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Phytosterols are present in Pneumocystis carinii
S T Furlong1, J A Samia, R M Rose
1Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|November 1, 1994
Summary
Pneumocystis carinii, now considered fungal, contains cholesterol and phytosterols, not ergosterol. This finding supports its fungal link and suggests new diagnostic and treatment targets for immunocompromised patients.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Medical Mycology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Pneumocystis carinii, initially a protozoan, is now recognized for its fungal characteristics.
- It is a significant opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised individuals, including those with AIDS.
- Understanding its sterol composition is crucial for developing novel therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sterol content of Pneumocystis carinii.
- To determine if ergosterol, a common antifungal drug target, is present.
- To explore the implications of its sterol profile for its classification and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Harvesting and purification of P. carinii from infected rat lungs.
- Lipid extraction and separation into neutral, glycolipid, and phospholipid fractions using silicic acid chromatography.
- Analysis of the neutral lipid fraction by HPLC, GC, and GC-MS.
Main Results:
- The neutral lipid fraction of P. carinii contained at least six sterol peaks.
- Cholesterol was identified as the predominant sterol (80-90%).
- Other sterols, similar to phytosterols, were detected, but ergosterol was notably absent.
Conclusions:
- The sterol composition provides further evidence for the close phylogenetic relationship between P. carinii and fungi.
- The identified sterols, particularly cholesterol, represent potential targets for developing new antifungal drugs.
- These findings can aid in improving diagnostic methods for P. carinii infections.