Effect of antifungal agents on non-Candida albicans Candida species enzymatic activity

摘要

To study the action of antifungal agents (fluconazole and amphotericin B) on proteinase, phospholipase, and haemolytic activity of several Candida species. The assays were performed with C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis clinical isolates recovered from different body sites. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the maximum antifungal concentration (MAC) were determined against both antifungal agents. Then, the enzymatic activity was measured for yeasts grown at MIC and MAC conditions. The results showed that all Candida species assayed were sensible to both antifungal agents. In general, all Candida species presented proteinase activity, with the exception of C. glabrata, and also presented haemolytic activity, with the exception of four C. parapsilosis strains. Fluconazole and amphotericin B, were causative agents of a decrease in proteinase and haemolytic activity. However, this effect was species and strain dependent for both antifungal agents. fluconazole and amphotericin B were able to influence the enzymatic activity of Candida species surviving cells. There are few works focusing on the effect of antifungals in proteinase and phospholipase activity of C. albicans, and to our knowledge, this is the first report on the effect of the two most important clinical antifungal agents on several other Candida species enzymatic activity.