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Inhibition of Candida albicans biofilm formation by antimycotics released from modified polydimethyl siloxane

Kristof De Prijck1, Nele De Smet, Kris Honraet

  • 1Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.

Mycopathologia
|September 24, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Antifungal medical devices are not common. Miconazole, TTO, and zinc pyrithione effectively inhibited Candida spp. biofilm formation on PDMS disks in a flow system, suggesting a contact-dependent mechanism for preventing medical device infections.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Antifungals are underutilized in medical devices compared to disinfectants for preventing Candida spp. biofilms.
  • Candida spp. biofilm formation on medical devices like catheters and prostheses poses a significant clinical challenge.
  • Polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) is a common material for medical devices.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of five antimycotics incorporated into PDMS disks for preventing Candida spp. biofilm formation.
  • To compare the performance of different incorporation methods (admixture vs. impregnation).
  • To investigate the mechanism of biofilm inhibition in different experimental setups.

Main Methods:

  • Incorporation of nystatin (admixture), trimethylsilyl-nystatin, miconazole, tea tree oil (TTO), and zinc pyrithione into PDMS disks.
  • Biofilm formation assays using microtiter plates (MTP) and a Modified Robbins Device (MRD).
  • High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and agar diffusion tests to assess drug release and activity.

Main Results:

  • Nystatin-medicated PDMS showed concentration-dependent biofilm inhibition in MTP but not MRD, indicating limited release.
  • Miconazole, TTO, and zinc pyrithione-impregnated PDMS disks achieved >1 log unit biofilm inhibition in the MRD.
  • Evidence suggests a contact-dependent mechanism for biofilm inhibition by miconazole, TTO, and zinc pyrithione in flow systems.

Conclusions:

  • Miconazole, TTO, and zinc pyrithione are promising candidates for antifungal medical device coatings.
  • Contact-dependent mechanisms are crucial for effective biofilm prevention in flow conditions.
  • Further research is needed to optimize antifungal incorporation for sustained efficacy in vivo.

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