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Gourari-Bouzouina K, Boucherit-Otmani Z, Seghir A, Baba Ahmed-Kazi Tani ZZ, Bendoukha I, Benahmed A, Aissaoui M, Boucherit K. Evaluation of mixed biofilm production by Candida spp. and Staphylococcus aureus strains co-isolated from cystic fibrosis patients in northwest Algeria. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 109:116321. [PMID: 38677054 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis patients' lungs are chronically colonized by multiple microbial species capable of forming biofilms. This study aimed to characterize the polymicrobial biofilm formed by Candida spp. and S. aureus, co-isolated from sputum samples of cystic fibrosis patients regarding microbial density, metabolic activity, and structure. 67 samples from 28 patients were collected with a 96% alteration rate. 34% showed alterations by both Candida spp. and Gram-positive bacteria, predominantly Candida spp. and S. aureus in 77% of cases, accounting for 6 associations. Biofilm biomass was quantified using the crystal violet assay, and metabolic activity was assessed using the MTT reduction assay. Scanning electron microscopy analyzed the C. tropicalis/S. aureus24 biofilm architecture. Candida spp. isolates demonstrated the ability to form mixed biofilms with S. aureus. The C. tropicalis/S. aureus24 association exhibited the highest production of biofilm and metabolic activity, along with the C. albicans17/C. rugosa/S. aureus7 in both single and mixed biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Gourari-Bouzouina
- Antibiotics Antifungal Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LAPSAB), Department of Biology, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria.
| | - Zahia Boucherit-Otmani
- Antibiotics Antifungal Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LAPSAB), Department of Biology, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria
| | - Abdelfettah Seghir
- Antibiotics Antifungal Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LAPSAB), Department of Biology, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria
| | - Zahira Zakia Baba Ahmed-Kazi Tani
- Antibiotics Antifungal Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LAPSAB), Department of Biology, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria
| | - Imene Bendoukha
- Antibiotics Antifungal Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LAPSAB), Department of Biology, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria
| | - Abdeselem Benahmed
- Antibiotics Antifungal Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LAPSAB), Department of Biology, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria
| | - Mohammed Aissaoui
- Antibiotics Antifungal Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LAPSAB), Department of Biology, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria; Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Tamanghasset, Tamanghasset 11000, Algeria
| | - Kebir Boucherit
- Antibiotics Antifungal Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LAPSAB), Department of Biology, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria
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Mahendrarajan V, Lazarus H, Easwaran N. Quorum quenching mediated biofilm impediment in Chromobacterium violaceum and Staphylococcus aureus by leaf extracts of Delonix elata. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31898. [PMID: 38882294 PMCID: PMC11177153 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms that cause systemic infections, resistance development and delay in healing wounds. Biofilms can form in various parts of the human body, such as the teeth, lungs, urinary tract, and wounds. Biofilm complicates the effects of antibiotics in treating infections. In search of a cure, a plant-based phyto component was selected for this investigation as an anti-quorum-mediated biofilm restricting agent in Gram-negative Chromobacterium violaceum and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. The bioactive components in Delonix elata (DE) ethyl acetate extract were identified using Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The extract was examined for toxicity using 3T3 cell lines and brine shrimp and ascertained to be non-toxic. Violacein was inhibited up to 68.81 % in C. violaceum at 0.6 mg/ml concentration. Hemolysin synthesis impediments in C. violaceum and S. aureus were 80 % and 51.35 %, respectively, at 0.6 mg/ml of DE extract. At 0.6 mg/ml, EPS was abated by up to 49 % in C. violaceum and 35.26 % in S. aureus. DE extract prevented biofilm formation in C. violaceum and S. aureus up to 76.45 % and 58.15 %, respectively, while associated eDNA was suppressed up to 67.50 % and 53.47 % at the respective sub-MIC concentrations. Expression of genes such as cviI, cviR, vioA, vioB, and vioE were dramatically reduced in C. violaceum, while genes such as agrA, sarA, fnbA, and fnbB were significantly reduced in S. aureus. Docking demonstrates that two or more DE molecules bind efficiently to the QS receptors of C. violaceum and S. aureus. Thus, DE extract can be investigated for therapeutic purposes against pathogenic microorganisms by rendering them less virulent through quorum quenching mediated action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkatramanan Mahendrarajan
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Tiruvalam Road, Katpadi, India
| | - Huldah Lazarus
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Tiruvalam Road, Katpadi, India
| | - Nalini Easwaran
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Tiruvalam Road, Katpadi, India
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Nouraei H, Zare S, Nemati M, Amirzadeh N, Motamedi M, Shabanzadeh S, Zomorodian K, Pakshir K. Comparative analysis of enzymatic profiles and biofilm formation in clinical and environmental Candida kefyr isolates. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2024; 16:e13282. [PMID: 38923398 PMCID: PMC11194042 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The global landscape of Candida infections has seen a significant shift. Previously, Candida albicans was the predominant species. However, there has been an emergence of non-albicans Candida species, which are often less susceptible to antifungal treatment. Candida kefyr, in particular, has been increasingly associated with infections. This study aimed to investigate the profiles of enzymatic activity and biofilm formation in both clinical and non-clinical isolates of C. kefyr. A total of 66 C. kefyr isolates were analysed. The activities of proteinase and phospholipase were assessed using bovine serum albumin and egg yolk agar, respectively. Haemolysin, caseinolytic and esterase activities were evaluated using specific methods. Biofilm formation was investigated using crystal violet staining. The findings indicated that biofilm and proteinase activity were detected in 81.8% and 93.9% of all the isolates, respectively. Haemolysin activity was observed with the highest occurrence (95.5%) among normal microbiota isolates. Esterase activity was predominantly identified in dairy samples and was absent in hospital samples. Caseinase production was found with the highest occurrence (18.2%) in normal microbiota and hospital samples. Phospholipase activity was limited, found in only 3% of all the isolates. These findings reveal variations in enzyme activity between clinical and non-clinical C. kefyr isolates. This sheds light on their pathogenic potential and has implications for therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasti Nouraei
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of MedicineShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Samira Zare
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of MedicineShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Maryam Nemati
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of MedicineShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Neda Amirzadeh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of MedicineShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Marjan Motamedi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of MedicineShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Shafigheh Shabanzadeh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of MedicineShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Kamiar Zomorodian
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of MedicineShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
- Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, School of MedicineShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Keyvan Pakshir
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of MedicineShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
- Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, School of MedicineShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
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Li J, Yang T, Yuan F, Lv X, Zhou Y. Inhibitory Effect and Potential Antagonistic Mechanism of Isolated Epiphytic Yeasts against Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria alternata in Postharvest Blueberry Fruits. Foods 2024; 13:1334. [PMID: 38731706 PMCID: PMC11083711 DOI: 10.3390/foods13091334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
This study evaluated the biocontrol effect of isolated epiphytic yeasts (Papiliotrema terrestris, Hanseniaspora uvarum, and Rhodosporidium glutinis) against Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria alternata in blueberry fruits and its possible mechanisms. Our findings indicated that the three tested yeasts exerted a good biocontrol effect on postharvest diseases in blueberry, and that H. uvarum was the most effective. In addition, the three tested yeasts could improve the postharvest storage quality of blueberry fruits to some extent. H. uvarum demonstrated the strongest direct inhibitory effect on pathogens by suppressing spore germination, mycelial growth, and antifungal volatile organic compound (VOC) production. P. terrestris showed the highest extracellular lytic enzymes activities. It also had better adaptation to low temperature in fruit wounds at 4 °C. The biofilm formation capacity was suggested to be the main action mechanism of R. glutinis, which rapidly colonized fruit wounds at 20 °C. Several action mechanisms are employed by the superb biocontrol yeasts, while yeast strains possess distinctive characteristics and have substantially different action mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yahan Zhou
- School of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; (J.L.); (T.Y.); (F.Y.); (X.L.)
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Vélez N, Argel A, Kissmann AK, Alpízar-Pedraza D, Escandón P, Rosenau F, Ständker L, Firacative C. Pore-forming peptide C14R exhibits potent antifungal activity against clinical isolates of Candida albicans and Candida auris. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1389020. [PMID: 38601736 PMCID: PMC11004338 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1389020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Invasive candidiasis is a global public health problem as it poses a significant threat in hospital-settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate C14R, an analog derived from peptide BP100, as a potential antimicrobial peptide against the prevalent opportunistic yeast Candida albicans and the emergent multidrug-resistant yeast Candida auris. Methods Antifungal susceptibility testing of C14R against 99 C. albicans and 105 C. auris clinical isolates from Colombia, was determined by broth microdilution. Fluconazole was used as a control antifungal. The synergy between C14R and fluconazole was assessed in resistant isolates. Assays against fungal biofilm and growth curves were also carried out. Morphological alterations of yeast cell surface were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. A permeability assay verified the pore-forming ability of C14R. Results C. albicans and C. auris isolates had a geometric mean MIC against C14R of 4.42 µg/ml and 5.34 µg/ml, respectively. Notably, none of the isolates of any species exhibited growth at the highest evaluated peptide concentration (200 µg/ml). Synergistic effects were observed when combining the peptide and fluconazole. C14R affects biofilm and growth of C. albicans and C. auris. Cell membrane disruptions were observed in both species after treatment with the peptide. It was confirmed that C14R form pores in C. albicans' membrane. Discussion C14R has a potent antifungal activity against a large set of clinical isolates of both C. albicans and C. auris, showing its capacity to disrupt Candida membranes. This antifungal activity remains consistent across isolates regardless of their clinical source. Furthermore, the absence of correlation between MICs to C14R and resistance to fluconazole indicates the peptide's potential effectiveness against fluconazole-resistant strains. Our results suggest the potential of C14R, a pore-forming peptide, as a treatment option for fungal infections, such as invasive candidiasis, including fluconazole and amphotericin B -resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norida Vélez
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Andreys Argel
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
| | | | - Daniel Alpízar-Pedraza
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Center for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba
| | | | - Frank Rosenau
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ludger Ständker
- Core Facility for Functional Peptidomics, Faculty of Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Carolina Firacative
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
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Wiench R, Paliga D, Mertas A, Bobela E, Kuśka-Kiełbratowska A, Bordin-Aykroyd S, Kawczyk-Krupka A, Grzech-Leśniak K, Lukomska-Szymanska M, Lynch E, Skaba D. Red/Orange Autofluorescence in Selected Candida Strains Exposed to 405 nm Laser Light. Dent J (Basel) 2024; 12:48. [PMID: 38534272 DOI: 10.3390/dj12030048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida albicans and similar species are significant pathogens in immunocompromised and hospitalized individuals, known for mucosal colonization and bloodstream/organ invasion. Many pathogenic fungi, including these species, exhibit autofluorescence (R/OF) under specific light conditions, a feature crucial for their detection. AIM We investigated the use of a 405 nm diode laser for the direct observation of red/orange autofluorescence of Candida spp., common in the oral cavity, exploring its potential in health screenings. METHODS This study utilized cultures of Candida spp. on Sabouraud dextrose agar with Qdot 655 and 685 for fluorescence benchmarking, illuminated using a 405 nm diode laser (continuous wave, power 250 mW, 0.0425 J/cm² fluence, 0.0014 W/cm² power density). Images were captured using a yellow-filter camera at set intervals (48 to 144 h). Visual and computational analyses evaluated the R/OF in terms of presence, intensity, coloration, and intra-colony variation. RESULTS Most Candida strains displayed red/orange autofluorescence at all observation times, characterized by varied coloration and intra-colony distribution. Initially, there was an increase in R/OF intensity, which then stabilized in the later stages of observation. CONCLUSIONS The majority of the Candida strains tested are capable of emitting R/OF under 405 nm laser light. This finding opens up new possibilities for integrating R/OF detection into routine dental screenings for Candida spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Wiench
- Department of Periodontal Diseases and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Dariusz Paliga
- Dental Office Reanata and Dariusz Paliga, Aleja Niepodległości 3/lok 2, 35-303 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Anna Mertas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Bobela
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Anna Kuśka-Kiełbratowska
- Department of Periodontal Diseases and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Sonia Bordin-Aykroyd
- Photomedicine, Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK
| | - Aleksandra Kawczyk-Krupka
- Department of Internal Diseases, Angiology and Physical Medicine, Center for Laser Diagnostics and Therapy, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-902 Bytom, Poland
| | - Kinga Grzech-Leśniak
- Laser Laboratory, Dental Surgery Department, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-425 Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | | | - Edward Lynch
- Photomedicine, Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK
| | - Dariusz Skaba
- Department of Periodontal Diseases and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
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Márton R, Nagy B, Molnár M. Biofilm development of Candida boidinii and the effect of tyrosol on biofilm formation. Biotechnol Lett 2023; 45:1541-1554. [PMID: 37831285 PMCID: PMC10635961 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-023-03432-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The applicability of a simple and high-throughput method for quantitative characterization of biofilm formation by Candida boidinii was tested in order to evaluate the effects of exogenous tyrosol on yeast growth and biofilm formation capacity. RESULTS Significant concentration-, temperature and time-dependent effect of tyrosol (2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanol) was demonstrated, but it differentially affected the growth and biofilm formation (characterized by crystal violet staining and XTT-reduction assay) of Candida boidinii. Testing biofilm based on metabolic activity displayed sensitively the differences in the intensity of biofilm in terms of temperature, tyrosol concentration, and exposure time. At 22 °C after 24 h none of the tyrosol concentrations had significant effect, while at 30 °C tyrosol-mediated inhibition was observed at 50 mM and 100 mM concentration. After 48 h and 72 h at 22 °C, biofilm formation was stimulated at 6.25-25 mM concentrations, meanwhile at 30 °C tyrosol decreased the biofilm metabolic activity proportionally with the concentration. CONCLUSIONS The research concludes that exogenous tyrosol exerts unusual effects on Candida boidinii growth and biofilm formation ability and predicts its potential application as a regulating factor of various fermentations by Candida boidinii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Márton
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Műegyetem rkp. 3, 1111, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Blanka Nagy
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Műegyetem rkp. 3, 1111, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mónika Molnár
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Műegyetem rkp. 3, 1111, Budapest, Hungary.
