Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Deep Dermal Injection As a Model of Candida albicans Skin Infection for Histological Analyses
Published on: June 13, 2018
Ultrastructural changes in Blastomyces dermatitidis after in vitro exposure to lidocaine
Abstract:
Electron microscopic examination of yeasts of Blastomyces dermatitidis, exposed in vitro to concentrations of lidocaine that occur when the drug is used for topical anesthesia, showed that lidocaine rapidly damaged intracellular structures. The extent of damage was dependent on the concentration of drug and length of exposure. The observed ultrastructural changes were very similar to those reported for other drugs that directly damage membranes. This relationship suggests that the antifungal effect of lidocaine is the result of direct membrane damage.
Insights
Lidocaine rapidly damages yeast cells, including Blastomyces dermatitidis, at concentrations used for topical anesthesia. This membrane damage explains lidocaine's antifungal properties.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Blastomyces dermatitidis is a fungus causing serious infections.
- Lidocaine is a common local anesthetic.
- The antifungal effects of lidocaine are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro effects of lidocaine on Blastomyces dermatitidis.
- To determine if lidocaine damages fungal cells directly.
Main Methods:
- Electron microscopy was used to examine yeast cells.
- Cells were exposed to varying concentrations of lidocaine for different durations.
Main Results:
- Lidocaine caused rapid damage to intracellular structures in Blastomyces dermatitidis.
- The extent of cellular damage correlated with lidocaine concentration and exposure time.
- Ultrastructural changes resembled those caused by other membrane-damaging agents.
Conclusions:
- Lidocaine directly damages fungal cell membranes.
- This membrane damage is the likely mechanism behind lidocaine's antifungal activity.
