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Inhibition of germ tube formation by Candida albicans by local anesthetics: an effect related to ionic channel blockade

Rodrigues, A A ; Pina-Vaz, C ; Mårdh, Per-Anders LU ; Martinez-de-Oliveira, J and Freitas-da-Fonseca, A (2000) In Current Microbiology 40(3). p.145-148
Abstract
Formation of germ tubes by Candida albicans has been assumed as a putative virulence factor. Local anesthetics (LAs), e.g., lidocaine and bupivacaine, are known to inhibit germ tube formation. The study confirmed this observation for the novel drug ropivacaine, although it was less potent than the former two drugs. Hypothesizing that the effect is due to blockading ionic channels, we exposed Candida albicans to selective calcium blockers, i.e., nifedipine and verapamil, and to a general blocker of ionic channels, i.e., lanthanum. All blockers inhibited germ tube formation. The effect was dose-dependent and pH-independent. Addition of calcium reverted the effect of the blockers as well as the effect of lidocaine and ropivacaine. The study... (More)
Formation of germ tubes by Candida albicans has been assumed as a putative virulence factor. Local anesthetics (LAs), e.g., lidocaine and bupivacaine, are known to inhibit germ tube formation. The study confirmed this observation for the novel drug ropivacaine, although it was less potent than the former two drugs. Hypothesizing that the effect is due to blockading ionic channels, we exposed Candida albicans to selective calcium blockers, i.e., nifedipine and verapamil, and to a general blocker of ionic channels, i.e., lanthanum. All blockers inhibited germ tube formation. The effect was dose-dependent and pH-independent. Addition of calcium reverted the effect of the blockers as well as the effect of lidocaine and ropivacaine. The study suggests that the inhibitory effect of LAs on germ tube formation by C. albicans is due to blockade of ionic channels, particularly calcium channels. Therefore, LAs can affect morphology and probably also the pathogenesis of C. albicans. (Less)
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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Current Microbiology
volume
40
issue
3
pages
145 - 148
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • pmid:10679044
  • scopus:0033981102
ISSN
0343-8651
DOI
10.1007/s002849910030
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
6a806082-7785-4146-b66f-d88c005e4676 (old id 1118233)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 17:15:03
date last changed
2022-01-29 01:22:39
@article{6a806082-7785-4146-b66f-d88c005e4676,
  abstract     = {{Formation of germ tubes by Candida albicans has been assumed as a putative virulence factor. Local anesthetics (LAs), e.g., lidocaine and bupivacaine, are known to inhibit germ tube formation. The study confirmed this observation for the novel drug ropivacaine, although it was less potent than the former two drugs. Hypothesizing that the effect is due to blockading ionic channels, we exposed Candida albicans to selective calcium blockers, i.e., nifedipine and verapamil, and to a general blocker of ionic channels, i.e., lanthanum. All blockers inhibited germ tube formation. The effect was dose-dependent and pH-independent. Addition of calcium reverted the effect of the blockers as well as the effect of lidocaine and ropivacaine. The study suggests that the inhibitory effect of LAs on germ tube formation by C. albicans is due to blockade of ionic channels, particularly calcium channels. Therefore, LAs can affect morphology and probably also the pathogenesis of C. albicans.}},
  author       = {{Rodrigues, A A and Pina-Vaz, C and Mårdh, Per-Anders and Martinez-de-Oliveira, J and Freitas-da-Fonseca, A}},
  issn         = {{0343-8651}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{145--148}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{Current Microbiology}},
  title        = {{Inhibition of germ tube formation by Candida albicans by local anesthetics: an effect related to ionic channel blockade}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002849910030}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s002849910030}},
  volume       = {{40}},
  year         = {{2000}},
}