Interaction of sertraline with Candida species selectively attenuates fungal virulence in vitro

FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2003 Jan 21;35(1):11-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-695X.2003.tb00643.x.

Abstract

This study investigated whether the interaction between isolates of Candida albicans (n=7), Candida parapsilosis (n=3), Candida krusei (n=2), Candida dubliniensis (n=1) and sertraline, a typical selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, alters candidal virulence. Sertraline treatment of Candida spp. significantly (P<0.05) affected hyphal elongation, phospholipase activity, production of secreted aspartyl proteinases and fungal viability. In addition, monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) treated with sertraline reduced inhibition of blastoconidia germination in comparison to MDMs alone. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the interaction between sertraline and Candida spp. may also diminish the virulence properties of this fungal pathogen in vivo.

MeSH terms

  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Candida / classification
  • Candida / drug effects*
  • Candida / growth & development
  • Candida / pathogenicity*
  • Candida albicans / growth & development
  • Candida albicans / pathogenicity
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / chemistry
  • Macrophages / microbiology*
  • Monocytes / chemistry
  • Monocytes / microbiology*
  • Phospholipases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Sertraline / pharmacology*
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Phospholipases
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases
  • Sertraline