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Gerges MA, Fahmy YA, Hosny T, Gandor NH, Mohammed SY, Mohamed TMA, Abdelmoteleb NEM, Esmaeel NE. Biofilm Formation and Aspartyl Proteinase Activity and Their Association with Azole Resistance Among Candida albicans Causing Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, Egypt. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:5283-5293. [PMID: 37601561 PMCID: PMC10439283 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s420580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Candida albicans (C. albicans) is a major cause of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), a condition that is commonly treated with azole agents. Biofilm formation and aspartyl proteinase production are important virulence factors that could be linked to azole resistance in C. albicans impeding therapy. Aim To find out the association of both factors with azole resistance among C. albicans isolated from VVC cases in Egyptian nonpregnant women of childbearing age. Patients and Methods In a cross-sectional study, C. albicans was isolated from nonpregnant females diagnosed clinically as having VVC during a 1-year study period. Susceptibility to azole agents was tested using the disc diffusion method. Biofilm formation and aspartyl proteinase production were assessed phenotypically. Additionally, two biofilm-related genes (ALS1 and HWP1) and three proteinase genes (SAP2, SAP4, and SAP6) were screened for using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results Among 204 C. albicans isolates, azole resistance ratios were as follows: voriconazole (30.4%), itraconazole (17.6%), fluconazole (11.3%) and econazole (6.4%). Biofilm-producing capacity was detected in 63.2% of isolates, and 63.2% were proteinase producers. The frequencies of ALS1 and HWP1 were 69.6% and 74.5%, respectively, while SAP2, SAP4, and SAP6 were 69.2%, 88.7%, and 64.7%, respectively. Biofilm formation was significantly associated with azole resistance (P < 0.001 for each tested azole agent) as was proteinase production (P < 0.001 for fluconazole, voriconazole, and econazole resistance and P = 0.047 for itraconazole). Conclusion Among nonpregnant Egyptian women of childbearing age, azole resistance in C. albicans causing VVC is significantly associated with biofilm formation and proteinase production. The development of new therapeutic agents that can target these factors is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian A Gerges
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Yasmin Ahmed Fahmy
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Thoraya Hosny
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Nessma H Gandor
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Sherif Y Mohammed
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | | | | | - Noura E Esmaeel
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
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Bezerra FM, Rocchetti TT, Lima SL, Yu MCZ, da Matta DA, Höfling-Lima AL, Melo ASA, de Oliveira LA. Candida species causing fungal keratitis: molecular identification, antifungal susceptibility, biofilm formation, and clinical aspects. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:629-636. [PMID: 37055625 PMCID: PMC10235373 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-00964-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate the clinical aspects, molecular identification, biofilm formation, and antifungal susceptibility profile of Candida species isolated from fungal keratitis. Thirteen Candida isolates from 13 patients diagnosed with Candida keratitis were retrieved and grown in pure culture. Species identification was performed by micromorphology analysis and ITS-rDNA sequencing. The broth microdilution method tested the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of four antifungal drugs (fluconazole, amphotericin B, voriconazole, and anidulafungin). The biofilms were cultured and incubated with antifungal drugs for 24 h. The XTT reduction assay measured the biofilm activity. Biofilm MICs were calculated based on a 50% reduction in metabolic activity compared with the activity of the drug-free control. Among isolates, two were C. albicans, 10 were C. parapsilosis (sensu stricto), and one was C. orthopsilosis. All isolates were classified as susceptible or intermediate to all four antifungal drugs. Four isolates were very low biofilm producers (30%). Nine isolates were biofilm producers, and all biofilm samples were unsusceptible to all drugs tested. Previous ocular surgery was the most common underlying condition for fungal keratitis (84.6%), and C. parapsilosis was the most frequent Candida species (76.9%). Four patients (30.7%) needed keratoplasty, whereas two (15.3%) required evisceration. The biofilm formation ability of Candida isolates decreased antifungal susceptibility compared with planktonic cells. Despite in vitro antifungal susceptibility, almost half of the patients were unresponsive to clinical treatment and needed surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda M Bezerra
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Talita T Rocchetti
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Soraia L Lima
- Special Laboratory of Mycology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Cecília Z Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel A da Matta
- Special Laboratory of Mycology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Luisa Höfling-Lima
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Analy S A Melo
- Special Laboratory of Mycology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lauro A de Oliveira
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Molecular and Physiological Diversity of Indigenous Yeasts Isolated from Spontaneously Fermented Wine Wort from Ilfov County, Romania. Microorganisms 2022; 11:microorganisms11010037. [PMID: 36677329 PMCID: PMC9861077 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Wine yeast research offers the possibility of isolating new strains with distinct metabolic properties due to the geographical location of the vineyard and the processes used in winemaking. Our study deals with the isolation and identification of six yeasts from spontaneously fermented wine wort from Romania and their characterization as new potential starter culture for traditional beverages, for food industry or biomedicine. (2) Materials and methods: The isolates were identified using conventional taxonomy tests, phenotypic phylogeny analysis (Biolog YT), MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, PCR-RFLP, and sequencing of the ITS1-5,8S-ITS2 rDNA region. The capacity of the yeasts to grow under thermal, ionic, and osmotic stress was determined. The safe status was confirmed by testing virulence and pathogenicity factors. Assays were performed in order to evaluate the growth inhibition of Candida strains and determine the antimicrobial mechanism of action. (3) Results and discussions: The yeast isolates were identified as belonging to the Metschinikowia, Hanseniaspora, Torulaspora, Pichia, and Saccharomyces genera. All the isolates were able to develop under the tested stress conditions and were confirmed as safe. With the exception of S. cerevisiae CMGB-MS1-1, all the isolates showed good antimicrobial activity based on competition for iron ions or production of killer toxins. (4) Conclusions: The results revealed the resistance of our yeasts to environmental conditions related to industrial and biomedical applications and their high potential as starter cultures and biocontrol agents, respectively.
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Hadrich I, Khemekhem N, Neji S, Trablesi H, Ilahi A, Sellami H, Makni F, Ayadi A. Production and Quantification of Virulence Factors in Malassezia Species. Pol J Microbiol 2022; 71:529-538. [PMID: 36473111 PMCID: PMC9944974 DOI: 10.33073/pjm-2022-047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Seventy-seven strains of Malassezia were included in this study. Biofilm and hydrolytic enzyme production were studied by using specific solid media. The Real-Time reverse transcriptase qPCR method was applied to determine the overexpression of genes encoding the extracellular enzymes. All included Malassezia species produced biofilms. No statistically significant difference was observed between Malassezia species in biofilm formation (p = 0.567). All Malassezia species produced lipase, and 95% of Malassezia globosa showed a strong enzymatic activity (Pz = 0.55 ± 0.02). A statistically significant difference was observed between the mean keratinase indices of Malassezia slooffiae and the other Malassezia species (p = 0.005). The overexpression of one or more genes was observed in 100% of strains isolated from patients with folliculitis, 87.5% - with pityriasis versicolor, and 57.14% of the control group isolates. A statistically significant difference in the lipase gene expression (p = 0.042) was between the strains from patients with folliculitis and the control group. This investigation provides more information about the frequency of the production of the major enzymes considered virulence factors of Malassezia species. Interestingly, the overexpression of one or more genes was observed in strains isolated from patients with Malassezia disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inès Hadrich
- Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia,Laboratory of Parasitology – Mycology, UH Habib Bourguiba, Sfax, Tunisia,Faculty of Science, University of Gabes, Gabes, Tunisia, Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia; Laboratory of Parasitology – Mycology, UH Habib Bourguiba, Sfax, Tunisia; Faculty of Science, University of Gabes, Gabes, Tunisia
| | - Nahed Khemekhem
- Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia,Laboratory of Parasitology – Mycology, UH Habib Bourguiba, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Sourour Neji
- Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia,Laboratory of Parasitology – Mycology, UH Habib Bourguiba, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Houaida Trablesi
- Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia,Laboratory of Parasitology – Mycology, UH Habib Bourguiba, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Amin Ilahi
- Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia,Laboratory of Parasitology – Mycology, UH Habib Bourguiba, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Hayet Sellami
- Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia,Laboratory of Parasitology – Mycology, UH Habib Bourguiba, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Fattouma Makni
- Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia,Laboratory of Parasitology – Mycology, UH Habib Bourguiba, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Ali Ayadi
- Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia,Laboratory of Parasitology – Mycology, UH Habib Bourguiba, Sfax, Tunisia
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Rosemary essential oil and its components 1,8-cineole and α-pinene induce ROS-dependent lethality and ROS-independent virulence inhibition in Candida albicans. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277097. [DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The essential oil from Rosmarinus officinalis L., a composite mixture of plant-derived secondary metabolites, exhibits antifungal activity against virulent candidal species. Here we report the impact of rosemary oil and two of its components, the monoterpene α-pinene and the monoterpenoid 1,8-cineole, against Candida albicans, which induce ROS-dependent cell death at high concentrations and inhibit hyphal morphogenesis and biofilm formation at lower concentrations. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (100% inhibition) for both rosemary oil and 1,8-cineole were 4500 μg/ml and 3125 μg/ml for α-pinene, with the two components exhibiting partial synergy (FICI = 0.55 ± 0.07). At MIC and 1/2 MIC, rosemary oil and its components induced a generalized cell wall stress response, causing damage to cellular and organelle membranes, along with elevated chitin production and increased cell surface adhesion and elasticity, leading to complete vacuolar segregation, mitochondrial depolarization, elevated reactive oxygen species, microtubule dysfunction, and cell cycle arrest mainly at the G1/S phase, consequently triggering cell death. Interestingly, the same oils at lower fractional MIC (1/8-1/4) inhibited virulence traits, including reduction of mycelium (up to 2-fold) and biofilm (up to 4-fold) formation, through a ROS-independent mechanism.
