scholarly journals Plant-Derived Substances in the Fight Against Infections Caused by Candida Species

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 6131
Author(s):  
Ibeth Guevara-Lora ◽  
Grazyna Bras ◽  
Justyna Karkowska-Kuleta ◽  
Miriam González-González ◽  
Kinga Ceballos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Species ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Standard Treatment ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Plant Metabolites ◽  
Fungal Cell ◽  
Mucosal Surfaces

Yeast-like fungi from the Candida genus are predominantly harmless commensals that colonize human skin and mucosal surfaces, but under conditions of impaired host immune system change into dangerous pathogens. The pathogenicity of these fungi is typically accompanied by increased adhesion and formation of complex biofilms, making candidal infections challenging to treat. Although a variety of antifungal drugs have been developed that preferably attack the fungal cell wall and plasma membrane, these pathogens have acquired novel defense mechanisms that make them resistant to standard treatment. This causes an increase in the incidence of candidiasis and enforces the urgent need for an intensified search for new specifics that could be helpful, alone or synergistically with traditional drugs, for controlling Candida pathogenicity. Currently, numerous reports have indicated the effectiveness of plant metabolites as potent antifungal agents. These substances have been shown to inhibit growth and to alter the virulence of different Candida species in both the planktonic and hyphal form and during the biofilm formation. This review focuses on the most recent findings that provide evidence of decreasing candidal pathogenicity by different substances of plant origin, with a special emphasis on the mechanisms of their action. This is a particularly important issue in the light of the currently increasing frequency of emerging Candida strains and species resistant to standard antifungal treatment.

scholarly journals Interactions between Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis in an Organotypic Oral Epithelial Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1771
Author(s):  
Akshaya Lakshmi Krishnamoorthy ◽  
Alex A. Lemus ◽  
Adline Princy Solomon ◽  
Alex M. Valm ◽  
Prasanna Neelakantan
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Surface Erosion ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Microbial Invasion ◽  
Mucosal Surfaces ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Hyphal Formation

Candida albicans as an opportunistic pathogen exploits the host immune system and causes a variety of life-threatening infections. The polymorphic nature of this fungus gives it tremendous advantage to breach mucosal barriers and cause oral and disseminated infections. Similar to C. albicans, Enterococcus faecalis is a major opportunistic pathogen, which is of critical concern in immunocompromised patients. There is increasing evidence that E. faecalis co-exists with C. albicans in the human body in disease samples. While the interactive profiles between these two organisms have been studied on abiotic substrates and mouse models, studies on their interactions on human oral mucosal surfaces are non-existent. Here, for the first time, we comprehensively characterized the interactive profiles between laboratory and clinical isolates of C. albicans (SC5314 and BF1) and E. faecalis (OG1RF and P52S) on an organotypic oral mucosal model. Our results demonstrated that the dual species biofilms resulted in profound surface erosion and significantly increased microbial invasion into mucosal compartments, compared to either species alone. Notably, several genes of C. albicans involved in tissue adhesion, hyphal formation, fungal invasion, and biofilm formation were significantly upregulated in the presence of E. faecalis. By contrast, E. faecalis genes involved in quorum sensing, biofilm formation, virulence, and mammalian cell invasion were downregulated. This study highlights the synergistic cross-kingdom interactions between E. faecalis and C. albicans in mucosal tissue invasion.

Antibiofilm activity of antifungal drugs, including the novel drug olorofim, against Lomentospora prolificans

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Kirchhoff ◽  
Silke Dittmer ◽  
Ann-Kathrin Weisner ◽  
Jan Buer ◽  
Peter-Michael Rath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Antibiofilm Activity

