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In vitro antifungal susceptibility pattern and ergosterol content in clinical yeast strains

Alicia Gomez-Lopez1, María Jose Buitrago, Juan Luis Rodriguez-Tudela

  • 1Servicio de Micología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, España. aliciagl@isciii.es

Revista Iberoamericana De Micologia
|January 22, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Fungal ergosterol content may not directly correlate with antifungal resistance. This study found no significant link between ergosterol levels and susceptibility patterns in clinical yeast isolates.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Clinical Microbiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Antifungal resistance in fungi can involve alterations in membrane sterols, such as ergosterol.
  • Reduced ergosterol levels or replacement with other sterols are proposed resistance mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify ergosterol content in clinical yeast isolates.
  • To investigate the relationship between ergosterol levels and antifungal susceptibility (amphotericin B, azoles).

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a simple chromatographic method (HPLC-UV) for ergosterol quantification.
  • Analyzed 51 clinical yeast isolates, including susceptible and resistant strains.

Main Results:

  • High ergosterol content was observed in Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, and Pichia membranifaciens.
  • Cryptococcus neoformans and Dipodascus capitatus showed the lowest ergosterol concentrations.
  • No significant correlation was found between ergosterol content and antifungal susceptibility patterns.

Conclusions:

  • Ergosterol content in yeasts does not appear to be a reliable indicator of specific antifungal resistance patterns.
  • Further research may be needed to elucidate complex resistance mechanisms in fungi.

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