Role of extended culture time on synergy of fluconazole and human monocyte-derived macrophages in clearing Candida albicans.

Possible enhanced candidacidal synergy of fluconazole and human monocyte-derived macrophages by extended culture time was studied. Synergistic candidacidal activity increased from 1 day to 3 days and was maximal at 6 days. Enhanced synergistic candidacidal activity at 144 h was observed over a 10-fold challenge dose range. Enhanced synergy with culture time was seen with fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant isolates of Candida albicans. These findings emphasize the importance of dosage and an adequate period of therapy.