Aspergillus fumigatus hyphal damage caused by noninvasive radiofrequency field-induced hyperthermia

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2013 Sep;57(9):4444-8. doi: 10.1128/AAC.01017-13. Epub 2013 Jul 8.

Abstract

We studied the effect of noninvasive radiofrequency-induced hyperthermia on the viability of Aspergillus fumigatus hyphae in vitro. Radiofrequency-induced hyperthermia resulted in significant (>70%, P < 0.0001) hyphal damage in a time and thermal dose-dependent fashion as assessed by XTT [(sodium 2,3,-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino)-carbonyl] (1)-2H-tetrazolium inner salt)], DiBAC [bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol] staining, and transmission electron microscopy. For comparison, water bath hyperthermia was used over the range of 45 to 55°C to study hyphal damage. Radiofrequency-induced hyperthermia resulted in severe damage to the outer fibrillar layer of hyphae at a shorter treatment time compared to water bath hyperthermia. Our preliminary data suggest that radiofrequency-induced hyperthermia might be an additional therapeutic approach to use in the management of mold infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillus fumigatus / growth & development
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / ultrastructure*
  • Barbiturates
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Hot Temperature
  • Hyphae / growth & development
  • Hyphae / ultrastructure*
  • Isoxazoles
  • Microbial Viability
  • Radio Waves*
  • Tetrazolium Salts

Substances

  • Barbiturates
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Isoxazoles
  • Tetrazolium Salts
  • bis(1,3-dibutylbarbiturate)trimethine oxonol
  • 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-((phenylamino)carbonyl)-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide