Fennel oil: A promising antifungal agent against biofilm forming fluconazole resistant Candida albicans causing vulvovaginal candidiasis

Introduction: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is the most common mycosis, however, the available information about antifungal susceptibilities of these yeasts is limited. Aim: To compare the gold standard fungal culture with a new molecular identification method and report the incidence of yeast species in vulvovaginitis candidosa. Method: The authors studied 370 yeasts isolated from vulvovaginal candidiasis and identified them by phenotypic and molecular methods. Results: The most common species was Candida albicans (85%), followed by Candida glabrata, and other Candida species. Conclusion: At present there are no recommendations for the evaluation of antifungal susceptibility of pathogenic fungal species occurring in vulvovaginal candidiasis and the natural antifungal resistance of the different species is known only. Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight identification can be used to differentiate the fluconazole resistant Candida dubliniensis and the sensitive Candida albicans strains. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(1), 28–31.

Download Full-text

Antifungal Activity of ZnO Nanoparticles and Nystatin and Downregulation of SAP1-3 Genes Expression in Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans Isolates from Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Infection and Drug Resistance ◽

10.2147/idr.s226154 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol Volume 13 ◽

pp. 385-394 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Seyedeh Sedigheh Hosseini ◽

Hamidreza Joshaghani ◽

Tahereh Shokohi ◽

Alireza Ahmadi ◽

Zahra Mehrbakhsh

Keyword(s):

Candida Albicans ◽

Antifungal Activity ◽

Zno Nanoparticles ◽

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis ◽

Genes Expression ◽

Fluconazole Resistant

Download Full-text

Efficacy of ER-30346, a novel oral triazole antifungal agent, in experimental models of aspergillosis, candidiasis, and cryptococcosis.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.40.10.2243 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 40 (10) ◽

pp. 2243-2247 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

K Hata ◽

J Kimura ◽

H Miki ◽

T Toyosawa ◽

M Moriyama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Candida Albicans ◽

Broad Spectrum ◽

Antifungal Agent ◽

Oral Candidiasis ◽

Experimental Models ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Murine Models ◽

Pulmonary Aspergillosis ◽

Wide Range ◽

Fluconazole Resistant

ER-30346 is a novel oral triazole with a broad spectrum of potent activity against a wide range of fungi. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of oral ER-30346 on experimental local infections caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans and compared them with those of itraconazole and fluconazole. In experimental murine models of pulmonary aspergillosis, candidiasis, and cryptococcosis, ER-30346 reduced the numbers of CFU in the lungs significantly compared with the numbers of CFU in the lungs of the controls (P < 0.05). ER-30346 was as effective as or more effective than itraconazole against pulmonary aspergillosis. Against pulmonary candidiasis and cryptococcosis, ER-30346 was more effective than itraconazole and was as effective as fluconazole. ER-30346 was also effective against pulmonary candidiasis caused by fluconazole-resistant C. albicans. In mice with intracranial cryptococcosis, ER-30346 reduced the numbers of CFU in the brains significantly compared with the numbers of CFU in the brains of the controls (P < 0.05) and was more effective than itraconazole and as effective as fluconazole. In an experimental model of oral candidiasis in rats, ER-30346 reduced the numbers of CFU in oral swabs significantly compared with the numbers of CFU in oral swabs from the controls (P < 0.05) and was more effective than itraconazole and as effective as fluconazole. Thus, ER-30346 shows efficacy in murine aspergillosis, candidiasis, and cryptococcosis models. Further studies are needed to determine the potential of ER-30346 for use in the treatment of these infections.

Download Full-text

Antifungal susceptibilities, in vitro production of virulence factors and activities of ceragenins against Candida spp. isolated from vulvovaginal candidiasis

Medical Mycology ◽

10.1093/mmy/myy023 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 57 (3) ◽

pp. 291-299 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mayram Hacioglu ◽

Cagla Bozkurt Guzel ◽

Paul B Savage ◽

A Seher Birteksoz Tan

Keyword(s):

Candida Albicans ◽

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis ◽

In Vitro Production ◽

Candida Spp ◽

Common Cause ◽

Fluconazole Resistant ◽

Resistant Strains ◽

Vitro Production ◽

Potential Use

Abstract Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is the second most common cause of vaginitis after bacterial vaginosis, affecting millions of women worldwide every year. Candida albicans is the most frequent agent of VVC followed by other species of Candida such as C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis. Out of a total of 100 clinical isolates of Candida spp. obtained from patients diagnosed with VVC, 84 were identified as C. albicans, while the remaining isolates were identified as non–-albicans Candida strains. Phospholipases and proteinases were produced by a majority of the C. albicans strains and esterases and hemolysins a minority of these strains. Among the non–C. albicans strains, only a few of the strains produced these proteins. Nearly all of the isolates formed biofilms. Our results showed that the butoconazole, clotrimazole, and fluconazole were active against C. albicans and less so against the non–albicans Candida strains. The MIC90 of amphotericin B and nystatins were 2 and 4 μg/ml, respectively, against either C. albicans or non–albicans Candida spp. Representative ceragenins (CSA-13, CSA-131, and CSA-138), developed as mimics of endogenous antimicrobial peptides, were active against fluconazole-resistant strains, both alone and in combination with fluconazole. These results suggest the potential use of ceragenins in treating VVC, including infections caused by fluconazole-resistant isolates.

