Letter to the editor in regard to the article “Impact of caffeine on metabolic activity and biofilm formation of Candida albicans on acrylic denture resin in the presence of nicotine”

ABSTRACTInfections and thromboses are the most common complications associated with central venous catheters. Suggested strategies for prevention and management of these complications include the use of heparin-coated catheters, heparin locks, and antimicrobial lock therapy. However, the effects of heparin onCandida albicansbiofilms and planktonic cells have not been previously studied. Therefore, we sought to determine thein vitroeffect of a heparin sodium preparation (HP) on biofilms and planktonic cells ofC. albicans. Because HP contains two preservatives, methyl paraben (MP) and propyl paraben (PP), these compounds and heparin sodium without preservatives (Pure-H) were also tested individually. The metabolic activity of the mature biofilm after treatment was assessed using XTT [2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide] reduction and microscopy. Pure-H, MP, and PP caused up to 75, 85, and 60% reductions of metabolic activity of the mature preformedC. albicansbiofilms, respectively. Maximal efficacy against the mature biofilm was observed with HP (up to 90%) compared to the individual compounds (P< 0.0001). Pure-H, MP, and PP each inhibitedC. albicansbiofilm formation up to 90%. A complete inhibition of biofilm formation was observed with HP at 5,000 U/ml and higher. When tested against planktonic cells, each compound inhibited growth in a dose-dependent manner. These data indicated that HP, MP, PP, and Pure-H havein vitroantifungal activity againstC. albicansmature biofilms, formation of biofilms, and planktonic cells. Investigation of high-dose heparin-based strategies (e.g., heparin locks) in combination with traditional antifungal agents for the treatment and/or prevention ofC. albicansbiofilms is warranted.

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Candidemia Candida albicans clusters have higher tendency to form biofilms than singleton genotypes†

Medical Mycology ◽

10.1093/mmy/myaa002 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 58 (7) ◽

pp. 887-895 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Judith Díaz-García ◽

Maiken C Arendrup ◽

Rafael Cantón ◽

Julio García-Rodríguez ◽

Ana Gómez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Candida Albicans ◽

Metabolic Activity ◽

Crystal Violet ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Candida Spp ◽

Biofilm Production ◽

Hospital Environments ◽

Marked Variability ◽

Inert Surfaces ◽

Biofilm Development

Abstract The capacity of Candida spp. to form biofilms allows them to attach either to living or inert surfaces, promoting their persistence in hospital environments. In a previous study, we reported strain-to-strain variations in Candida spp. biofilm development, suggesting that some genotypes may be greater biofilm formers than others. In this study, we hypothesize that isolates pertaining to clusters may be found more frequently in the environment due to their ability to form biofilms compared to singleton genotypes. Two hundred and thirty-nine Candida spp. isolates (78 clusters) from candidemia patients admitted to 16 hospitals located in different cities and countries—and the same number of singleton genotypes used as controls—were tested in terms of biofilm formation using the crystal violet and the XTT reduction assays. Candida albicans clusters showed higher biofilm formation in comparison to singleton genotypes (P < .01). The biofilms formed by intra-hospital C. albicans clusters showed higher metabolic activity (P < .05). Furthermore, marked variability was found among species and type of cluster. We observed that the higher the number of isolates, the higher the variability of biofilm production by isolates within the cluster, suggesting that the production of biofilm by isolates of the same genotype is quite diverse and does not depend on the type of cluster studied. In conclusion, candidemia Candida spp. clusters—particularly in the case of C. albicans—show significantly more biomass production and metabolic activity than singleton genotypes.

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Modification of Surface Properties of Biomaterials Influences the Ability of Candida albicans To Form Biofilms

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.71.12.8795-8801.2005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 71 (12) ◽

pp. 8795-8801 ◽

Cited By ~ 92

Author(s):

Jyotsna Chandra ◽

Jasmine D. Patel ◽

Jian Li ◽

Guangyin Zhou ◽

Pranab K. Mukherjee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Candida Albicans ◽

Metabolic Activity ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Surface Modifications ◽

Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy ◽

Total Biomass ◽

Confocal Scanning ◽

Confocal Scanning Laser ◽

Viable Approach

ABSTRACT Candida albicans biofilms form on indwelling medical devices (e.g., denture acrylic or intravenous catheters) and are associated with both oral and invasive candidiasis. Here, we determined whether surface modifications of polyetherurethane (Elasthane 80A [E80A]), polycarbonateurethane, and poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PET) can influence fungal biofilm formation. Polyurethanes were modified by adding 6% polyethylene oxide (6PEO), 6% fluorocarbon, or silicone, while the PET surface was modified to generate hydrophilic, hydrophobic, cationic, or anionic surfaces. Formation of biofilm was quantified by determining metabolic activity and total biomass (dry weight), while its architecture was analyzed by confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). The metabolic activity of biofilm formed by C. albicans on 6PEO-E80A was significantly reduced (by 78%) compared to that of biofilm formed on the nonmodified E80A (optical densities of 0.054 ± 0.020 and 0.24 ± 0.10, respectively; P = 0.037). The total biomass of Candida biofilm formed on 6PEO-E80A was 74% lower than that on the nonmodified E80A surface (0.46 ± 0.15 versus 1.76 ± 0.32 mg, respectively; P = 0.003). Fungal cells were easily detached from the 6PEO-E80A surface, and we were unable to detect C. albicans biofilm on this surface by CSLM. All other surface modifications allowed formation of C. albicans biofilm, with some differences in thearchitecture. Correlation between contact angle and biofilm formation was observed for polyetherurethane substrates (r = 0.88) but not for PET biomaterials (r = −0.40). This study illustrates that surface modification is a viable approach for identifying surfaces that have antibiofilm characteristics. Investigations into the clinical utility of the identified surfaces are warranted.

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Composition and Biological Activity of Vitis vinifera Winter Cane Extract on Candida Biofilm

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9112391 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 2391

Author(s):

Zdeněk Kodeš ◽

Maria Vrublevskaya ◽

Markéta Kulišová ◽

Petr Jaroš ◽

Martina Paldrychová ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Candida Albicans ◽

Vitis Vinifera ◽

Metabolic Activity ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Total Phenolic ◽

Plant Polyphenols ◽

Microscopy Imaging ◽

Grape Extract ◽

Potential Source ◽

Candida Biofilm

Vitis vinifera canes are waste material of grapevine pruning and thus represent cheap source of high-value polyphenols. In view of the fact that resistance of many pathogenic microorganisms to antibiotics is a growing problem, the antimicrobial activity of plant polyphenols is studied as one of the possible approaches. We have investigated the total phenolic content, composition, antioxidant activity, and antifungal activity against Candida biofilm of an extract from winter canes and a commercially available extract from blue grapes. Light microscopy and confocal microscopy imaging as well as crystal violet staining were used to quantify and visualize the biofilm. We found a decrease in cell adhesion to the surface depending on the concentration of resveratrol in the cane extract. The biofilm formation was observed as metabolic activity of Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Candida krusei biofilm cells and the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentrations were determined. The highest inhibition of metabolic activity was observed in Candida albicans biofilm after treatment with the cane extract (30 mg/L) and blue grape extract (50 mg/L). The composition of cane extract was analyzed and found to be comparatively different from blue grape extract. In addition, the content of total phenolic groups in cane extract was three-times higher (12.75 gGA/L). The results showed that cane extract was more effective in preventing biofilm formation than blue grape extract and winter canes have proven to be a potential source of polyphenols for antimicrobial and antibiofilm treatment.

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