Pseudomonas aeruginosa pyocyanin and 1-hydroxyphenazine inhibit fungal growth

JR Kerr, GW Taylor, A Rutman, N Hoiby, PJ Cole and R Wilson
Host Defence Unit, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, School of Medicine, London, UK.

AIM: To examine strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for specific antifungal factors. METHODS: Two clinical strains of P aeruginosa with strong in vitro inhibition (by cross streak assay) of Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus were examined. Both strains were isolated from sputum--one from a patient with cystic fibrosis and one from a patient with bronchiectasis. Bacterial extracts were fractionated by high performance liquid chromatography and examined by ultraviolet absorbance and mass spectroscopy. Antifungal activity against C albicans and A fumigatus was determined in a well plate assay. RESULTS: Pyocyanin was the major antifungal agent of P aeruginosa; 1-hydroxy- phenazine also possessed activity. Pyocyanin MICs for C albicans and A fumigatus were > 64 micrograms/ml. These phenazines were active against nine other yeast species pathogenic for man. Preliminary experiments also suggested possible inhibition of yeast mycelial transformation in C albicans by pyocyanin. CONCLUSIONS: There may be a role for pyocyanin and 1-hydroxyphenazine in the prevention of pulmonary candidiasis in patients colonised by P aeruginosa.
CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• ten Cate, J.M., Klis, F.M., Pereira-Cenci, T., Crielaard, W., de Groot, P.W.J. (2009). Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms That Lead to Candida Biofilm Formation. JDR 88: 105-115 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Gibson, J., Sood, A., Hogan, D. A. (2009). Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Candida albicans Interactions: Localization and Fungal Toxicity of a Phenazine Derivative. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 75: 504-513 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Kaur, A. P., Lansky, I. B., Wilks, A. (2009). The Role of the Cytoplasmic Heme-binding Protein (PhuS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Intracellular Heme Trafficking and Iron Homeostasis. J. Biol. Chem. 284: 56-66 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Palmer, R. J. Jr., Stoodley, P. (2007). Biofilms 2007: Broadened Horizons and New Emphases. J. Bacteriol. 189: 7948-7960 [Full Text]  
• Price-Whelan, A., Dietrich, L. E. P., Newman, D. K. (2007). Pyocyanin Alters Redox Homeostasis and Carbon Flux through Central Metabolic Pathways in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14. J. Bacteriol. 189: 6372-6381 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Treat, J., James, W. D., Nachamkin, I., Seykora, J. T. (2007). Growth Inhibition of Trichophyton Species by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Arch Dermatol 143: 61-64 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Azoulay, E., Timsit, J.-F., Tafflet, M., de Lassence, A., Darmon, M., Zahar, J.-R., Adrie, C., Garrouste-Orgeas, M., Cohen, Y., Mourvillier, B., Schlemmer, B., the Outcomerea Study Group, (2006). Candida Colonization of the Respiratory Tract and Subsequent Pseudomonas Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia. Chest 129: 110-117 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Ran, H., Hassett, D. J., Lau, G. W. (2003). Human targets of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pyocyanin. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 100: 14315-14320 [Abstract] [Full Text]