Brief exposure to antimycotics reduces the extracellular phospholipase activity of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis

Abstract

Background: Although the phospholipase activity is considered a potential virulence determinant of the pathogenic Candida species, the effect of antimycotics on this attribute is not known. Hence we evaluated the phospholipase activity in 10 isolates each of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis, after their exposure to antifungals. Methods: The impact of antimycotics on phospholipase activity was also assessed after exposure of the isolates to sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations of nystatin, amphotericin B and fluconazole. Results: All Candida isolates investigated exhibited phospholipase activity (Pz). In general C. albicans showed relatively higher Pz activity than C. tropicalis, and exposure of the isolates to antimycotics led to a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the phospholipase activity. Nystatin and amphotericin B, but not fluconazole, significantly reduced the phospholipase activity of both Candida species. Conclusion: These observations, while confirming the higher virulence of C. albicans relative to C. tropicalis, demonstrate for the first time the effect of antifungal agents on extracellular phospholipases of these common opportunistic pathogens. Copyright © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.