In vitro activity of caspofungin (MK-0991) against Candida albicans clinical isolates displaying different mechanisms of azole resistance

J Clin Microbiol. 2002 Jun;40(6):2228-30. doi: 10.1128/JCM.40.6.2228-2230.2002.

Abstract

Caspofungin inhibits the synthesis of 1,3-beta-D-glucan, a key step in fungal cell wall biosynthesis. Here we report on its potent in vitro activity (MIC at which 90% of the isolates tested are inhibited = 1 microg per ml of RPMI medium) against 32 Candida albicans fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant clinical isolates irrespective of the underlying resistance mechanism (alterations in ERG11 and/or upregulation of MDR and CDR genes encoding efflux pumps) and provide further evidence that caspofungin is not a substrate for multidrug transporters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / microbiology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Azoles / pharmacology*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects*
  • Candidiasis, Oral / microbiology
  • Caspofungin
  • Drug Resistance, Fungal* / genetics
  • Echinocandins
  • Fluconazole / pharmacology
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lipopeptides
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Peptides*
  • Peptides, Cyclic*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Azoles
  • Echinocandins
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Lipopeptides
  • Peptides
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Fluconazole
  • Caspofungin