Frontiers in Microbiology (Mar 2016)

Triclosan demonstrates synergic effect with amphotericin B and fluconazole and induces apoptosis-like cell death in Cryptococcus neoformans

  • Elaheh eMovahed,
  • Grace Min Yi eTan,
  • Komathy eMunusamy,
  • Tee Cian eYeow,
  • Sun Tee eTay,
  • Won Fen eWong,
  • Chung Yeng eLooi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2016.00360
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7

Abstract

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Objectives: Cryptococcus neoformans 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 C. neoformans.Methods: Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of triclosan in different C. neoformans strains was first examined. The in vitro 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.Results: We reported that triclosan potently inhibited the growth of C. neoformans. A combination of triclosan with amphotericin B or with fluconazole enhanced their fungicidal effects. Triclosan-treated C. neoformans displayed characteristics such as nuclear chromatin condensation, extensive intracellular vacuolation and mitochondrial swelling, indicating that triclosan triggered apoptosis-like cell death.Conclusion: In summary, our report suggests triclosan as an independent drug or synergent for C. neoformans treatment.

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