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Author Spotlight: Enhancing Candida albicans Detection in Catheter Infections Using Fluorescent Protein Tagging
Published on: March 22, 2024
[Fungal infectivities of implanted catheters due to Candida sp. Biofilms formation and resistance]
S M L Seddiki1, Z Boucherit-Otmani2, K Boucherit3
1Laboratoire antibiotique antifongique, physico-chimie, synthèse et activité biologique, université de Tlemcen, BP 119, 13000 Imama, Tlemcen, Algérie; University center of Naâma, BP 66, 45000 Naâma, Algérie.
Background:
Candidemia are the most common fungal infections in hospitals. However, the catheters are subject to be altered by Candida biofilms which increase the risk of invasive nosocomial infections due to the high resistance to antifungal agents. Therefore, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of planktonic (MIC) and sessile cells (CIMS) were evaluated.
Methods:
To review the in vivo biofilms structures of Candida sp. formed on the inner and/or external surfaces of collected catheters, we used scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The level of biofilm resistance was assessed against two conventional antifungal agents: amphotericin B (AmB), which belongs to the class of polyenes, and fluconazole (FLZ) which is an azole.
Results:
The SEM observation of biofilms of Candida sp. reveals complex structures. Compared to MICs, the calculation of CIMS showed an increase of 32 times with AmB and of 128 times with FLZ.
Conclusion:
Catheters offer an ideal surface to Candida sp. to form biofilms. This complex structure induces the increase of the resistance of sessile cells against two antifungal agents, AmB and FLZ.
Insights
Candida biofilms on catheters form complex structures, significantly increasing resistance to antifungal drugs like amphotericin B and fluconazole. This highlights challenges in treating candidemia and invasive fungal infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Candidemia is a common hospital-acquired fungal infection.
- Candida biofilms on medical devices like catheters pose a significant risk.
- Biofilm formation confers high resistance to antifungal agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antifungal resistance of Candida biofilms on catheters.
- To compare the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of planktonic and sessile Candida cells.
- To investigate the structural characteristics of in vivo Candida biofilms.
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to visualize in vivo biofilm structures on catheters.
- Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for planktonic cells were determined.
- Colony-forming unit (CFU) assays or similar methods were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations of sessile cells (CIMS).
- Resistance was assessed against amphotericin B (AmB) and fluconazole (FLZ).
Main Results:
- SEM revealed complex structural formations of Candida biofilms on catheter surfaces.
- Sessile Candida cells within biofilms exhibited significantly increased resistance compared to planktonic cells.
- CIMS showed a 32-fold increase in resistance to AmB and a 128-fold increase to FLZ compared to MICs.
Conclusions:
- Catheters provide a favorable environment for Candida biofilm development.
- The complex structure of these biofilms enhances the resistance of sessile cells to conventional antifungal agents.
- These findings underscore the therapeutic challenges associated with treating biofilm-associated candidemia.
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