Download Full-text

Quercetin Assists Fluconazole to Inhibit Biofilm Formations of Fluconazole-Resistant Candida Albicans in In Vitro and In Vivo Antifungal Managements of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1159/000453134 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 40 (3-4) ◽

pp. 727-742 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Mei Gao ◽

Hui Wang ◽

LiJuan Zhu

Keyword(s):

Candida Albicans ◽

Cell Surface Hydrophobicity ◽

Surface Hydrophobicity ◽

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis ◽

Vaginal Mucosa ◽

Fluconazole Resistant ◽

Dietary Flavonoid ◽

Fungal Adherence

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common gynecological disease. Candida albicans is believed to be mainly implicated in VVC occurrence, the biofilm of which is one of the virulence factors responsible for resistance to traditional antifungal agents especially to fluconazole (FCZ). Quercetin (QCT) is a dietary flavonoid and has been demonstrated to be antifungal against C. albicans biofilm. Methods: 17 C. albicans isolates including 15 clinical ones isolated from VVC patients were employed to investigate the effects of QCT and/or FCZ on the inhibition of C. albicans biofilm. Results: We observed that 64 µg/mL QCT and/or 128 µg/mL FCZ could (i) be synergistic against 10 FCZ-resistant planktonic and 17 biofilm cells of C. albicans, (ii) inhibit fungal adherence, cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), flocculation, yeast-to-hypha transition, metabolism, thickness and dispersion of biofilms; (iii) down-regulate the expressions of ALS1, ALS3, HWP1, SUN41, UME6 and ECE1 and up-regulate the expressions of PDE2, NRG1 and HSP90, and we also found that (iv) the fungal burden was reduced in vaginal mucosa and the symptoms were alleviated in a murine VVC model after the treatments of 5 mg/kg QCT and/or 20 mg/kg FCZ. Conclusion: Together with these results, it could be demonstrated that QCT could be a favorable antifungal agent and a promising synergist with FCZ in the clinical management of VVC caused by C. albicans biofilm.

Download Full-text

Silver nanoparticles offer a synergistic effect with fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans by abrogating drug efflux bumps and increasing endogenous ROS

Infection Genetics and Evolution ◽

10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104937 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104937

Author(s):

Wenping Sun ◽

Dongmei Jia

Keyword(s):

Silver Nanoparticles ◽

Candida Albicans ◽

Synergistic Effect ◽

Drug Efflux ◽

Fluconazole Resistant

Download Full-text

Risks for Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Caused by Non-Albicans Candida Versus Candida Albicans

Journal of Women s Health ◽

10.1089/jwh.2020.8811 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Andrea Boyd Tressler ◽

Metabel Markwei ◽

Chelsea Fortin ◽

Meng Yao ◽

Gary W. Procop ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Candida Albicans ◽

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis ◽

Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Download Full-text

Spilanthol as a promising antifungal alkylamide for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis

Medical Mycology ◽

10.1093/mmy/myab054 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rodrigo L Fabri ◽

Jhamine C O Freitas ◽

Ari S O Lemos ◽

Lara M Campos ◽

Irley O M Diniz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Wall ◽

Candida Albicans ◽

Antifungal Activity ◽

Cell Membrane ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Fungal Strain ◽

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis ◽

Biofilm Matrix

Abstract Spilanthol is a bioactive alkylamide from the native Amazon plant species, Acmella oleracea. However, antifungal activities of spilanthol and its application to the therapeutic treatment of candidiasis remains to be explored. This study sought to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of spilanthol previously isolated from A. oleracea (spilanthol(AcO)) against Candida albicans ATCC® 10231™, a multidrug-resistant fungal strain. Microdilution methods were used to determine inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations of spilanthol(AcO). In planktonic cultures, the fungal growth kinetics, yeast cell metabolic activity, cell membrane permeability and cell wall integrity were investigated. The effect of spilanthol(AcO) on the proliferation and adhesion of fungal biofilms was evaluated by whole slide imaging and scanning electron microscopy. The biochemical composition of the biofilm matrix was also analyzed. In parallel, spilanthol(AcO) was tested in vivo in an experimental vulvovaginal candidiasis model. Our in vitro analyses in C. albicans planktonic cultures detected a significant inhibitory effect of spilanthol(AcO), which affects both yeast cell membrane and cell wall integrity, interfering with the fungus growth. C. albicans biofilm proliferation and adhesion, as well as, carbohydrates and DNA in biofilm matrix were reduced after spilanthol(AcO) treatment. Moreover, infected rats treated with spilanthol(AcO) showed consistent reduction of both fungal burden and inflammatory processes compared to the untreated animals. Altogether, our findings demonstrated that spilanthol(AcO) is an bioactive compound against planktonic and biofilm forms of a multidrug resistant C. albicans strain. Furthermore, spilanthol(AcO) can be potentially considered for therapeutical treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by C. albicans. Lay Abstract This study sought to evaluate the antifungal activity of spilanthol against Candida albicans ATCC® 10 231™, a multidrug-resistant fungal strain. Our findings demonstrated that spilanthol(AcO) can be potentially considered for therapeutical treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by C. albicans.

Download Full-text