Abstract Objectives Patients with immunodeficiency or cystic fibrosis frequently suffer from respiratory fungal infections. In particular, biofilm-associated fungi cause refractory infection manifestations, linked to increased resistance to anti-infective agents. One emerging filamentous fungus is Lomentospora prolificans. Here, the biofilm-formation capabilities of L. prolificans isolates were investigated and the susceptibility of biofilms to various antifungal agents was analysed. Methods Biofilm formation of L. prolificans (n = 11) was estimated by crystal violet stain and antibiofilm activity was additionally determined via detection of metabolically active biofilm using an XTT assay. Amphotericin B, micafungin, voriconazole and olorofim were compared with regard to their antibiofilm effects when added prior to adhesion, after adhesion and on mature and preformed fungal biofilms. Imaging via confocal laser scanning microscopy was carried out to demonstrate the effect of drug treatment on the fungal biofilm. Results Antibiofilm activities of the tested antifungal agents were shown to be most effective on adherent cells whilst mature biofilm was the most resistant. The most promising antibiofilm effects were detected with voriconazole and olorofim. Olorofim showed an average minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of 0.06 mg/L, when added prior to and after adhesion. The MBECs of voriconazole were ≤4 mg/L. On mature biofilm the MBECs of olorofim and voriconazole were higher than the previously determined MICs against planktonic cultures. In contrast, amphotericin B and especially micafungin did not exhibit sufficient antibiofilm activity against L. prolificans. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the antibiofilm potential of olorofim against the human pathogenic fungus L. prolificans.

The antifungal effect of peptides from hymenoptera venom and their analogs

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiřina Slaninová ◽  
Helena Putnová ◽  
Lenka Borovičková ◽  
Pavel Šácha ◽  
Václav Čeřovský ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Species ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Synthetic Analog ◽  
Dapi Staining ◽  
Amphipathic Peptides ◽  
Antifungal Effect ◽  
Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations ◽  
Colony Forming Unit ◽  
Natural Peptides

AbstractAs the occurrence of Candida species infections increases, so does resistance against commonly-used antifungal agents. It is therefore necessary to look for new antifungal drugs. This study investigated the antifungal activity of recently isolated, synthesized and characterized antimicrobial α-helical amphipathic peptides (12–18 amino acids long) from the venom of hymenoptera (melectin, lasioglossins I, II, and III, halictines I and II) as well as a whole series of synthetic analogs. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against different Candida species (C. albicans, C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis) of the natural peptides amounted to 4–20 µM (7–40 mg/l). The most active were the synthetic analog all-D-lasioglossin III and lasioglossin III analog KNWKK-Aib-LGK-Aib-IK-Aib-VK-NH2. As shown using a) colony forming unit determination on agar plates, b) the efflux of the dye from rhodamine 6B-loaded cells, c) propidium iodide and DAPI staining, and d) fluorescently labeled antimicrobial peptide (5(6)-carboxyfluorescein lasioglossin-III), the killing of fungi by the peptides studied occurs within minutes and might be accompanied by a disturbance of all membrane barriers. The peptides represent a promising lead for the development of new, effective antifungal drugs.

scholarly journals Fluconazole and Lipopeptide Surfactin Interplay During Candida albicans Plasma Membrane and Cell Wall Remodeling Increases Fungal Immune System Exposure

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakub Suchodolski ◽  
Daria Derkacz ◽  
Jakub Muraszko ◽  
Jarosław J. Panek ◽  
Aneta Jezierska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Stable Complex ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Chitin Synthesis ◽  
Fungal Cell ◽  
In Silico Studies

Recognizing the β-glucan component of the Candida albicans cell wall is a necessary step involved in host immune system recognition. Compounds that result in exposed β-glucan recognizable to the immune system could be valuable antifungal drugs. Antifungal development is especially important because fungi are becoming increasingly drug resistant. This study demonstrates that lipopeptide, surfactin, unmasks β-glucan when the C. albicans cells lack ergosterol. This observation also holds when ergosterol is depleted by fluconazole. Surfactin does not enhance the effects of local chitin accumulation in the presence of fluconazole. Expression of the CHS3 gene, encoding a gene product resulting in 80% of cellular chitin, is downregulated. C. albicans exposure to fluconazole changes the composition and structure of the fungal plasma membrane. At the same time, the fungal cell wall is altered and remodeled in a way that makes the fungi susceptible to surfactin. In silico studies show that surfactin can form a complex with β-glucan. Surfactin forms a less stable complex with chitin, which in combination with lowering chitin synthesis, could be a second anti-fungal mechanism of action of this lipopeptide.

