Inhibition of Group A Streptococcus Infection by Carboxyfullerene

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Abstract
The effect of a water-soluble trimalonic acid derivative of fullerene, carboxyfullerene, againstStreptococcus pyogenesinfection was tested. Pretreatment with carboxyfullerene was able to protect mice fromS. pyogenesinfection in an air pouch model.S. pyogenes-induced death and skin injury were inhibited dose dependently by carboxyfullerene. Administration of carboxyfullerene via the peritoneum and air pouch at 3 h post-S. pyogenesinfection was able to protect 33% of mice from death. Surveys of exudates of the air pouch of carboxyfullerene-treated mice revealed that survival of infiltrating neutrophils was prolonged and that the bacteria were eliminated as a result of enhanced bactericidal activity of the neutrophils. Furthermore, carboxyfullerene was able to directly inhibit in vitro growth ofS. pyogenes. These data suggest that carboxyfullerene can be considered an antimicrobial agent for group A streptococcus infection.

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