Date: 26 November 2013
Secondary metabolites, structure diagram: Trivial name – gliotoxin
Copyright: n/a
Notes:
Species: A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. terreus, Eurotium chevalieri, Neosartorya pseudofischeriSystematic name: 10H-3,10a-Epidithiopyrazino[1,2-a]indole-1,4-dione, 2,3,5a,6-tetrahydro-6-hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-, (3R,5aS,6S,10aR)-Molecular formulae: C13H14N2O4S2Molecular weight: 326.393Chemical abstracts number: 67-99-2Selected references: Larsen TO, Smedsgaard J, Nielsen KF, Hansen MA, Samson RA, Frisvad JC. Production of mycotoxins by Aspergillus lentulus and other medically important and closely related species in section Fumigati. Med Mycol. 2007 May;45(3):225-32. Belkacemi, L.; Barton, R. C.; Hopwood, V.; Evans, E. G. V. (CORPORATE SOURCE PHLS Mycology Reference Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK). SOURCE Med. Mycol., 37(4), 227-233 (English) 1999 Blackwell Science Ltd. Lewis RE, Wiederhold NP, Lionakis MS, Prince RA, Kontoyiannis DP.J Clin Microbiol. 2005 Dec;43(12):6120-2. Frequency and species distribution of gliotoxin-producing Aspergillus isolates recovered from patients at a tertiary-care cancer center.Toxicity: Gliotoxin posseses a spectrum of biological activities including antibacterial and antiviral activities, and it is also a potent immunomodulating agent. Gliotoxin is also an inducer of apoptotic cell death in a number of cell types, and it has been found to be associated with some diseases attributed directly or indirectly to fungal infections. It is a secondary metabolite produced by a number of Aspergillus and Penicillium species.It is a potent immunosuppressive metabolite and brings about apoptosis in cells. Because of its effects on the immune system it may have a place in transplant surgery. There is limited evidence for its occurrence in moulded cereals. A. fumigatus is a potent pathogen which can colonise the lungs and other body tissues after ingestion of spores. There is some limited evidence that gliotoxin may be formed in situ in such circumstances. hamster LDLo oral 25mg/kg (25mg/kg) Veterinary and Human Toxicology. Vol. 32(Suppl), Pg. 63, 1990.mouse LD50 intraperitoneal 32mg/kg (32mg/kg) Chemotherapia. Vol. 10, Pg. 12, 1965. mouse LD50 intravenous 7800ug/kg (7.8mg/kg) Chemotherapia. Vol. 10, Pg. 12, 1965. mouse LD50 oral 67mg/kg (67mg/kg) Chemotherapia. Vol. 10, Pg. 12, 1965. mouse LD50 subcutaneous 25mg/kg (25mg/kg) Chemotherapia. Vol. 10, Pg. 12, 1965. rabbit LDLo intravenous 45mg/kg (45mg/kg) VASCULAR: BP LOWERING NOT CHARACTERIZED IN AUTONOMIC SECTION. GASTROINTESTINAL: HYPERMOTILITY, DIARRHEA Journal of the American Chemical Society. Vol. 65, Pg. 2005, 1943. rat LDLo intravenous 45mg/kg (45mg/kg) Veterinary and Human Toxicology. Vol. 32(Suppl), Pg. 63, 1990.rat LDLo unreported 50mg/kg (50mg/kg) BEHAVIORAL: ALTERED SLEEP TIME (INCLUDING CHANGE IN RIGHTING REFLEX) Journal of the American Chemical Society. Vol. 65, Pg. 2005, 1943.
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Itraconazole rash – macropopular rash after 7 days treatment with Itraconazole, in a patient with AIDS
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A 72 year-old male patient had been in treatment for many years for severe asthma with relatively good exercise tolerance. Over the past two years he had increasing problems of shortness of breath, cough and productive sputum. There was no history of chest pain, haemoptysis or fever. His total IgE was 680.0 IU/l, and specific IgE against Aspergillus fumigatus was 14.6 IU/l. Precipitins against A. fumigatus were weakly positive (titre 1/2), and there was no eosinophilia. Computed tomography revealed marked emphysema but only mild bronchiectasis. Based on these results he was diagnosed with severe asthma with fungal sensitisation (SAFS) and itraconazole was started (SporanoxTM 200mg bds). Itraconazole dosage was reduced to 200 mg daily one month later due to progressive bilateral ankle oedema. Itraconazole levels by bioassay were 17.5 mg/l at that time (normal range 5-15 mg/l). Despite showing improvement on his chest symptoms, peripheral oedema became a major negative impact on patient’s quality of life. There were no signs of heart failure. Figure 1 was taken 2 months after itraconazole was started, when drug levels were 9.8 mg/l. Itraconazole was replaced by voriconazole. Concomitant medications included furosemide (80 mg daily) and spironolactone (100 mg daily). After discontinuing itraconazole, the oedema quickly subsided.
Ankle oedema is an uncommon complication of therapy with itraconazole. It has occurred in about 4% of patients treated in clinical trials involving this drug. This complication seems to be more frequent in patients concomitantly receiving calcium channel blockers, which was not the case for our patient. The mechanism is unknown. It usually does not represent cardiac failure, another reported side effect of itraconazole, but this must be excluded. Marked oedema requiring drug suspension is a rare phenomenon, and has not been previously reported in association with itraconazole.
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The insert shows the size of the discs. These discs dissociate after infusion to release amphotericin B preferentially into the reticuloendothelial system and lung. This form of amphotericin B is marketed as either Amphotec or Amphocil, depending on the country.