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Čonková E, Proškovcová M, Váczi P, Malinovská Z. In Vitro Biofilm Formation by Malassezia pachydermatis Isolates and Its Susceptibility to Azole Antifungals. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:1209. [PMID: 36422031 PMCID: PMC9693420 DOI: 10.3390/jof8111209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The yeast Malassezia pachydermatis, an opportunistic pathogen that inhabits the skin of various domestic and wild animals, is capable of producing a biofilm that plays an important role in antifungal resistance. The aim of this research study was to find the intensity of biofilm production by M. pachydermatis strains isolated from the ear canal of healthy dogs, and to determine the susceptibility of planktonic, adhered and biofilm-forming cells to three azole antifungals-itraco-nazole, voriconazole and posaconazole-that are most commonly used to treat Malassezia infections. Out of 52 isolates, 43 M. pachydermatis strains (82.7%) were biofilm producers with varying levels of intensity. For planktonic cells, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range was 0.125-2 µg/mL for itraconazole, 0.03-1 µg/mL for voriconazole and 0.03-0.25 µg/mL for posaconazole. Only two isolates (4.7%) were resistant to itraconazole, one strain (2.3%) to voriconazole and none to posaconazole. For adhered cells and the mature biofilm, the following MIC ranges were found: 0.25-16 µg/mL and 4-16 µg/mL for itraconazole, 0.125-8 µg/mL and 0.25-26 µg/mL for voriconazole, and 0.03-4 µg/mL and 0.25-16 µg/mL for posaconazole, respectively. The least resistance for adhered cells was observed for posaconazole (55.8%), followed by voriconazole (62.8%) and itraconazole (88.4%). The mature biofilm of M. pachydermatis showed 100% resistance to itraconazole, 95.3% to posaconazole and 83.7% to voriconazole. The results of this study show that higher concentrations of commonly used antifungal agents are needed to control infections caused by biofilm-forming strains of M. pachydermatis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Čonková
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia
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14
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What Is Candida Doing in My Food? A Review and Safety Alert on Its Use as Starter Cultures in Fermented Foods. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10091855. [PMID: 36144457 PMCID: PMC9502980 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of yeasts as starter cultures was boosted with the emergence of large-scale fermentations in the 20th century. Since then, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been the most common and widely used microorganism in the food industry. However, Candida species have also been used as an adjuvant in cheese production or as starters for coffee, cocoa, vegetable, meat, beer, and wine fermentations. A thorough screening of candidate Candida is sometimes performed to obtain the best performing strains to enhance specific features. Some commonly selected species include C. pulcherrima (teleomorph Metschnikowia pulcherrima) (wine), C. parapsilosis (teleomorph Monilia parapsilosis) (coffee), C. famata (teleomorph Debaryomyces hansenii) (cheese), and C. zeylanoides (teleomorph Kurtzmaniella zeylanoides) and C. norvegensis (teleomorph Pichia norvegensis) (cocoa). These species are associated with the production of key metabolites (food aroma formation) and different enzymes. However, safety-associated selection criteria are often neglected. It is widely known that some Candida species are opportunistic human pathogens, with important clinical relevance. Here, the physiology and metabolism of Candida species are addressed, initially emphasizing their clinical aspects and potential pathogenicity. Then, Candida species used in food fermentations and their functional roles are reported. We recommended that Candida not be used as food cultures if safety assessments are not performed. Some safety features are highlighted to help researchers choose methods and selection criteria.
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Khalil MAF, El-Ansary MRM, Bassyouni RH, Mahmoud EE, Ali IA, Ahmed TI, Hassan EA, Samir TM. Oropharyngeal Candidiasis among Egyptian COVID-19 Patients: Clinical Characteristics, Species Identification, and Antifungal Susceptibility, with Disease Severity and Fungal Coinfection Prediction Models. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12071719. [PMID: 35885623 PMCID: PMC9316654 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12071719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to investigate the causative species, antifungal susceptibility, and factors associated with oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) among Egyptian COVID-19 patients. This is an observational, case-controlled, single-center study that included three groups: COVID-19 patients (30), COVID-19 patients with OPC (39), and healthy individuals (31). Patients’ demographic data (age, sex), laboratory tests, comorbidities, treatment, and outcomes were included. Candida species were isolated from COVID-OPC patient’s oropharyngeal swabs by convenient microbiological methods. Isolated strains were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, biofilm production, aspartyl protease, and phospholipase activities. The most common respiratory symptoms reported were dyspnea (36/39; 92.4%) and cough (33/39; 84.7%). Candida albicans was the most common isolated species, accounting for 74.36% (29/39), followed by Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata (15.38% and 10.26%, respectively). Amphotericin was effective against all isolates, while fluconazole was effective against 61.5%. A total of 53.8% of the isolates were biofilm producers. The phospholipase activity of C. albicans was detected among 58.6% (17/29) of the isolates. Significant variables from this study were used to create two equations from a regression model that can predict the severity of disease course and liability to fungal infection, with a stativity of 87% and 91%, respectively. According to our findings, COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe infection under prolonged use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and corticosteroids should be considered a high-risk group for developing OPC, and prophylactic measures are recommended to be included in the treatment protocols. In addition, due to the increased rate of fluconazole resistance, other new antifungals should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud A. F. Khalil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Fayoum University, Fayoum 63514, Egypt;
| | - Mahmoud R. M. El-Ansary
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST), Giza 12566, Egypt;
| | - Rasha H. Bassyouni
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Fayoum 63514, Egypt;
| | - Eman E. Mahmoud
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Fayoum 63514, Egypt;
| | - Inas A. Ali
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST), Giza 12566, Egypt;
| | - Tarek I. Ahmed
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Fayoum 63514, Egypt;
| | - Essam A. Hassan
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Fayoum 63514, Egypt;
| | - Tamer M. Samir
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST), Giza 12566, Egypt
- Correspondence:
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16
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Leerahakan P, Matangkasombut O, Tarapan S, Lam-Ubol A. Biofilm formation of Candida isolates from xerostomic post-radiotherapy head and neck cancer patients. Arch Oral Biol 2022; 142:105495. [PMID: 35839697 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2022.105495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Oral candidiasis is a common problem in post-radiation head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. While biofilm formation is a crucial virulence factor for Candida colonization, existing information on biofilm formation capability of Candida in cancer patients is scarce. OBJECTIVE To evaluate biofilm formation capability of Candida spp. colonized in xerostomic post-radiotherapy HNC patients. DESIGN Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida species were previously isolated from xerostomic post-radiation cancer patients and healthy individuals. Biofilm mass and biofilm metabolic activity were investigated by crystal violet and MTT assays, respectively. Their relationship with clinical parameters was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square tests. RESULTS A total of 109 and 45 Candida isolates from 64 cancer patients and 34 controls, respectively, were evaluated. Both biofilm mass and metabolic activity of Candida isolates from cancer patients were higher than those from controls. The between-group differences were statistically significant in C. albicans (p < 0.001) for biofilm mass, and in C. tropicalis (p = 0.01) for biofilm metabolic activity. Overall, C. tropicalis was the best biofilm producers in both groups. Additionally, we found that higher biofilm formation among C. albicans was associated with low saliva buffering capacity. CONCLUSIONS C. albicans and C. tropicalis isolated from xerostomic post-radiation cancer patients had higher biofilm formation capability than those from healthy individuals. Our findings suggest that, in addition to compromised host factors, higher biofilm formation capability may also contribute to the pathogenesis of oral candidiasis in HNC patients. This novel information potentially adds to proper management for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Oranart Matangkasombut
- Department of Microbiology and Center of Excellence on Oral Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Supanat Tarapan
- Faculty of Dentistry, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand; Langsuan Hospital, Chumphon, Thailand
| | - Aroonwan Lam-Ubol
- Faculty of Dentistry, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Rapid Hypothesis Testing in Candida albicans Clinical Isolates Using a Cloning-Free, Modular, and Recyclable System for CRISPR-Cas9 Mediated Mutant and Revertant Construction. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0263021. [PMID: 35612314 PMCID: PMC9241802 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02630-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
As increasing evidence emerges that interstrain genetic diversity among Candida albicans clinical isolates underpins phenotypic variation compared to the reference isolate SC5314, new genetic tools are required to interrogate gene function across strain backgrounds. Here, the SAT1-flipper plasmid was reengineered to contain a C. albicans codon optimized hygromycin B resistance gene (CaHygB). Cassettes were PCR-amplified from both SAT1-flipper and CaHygB-flipper plasmids using primers with homologous sequences flanking target genes of interest to serve as repair templates. Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes containing proprietary CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs), universal transactivating CRISPR RNA (tracrRNA), and Cas9 protein were assembled in vitro and transformed, along with both repair templates, by electroporation into C. albicans. Homozygous deletion of the ADE2 gene results in red-pigmented colonies and this gene was used to validate our approach. Both in SC5314 and a variety of clinical isolates (529L, JS15, SJCA1, TW1), homozygous gene targeting was nearly 100% when plating on media containing nourseothricin and hygromycin B with transformation efficiencies exceeding 104 homozygous deletion mutants per μg of DNA. A gene reversion system was also employed with plasmids pDUP3 and pDIS3 engineered to contain the ADH1 terminator and an overlap extension PCR-mediated approach combined with CRISPR-Cas9 targeting at the NEUT5 neutral locus. A variety of single or compound mutants (Δ/Δals3, Δ/Δcph1 Δ/Δefg1, Δ/Δece1) and their revertant strains were constructed and phenotypically validated by a variety of assays, including biofilm formation, hyphal growth, and macrophage IL-1β response. Thus, we have established a cloning-free, modular system for highly efficient homozygous gene deletion and reversion in diverse isolates. IMPORTANCE Recently, phenotypic heterogeneity in Candida albicans isolates has been recognized as an underappreciated factor contributing to gene diversification and broadly impacts strain-to-strain antifungal resistance, fitness, and pathogenicity. We have designed a cloning-free genetic system for rapid gene deletion and reversion in C. albicans clinical isolates that interlaces established recyclable genetic systems with CRISPR-Cas9 technology. The SAT1-flipper was reengineered to contain CaHygB encoding resistance to hygromycin B. Using a modular PCR-mediated approach coupled with in vitro ribonucleoprotein assembly with commercial reagents, both SAT1- and CaHygB-flipper cassettes were simultaneously integrated at loci with high efficiency (104 transformants per μg DNA) and upward of 99% homozygous gene targeting across a collection of diverse isolates of various anatomical origin. Revertant strains were constructed by overlap extension PCR with CRISPR-Cas9 targeted integration at the NEUT5 locus. Thus, this facile system will aid in unraveling the genetic factors contributing to the complexity of intraspecies diversity.
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Abstract
In this study, we investigated the influence of fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) during biofilm formation and morphogenesis in Candida albicans. Using crystal violet staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we demonstrated that C. albicans EVs inhibited biofilm formation in vitro. By time-lapse microscopy and SEM, we showed that C. albicans EV treatment stopped filamentation and promoted pseudohyphae formation with multiple budding sites. The ability of C. albicans EVs to regulate dimorphism was further compared to EVs isolated from different C. albicans strains, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Histoplasma capsulatum. C. albicans EVs from distinct strains inhibited yeast-to-hyphae differentiation with morphological changes occurring in less than 4 h. EVs from S. cerevisiae and H. capsulatum modestly reduced morphogenesis, and the effect was evident after 24 h of incubation. The inhibitory activity of C. albicans EVs on phase transition was promoted by a combination of lipid compounds, which were identified by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis as sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, and fatty acids. Remarkably, C. albicans EVs were also able to reverse filamentation. Finally, C. albicans cells treated with C. albicans EVs for 24 h lost their capacity to penetrate agar and were avirulent when inoculated into Galleria mellonella. Our results indicate that fungal EVs can regulate yeast-to-hypha differentiation, thereby inhibiting biofilm formation and attenuating virulence.
