Synthetic Human Lactoferrin Peptide hLF(1-11) Shows Antifungal Activity and Synergism with Fluconazole and Anidulafungin Towards and Various Non-Albicans Species, Including .

INTRODUCTION

() has emerged globally, and diseases caused by it are associated with a mortality rate of 30-72%. This yeast is often multidrug-resistant and challenging to treat. A synthetic peptide, consisting of 11 amino acids of human lactoferrin (hLF1-11), offers a new therapy that is active against , non-albicans yeasts, as well as . The current study examined the susceptibility of clinically relevant species to hLF(1-11) in vitro and investigated the synergistic interaction of this peptide with fluconazole (FLU) and anidulafungin (ANI).

METHODS

Susceptibility of the yeasts to hLF(1-11) was tested with a microdilution method to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). A total of 59 strains belonging to 16 species of or were tested. The treatment cohort included 20 strains of originating from six different countries.

RESULTS

Mean MIC values of all susceptible strains ranged from 16.66 ± 6.46 μg/mL to 45.83 ± 10.21 μg/mL. There were no statistical differences in the susceptibility of hLF(1-11) for across geographic origins. In the combinatory tests, drugs acting together, the fractional inhibitory concentration indexes [FIC] < 1.0, showed a synergistic or additive effect on the efficacy of FLU and ANI when used in combination with hLF(1-11). [FIC] indexes 1-2 were interpreted as intermediate. MIC values in combinatory use were 1-2 titer steps lower than when used alone.

CONCLUSIONS

hLF(1-11) inhibits the growth of yeasts that belong to the genus , including The combinatory use may be further investigated to treat infections caused by resistant yeasts.