Effects of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) proteinase inhibitors saquinavir and indinavir on in vitro activities of secreted aspartyl proteinases of Candida albicans isolates from HIV-Infected patients

The effects of therapeutically relevant concentrations of the human immunod eficiency virus (HIV) proteinase inhibitors saquinavir and indinavir on the in vitro proteinase activity of Candida albicans were investigated with is olates from HIV-infected and uninfected patients with oral candidiasis. Aft er exposure to the HIV proteinase inhibitors, proteinase activity was signi ficantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner. These inhibitory effects, whic h were similar to that of pepstatin A, and the reduced virulence phenotype in experimental candidiasis after application of saquinavir indicate the us efulness of these HIV proteinase inhibitors as potential anticandidal agent s.