Virus-like particles and lytic plaque formation in lawns of Candida albicans

The antifungal agent Aculeacin A at subinhibitory levels induced lytic plaques in lawns of Candida albicans. Electron microscopic examination of plaque lysates suspended in phosphotungstic acid revealed the presence of spherical particles 12, 18, and 28 to 30 nm in size. Particles were also found in ultrathin sections of treated C. albicans cells. The plaque lysate lost infectivity after treatment with UV light, heat treatment at 80 degrees C for 10 min, or being held at pH 2 for 30 min.