AIM

Leishmaniasis is a globally prevalent parasitic disease that has drawn significant attention. Killer yeasts offer a novel biological control method, presenting a potential alternative for treating leishmaniasis. This study evaluates the antileishmanial activity of and killer toxins against .

MATERIALS & METHODS: Killer yeasts were isolated using the Well method. The genes encoding K2 and K.L killer toxins were identified by PCR, and the toxins were purified via SDS-PAGE. Antileishmanial and cytotoxic effects on promastigotes and amastigotes were evaluated using the MTT assay.

RESULTS

The first killer isolate was identified as ZBAM (GenBank accession: OQ376749.1) and the second as ZBAM (GenBank accession: OQ401036.1). IC50 values of K2 and K.L toxins against promastigotes were significantly lower than Glucantime and Amphotericin B. The EC50 values at 24 hours for Glucantime, K2, and K.L were 11.83 ± 0.02 μg/ml, 2.35 ± 0.01 μg/ml, and 3.23 ± 0.03 μg/ml, respectively. The EC50 values for K2 and K.L against amastigotes were also lower than Glucantime.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of the antileishmanial effects of K2 and K.L toxins against , suggesting these yeasts as promising candidates for biological leishmaniasis treatment.