Efficient treatment of murine systemic infection with Candida albicans using amphotericin B incorporated in nanosize range particles (emulsomes)

The effects of emulsome nanosize range lipid particles containing amphoteri cin B (EAmB) were compared with the reference formulation containing deoxyc holate (Fungizone; Bristol-Myers Squibb, Munich, Germany) and with the comm ercial amphotericin lipid complex preparation (AmBisome; Nexstar, San Dimas , CA, USA). The minimal inhibitory concentrations of Fungizone and EAmB wer e identical although killing of Candida albicans was delayed when EAmB was used. In a tissue culture model and in mice, the incorporation of AmB into emulsomes resulted in a considerable reduction of toxicity in comparison wi th Fungizone. For comparison of the in vivo effect of the preparations a mo use model of systemic infection with C albicans was used. All preparations were able to reduce the fungal burden in the liver and kidneys in compariso n with control animals treated with isotonic saline. AmBisome was more effi cient in the reduction of the fungal burden of the liver than EAmB and Fung izone, even when applied in a similar dosage of 1 mg kg(-1). In the kidneys , EAmB and Fungizone was slightly more effective than AmBisome. Therefore, in our models, the incorporation of AmB into nanosize particles was able to reduce toxicity without loss of efficiency. EAmB may be considered a candi date preparation for the treatment of infections with C albicans in humans.