Pharmacology

Exposure to Therapeutic Concentrations of Ritonavir, but Not Saquinavir, Reduces Secreted Aspartyl Proteinase of Candida parapsilosis
M.A. Asencio^a, E. Garduño^a, C. Pérez-Giraldo^b, M.T. Blanco^b, C. Hurtado^b, A.C. Gómez-García<sup>b

a</sup>Microbiology Section, Infanta Cristina University Hospital, and
^bDepartment of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain

Address of Corresponding Author

Chemotherapy 2005;51:252-255 (DOI: 10.1159/000087252)

  Key Words

• Candida parapsilosis
• Secreted aspartyl proteinases
• Proteinase inhibitors

  Abstract

The effect of ritonavir and saquinavir, HIV proteinase inhibitors, on the secreted aspartyl proteinase (Sap) activity of Candida parapsilosis was studied. In a proteinase-inducing medium (yeast carbon base-bovine serum albumin), Sap activity in all clinical isolates of C. parapsilosis (n = 20) was observed at 37°C but not at 22°C. The presence of ritonavir at a concentration of 8 µg/ml produced an inhibition close to 50% albumin consumption and also delayed yeast growth; however, saquinavir did not have any effect on growth or on Sap activity. In Sabouraud broth, which does not induce Sap production, no effect was shown on yeast growth by either of the two HIV proteinase inhibitors studied.

Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

A.C. Gómez-García
Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina
Avenida de Elvas s/n
ES-06071 Badajoz (Spain)
Tel. +34 924 289440, Fax +34 924 272956, E-Mail candido@unex.es

  Article Information

Received: June 21, 2004
Accepted after revision: March 11, 2005
Published online: July 26, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 23