Prior in vitro exposure to voriconazole confers resistance to amphotericin B in aspergillus fumigatus biofilms

Rajendran, R., Mowat, E., Jones, B., Williams, C. and Ramage, G. (2015) Prior in vitro exposure to voriconazole confers resistance to amphotericin B in aspergillus fumigatus biofilms. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 46(3), pp. 342-345. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2015.03.006) (PMID:25979638)

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Abstract

Triazoles are the mainstay of treatment for aspergillosis, although resistance to these antifungal agents may be associated with treatment failure. Refractory infections often necessitate a switch to other antifungal agents, including amphotericin B (AmB), although these infections may not resolve. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of prior azole exposure on AmB sensitivity in Aspergillus fumigatus biofilms. It was hypothesised that sequential antifungal therapy has the potential to impact adaptive resistance mechanisms. Antifungal sensitivity was determined for each isolate against AmB ± voriconazole (VRZ) exposure by a broth microdilution method and an XTT metabolic assay. To analyse the role of extracellular DNA (eDNA) and Hsp90 activation, sensitivity to AmB ± DNA-digesting enzyme (DNase) or Hsp90 inhibitor [geldanamycin (GDA)] was also tested. Finally, scanning electron microscopy was performed to assess phenotypic changes. The in vitro data revealed that A. fumigatus sensitivity to AmB was decreased when it was tested in combination with VRZ. In addition, a two- to four-fold decreased sensitivity to AmB was recorded against VRZ-exposed germlings compared with controls. It was also shown that depletion of eDNA by DNase treatment enhanced AmB activity against VRZ-exposed cells by eight-fold, which visually could be explained by destabilisation of the biofilm when examined microscopically. Pharmacological inhibition of Hsp90 by GDA significantly improved biofilm susceptibility to AmB by four- to eight-fold. In conclusion, A. fumigatus pre-exposure to VRZ concomitantly induces eDNA release and activates the stress response, which collectively confers AmB resistance in vitro.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Rajendran, Dr Ranjith and Jones, Dr Brian and Ramage, Professor Gordon
Authors: Rajendran, R., Mowat, E., Jones, B., Williams, C., and Ramage, G.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
Journal Name:International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Publisher:Elsevier B.V.
ISSN:0924-8579
ISSN (Online):1872-7913
Published Online:23 April 2015
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
First Published:First published in International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 46(3):342-345
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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