitic foci by about 35% +/- standard deviation after 7 days of culture (P < 0.0001) and induced cell damage of both mature and immature spores and also other sporogonic and merogonic stages. In particular, an irregular outline of the cell shape and an abnormally condensed cytoplasm in meronts and sporonts were documented. Also, the polar tubule and the polaroplast membranes appeared disarrayed in the sporoblast stage. The spore wall showed an enlarged endospore and delaminated exospore. Mature spores had a complete cytoplasmic disorganization and a swollen and delaminated cell wall. No ultrastructural cell damage was observed in uninfected control cultures treated with the drug.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Encephalitozoon
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Aminoglicosídeos
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Antibacterianos
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Antiprotozoários
Limite:
Animals
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Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Antimicrob Agents Chemother
Ano de publicação:
2000
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Itália
País de publicação:
EEUU
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ESTADOS UNIDOS
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ESTADOS UNIDOS DA AMERICA
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EUA
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UNITED STATES
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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US
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USA