Document 0102 DOCN M9580102 TI Synergic inhibitory activity of amphotericin-B and gamma interferon against intracellular Cryptococcus neoformans in murine macrophages. DT 9506 AU Herrmann JL; Dubois N; Fourgeaud M; Basset D; Lagrange PH; Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Hopital Hotel Dieu, Paris, France. SO J Antimicrob Chemother. 1994 Dec;34(6):1051-8. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/95247623 AB Cryptococcus neoformans is responsible for pulmonary and meningal infections in HIV patients. The lack of effective cellular cooperation caused by the low level of CD4+ cells, and the resistance of C. neoformans to phagocytosis allows growth and persistence of the yeast in the host. We describe here an in-vitro model of intracellular replication of C. neoformans inside J774-A.1 macrophages, and the determination of the intracellular antifungal activity of amphotericin B and fluconazole alone or in association with IFN-gamma. The maximum inhibitory effect was observed with one MIC of amphotericin B and 100 or 1000 IU/mL of IFN-gamma. amphotericin B alone (at 1 x MIC), or either 1 x or 50 x MIC of fluconazole in normal or IFN-gamma activated macrophages, did not eradicate the ingested yeast. A potential underlying mechanism of the synergy of amphotericin B in IFN-gamma primed macrophages was investigated by measurement of nitrite level and by use of the NO synthase competitive inhibitor, NG-monomethyl L-arginine (NMMA). One MIC of amphotericin B was able to activate the synthesis of nitrogen reactive intermediates in IFN gamma-primed macrophages. NMMA treated infected macrophages responded less well to IFN-gamma priming, resulting in a moderate inhibition in subsequent amphotericin B exposure. DE Amphotericin B/*PHARMACOLOGY Animal Cells, Cultured Cryptococcus neoformans/*DRUG EFFECTS/METABOLISM Drug Synergism Fluconazole/PHARMACOLOGY Human Interferon Type II/*PHARMACOLOGY Macrophages/DRUG EFFECTS/*MICROBIOLOGY Mice Microbial Sensitivity Tests Nitric Oxide/ANTAGONISTS & INHIB/BIOSYNTHESIS Support, Non-U.S. Gov't JOURNAL ARTICLE SOURCE: National Library of Medicine. NOTICE: This material may be protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).