Interaction of Candida albicans, macrophages and fluconazole: In vitro and ex vivo observations

In recent years, medical interest in evaluating the interaction among mycetes, phagocytes, and antimycotic drugs has increased notably due to higher incidences of fungal infections in immunocompromised subjects and to the long-term therapy they require. In this study the in vitro and ex vivo interaction of fluconazole, at plasma concentrations, with mouse macrophages was evaluated in the presence of different inocula of Candida albicans. The results showed that fluconazole did not interfere negatively with phagocyte functions; conversely, according to different experimental conditions, it was able to increase both phagocytosis and intracellular killing of candida, probably exerting its action on the yeast rather than on the phagocyte. A higher enhancement of macrophage functions was observed in vitro when the drug was present in the medium with macrophages and candida in a 1:1 ratio.