Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026
Automation of Bio-Atomic Force Microscope Measurements on Hundreds of C. albicans Cells
Published on: April 2, 2021
Antifungal activity of caspofungin in experimental infective endocarditis caused by Candida albicans
Gerardo Becerra Victorio1, Lorena Michele Brennan Bourdon2, Leonel García Benavides3
1Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Chiapas, Mexico.
Background:
Infective endocarditis is a disease characterised by heart valve lesions, which exhibit extracellular matrix proteins that act as a physical barrier to prevent the passage of antimicrobial agents. The genus Candida has acquired clinical importance given that it is increasingly being isolated from cases of nosocomial infections.
Objective:
To evaluate the activity of caspofungin compared to that of liposomal amphotericin B against Candida albicans in experimental infective endocarditis.
Methods:
Wistar rats underwent surgical intervention and infection with strains of C. albicans to develop infective endocarditis. Three groups were formed: the first group was treated with caspofungin, the second with liposomal amphotericin B, and the third received a placebo. In vitro sensitivity was first determined to further evaluate the effect of these treatments on a rat experimental model of endocarditis by semiquantitative culture of fibrinous vegetations and histological analysis.
Findings:
Our semiquantitative culture of growing vegetation showed massive C. albicans colonisation in rats without treatment, whereas rats treated with caspofungin showed significantly reduced colonisation, which was similar to the results obtained with liposomal amphotericin B.
Conclusions:
The antifungal activity of caspofungin is similar to that of liposomal amphotericin B in an experimental model of infective endocarditis caused by C. albicans.
Insights
Caspofungin and liposomal amphotericin B show similar effectiveness in treating experimental infective endocarditis caused by Candida albicans. Both antifungals significantly reduced fungal colonization in a rat model, offering hope for treating this serious infection.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Infective endocarditis involves heart valve lesions with extracellular matrix barriers hindering antimicrobial penetration.
- The genus Candida is a growing cause of hospital-acquired infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of caspofungin and liposomal amphotericin B against Candida albicans in a rat model of infective endocarditis.
Main Methods:
- Experimental infective endocarditis was induced in Wistar rats using Candida albicans.
- Treatment groups included caspofungin, liposomal amphotericin B, and placebo.
- Antifungal activity was assessed via semiquantitative culture of vegetations and histological analysis.
Main Results:
- Untreated rats exhibited massive Candida albicans colonization in vegetations.
- Both caspofungin and liposomal amphotericin B significantly reduced fungal colonization.
- The reduction in colonization was comparable between the two antifungal treatments.
Conclusions:
- Caspofungin demonstrates antifungal activity comparable to liposomal amphotericin B.
- These findings support the use of caspofungin as a treatment option for experimental Candida albicans infective endocarditis.