scholarly journals Combination of antifungal drugs and protease inhibitors prevent Candida albicans biofilm formation and disrupt mature biofilms

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew B. Lohse ◽  
Megha Gulati ◽  
Charles S. Craik ◽  
Alexander D. Johnson ◽  
Clarissa J. Nobile
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Protease Inhibitors ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Aspartyl Protease ◽  
Abiotic Surfaces ◽  
Drug Concentrations ◽  
Aspartyl Protease Inhibitors

AbstractBiofilms formed by the fungal pathogen Candida albicans are resistant to many of the antifungal agents commonly used in the clinic. Previous reports suggest that protease inhibitors, specifically inhibitors of aspartyl proteases, could be effective antibiofilm agents. We screened three protease inhibitor libraries, containing a total of 80 compounds for the abilities to prevent C. albicans biofilm formation and to disrupt mature biofilms. The compounds were screened individually and in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of the most commonly prescribed antifungal agents for Candida infections: fluconazole, amphotericin B, or caspofungin. Although few of the compounds affected biofilms on their own, seven aspartyl protease inhibitors inhibited biofilm formation when combined with amphotericin B or caspofungin. Furthermore, nine aspartyl protease inhibitors disrupted mature biofilms when combined with caspofungin. These results suggest that the combination of standard antifungal agents together with specific protease inhibitors may be useful in the prevention and treatment of C. albicans biofilm infections.ImportanceCandida albicans is one of the most common pathogens of humans. C. albicans forms biofilms, structured communities of cells several hundred microns thick, on both biotic and abiotic surfaces. These biofilms are typically resistant to antifungal drugs at the concentrations that are normally effective against free-floating cells, thus requiring treatment with higher drug concentrations that often have significant side effects. Here, we show that certain combinations of existing antifungal agents with protease inhibitors, including several drugs already commonly used to treat HIV patients, are effective at inhibiting biofilm formation by C. albicans and/or at disrupting mature C. albicans biofilms.

scholarly journals Identification of Fungal Pathogens in Otomycosis and Their Drug Sensitivity: Our Experience

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (04) ◽  
pp. 400-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled Ali ◽  
Mahmood Hamed ◽  
Hameda Hassan ◽  
Amira Esmail ◽  
Abeer Sheneef
Keyword(s):  
Enzymatic Activity ◽  
Candida Species ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
High Recurrence Rate ◽  
Fungal Culture

Introduction Otomycosis is a common problem in otolaryngology practice. However, we usually encounter some difficulties in its treatment because many patients show resistance to antifungal agents, and present high recurrence rate. Objectives To determine the fungal pathogens that cause otomycosis as well as their susceptibility to the commonly used antifungal agents. Additionally, to discover the main reasons for antifungal resistance. Methods We conducted an experimental descriptive study on 122 patients clinically diagnosed with otomycosis from April 2016 to April 2017. Aural discharge specimens were collected for direct microscopic examination and fungal culture. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing was performed against the commonly used antifungal drugs. We tested the isolated fungi for their enzymatic activity. Results Positive fungal infection was found in 102 samples. The most common fungal pathogens were Aspergillus and Candida species, with Aspergillus niger being the predominant isolate (51%). The antifungal susceptibility testing showed that mold isolates had the highest sensitivity to voriconazole (93.48%), while the highest resistance was to fluconazole (100%). For yeast, the highest sensitivity was to nystatin (88.24%), followed by amphotericin B (82.35%), and the highest resistance was to terbinafine (100%), followed by Itraconazole (94.12%). Filamentous fungi expressed a high enzymatic ability, making them more virulent. Conclusion The Aspergillus and Candida species are the most common fungal isolates in otomycosis. Voriconazole and Nystatin are the medications of choice for the treatment of otomycosis in our community. The high virulence of fungal pathogens is owed to their high enzymatic activity. Empirical use of antifungals should be discouraged.

