Radiometric detection of metabolic activity of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and its susceptibility to amphotericin B and diethylstilbestrol

Authors

  • Edwaldo E. Camargo Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Laboratório de Investigação Médica; Centro de Medicina Nuclear
  • Maria K. Sato Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Laboratório de Investigação Médica; Centro de Medicina Nuclear
  • Gilda M. B. Del Negro Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Laboratório de Investigação Médica; Centro de Medicina Nuclear
  • Carlos da Silva Lacaz Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Laboratório de Investigação Médica; Centro de Medicina Nuclear

Keywords:

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Radiometric assay, 14C-Substrates, Amphotericin B, Diethylstilbestrol

Abstract

Paracoccidioidomycosis (South American blastomycosis) is a systemic disease, strikingly more frequent in males, caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. A radiometric assay system has been applied to study the metabolic activity and the effect of drugs on this fungus "in vitro". The Y form of the yeast, grown in liquid Sabouraud medium was inoculated into sterile reaction vials containing the 6B aerobic medium along with 2.0 μCi of 14C-substrates. Control vials, prepared in the same way, contained autoclaved fungi. To study the effects of amphotericin B (AB) (0.1 and 10 μg/ml) and diethylstilbestrol (DSB) (1.0, 5.0 and 10 μg/ml) extra controls with live fungi and no drug were used. All vials were incubated at 35°C and metabolism measured daily with a Bactec instrument. 14CO2 production by P. brasiliensis was slow and could be followed for as long as 50 days. AB at 10mg/ml and DSB at 5 μg/ml inhibited the metabolism and had a cidal effect on this fungus. The results with DSB might explain the low incidence of the disease in females. This technique shows promise for studying metabolic pathways, investi gating more convenient 14C-substrates to expedite radiometric detection and for monitoring the effects of other drugs and factors on the metabolism of P. brasiliensis "in vitro".

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Published

1987-10-01

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Radiometric detection of metabolic activity of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and its susceptibility to amphotericin B and diethylstilbestrol . (1987). Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De São Paulo, 29(5), 289-294. https://www.revistas.usp.br/rimtsp/article/view/28533