Abstract
The in vitro adherence of multiple14C-glucose labeled isolates ofCandida albicans to exfoliated vaginal epithelial cells in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of ketoconazole was studied with a new method utilizing differential centrifugation in a gelatin-PBS solution as well as by the standard method of direct microscopy measurement. Pre-incubation of stationary-phase candida in ketoconazole at concentrations of 0.002 to 0.1 Μg/ml for 4 h at 37 ‡C had no effect on adherence. The addition of ketoconazole to logarithmic phaseCandida albicans failed to reduce the total number of cell-associated adherent yeast but exposure to subinhibitory concentrations of ketoconazole was associated with a dystrophic morphology of the blastospores, extensive clumping and reduced germination resulting in fewer individual candida blastospores directly attached to the cell membranes. Germination inhibition and a marked reduction in adherent candida was observed when 0.01 Μg/ml ketoconazole was added toCandida albicans incubated in germination promoting medium. The diminished adherence ofCandida albicans to vaginal epithelial cells after exposure to subinhibitory concentrations of ketoconazole may have clinical relevance in preventing recurrent Candida vaginitis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Lorian, V.: Effect of subminimum inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics on bacteria. In: Lorian, V. (ed.): Antibiotics in laboratory medicine. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, 1980.
Beachey, E. H.: Bacterial adherence: adhesion-receptor interactions mediating the attachment of bacteria to mucosal surfaces. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1981, 143: 325–344.
Alkan, M. L., Beachey, E. H.: Excretion of lipoteicholic acid by group A streptococci: influence of penicillin on excretion and loss of ability to adhere to human oral mucosal cells. Journal of Clinical Investigation 1978, 61: 671–677.
Bernard, J. P., Francioli, P., Glauser, M. P.: Vancomycin prophylaxis of experimentalStreptococcal sanguis inhibition of bacterial adherence rather than bacterial killing. Journal of Clinical Investigation 1982, 68: 1113–1116.
Eisenstein, B. I., Ofek, I., Beachey, E. H.: Loss of lectinlike activity in aberrant type 1 fimbriae ofEscherichia coli. Infection and Immunity 1981, 31: 792–797.
Eisenstein, B. I., Beachey, E. H., Ofek, I.: Influence of sublethal concentrations of antibiotics on the expression of the mannose-specific ligand ofEscherichia coli. Infection and Imnunity 1980, 28: 154–159.
Scheld, W. M., Zak, O., Vosbeck, K., Sande, M. A.: Bacterial adhesion in the pathogenesis of infective endocarditis. Effect of subinhibitory antibiotic concentrations on streptococcal adhesion in vitro and the development of endocarditis in rabbits. Journal of Clinical Investigation 1981, 68: 1381–1384.
Vosbeck, K., Handschin, H., Menge, E. E., Zak, O.: Effect of subminimal inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics on adhesiveness ofEscherichia coli in vitro. Reviews of Infectious Diseases 1979, 1: 845–851.
Svanborg-Eden, C., Sandberg, T., Stenqvist, K., Ahlstedt, S.: Decrease in adhesion ofEscherichia coli to human urinary tract epithelial cells in vitro by subinhibitory concentrations of ampicillin. Infection 1978, 6, Supplement 1: 121–124.
Borgers, M., Vanden-Bossche, H., De\brander, M., Van Cutsem, J.: Promotion of pseudomycelium formation ofCandida albicans in culture: a morphological study of the effects of miconozole and ketoconazole. Postgraduate Medical Journal 1979, 55: 687–691.
Botter, A. A., Dethier, F., Mertens, R. L. J., Morias, J., Peremans, W.: Skin and nail mycoses: treatment with ketoconazole, a new oral antimycotic agent. Mykosen 1979, 22: 274–278.
Finestine, N., Symoens, J., Moers, M., Dom, J., Scheijground, H., Dony, J., Schuermans, V., Legendre, R.: An evaluation of two years of clinical experience with ketoconazole. Reviews of Infectious Diseases 1980, 2: 774–787.
Bisschop, M. P., Merkus, J. M. W. M., Scheijgrond, H., Van Cutsem, J., Van Cutsem, A.: Treatment of vaginal candidiases with ketoconazole, a new orally active antimycotic. European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology 1979, 9: 253–259.
Shigematsu, M. L., Uno, J., Arai, T.: Correlative studies on in vivo and in vitro effectiveness of ketoconazole (R41400) againstCandida albicans infection. Japanese Journal of Medical Mycology 1981, 22: 196–201.
Vanden-Bossche, H., Willemsens, G., Cools, W., Cornelissen, F., Lauwers, W. F., Van Cutsem, J. M.: In vitro and in vivo effects of the antimycotic drug ketoconazole in sterol synthesis. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 1980, 17: 922–928.
Uno, J., Shigematsu, M. L., Arai, T.: Primary site of action of ketoconazole onCandida albicans. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 1982, 21: 912–918.
Sobel, J. D., Myers, P. G., Kaye, D., Levison, M. E.: Adherence ofCandida albicans to human vaginal and buccal epithelial cells. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1981, 143: 76–82.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sobel, J.D., Obedeanu, N. Effects of subinhibitory concentrations of ketoconazole on in vitro adherence ofCandida albicans to vaginal epithelial cells. Eur. J, Clin. Microbiol. 2, 445–452 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02013902
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02013902