[Action of isoconazole on Candida albicans. Study by scanning and transmission electron microscopy]

Candida albicans yeast cells were treated prior to their growth phase with isoconazole at the following concentrations: 0.1 microgram/ml, 1 microgram/ml, 10 micrograms/ml), isoconazole induces a blockade of cell diprecipitates bearing witness to the presence of polysaccharides were noted in the cytoplasma and against the membrane wall, but cell division was apparently unaffected. At low concentrations (1 microgram/ml, 10 microgram/ml), isoconazole induced a blockade of cell division by its fungicidal action on synthesis and organisation of the membrane wall. At higher concentrations (50 microgram/ml; 100 micrograms/ml), isoconazole induces total necrosis and death. These findings confirm the analogy between the fungicidal actions of isoconazole and miconazole; however, the site of action of imidazole derivatives (wall or plasma membrane) is discussed.