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Published on: April 23, 2019
Visible Lights Combined with Photosensitizing Compounds Are Effective against Candida albicans Biofilms
Priyanka Bapat1,2, Gurbinder Singh1, Clarissa J Nobile1,3
1Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Science, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
Abstract:
Fungal infections are increasing in prevalence worldwide, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Given the emergence of drug-resistant fungi and the fact that there are only three major classes of antifungal drugs available to treat invasive fungal infections, there is a need to develop alternative therapeutic strategies effective against fungal infections. Candida albicans is a commensal of the human microbiota that is also one of the most common fungal pathogens isolated from clinical settings. C. albicans possesses several virulence traits that contribute to its pathogenicity, including the ability to form drug-resistant biofilms, which can make C. albicans infections particularly challenging to treat. Here, we explored red, green, and blue visible lights alone and in combination with common photosensitizing compounds for their efficacies at inhibiting and disrupting C. albicans biofilms. We found that blue light inhibited biofilm formation and disrupted mature biofilms on its own and that the addition of photosensitizing compounds improved its antibiofilm potential. Red and green lights, however, inhibited biofilm formation only in combination with photosensitizing compounds but had no effects on disrupting mature biofilms. Taken together, these results suggest that photodynamic therapy may be an effective non-drug treatment for fungal biofilm infections that is worthy of further exploration.
Insights
Blue light effectively inhibits and disrupts Candida albicans biofilms, a common fungal pathogen. Combining blue light with photosensitizers enhances its antibiofilm effects, offering a potential non-drug therapy for challenging fungal infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Photomedicine
- Antimicrobial Research
Background:
- Fungal infections are rising globally, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
- Drug-resistant fungi and limited antifungal drug classes necessitate novel therapeutic strategies.
- Candida albicans biofilms present a significant challenge due to their drug resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of visible light (red, green, blue) and photosensitizers against Candida albicans biofilms.
- To explore photodynamic therapy as a potential alternative treatment for fungal biofilm infections.
Main Methods:
- Testing blue, green, and red visible light, alone and with photosensitizers.
- Assessing the inhibition of biofilm formation and disruption of mature biofilms.
- Evaluating the antibiofilm potential of different light- Aand photosensitizer combinations.
Main Results:
- Blue light alone inhibited biofilm formation and disrupted mature biofilms.
- Photosensitizers enhanced the antibiofilm efficacy of blue light.
- Red and green lights, with photosensitizers, inhibited biofilm formation but not mature biofilms.
Conclusions:
- Photodynamic therapy using blue light shows promise as a non-drug treatment for fungal biofilm infections.
- Visible light, particularly blue light, offers a potential strategy to combat drug-resistant fungal biofilms.
- Further research into photodynamic therapy is warranted for treating challenging Candida albicans infections.