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19
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Sadanandan B, Ashrit P, Nataraj LK, Shetty K, Jogalekar AP, Vaniyamparambath V, Hemanth B. High throughput comparative assessment of biofilm formation of Candida glabrata on polystyrene material. KOREAN J CHEM ENG 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11814-021-1054-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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20
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Belloch C, Perea‐Sanz L, Gamero A, Flores M. Selection of
D. hansenii
isolates as starters in meat products based on phenotypic virulence factors, tolerance to abiotic stress conditions and aroma generation. J Appl Microbiol 2022; 133:200-211. [DOI: 10.1111/jam.15454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Belloch
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA‐CSIC)Avda. Agustín Escardino 746980Paterna, ValenciaSpain
| | - Laura Perea‐Sanz
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA‐CSIC)Avda. Agustín Escardino 746980Paterna, ValenciaSpain
| | - Amparo Gamero
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud PublicaCC. AlimentaciónToxicología y Medicina LegalFacultad de FarmaciaUniversitat de ValenciaAvda. Vicent Andrés Estellés sn46100Burjassot, ValenciaSpain
| | - Monica Flores
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA‐CSIC)Avda. Agustín Escardino 746980Paterna, ValenciaSpain
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Weerasekera MM, Wijesinghe GK, Sampath A, Dilhari A, Madhumal T, Dilrukshi R, Willaddara R, Karunathilaka S, Gunasekara C, Fernando N, Samaranayake L. The genotypes and virulence attributes of C. albicans isolates from oral leukoplakia. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 2021; 26:e786-e794. [PMID: 34023840 PMCID: PMC8601635 DOI: 10.4317/medoral.24748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is a debate as to whether some types of oral leucoplakias (OL) are caused by Candida species, and whether they contribute to the malignant transformation, associated with a minority of such lesions. As no detailed population analysis of yeast isolates from OL is available, we evaluated the virulence attributes, and genotypes of 35 C. albicans from OL, and compared their genotypes with 18 oral isolates from healthy individuals. Material and Methods The virulence traits evaluated were esterase, phospholipase, proteinase, haemolysin and coagulase production, and phenotypic switching activity, and yeast adherence and biofilm formation. DNA from OL and control yeasts were evaluated for A, B or C genotype status. Results Phospholipase, proteinase, and coagulase activity and biofilm formation was observed in 80%, 66%, 97 % and 77 % of the isolates, respectively. Phenotypic switching was detected in 8.6%, while heamolytic, and esterase activity and adherence were noted in all isolates. Conclusions The genotype A was predominant amongst both the OL and control groups. Due to the small sample size of our study a larger investigation to define the role of candidal virulent attributes in the pathogenicity of OL is warranted, and the current data should serve as a basis until then. Key words:C. albicans, oral cavity, leukoplakia, virulence factors, genotyping.
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Affiliation(s)
- M-M Weerasekera
- Department of Microbiology Faculty of Medical Sciences University of Sri Jayewardenepura Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
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22
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Júnior ACV, de Castro Nogueira Diniz Pontes M, Barbosa JP, Höfling JF, Araújo RM, Boniek D, de Resende Stoianoff MA, Andrade VS. Antibiofilm and Anti-Candidal Activities of the Extract of the Marine Sponge Agelas dispar. Mycopathologia 2021; 186:819-832. [PMID: 34564785 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00591-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the antifungal and antibiofilm activities of Agelas dispar on biofilm-producing Candida species. The methanolic extract of A. dispar was obtained and the fraction Ag2 showed inhibitory activity for all 13 Candida strains tested, in concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 0.15625 mg/mL. Antifungal activity of fungicidal nature was seen between 5.0 and 0.3125 mg/mL of extract against the strains. All the strains were classified as biofilm producers. The methanolic extract Ag2 was tested at concentrations of 2.5 and 1.25 mg/mL for antibiofilm activity against the biofilm formation and maturation in all the strains of the genus Candida. Treated and untreated biofilm samples were selected for visualization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM allowed the visualization of the quantitative decrease in the microbial community, alterations of structural morphology, and destruction of both the formation and maturation of biofilms, at the cellular level. The mechanism of action of this fraction is suggested to be at the plasma membrane and/or cell wall alteration level. Therefore, the use of the methanolic extract of A. dispar may be a promising antifungal and antibiofilm therapeutic strategy against different species of the genus Candida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Carlos Vital Júnior
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Center of Biosciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, UFRN, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | | | - Janaina Priscila Barbosa
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry of Piracicaba, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Francisco Höfling
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry of Piracicaba, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata Mendonça Araújo
- Center of Exact and Earth Sciences, Chemistry Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, UFRN, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Douglas Boniek
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Vânia Sousa Andrade
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Center of Biosciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, UFRN, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
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Secondary Metabolites from Food-Derived Yeasts Inhibit Virulence of Candida albicans. mBio 2021; 12:e0189121. [PMID: 34399611 PMCID: PMC8406282 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01891-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A sparse number of available antifungal drugs, therapeutic side effects, and drug resistance are major challenges in current antifungal therapy to treat Candida albicans-associated infections. Here, we describe two food-derived yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Issatchenkia occidentalis, that inhibit virulence traits of C. albicans, including hyphal morphogenesis, biofilm formation, and adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells. These yeasts also protect the model host Caenorhabditis elegans from C. albicans infection. We demonstrate that the protective activity is primarily retained in the secretome of the beneficial yeasts, and the protection they provide as a physical barrier is negligible. S. cerevisiae aro8 aro9 mutant analysis demonstrate that phenylethanol and tryptophol are necessary for protection, and experiments with commercially procured compounds indicate that they are sufficient to inhibit C. albicans virulence. We propose food-derived yeasts as an alternative or combination therapy to conventional antifungal therapy for C. albicans infection. IMPORTANCE The gut microbiome, primarily established by food, is complex and contributes to the health of the host. Molecular mechanisms that regulate microbial interactions and host health remain unclear. Here, we show that the pathogen C. albicans interacts with food-derived beneficial yeasts in the gut of the microscopic worm, C. elegans, forming a simple microbiome. C. albicans can colonize the worm gut, compromising the worm's health, and exposure to the food-derived yeasts ameliorates this effect protecting the nematode host. We identify small molecules from food-derived yeasts that are necessary and sufficient to inhibit multiple virulence traits of C. albicans and protect the nematode host. The nematode gut faithfully recapitulates a mammalian intestine. This could be an effective alternative or combination therapy for C. albicans infection.
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Fourie R, Albertyn J, Sebolai O, Gcilitshana O, Pohl CH. Candida albicans SET3 Plays a Role in Early Biofilm Formation, Interaction With Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Virulence in Caenorhabditis elegans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:680732. [PMID: 34178723 PMCID: PMC8223063 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.680732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The yeast Candida albicans exhibits multiple morphologies dependent on environmental cues. Candida albicans biofilms are frequently polymicrobial, enabling interspecies interaction through proximity and contact. The interaction between C. albicans and the bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is antagonistic in vitro, with P. aeruginosa repressing the yeast-to-hyphal switch in C. albicans. Previous transcriptional analysis of C. albicans in polymicrobial biofilms with P. aeruginosa revealed upregulation of genes involved in regulation of morphology and biofilm formation, including SET3, a component of the Set3/Hos2 histone deacetylase complex (Set3C). This prompted the question regarding the involvement of SET3 in the interaction between C. albicans and P. aeruginosa, both in vitro and in vivo. We found that SET3 may influence early biofilm formation by C. albicans and the interaction between C. albicans and P. aeruginosa. In addition, although deletion of SET3 did not alter the morphology of C. albicans in the presence of P. aeruginosa, it did cause a reduction in virulence in a Caenorhabditis elegans infection model, even in the presence of P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruan Fourie
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Jacobus Albertyn
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Olihile Sebolai
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Onele Gcilitshana
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Carolina H Pohl
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
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Wei LQ, Tan JC, Wang Y, Mei YK, Xue JY, Tian L, Song KY, Han L, Cui YC, Peng YB, Li JQ, Liu NN, Wang H. Fingolimod Potentiates the Antifungal Activity of Amphotericin B. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:627917. [PMID: 33968796 PMCID: PMC8102868 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.627917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans (C. albicans) is an opportunistic human fungal pathogen that can cause severe infection in clinic. Its incidence and mortality rate has been increasing rapidly. Amphotericin B (AMB), the clinical golden standard antifungal agent, has severe side effects that limit its clinical application. Thus, lowering the concentration and increasing the efficacy of AMB in a combinatorial antifungal therapy have been pursued by both industry and academia. Here we identify that fingolimod (FTY720), an immunomodulatory drug used for oral treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, can potentiate the efficacy of AMB against C. albicans growth synergistically. Furthermore, we observe an antifungal efficacy of FTY720 in combination with AMB against diverse fungal pathogens. Intriguingly, cells treated with both drugs are hypersensitive to endothelial endocytosis and macrophage killing. This is later found to be due to the hyperaccumulation of reactive oxygen species and the corresponding increase in activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the cells that received combinatorial treatment. Therefore, the combination of AMB and FTY720 provides a promising antifungal strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu-Qi Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing-Cong Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Kun Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Yu Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke-Yu Song
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Han
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying-Chao Cui
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Bing Peng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing-Quan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning-Ning Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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26
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Kanpittaya K, Teerakapong A, Morales NP, Hormdee D, Priprem A, Weera-archakul W, Damrongrungruang T. Inhibitory Effects of Erythrosine/Curcumin Derivatives/Nano-Titanium Dioxide-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy on Candida albicans. Molecules 2021; 26:2405. [PMID: 33919066 PMCID: PMC8122479 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26092405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This study focuses on the role of photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy. The photosensitizers were prepared in combinations of 110/220 µM erythrosine and/or 10/20 µM demethoxy/bisdemethoxy curcumin with/without 10% (w/w) nano-titanium dioxide. Irradiation was performed with a dental blue light in the 395-480 nm wavelength range, with a power density of 3200 mW/cm2 and yield of 72 J/cm2. The production of ROS and hydroxyl radical was investigated using an electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer for each individual photosensitizer or in photosensitizer combinations. Subsequently, a PrestoBlue® toxicity test of the gingival fibroblast cells was performed at 6 and 24 h on the eight highest ROS-generating photosensitizers containing curcumin derivatives and erythrosine 220 µM. Finally, the antifungal ability of 22 test photosensitizers, Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), were cultured in biofilm form at 37 °C for 48 h, then the colonies were counted in colony-forming units (CFU/mL) via the drop plate technique, and then the log reduction was calculated. The results showed that at 48 h the test photosensitizers could simultaneously produce both ROS types. All test photosensitizers demonstrated no toxicity on the fibroblast cells. In total, 18 test photosensitizers were able to inhibit Candida albicans similarly to nystatin. Conclusively, 20 µM bisdemethoxy curcumin + 220 µM erythrosine + 10% (w/w) nano-titanium dioxide exerted the highest inhibitory effect on Candida albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasama Kanpittaya
- Division of Periodontology, Department of Oral Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; (K.K.); (A.T.); (D.H.)
- Dental Department, Chumphae Hospital, Khon Kaen 40130, Thailand
| | - Aroon Teerakapong
- Division of Periodontology, Department of Oral Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; (K.K.); (A.T.); (D.H.)
