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A 96 Well Microtiter Plate-based Method for Monitoring Formation and Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Candida albicans Biofilms
07:19

A 96 Well Microtiter Plate-based Method for Monitoring Formation and Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Candida albicans Biofilms

Published on: October 21, 2010

[In vitro activity of amphotericin B and anidulafungin against Candida spp. biofilms]

Amparo Valentín1, Emilia Cantón, Javier Pemán

  • 1Unidad de Microbiología Experimental, Centro Investigación, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain.

Revista Iberoamericana De Micologia
|December 22, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Candida biofilms are common in clinical isolates and resist antifungal treatments. Amphotericin B and anidulafungin showed limited efficacy, with activity varying by Candida species and biofilm age.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Invasive candidiasis, particularly from Candida spp., poses a significant global health threat, especially to immunocompromised individuals.
  • Candida biofilms are a major virulence factor, contributing to persistent infections and resistance to antifungal therapies.
  • Biofilm formation on medical devices and host tissues complicates treatment and increases morbidity and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of biofilm production in clinical isolates of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis.
  • To evaluate the in vitro activity of amphotericin B and anidulafungin against mature Candida biofilms.
  • To compare the efficacy of these antifungals against biofilms of different maturation times (24 and 48 hours).

Main Methods:

  • Clinical isolates of Candida spp. from catheters and blood cultures were screened for biofilm production.
  • A 96-well microtitre plate model was used to develop Candida biofilms.
  • The tetrazolium (XTT) reduction assay was employed to quantify biofilm biomass and assess the activity of amphotericin B and anidulafungin.

Main Results:

  • A high prevalence of biofilm producers was observed: 62.5% of catheter isolates and 56.25% of blood culture isolates.
  • Among species, 68.42% of C. albicans and 53.33% of C. tropicalis were identified as biofilm producers.
  • Both amphotericin B and anidulafungin demonstrated limited efficacy against mature biofilms, with complete eradication never achieved. Activity varied based on biofilm age and species, with anidulafungin showing more promise against 24-hour C. albicans biofilms, while amphotericin B was more effective against 48-hour biofilms of both species.

Conclusions:

  • Clinical isolates of Candida spp., including C. albicans and C. tropicalis, frequently form biofilms, contributing to treatment challenges.
  • Conventional antifungals like amphotericin B and anidulafungin exhibit reduced activity against mature Candida biofilms compared to planktonic cells.
  • Further research into novel therapeutic strategies is warranted to effectively combat recalcitrant Candida biofilm infections.

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