Potential antifungal effects of human platelets against zygomycetes in vitro.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 19698079.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1086/605607 and PMC identifier 3017871.
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Abstract
Zygomycosis is increasingly recognized in immunocompromised hosts. We investigated whether platelets become activated after contact with Zygomycetes and adhere to conidial and hyphal structures using immunofluorescence. The platelets' influence on fungal viability was evaluated by assessing hyphal elongation and hyphal damage. Platelets became activated and strongly adhered to conidia and hyphae of Zygomycetes. Platelets induced time dependent damage to hyphae and significantly reduced (P<.05) hyphal elongation. We found that platelets possess antifungal capacities against Zygomycetes based on granule dependent mechanisms and significantly reduce fungal growth and spread, both of which are of major importance in evolving invasive disease.
Medical subject headings
- Blood Platelets
- Mucorales
- Platelet Activation