- Laser in Dentistry Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | | | - Doosadee Hormdee
- Division of Periodontology, Department of Oral Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; (K.K.); (A.T.); (D.H.)
| | - Aroonsri Priprem
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand;
| | - Wilawan Weera-archakul
- Division of Dental Public Health, Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand;
| | - Teerasak Damrongrungruang
- Laser in Dentistry Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Research and Academic Services, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Division of Oral Diagnosis, Department of Oral Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
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27
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Kitisin T, Ampawong S, Muangkaew W, Sukphopetch P. Phenomic profiling of a novel sibling species within the Scedosporium complex in Thailand. BMC Microbiol 2021; 21:42. [PMID: 33563219 PMCID: PMC7874643 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-021-02105-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Scedosporium species are a group of pathogenic fungi, which can be found worldwide around high human-impacted areas. Infections of Scedosporium have been reported in several immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients with a high mortality rate. Recently, we have isolated and identified several Scedosporium strains during an environmental survey in Thailand. Results We describe the isolate, TMMI-012, possibly a new species isolated from soils in the Chatuchak public park, Bangkok, Thailand. TMMI-012 is phylogenetically related to the Scedosporium genus and is a sibling to S. boydii but shows distinct morphological and pathological characteristics. It is fast growing and highly resistant to antifungal drugs and abiotic stresses. Pathological studies of in vitro and in vivo models confirm its high virulence and pathogenicity. Conclusion TMMI-012 is considered a putative novel Scedosporium species. The high antifungal resistance of TMMI-012 compared with its sibling, Scedosporium species is likely related to its clinical impact on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Kitisin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - S Ampawong
- Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - W Muangkaew
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - P Sukphopetch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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28
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Gargouch N, Elleuch F, Karkouch I, Tabbene O, Pichon C, Gardarin C, Rihouey C, Picton L, Abdelkafi S, Fendri I, Laroche C. Potential of Exopolysaccharide from Porphyridium marinum to Contend with Bacterial Proliferation, Biofilm Formation, and Breast Cancer. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:66. [PMID: 33513982 PMCID: PMC7911520 DOI: 10.3390/md19020066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Exopolysaccharide (EPS) from marine microalgae are promising sources of a new generation of drugs. However, lot of them remain to be discovered and tested. In this study, EPS produced by Porphyridium marinum and its oligomers prepared by High Pressure Homogenizer have been tested for different biological activities, i.e., antibacterial, anti-fungal and antibiofilm activities on Candida albicans, as well as for their effects on the viability of murine breast cancer cells. Results have shown that all EPS samples present some biological activity. For antibacterial and antibiofilm activities, the native EPS exhibited a better efficiency with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) from 62.5 µg/mL to 1000 µg/mL depending on the bacterial strain. For Candida albicans, the biofilm formation was reduced by about 90% by using only a 31.3 µg/mL concentration. Concerning breast cancer cells, lower molar masses fractions appeared to be more efficient, with a reduction of viability of up to 55%. Finally, analyses of polymers composition and viscosity measurements were conducted on all samples, in order to propose hypotheses involving the activities caused by the intrinsic properties of polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nesrine Gargouch
- Institut Pascal, CNRS, SIGMA Clermont, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (N.G.); (C.G.)
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Végétale Appliquée à l’Amélioration des Cultures, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia;
| | - Fatma Elleuch
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS-UPR 4301, 45071 Orléans, France; (F.E.); (C.P.)
- Unité de Biotechnologie des Algues, Biological Engineering Department, National School of Engineers of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia;
| | - Ines Karkouch
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Biotechnology Center of Borj-Cedria (CBBC), BP-901, Hammam-Lif 2050, Tunisia; (I.K.); (O.T.)
| | - Olfa Tabbene
- Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Biotechnology Center of Borj-Cedria (CBBC), BP-901, Hammam-Lif 2050, Tunisia; (I.K.); (O.T.)
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS-UPR 4301, 45071 Orléans, France; (F.E.); (C.P.)
| | - Christine Gardarin
- Institut Pascal, CNRS, SIGMA Clermont, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (N.G.); (C.G.)
| | - Christophe Rihouey
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, INSA Rouen, CNRS, PBS, 76000 Rouen, France; (C.R.); (L.P.)
| | - Luc Picton
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, INSA Rouen, CNRS, PBS, 76000 Rouen, France; (C.R.); (L.P.)
| | - Slim Abdelkafi
- Unité de Biotechnologie des Algues, Biological Engineering Department, National School of Engineers of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia;
| | - Imen Fendri
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Végétale Appliquée à l’Amélioration des Cultures, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia;
| | - Céline Laroche
- Institut Pascal, CNRS, SIGMA Clermont, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (N.G.); (C.G.)
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29
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Abraham SB, Al Marzooq F, Himratul-Aznita WH, Ahmed HMA, Samaranayake LP. Prevalence, virulence and antifungal activity of C. albicans isolated from infected root canals. BMC Oral Health 2020; 20:347. [PMID: 33256696 PMCID: PMC7708210 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-020-01347-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is limited data on the prevalence of Candida species in infected root canal systems of human teeth. We attempted to investigate the prevalence, genotype, virulence and the antifungal susceptibility of Candida albicans isolated from infected root canals of patients with primary and post-treatment infections in a UAE population.
Methods Microbiological samples from 71 subjects with infected root canals were aseptically collected, and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar, and C. albicans was identified using multiplex polymerase chain reaction, and the isolates were further subtyped using ABC genotyping system. Their relative virulence was compared using further four archival samples of endodontic origin from another geographical region, and four more salivary isolates, as controls. The virulence attributes compared were biofilm formation, and production of phospholipase and haemolysin, and the susceptibility to nystatin, amphotericin B, ketoconazole, and fluoconazole was also tested. Results 4 out of 71 samples (5.6%) yielded Candida species. On analysis of variance among the groups, the intracanal isolates, mainly Genotype A, possessed a high degree of phospholipase and haemolysin activity (p < 0.05). The UAE and Finland isolates were stronger biofilm formers and had superior phospholipase production capacity compared with the salivary isolates. All isolates were sensitive to the antifungal chemicals used. The salivary isolates were more sensitive to fluoconazole compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of C. albicans in infected root canals of patients attending a dental hospital in UAE is low. The strains isolated were good biofilm formers, possessed strong phospholipase and haemolysin activity and were mostly of the genotype A. The fact that the root canal isolates possessed significant hydrolase activity, imply that they are equipped with virulence attributes necessary for survival within a harsh intracanal ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheela B Abraham
- Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE.,Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Farah Al Marzooq
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
| | - Wan Harun Himratul-Aznita
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Hany Mohamed Aly Ahmed
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Lakshman Perera Samaranayake
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Health Sciences, College of Dental Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE.,Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
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30
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Krishnamoorthy AL, Lemus AA, Solomon AP, Valm AM, Neelakantan P. Interactions between Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis in an Organotypic Oral Epithelial Model. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1771. [PMID: 33187237 PMCID: PMC7696566 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans as an opportunistic pathogen exploits the host immune system and causes a variety of life-threatening infections. The polymorphic nature of this fungus gives it tremendous advantage to breach mucosal barriers and cause oral and disseminated infections. Similar to C. albicans, Enterococcus faecalis is a major opportunistic pathogen, which is of critical concern in immunocompromised patients. There is increasing evidence that E. faecalis co-exists with C. albicans in the human body in disease samples. While the interactive profiles between these two organisms have been studied on abiotic substrates and mouse models, studies on their interactions on human oral mucosal surfaces are non-existent. Here, for the first time, we comprehensively characterized the interactive profiles between laboratory and clinical isolates of C. albicans (SC5314 and BF1) and E. faecalis (OG1RF and P52S) on an organotypic oral mucosal model. Our results demonstrated that the dual species biofilms resulted in profound surface erosion and significantly increased microbial invasion into mucosal compartments, compared to either species alone. Notably, several genes of C. albicans involved in tissue adhesion, hyphal formation, fungal invasion, and biofilm formation were significantly upregulated in the presence of E. faecalis. By contrast, E. faecalis genes involved in quorum sensing, biofilm formation, virulence, and mammalian cell invasion were downregulated. This study highlights the synergistic cross-kingdom interactions between E. faecalis and C. albicans in mucosal tissue invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshaya Lakshmi Krishnamoorthy
- Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong;
- Quorum Sensing Laboratory, Center of Research in Infectious Diseases, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur 613401, India;
| | - Alex A. Lemus
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA; (A.A.L.); (A.M.V.)
| | - Adline Princy Solomon
- Quorum Sensing Laboratory, Center of Research in Infectious Diseases, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur 613401, India;
| | - Alex M. Valm
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA; (A.A.L.); (A.M.V.)
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
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Nouraei H, Pakshir K, ZareShahrabadi Z, Zomorodian K. High detection of virulence factors by Candida species isolated from bloodstream of patients with candidemia. Microb Pathog 2020; 149:104574. [PMID: 33075515 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Candida species are the normal inhabitants of the skin and mucosa that cause a wide range of debilitating diseases in immunocompromised patients and other susceptible individuals. The present study aimed to evaluate the production of exoenzymes and the biofilm formation capacity of Candida species isolated from candidemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, a total of 100 stock Candida species isolates consist of 50 Candida albicans and 50 non-Candida albicans Candida species (24 C. glabrata, 15 C. parapsilosis, 5 C. dubliniensis, 3 C. tropicalis, 2 C. krusei and 1 C. fabianii) which previously were recovered from patients with candidemia were used. The enzymatic activity tests for hemolysin, proteinase, and phospholipase were performed by using blood Sabouraud dextrose agar, bovine serum albumin medium and egg yolk agar, respectively. Biofilm formation was determined by microplate assay method. RESULT All of the Candida albicans species could produce hemolysin. The predominant enzyme activity of species included strong and very strong levels of phospholipase, proteinase and hemolysin activity were belonged to Candida albicans isolates. There were statistically significant differences in hemolysin (P < 0.001), proteinase (P = 0.003) and phospholipase (P < 0.001) activity between two groups of albicans and non-albicans species. The biofilm formation was seen in 30 (60%) of C. albicans and 49 (98%) of non-C. albicans species. There was significant statistical differences between the two groups of isolates in biofilm formation (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION It is clear that Candida species have ability to produce several enzymes as virulence factors to contribute its pathogenicity. There were significant differences in virulence factors between the two C. albicans and non- C. albicans group. The ability for biofilm formation and producing exo-enzyme were an important virulence factors in Candida species isolates. This differences found in this report might have role in severity of disease caused by different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasti Nouraei
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Keyvan Pakshir
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Zahra ZareShahrabadi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Kamiar Zomorodian
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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32
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Heredero-Bermejo I, Gómez-Casanova N, Quintana S, Soliveri J, de la Mata FJ, Pérez-Serrano J, Sánchez-Nieves J, Copa-Patiño JL. In Vitro Activity of Carbosilane Cationic Dendritic Molecules on Prevention and Treatment of Candida Albicans Biofilms. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12100918. [PMID: 32992733 PMCID: PMC7601597 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12100918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida spp. are one of the most common fungal pathogens. Biofilms formed by Candidaalbicans offer resistance mechanisms against most antifungal agents. Therefore, development of new molecules effective against these microorganisms, alone or in combination with antifungal drugs, is extremely necessary. In the present work, we carried out a screening process of different cationic carbosilane dendritic molecules against C. albicans. In vitro activity against biofilm formation and biofilms was tested in both Colección Española de Cultivos Tipo (CECT) 1002 and clinical C. albicans strains. Cytotoxicity was studied in human cell lines, and biofilm alterations were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Antifungal activity of the carbosilane dendritic molecules was assessed by monitoring cell viability using both established and novel cell viability assays. One out of 14 dendritic molecules tested, named BDSQ024, showed the highest activity with a minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) for biofilm formation and a minimum biofilm damaging concentration (MBDC) for existing biofilm of 16–32 and 16 mg/L, respectively. Synergy with amphotericin (AmB) and caspofungin (CSF) at non-cytotoxic concentrations was found. Therefore, dendritic compounds are exciting new antifungals effective at preventing Candida biofilm formation and represent a potential novel therapeutic agent for treatment of C. albicans infection in combination with existing clinical antifungals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Heredero-Bermejo
- Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (N.G.-C.); (J.S.); (J.P.-S.); (J.L.C.-P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-918854745
| | - Natalia Gómez-Casanova
- Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (N.G.-C.); (J.S.); (J.P.-S.); (J.L.C.-P.)
| | - Sara Quintana
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. del Río” (IQAR), University of Alcalá, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (S.Q.); (F.J.d.l.M.); (J.S.-N.)