scholarly journals Control ofCryptococcus GattiiBiofilms by an Ethanolic Extract ofCochlospermum Regium(Schrank) Pilger Leaves

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Adriana A. Almeida-Apolonio ◽  
Wellinton J. Cupozak-Pinheiro ◽  
Vagner M. Berres ◽  
Fabiana G. S. Dantas ◽  
Terezinha I. E. Svidzinski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Ethanolic Extract ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Antibiofilm Activity ◽  
Colony Forming Units ◽  
Checkerboard Assay ◽  
Serious Disease

Cryptococcus gattiiis an etiologic agent of cryptococcosis and a serious disease that affects immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients worldwide. The therapeutic arsenal used to treat cryptococcosis is limited to a few antifungal agents, and the ability ofC. gattiito form biofilms may hinder treatment and decrease its susceptibility to antifungal agents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antifungal and antibiofilm activities of an ethanolic extract ofCochlospermum regium(Schrank) Pilger leaves againstC. gattii. The antifungal activity was assessed by measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the broth microdilution technique and interaction of the extract with fluconazole was performed of checkerboard assay. The antibiofilm activity of the extract was evaluated in 96-well polystyrene microplates, and the biofilms were quantified by counting colony forming units. The extract showed antifungal activity at concentrations of 62.5 to 250μg/mL and when the extract was evaluated in combination with fluconazole,C. gattiiwas inhibited at sub-MIC levels. The antibiofilm activity of the extract againstC. gattiiwas observed both during biofilm formation and on an already established biofilm. The results showed that the ethanolic extract of the leaves ofC. regiumshows promise for the development of antifungal drugs to treat cryptococcosis and to combatC. gattiibiofilms.

scholarly journals Susceptibility of Cryptococcus neoformans Biofilms to Antifungal Agents In Vitro

2006 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 1021-1033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis R. Martinez ◽  
Arturo Casadevall
Keyword(s):  
Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Capsular Polysaccharide ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Sequence Of Events ◽  
Biofilm Development

ABSTRACT Microbial biofilms contribute to virulence and resistance to antibiotics by shielding microbial cells from host defenses and antimicrobial drugs, respectively. Cryptococcus neoformans was demonstrated to form biofilms in polystyrene microtiter plates. The numbers of CFU of disaggregated biofilms, 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide reduction, and light and confocal microscopy were used to measure the fungal mass, the metabolic activity, and the appearance of C. neoformans biofilms, respectively. Biofilm development by C. neoformans followed a standard sequence of events: fungal surface attachment, microcolony formation, and matrix production. The susceptibilities of C. neoformans cells of the biofilm and planktonic phenotypes to four antifungal agents were examined. The exposure of C. neoformans cells or preformed cryptococcal biofilms to fluconazole or voriconazole did not result in yeast growth inhibition and did not affect the metabolic activities of the biofilms, respectively. In contrast, both C. neoformans cells and preformed biofilms were susceptible to amphotericin B and caspofungin. However, C. neoformans biofilms were significantly more resistant to amphotericin B and caspofungin than planktonic cells, and their susceptibilities to these drugs were further reduced if cryptococcal cells contained melanin. A spot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and light and confocal microscopy were used to investigate how antifungal drugs affected C. neoformans biofilm formation. The mechanism by which amphotericin B and caspofungin interfered with C. neoformans biofilm formation involved capsular polysaccharide release and adherence. Our results suggest that biofilm formation may diminish the efficacies of some antifungal drugs during cryptococcal infection.

scholarly journals Effect of antifungal agents, lysozyme and human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 on clinical Candida isolates with high biofilm production

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Chun Chen ◽  
Fang-Ju Chen ◽  
Chen-Hsiang Lee
Keyword(s):  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Planktonic Cells ◽  
Xtt Assay ◽  
Biofilm Production ◽  
Visual Reading

