Gentian Violet Exhibits Activity against Biofilms Formed by Oral Candida Isolates Obtained from HIV-Infected Patients

Abstract

The effect of gentian violet against Candida albicans and non-Candida albicans biofilms formed on polymethylmethacrylate strips was evaluated using a dry weight assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The ability of gentian violet to inhibit Candida albicans germination was also assessed. Gentian violet activity against Candida biofilms was demonstrated by a reduction in dry weight, disruption of biofilm architecture, and reduced biofilm thickness. Additionally, gentian violet inhibited Candida germination in a concentrationdependent manner.

Gentian Violet: a 19th century drug re‐emerges in the 21st century

“…Gentian violet has shown excellent anticandidal efficacy in vitro , with significantly greater antimycotic activity against 91 candidal strains than other topical alternatives to fluconazole such as chlorhexidine and povidone iodine in one study , and a markedly lower minimal inhibitory concentration when compared with povidone iodine against 102 yeast isolates in a second study . GV has also been found to inhibit biofilms of Candida isolates taken from HIV‐infected patients in vitro .…”

Candida Biofilms: Development, Architecture, and Resistance

“…Several experimental agents are currently under investigation as potential antibiofilm drugs for Candida biofilms. These include chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite, zosteric acid, filastatin, EDTA/ethanol catheter lock solutions, gentian violet, and essential oils (62,79,(132)(133)(134)(135)(136)(137)(138)(139)(140)(141)(142). In addition, physical interventions such as low-level laser (143), photodynamic therapy (144)(145)(146)(147), and antimicrobial coating of catheters (148)(149)(150)(151) have also been proposed as possible therapeutic alternatives.…”

Peroxide alkaline for cleansing the baby bottle nipple to prevent oral thrush relaps

“…GV 1% activity against Candida biofilms was demonstrated by a reduction in dry weight, disruption of biofilm architecture, and reduced biofilm thickness. 9 So that in this case, GV 1% was as effective as Nystatin oral suspension for killing candida albicans.…”