- Institute “Ramón y Cajal” for Health Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Soliveri
- Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (N.G.-C.); (J.S.); (J.P.-S.); (J.L.C.-P.)
| | - Francisco Javier de la Mata
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. del Río” (IQAR), University of Alcalá, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (S.Q.); (F.J.d.l.M.); (J.S.-N.)
- Institute “Ramón y Cajal” for Health Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Pérez-Serrano
- Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (N.G.-C.); (J.S.); (J.P.-S.); (J.L.C.-P.)
| | - Javier Sánchez-Nieves
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. del Río” (IQAR), University of Alcalá, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (S.Q.); (F.J.d.l.M.); (J.S.-N.)
- Institute “Ramón y Cajal” for Health Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Copa-Patiño
- Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (N.G.-C.); (J.S.); (J.P.-S.); (J.L.C.-P.)
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Costa ACBP, Back-Brito GN, Mayer FL, Hube B, Wilson D. Candida albicans Mrv8, is involved in epithelial damage and biofilm formation. FEMS Yeast Res 2020; 20:5862582. [PMID: 32584995 PMCID: PMC7343537 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foaa033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most common human fungal pathogen that can cause superficial and deep-seated infections in susceptible individuals. Despite its medical importance, the vast majority of C. albicans genes remain of unknown function. Here, we report a role for the lineage-specific gene, MRV8, in host pathogen interactions, mycelial microcolony maturation and biofilm formation. In silico analysis indicated that MRV8 encodes a four-pass transmembrane protein unique to the closely related pathogens C. albicans and Candida dubliniensis. Deletion of MRV8 did not affect C. albicans adherence to, or initial invasion into human oral epithelia, but inhibited mycelial development and strongly reduced epithelial damage. mrv8Δ/Δ cells exhibited a media-dependent defect in biofilm formation and mutant biofilm metabolic activity was enhanced by cyclosporin A. mrv8Δ/Δ biofilms were more tolerant to treatment with caspofungin, but not to fluconazole or amphotericin B. Co-stimulation with calcium chloride and calcofluor white rescued biofilm growth in the presence of caspofungin, and this rescue-effect was Mrv8-dependent. Together, our data demonstrate an important role for a lineage-specific gene (MRV8) in C. albicans biofilm formation, drug tolerance and host–pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Carolina Borges Pereira Costa
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Institute of Science and Technology (ICT); São José dos Campos, Brazil.,Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany.,Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Graziella Nuernberg Back-Brito
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Institute of Science and Technology (ICT); São José dos Campos, Brazil
| | - François L Mayer
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany.,Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Duncan Wilson
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany.,Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.,Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Rd, Exeter EX4 4QD, Exeter, United Kingdom
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Kitisin T, Muangkaew W, Ampawong S, Sukphopetch P. Tryptophol Coating Reduces Catheter-Related Cerebral and Pulmonary Infections by Scedosporium apiospermum. Infect Drug Resist 2020; 13:2495-2508. [PMID: 32801788 PMCID: PMC7383110 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s255489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Central venous catheter (CVC) is a medical device that is used to administer medication for a long duration. Colonization by an emerging opportunistic pathogen Scedosporium apiospermum in the CVC lumen is frequently reported to cause severe complications in patients. Here, we describe the effect of fungal quorum-sensing molecule (QSM) known as tryptophol (TOH) to control S. apiospermum colonization in catheter tube lumens in both in vitro and in vivo models. Methods Antifungal susceptibility of TOH against S. apiospermum was compared with voriconazole, and the colony diameter was determined on days 2, 4, and 6. Experimental catheterization rat model was conducted with pre-coating of TOH and voriconazole or an uncoated control and an infection with S. apiospermum. Biofilm formation on the catheter luminal surface was assessed using the scanning electron microscopy, crystal violet, and 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-ni-tro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-(phenylamino)-carbonyl-2H-tetra-zolium hydroxide (XTT) reduction assays. Brain and lung samples of catheterized rats were histopathologically assessed. Serum samples from catheterized rats were injected into Galleria mellonella larvae. Survival of catheterized rats and G. mellonella was determined. Results TOH impeded the growth of S. apiospermum by reducing the colony diameter in a dose-dependent manner. TOH coating remarkably lessened S. apiospermum biofilm formation and fungal cell viability on the catheter luminal surface. Additionally, TOH coating lessens cerebral edema that is associated with abscess and invasive pulmonary damages due to S. apiospermum catheter-related infection. Furthermore, TOH coating also lessened the virulence of S. apiospermum in sera of experimental catheterized rats and extended the survival rate of larvae Galleria mellonella infection model. Conclusion An alternative modification of catheter by coating with TOH is effective in preventing S. apiospermum colonization in vivo. Our study gives a new strategy to control catheter contamination and prevents nosocomial diseases due to S. apiospermum infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thitinan Kitisin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Watcharamat Muangkaew
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sumate Ampawong
- Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Passanesh Sukphopetch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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35
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Francisconi RS, Huacho PMM, Tonon CC, Bordini EAF, Correia MF, Sardi JDCO, Spolidorio DMP. Antibiofilm efficacy of tea tree oil and of its main component terpinen-4-ol against Candida albicans. Braz Oral Res 2020; 34:e050. [PMID: 32578760 DOI: 10.1590/1807-3107bor-2020.vol34.0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. The increase in its incidence has been associated with resistance to antimicrobial therapy and biofilm formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of tea tree oil (TTO) and its main component - terpinen-4-ol - against resistant Candida albicans strains (genotypes A and B) identified by molecular typing and against C. albicans ATCC 90028 and SC 5314 reference strains in planktonic and biofilm cultures. The minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum fungicidal concentration, and rate of biofilm development were used to evaluate antifungal activity. Results were obtained from analysis of the biofilm using the cell proliferation assay 2,3-Bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Terpinen-4-ol and TTO inhibited C. albicans growth. CLSM confirmed that 17.92 mg/mL of TTO and 8.86 mg/mL of terpinen-4-ol applied for 60 s (rinse simulation) interfered with biofilm formation. Hence, this in vitro study revealed that natural substances such as TTO and terpinen-4-ol present promising results for the treatment of oral candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Serignoli Francisconi
- Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, School of Dentistry of Araraquara, Department of Physiology and Pathology, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Patricia Milagros Maquera Huacho
- Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, School of Dentistry of Araraquara, Department of Physiology and Pathology, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Caroline Coradi Tonon
- Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, School of Dentistry of Araraquara, Department of Physiology and Pathology, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Ester Alves Ferreira Bordini
- Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, School of Dentistry of Araraquara, Department of Physiology and Pathology, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Marília Ferreira Correia
- Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, School of Dentistry of Araraquara, Department of Physiology and Pathology, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Janaína de Cássia Orlandi Sardi
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Unicamp, School of Dentistry of Piracicaba, Department of Physiological Sciences, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
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Mei Y, Jiang T, Zou Y, Wang Y, Zhou J, Li J, Liu L, Tan J, Wei L, Li J, Dai H, Peng Y, Zhang L, Lopez-Ribot JL, Shapiro RS, Chen C, Liu NN, Wang H. FDA Approved Drug Library Screening Identifies Robenidine as a Repositionable Antifungal. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:996. [PMID: 32582050 PMCID: PMC7283467 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the increasing prevalence of pathogenic fungal infections, the emergence of antifungal resistant clinical isolates worldwide, and the limited arsenal of available antifungals, developing new antifungal strategies is imperative. In this study, we screened a library of 1068 FDA-approved drugs to identify hits that exhibit broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Robenidine, an anticoccidial agent which has been widely used to treat coccidian infections of poultry and rabbits, was identified in this screen. Physiological concentration of robenidine (8 μM) was able to significantly inhibit yeast cell growth, filamentation and biofilm formation of Candida albicans – the most extensively studied human fungal pathogen. Moreover, we observed a broad-spectrum antifungal activity of this compound against fluconazole resistant clinical isolates of C. albicans, as well as a wide range of other clinically relevant fungal pathogens. Intriguingly, robenidine-treated C. albicans cells were hypersensitive to diverse cell wall stressors, and analysis of the cell wall structure by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the cell wall was severely damaged by robenidine, implying that this compound may target the cell wall integrity signaling pathway. Indeed, upon robenidine treatment, we found a dose dependent increase in the phosphorylation of the cell wall integrity marker Mkc1, which was decreased after prolonged exposure. Finally, we provide evidence by RNA-seq and qPCR that Rlm1, the downstream transcription factor of Mkc1, may represent a potential target of robenidine. Therefore, our data suggest that robenidine, a FDA approved anti-coccidiosis drug, displays a promising and broadly effective antifungal strategy, and represents a potentially repositionable candidate for the treatment of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yikun Mei
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Jiang
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Zou
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Zhou
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinyang Li
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingcong Tan
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Luqi Wei
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingquan Li
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huanqin Dai
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yibing Peng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lixin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jose L Lopez-Ribot
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.,South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Rebecca S Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Changbin Chen
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning-Ning Liu
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Lin MF, Lin YY, Lan CY. Characterization of biofilm production in different strains of Acinetobacter baumannii and the effects of chemical compounds on biofilm formation. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9020. [PMID: 32523805 PMCID: PMC7261477 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii, an important emerging pathogen of nosocomial infections, is known for its ability to form biofilms. Biofilm formation increases the survival rate of A. baumannii on dry surfaces and may contribute to its persistence in the hospital environment, which increases the probability of nosocomial infections and outbreaks. This study was undertaken to characterize the biofilm production of different strains of A. baumannii and the effects of chemical compounds, especially antibiotics, on biofilm formation. In this study, no statistically significant relationship was observed between the ability to form a biofilm and the antimicrobial susceptibility of the A. baumannii clinical isolates. Biofilm formation caused by A. baumannii ATCC 17978 after gene knockout of two-component regulatory system gene baeR, efflux pump genes emrA/emrB and outer membrane coding gene ompA revealed that all mutant strains had less biofilm formation than the wild-type strain, which was further supported by the images from scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The addition of amikacin, colistin, LL-37 or tannic acid decreased the biofilm formation ability of A. baumannii. In contrast, the addition of lower subinhibitory concentration tigecycline increased the biofilm formation ability of A. baumannii. Minimum biofilm eradication concentrations of amikacin, imipenem, colistin, and tigecycline were increased obviously for both wild type and multidrug resistant clinical strain A. baumannii VGH2. In conclusion, the biofilm formation ability of A. baumannii varied in different strains, involved many genes and could be influenced by many chemical compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Feng Lin
