AUTHOR=Movahed Elaheh , Tan Grace Min Yi , Munusamy Komathy , Yeow Tee Cian , Tay Sun Tee , Wong Won Fen , Looi Chung Yeng 

TITLE=Triclosan Demonstrates Synergic Effect with Amphotericin B and Fluconazole and Induces Apoptosis-Like Cell Death in Cryptococcus neoformans

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2016

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2016.00360

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2016.00360

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objectives:</bold><italic>Cryptococcus neoformans</italic> is an opportunistic fungus that causes fatal meningoencephalitis especially in AIDS patients. There is an increasing need for discovery of new anti-cryptococcal drugs due to emergence of resistance cases in recent years. In this study, we aim to elucidate the antifungal effect of triclosan against <italic>C. neoformans</italic>.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of triclosan in different <italic>C. neoformans</italic> strains was first examined. The <italic>in vitro</italic> interactions between triclosan and two standard anti-fungal drugs (amphotericin B and fluconazole) were further evaluated by microdilution checkerboard assay. Mechanism of triclosan fungicidal activity was then investigated by viewing the cell morphology under transmission electron microscope.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> We reported that triclosan potently inhibited the growth of <italic>C. neoformans</italic>. A combination of triclosan with amphotericin B or with fluconazole enhanced their fungicidal effects. Triclosan-treated <italic>C. neoformans</italic> displayed characteristics such as nuclear chromatin condensation, extensive intracellular vacuolation and mitochondrial swelling, indicating that triclosan triggered apoptosis-like cell death.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> In summary, our report suggests triclosan as an independent drug or synergent for <italic>C. neoformans</italic> treatment.</p>