Introduction. Candida species can form biofilms on tissues and medical devices, making them less susceptible to antifungal agents. Hypothesis/Gap Statement. Antifungal combination may be an effective strategy to fight against Candida biofilm. Aim. In this study, we investigated the in vitro activity of fluconazole, caspofungin and amphotericin B, alone and in combination, against 17 clinical Candida tropicalis and 6 Candida parapsilosis isolates with high biofilm formation. We also tested LL-37 and lysozyme for anti-biofilm activity against a selected C. tropicalis isolate. Methodology. Candida biofilms were prepared using the 96-well plate-based method. The minimum biofilm eradication concentrations were determined for single and combined antifungal drugs. The activity of LL-37 and lysozyme was determined by visual reading for planktonic cells and using the XTT assay for biofilms. Results. Under biofilm conditions, fluconazole plus caspofungin showed synergistic effects against 60.9% (14 of 23) of the tested isolates, including 70.6% of C. tropicalis [fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI), 0.26–1.03] and 33.3% of C. parapsilosis (FICI, 0.04–2.03) isolates. Using this combination, no antagonism was observed. Amphotericin B plus caspofungin showed no effects against 78.3% (18 of 23) of the tested isolates. Amphotericin B plus fluconazole showed no effects against 65.2% (15 of 23) of the tested isolates and may have led to antagonism against 2 C. tropicalis and 2 C. parapsilosis isolates. LL-37 and lysozyme had no effect on biofilms of the selected C. tropicalis isolate. Conclusions. We found that fluconazole plus caspofungin led to a synergistic effect against C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis biofilms. The efficacy of the antifungal combination therapies of the proposed schemes against biofilm-associated Candida infections requires careful and constant evaluation.

scholarly journals Transcriptome Assembly and Profiling of Candida auris Reveals Novel Insights into Biofilm-Mediated Resistance

mSphere ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Kean ◽  
Christopher Delaney ◽  
Leighann Sherry ◽  
Andrew Borman ◽  
Elizabeth M. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Transcriptome Assembly ◽  
Efflux Pumps ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Planktonic Cells ◽  
Candida Auris ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT Candida auris has emerged as a significant global nosocomial pathogen. This is primarily due to its antifungal resistance profile but also its capacity to form adherent biofilm communities on a range of clinically important substrates. While we have a comprehensive understanding of how other Candida species resist and respond to antifungal challenge within the sessile phenotype, our current understanding of C. auris biofilm-mediated resistance is lacking. In this study, we are the first to perform transcriptomic analysis of temporally developing C. auris biofilms, which were shown to exhibit phase- and antifungal class-dependent resistance profiles. A de novo transcriptome assembly was performed, where sequenced sample reads were assembled into an ~11.5-Mb transcriptome consisting of 5,848 genes. Differential expression (DE) analysis demonstrated that 791 and 464 genes were upregulated in biofilm formation and planktonic cells, respectively, with a minimum 2-fold change. Adhesin-related glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell wall genes were upregulated at all time points of biofilm formation. As the biofilm developed into intermediate and mature stages, a number of genes encoding efflux pumps were upregulated, including ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporters. When we assessed efflux pump activity biochemically, biofilm efflux was greater than that of planktonic cells at 12 and 24 h. When these were inhibited, fluconazole sensitivity was enhanced 4- to 16-fold. This study demonstrates the importance of efflux-mediated resistance within complex C. auris communities and may explain the resistance of C. auris to a range of antimicrobial agents within the hospital environment. IMPORTANCE Fungal infections represent an important cause of human morbidity and mortality, particularly if the fungi adhere to and grow on both biological and inanimate surfaces as communities of cells (biofilms). Recently, a previously unrecognized yeast, Candida auris, has emerged globally that has led to widespread concern due to the difficulty in treating it with existing antifungal agents. Alarmingly, it is also able to grow as a biofilm that is highly resistant to antifungal agents, yet we are unclear about how it does this. Here, we used a molecular approach to investigate the genes that are important in causing the cells to be resistant within the biofilm. The work provides significant insights into the importance of efflux pumps, which actively pump out toxic antifungal drugs and therefore enhance fungal survival within a variety of harsh environments.

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