- Department of Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Chu-Tung Branch, Hsinchu County, Taiwan
| | - Yun-You Lin
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Yu Lan
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.,Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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38
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Clitherow KH, Binaljadm TM, Hansen J, Spain SG, Hatton PV, Murdoch C. Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Released from Polymeric Electrospun Patches Inhibit Candida albicans Growth and Reduce the Biofilm Viability. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:4087-4095. [PMID: 32685674 PMCID: PMC7362581 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Oral candidiasis is a very common oral condition among susceptible individuals, with the main causative organism being the fungus Candida albicans. Current drug delivery systems to the oral mucosa are often ineffective because of short drug/tissue contact times as well as increased prevalence of drug-resistant Candida strains. We evaluated the potency of saturated fatty acids as antifungal agents and investigated their delivery by novel electrospun mucoadhesive oral patches using agar disk diffusion and biofilm assays. Octanoic (C8) and nonanoic (C9) acids were the most effective at inhibiting C. albicans growth on disk diffusion assays, both in solution or when released from polycaprolactone (PCL) or polyvinylpyrrolidone/RS100 (PVP/RS100) electrospun patches. In contrast, dodecanoic acid (C12) displayed the most potent antifungal activity against pre-existing C. albicans biofilms in solution or when released by PCL or PVP/RS100 patches. Both free and patch-released saturated fatty acids displayed a significant toxicity to wild-type and azole-resistant strains of C. albicans. These data not only provide evidence that certain saturated fatty acids have the potential to be used as antifungal agents but also demonstrate that this therapy could be delivered directly to Candida-infected sites using electrospun mucoadhesive patches, demonstrating a potential new therapeutic approach to treat oral thrush.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina H Clitherow
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, 19 Claremont Crescent, Sheffield S10 2TA, U.K
| | - Tahani M Binaljadm
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, 19 Claremont Crescent, Sheffield S10 2TA, U.K
| | - Jens Hansen
- Afyx Therapeutics, Lergravsej 57, 2. tv, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sebastian G Spain
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K
| | - Paul V Hatton
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, 19 Claremont Crescent, Sheffield S10 2TA, U.K
| | - Craig Murdoch
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, 19 Claremont Crescent, Sheffield S10 2TA, U.K
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Iron Metabolism, Pseudohypha Production, and Biofilm Formation through a Multicopper Oxidase in the Human-Pathogenic Fungus Candida parapsilosis. mSphere 2020; 5:5/3/e00227-20. [PMID: 32404511 PMCID: PMC7227767 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00227-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
C. parapsilosis is the second or third most common opportunistic human-pathogenic Candida species, being responsible for severe fungal infections among immunocompromised patients, especially low-birth-weight infants (0 to 2 years of age). Among the major virulence factors that pathogenic fungi possess is the ability to compete with the host for essential micronutrients, including iron. Accessible iron is required for the maintenance of several metabolic processes. In order to obtain accessible iron from the host, pathogenic fungi have developed several iron acquisition and metabolic mechanisms. Although C. parapsilosis is a frequent cause of invasive candidiasis, little is known about what iron metabolic processes this fungus possesses that could contribute to the species’ virulent behavior. In this study, we identified the multicopper oxidase FET3 gene that regulates iron homeostasis maintenance and also plays important roles in the morphology of the fungus as well as in biofilm formation, two additional factors in fungal virulence. Among all the essential micronutrients, iron plays an important role in mammalian biology. It is also essential for pathogens infecting mammalian hosts, including bacteria, fungi, and protozoans. As the availability of accessible iron is limited within the mammalian host, several human-pathogenic fungal pathogens, such as Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida glabrata, and Aspergillus fumigatus, have developed various iron uptake mechanisms. Although Candida parapsilosis is the second or third most common non-albicans Candida species associated with systemic and superficial Candida infections in immunocompromised patients, the mechanisms of iron uptake and homoeostasis remain unknown in this fungus. In the current report, we show that a homologue of the multicopper oxidase gene FET3 is present in the genome of C. parapsilosis (CPAR2_603600) and plays a significant role in iron acquisition. We found that homozygous deletion mutants of CPAR2_603600 showed defects under low-iron conditions and were also sensitive to various stressors. Our results also revealed that the levels of pseudohypha formation and biofilm formation were reduced in the null mutants compared to the wild type. This phenotypic defect could be partially rescued by supplementation with excess iron in the growth medium. The expression levels of the orthologues of various iron metabolism-related genes were also altered in the mutants compared to the parental strain. In conclusion, our report describes the role of CPAR2_603600 in iron homoeostasis maintenance as well as morphology and biofilm formation regulation in this pathogenic fungus. IMPORTANCEC. parapsilosis is the second or third most common opportunistic human-pathogenic Candida species, being responsible for severe fungal infections among immunocompromised patients, especially low-birth-weight infants (0 to 2 years of age). Among the major virulence factors that pathogenic fungi possess is the ability to compete with the host for essential micronutrients, including iron. Accessible iron is required for the maintenance of several metabolic processes. In order to obtain accessible iron from the host, pathogenic fungi have developed several iron acquisition and metabolic mechanisms. Although C. parapsilosis is a frequent cause of invasive candidiasis, little is known about what iron metabolic processes this fungus possesses that could contribute to the species’ virulent behavior. In this study, we identified the multicopper oxidase FET3 gene that regulates iron homeostasis maintenance and also plays important roles in the morphology of the fungus as well as in biofilm formation, two additional factors in fungal virulence.
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Virulence Characteristics of mecA-Positive Multidrug-Resistant Clinical Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8050659. [PMID: 32369929 PMCID: PMC7284987 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8050659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are an important group of opportunistic pathogenic microorganisms that cause infections in hospital settings and are generally resistant to many antimicrobial agents. We report on phenotypic and genotypic virulence characteristics of a select group of clinical, mecA-positive (encoding penicillin-binding protein 2a) CoNS isolates. All CoNS were resistant to two or more antimicrobials with S. epidermidis strain 214EP, showing resistance to fifteen of the sixteen antimicrobial agents tested. Aminoglycoside-resistance genes were the ones most commonly detected. The presence of megaplasmids containing both horizontal gene transfer and antimicrobial resistance genetic determinants indicates that CoNS may disseminate antibiotic resistance to other bacteria. Staphylococcus sciuri species produced six virulence enzymes, including a DNase, gelatinase, lipase, phosphatase, and protease that are suspected to degrade tissues into nutrients for bacterial growth and contribute to the pathogenicity of CoNS. The PCR assay for the detection of biofilm-associated genes found the eno (encoding laminin-binding protein) gene in all isolates. Measurement of their biofilm-forming ability and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient analyses revealed that the results of crystal violet (CV) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) assays were significantly correlated (ρ = 0.9153, P = 3.612e-12). The presence of virulence factors, biofilm-formation capability, extracellular enzymes, multidrug resistance, and gene transfer markers in mecA-positive CoNS clinical strains used in this study makes them powerful opportunistic pathogens. The study also warrants a careful evaluation of nosocomial infections caused by CoNS and may be useful in studying the mechanism of virulence and factors associated with their pathogenicity in vivo and developing effective strategies for mitigation.
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Fakhruddin KS, Perera Samaranayake L, Egusa H, Chi Ngo H, Panduwawala C, Venkatachalam T, Kumarappan A, Pesee S. Candida biome of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) and its cariogenic virulence traits. J Oral Microbiol 2020; 12:1724484. [PMID: 32128040 PMCID: PMC7034489 DOI: 10.1080/20002297.2020.1724484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The protected niche of deep-caries lesions is a distinctive ecosystem. We assessed the Candida biome and its cariogenic traits from dentin samples of 50 children with severe-early childhood caries (S-ECC). Asymptomatic, primary molars belonging to International Caries Detection and Assessment-ICDAS caries-code 5 and 6 were analyzed, and C. albicans (10-isolates), C. tropicalis (10), C. krusei (10), and C. glabrata (5) isolated from the lesions were then evaluated for their biofilm formation, acidogenicity, and the production of secreted hydrolases: hemolysins, phospholipase, proteinase and DNase. Candida were isolated from 14/43 ICDAS-5 lesions (32.5%) and 44/57 ICDAS-6 lesions (77.2%). Compared to, ICDAS-5, a significantly higher frequency of multi-species infestation was observed in ICDAS-6 lesions (p=0.001). All four candidal species (above) showed prolific biofilm growth, and an equal potency for tooth demineralization. A significant interspecies difference in the mean phospholipase, as well as proteinase activity was noted (p < 0.05), with C. albicans being the predominant hydrolase producer. Further, a positive correlation between phospholipase and proteinase activity of Candida-isolates was noted (r = 0.818, p < 0.001). Our data suggest that candidal mycobiota with their potent cariogenic traits may significantly contribute to the development and progression of S-ECC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lakshman Perera Samaranayake
- Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE.,Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Hiroshi Egusa
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hien Chi Ngo
- Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Chamila Panduwawala
- Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | | | - Allagappan Kumarappan
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Siripen Pesee
- Faculty of Dentistry, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
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Shrief R, Zaki MES, El-Sehsah EM, Ghaleb S, Mofreh M. Study of Antifungal Susceptibility, Virulence Genes and Biofilm Formation in Candida albicans. Open Microbiol J 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/1874285801913010241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background:
Candida albicans has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen. The morbidity and mortality associated with this pathogen are related to the presence of virulence genes and antifungal resistance. The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of antifungal resistance, biofilm formation and some virulence genes such as ALS1, PLB1, INT1, SAP1 and HWP1, among clinical isolates of Candida albicans recovered from immunocompromised patients.
Methods:
The study included one hundred C. albicans isolates identified phenotypically and by a molecular technique using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The identified C. albicans was further subjected to antifungal study by the microdilution method, biofilm study and molecular study for virulence genes by PCR.
Results:
The resistance to antifungal drugs, fluconazole, caspofungin and itraconazole was 8% for each of them and for amphotericin B, it was 9%. The prevalence of the studied virulence genes was HWP1 77%, INT1 72%, ALS1 65%, SAP1 65% and PLB1 52%. The biofilm capacity was identified by the microplate method in 58% of C. albicans. The OD was intense in 20 isolates, moderate in 21 isolates and mild in 17 isolates. There was a statistically significant increase in the prevalence of the studied virulence genes INT1, ALS1, HWP1, SAP1 and PLB1 among biofilm forming C. albicans as compared to non-biofilm forming isolates (P=0.0001). Additionally, the resistance to fluconazole, itraconazole and caspofungin was statistically, significantly higher in C. albicans with the capacity to form biofilm as compared to non-biofilm forming C. albicans.
Conclusion:
The present study highlights the prevalence of resistance to antifungal drugs among C. albicans which are not uncommon. Moreover, there was a high prevalence of INT1, ALS1, HWP1, SAP1 and PLB1 genes in C. albicans. The resistance to antifungal drugs was common among isolates with the capacity to form the biofilm. There was an association between the biofilm formation and virulence genes.
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Salazar VA, Arranz-Trullén J, Prats-Ejarque G, Torrent M, Andreu D, Pulido D, Boix E. Insight into the Antifungal Mechanism of Action of Human RNase N-terminus Derived Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184558. [PMID: 31540052 PMCID: PMC6770517 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a polymorphic fungus responsible for mucosal and skin infections. Candida cells establish themselves into biofilm communities resistant to most currently available antifungal agents. An increase of severe infections ensuing in fungal septic shock in elderly or immunosuppressed patients, along with the emergence of drug-resistant strains, urge the need for the development of alternative antifungal agents. In the search for novel antifungal drugs our laboratory demonstrated that two human ribonucleases from the vertebrate-specific RNaseA superfamily, hRNase3 and hRNase7, display a high anticandidal activity. In a previous work, we proved that the N-terminal region of the RNases was sufficient to reproduce most of the parental protein bactericidal activity. Next, we explored their potency against a fungal pathogen. Here, we have tested the N-terminal derived peptides that correspond to the eight human canonical RNases (RN1-8) against planktonic cells and biofilms of C. albicans. RN3 and RN7 peptides displayed the most potent inhibitory effect with a mechanism of action characterized by cell-wall binding, membrane permeabilization and biofilm eradication activities. Both peptides are able to eradicate planktonic and sessile cells, and to alter their gene expression, reinforcing its role as a lead candidate to develop novel antifungal and antibiofilm therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian A Salazar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Javier Arranz-Trullén
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Guillem Prats-Ejarque
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Marc Torrent
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - David Andreu
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - David Pulido
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Ester Boix
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
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Sah P, Patel P, Chandrashekar C, Martena S, Ballal M, Hegde M, Guddattu V, Murdoch C, Sharma M, Radhakrishnan R. Oral candidal carriage correlates with CD4 + cell count but not with HIV and highly active antiretroviral therapy status. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 10:e12438. [PMID: 31313889 DOI: 10.1111/jicd.12438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
AIM The occurrence of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) may be influenced by oral candidal carriage (OCC). Although OPC is strongly associated with low CD4+ cell count (400-700 cells/mm3 ) and a lack of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the effect of these two parameters on OCC is debatable. We investigated the oral candidal carriage, species diversity, antifungal susceptibility and the association of OCC with CD4+ cell count and HAART. METHODS Oral candidal isolates from 120 HIV+ patients (60 receiving and 60 not receiving HAART) and 60 healthy controls were quantified, and their species determined using standard culture and biochemical methods, followed by antifungal susceptibility testing using the agar dilution method. RESULTS The OCC was significantly higher in HIV+ patients; Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species in both groups, followed by Candida tropicalis. Candidal density carriage correlated significantly with CD4+ cell count, but not with HIV and HAART status. Among the isolates from HIV+ patients, 35.4% showed reduced susceptibility to fluconazole. CONCLUSION HIV status results in significantly elevated rates of OCC C albicans remains the predominant pathogen, although other species are emerging rapidly. Resistance to fluconazole is on the rise, and more efficient treatment strategies need to be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pratik Patel
- Clinical Oral Pathologist, Oroscan Diagnostics, Surat, Gujarat, India
| | - Chetana Chandrashekar
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Suganthi Martena
- Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Mamatha Ballal
- Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Manjayya Hegde
- Antiretroviral Treatment Centre, Government District Hospital, Udupi, India
| | - Vasudeva Guddattu
- Department of Statistics, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Craig Murdoch
- Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine and Surgery, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Mohit Sharma
- Department of Oral Pathology, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, India
| | - Raghu Radhakrishnan
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
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Screening of Candida albicans GRACE library revealed a unique pattern of biofilm formation under repression of the essential gene ILS1. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9187. [PMID: 31235750 PMCID: PMC6591175 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45624-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans biofilm formation is governed by a regulatory circuit comprising nine transcription factors which control a network of target genes. However, there are still unknown genes contributing to biofilm features. Thus, the GRACE library was screened to identify genes involved in mature biofilm development. Twenty-nine conditional mutants were selected for a second screening revealing three groups of genes: twenty- two conditional mutants were defective for normal growth and unable to form biofilms; six strains, conditionally defective in genes ARC40, ARC35, ORF19.2438, SKP1, ERG6, and ADE5,7 that are likely essential or involved in general cell processes, grew normally as free-floating cells but produced less biofilm; finally, the conditional strain for a putative essential isoleucyl- tRNA synthetase gene, ILS1, was unable to grow as yeast-phase cells but was capable of producing a tridimensional biofilm structure in spite of reduced metabolic activity. This unique biofilm still relied on the classical biofilm genes, while it differentially induced groups of genes involved in adhesion, protein synthesis, cell wall organization, and protein folding. Although the conditional mutant repressed genes annotated for morphology and homeostasis processes affecting morphology and metabolism, the dynamic cell growth enabled the formation of a complex biofilm community independent of ILS1.
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Biodegradable cross-linked chitosan nanoparticles improve anti-Candida and anti-biofilm activity of TistH, a peptide identified in the venom gland of the Tityus stigmurus scorpion. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2019; 103:109830. [PMID: 31349502 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2019.109830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Among several bioactive peptides identified from the venom glands of the Tityus stigmurus scorpion, one peptide with hypotensive action (TistH, Tityus stigmurus Hypotensin) showed multifunctional and biotechnological applications. The maximum efficacy of this class of compounds can be achieved by immobilizing it in specific and suitable biomaterials or suitable carriers. In this study, distinct entrapment methods of TistH in chitosan nanoparticles was tested using its incorporation (CN-TistH-Inc) or adsorption (CN-TistH-Ads) methods by ionotropic gelification. Physico-chemical properties as well as biocompatibility and antifungal efficacy were assessed for different samples. Atomic force microscopy and field emission gun scanning electronic microscopy images associated with particle size measurements demonstrated that the two methods induced cationic spherical, small (< 160 nm), and narrow-sized (PdI about 0.3) nanoparticles, even after peptide loading greater than 96.5%, which was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The colloidal suspensions showed to be stable for 8 weeks and were able to induce the desired slow in vitro peptide release. Cytotoxicity assays performed in normal cells originated from murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) and kidneys of African green monkeys (Vero E6) suggested biocompatibility of samples. The CN-TistH-Inc and CN-TistH-Ads showed a minimal inhibitory concentration of 89.2 μg.mL-1 against Candida albicans, 11.1 μg.mL-1 for C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis, confirmed by minimum fungicidal concentrations assay. Moreover, the TistH-loaded cross-linked chitosan nanoparticles significantly reduced the biofilm formation of clinical yeast sepsis of C. tropicalis and C. krusei, as well as clinical yeasts of vulvovaginal candidiasis of C. albicans. In this approach, biodegradable nanocarriers prepared using simple and reproducible methods demonstrated the ability to deliver the TistH peptide from T. stigmurus and improve its antifungal efficacy.
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Rane HS, Hayek SR, Frye JE, Abeyta EL, Bernardo SM, Parra KJ, Lee SA. Candida albicans Pma1p Contributes to Growth, pH Homeostasis, and Hyphal Formation. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1012. [PMID: 31143168 PMCID: PMC6521590 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans occupies diverse ecological niches within the host and must tolerate a wide range of environmental pH. The plasma membrane H+-ATPase Pma1p is the major regulator of cytosolic pH in fungi. Pma1p extrudes protons from the cytosol to maintain neutral-to-alkaline pH and is a potential drug target due to its essentiality and fungal specificity. We characterized mutants in which one allele of PMA1 has been deleted and the other truncated by 18–38 amino acids. Increasing C-terminal truncation caused corresponding decreases in plasma membrane ATPase-specific activity and cytosolic pH. Pma1p is regulated by glucose: glucose rapidly activates the ATPase, causing a sharp increase in cytosolic pH. Increasing Pma1p truncation severely impaired this glucose response. Pma1p truncation also altered cation responses, disrupted vacuolar morphology and pH, and reduced filamentation competence. Early studies of cytosolic pH and filamentation have described a rapid, transient alkalinization of the cytosol preceding germ tube formation; Pma1p has been proposed as a regulator of this process. We find Pma1p plays a role in the establishment of cell polarity, and distribution of Pma1p is non-homogenous in emerging hyphae. These findings suggest a role of PMA1 in cytosolic alkalinization and in the specialized form of polarized growth that is filamentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hallie S Rane
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Summer R Hayek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Jillian E Frye
- Section of Infectious Diseases, New Mexico VA Healthcare System, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Esteban L Abeyta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Stella M Bernardo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Karlett J Parra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Samuel A Lee
- Medicine Service, White River Junction VA Medical Center, White River Junction, VT, United States.,Infectious Disease Section, Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States
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Vieira de Melo AP, Zuza-Alves DL, da Silva-Rocha WP, Ferreira Canário de Souza LB, Francisco EC, Salles de Azevedo Melo A, Maranhão Chaves G. Virulence factors of Candida spp. obtained from blood cultures of patients with candidemia attended at tertiary hospitals in Northeast Brazil. J Mycol Med 2019; 29:132-139. [PMID: 30876744 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Yeasts of the Candida genus are one of the most common causes of bloodstream infections associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, mainly affecting immunocompromised patients. We aimed to identify yeasts obtained from blood cultures of patients interned at tertiary hospitals in Brazil. METHODS We evaluated some of the major virulence factors of Candida spp., including the ability to adhere to human buccal epithelial cells, biofilm formation, hemolytic and phospholipase activity. RESULTS We analyzed 70 isolates of Candida spp. obtained from March 2011 and March 2015. Candida spp. showed different peculiarities in terms of expression of virulence factors evaluated in vitro. C. albicans strains were more adherent to HBEC than all the other Candida species. C. tropicalis strains were considered strong biofilm producers. Strains belonging to the C. parapsilosis species complex were able to produce hemolysins, while C. glabrata was also able to lyse erythrocytes and to produce phospholipase. CONCLUSION These results suggest that Non-Candida albicans Candida species are also able to express virulence factors which play an important role in bloodstream infectious caused by these yeasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Vieira de Melo
- Natal City, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - D L Zuza-Alves
- Natal City, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - W P da Silva-Rocha
- Natal City, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - L B Ferreira Canário de Souza
- Natal City, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - E C Francisco
- São Paulo City, Laboratório Especial de Micologia, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A Salles de Azevedo Melo
- São Paulo City, Laboratório Especial de Micologia, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - G Maranhão Chaves
- Natal City, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
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Arora DS, Mahajan H. Major Phytoconstituents of Prunus cerasoides Responsible for Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Potential Against Some Reference Strains of Pathogenic Bacteria and Clinical Isolates of MRSA. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2019; 188:1185-1204. [PMID: 30854606 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-019-02985-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Prunus cerasoides is a traditionally well known for human health in various ways and particularly its bark is reported to possess high therapeutic applications in wound healing, foot and mouth disease, and indigestion etc. But there is scanty literature available on its systematic studies and phytoconstituents responsible for antimicrobial activity so the work is proposed. The main aim of this study is to reveal the phytoconstituents responsible for antimicrobial and antibiofilm action to demonstrate the effectiveness of such compounds by extrapolating the data using clinical isolates of pathogenic bacteria. In the present study, evaluation of P. cerasoides organic extract and phytoconstituents for their antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential against reference microbial strains was carried out. Antimicrobial potential was carried out using agar diffusion assay and biosafety of organic extract and its phytoconstituents was evaluated by MTT and Ames mutagenicity assay. Ethyl acetate was found to be the best organic extractant, where Klebsiella pneumoniae 1 (39.5 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (22.5 mm) were the most sensitive microorganisms, respectively. Among the major phytoconstituents, flavonoids (14.5-33.5mm), diterpenes (14-28.7 mm), and cardiac glycosides (11.5-20.5mm) exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Ethyl acetate extract showed better potency with lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (0.1-10 mg/ml) than the most active partially purified phytoconstituents (0.5-10 mg/ml). Total activity potency for ethyl acetate extract ranged from 26.66-2666 ml/g and for flavonoids, it was 41-410 ml/g, thus considered as highly potent and bactericidal in nature as evidenced from VCC study. The major bioactive compounds were found to be biosafe. The most active phytoconstituents were found to have antibiofilm potential, as well as effective against clinical isolates of MRSA, thus, the findings indicate that P. cerasoides stem bark could be a potential source for development of broad-spectrum drugs against multidrug-resistant bugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daljit Singh Arora
- Microbial Technology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India.
| | - Himadri Mahajan
- Microbial Technology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India
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50
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Modiri M, Khodavaisy S, Barac A, Akbari Dana M, Nazemi L, Aala F, Salehi M, Rezaie S. Comparison of biofilm-producing ability of clinical isolates of Candida parapsilosis species complex. J Mycol Med 2019; 29:140-146. [PMID: 30871787 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Candida parapsilosis is one of the main emerging non-Candida albicans species leading to superficial and systemic fungal infections in humans. Candida has the ability to produce biofilms associated with pathogenesis. The aim of the study was to estimate biofilm-producing ability of clinical isolates of C. parapsilosis sp. complex. METHODS Clinical samples of C. parapsilosis complex have been analyzed. Crystal violet (CV) staining and tetrazolium reduction assay (MTT) have been used to analyze the clinical isolates ability to produce biofilms. The biofilm's structural characteristics have been assessed by using scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS All 65 isolates were able to form biofilm. In addition, no significant difference was found between biofilm quantification based on two assays at different time intervals (24h, 48h, 72h, 96h) (P>0.05), with the exception of Candida orthopsilosis, which exhibited higher metabolic activity at 24h time point (P<0.05). Moreover, metabolic activity and production of biofilm biomass demonstrated statistically significant correlation (r=0.685, P<0.01). According to microscopic observations, the investigated clinical strains formed the similar surface topography with the slight differences in morphology; in addition, there was no statistically significant difference between efficiency of two assays to quantify biofilm. CONCLUSION It was shown that, similar to C. parapsilosissensu stricto, two cryptic identified species (C. orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis) obtained from different clinical samples, were biofilm producers, while C. parapsilosissensu stricto exhibited the highest biofilm production.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Modiri
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - S Khodavaisy
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Zoonoses Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
| | - A Barac
- Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - M Akbari Dana
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - L Nazemi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - F Aala
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - M Salehi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - S Rezaie
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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