Highlights in pathogenic fungal biofilms

Sardi, Janaína de Cássia Orlandi; Pitangui, Nayla de Souza; Rodríguez-Arellanes, Gabriela; Taylor, Mária Lucía; Fusco-Almeida, A. M.; Mendes-Giannini, María José Soares

doi:10.1016/j.riam.2013.09.014

Cited by 128 publications

(89 citation statements)

References 136 publications

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“…Biofilm formation provides several advantages for the microorganisms, including protection against host immune attack, resistance to antimicrobial agents, increased virulence, communication and metabolic cooperation Loussert et al 2010;Müller et al 2011;Sardi et al 2014;Santos et al 2015). For these reasons, biofilm establishment is the predominant growth style of many opportunistic fungal pathogens, including Candida spp., Trichosporon spp., Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Trichophyton spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of biofilm formation by Scedosporium apiospermum, S. aurantiacum, S. minutisporum and Lomentospora prolificans

et al. 2016

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Reported herein is the ability of Scedosporium apiospermum, S. aurantiacum, S. minutisporum and Lomentospora prolificans conidia to adhere, differentiate into hyphae and form biofilms on both polystyrene and lung epithelial cells. To different degrees, all of the fungi adhered to polystyrene after 4 h, with a predominance of those with germinated conidia. Prolonged fungi-polystyrene contact resulted in the formation of a monolayer of intertwined mycelia, which was identified as a typical biofilm structure due to the presence of a viable mycelial biomass, extracellular matrix and enhanced antifungal resistance. Ultrastructural details were revealed by SEM and CLSM, showing the dense compaction of the mycelial biomass and the presence of channels within the organized biofilm. A similar biofilm structure was observed following the co-culture of each fungus with A549 cells, revealing a mycelial trap covering all of the lung epithelial monolayer. Collectively, these results highlight the potential for biofilm formation by these clinically relevant fungal pathogens.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of biofilm formation by Scedosporium apiospermum, S. aurantiacum, S. minutisporum and Lomentospora prolificans

et al. 2016

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“…However, despite the two options available, infections due to Candida spp. related to biofilm formation are extremely difficult to eradicate, requiring the removal of infected medical devices (23), which is not always possible (24). These findings illustrate the reduced number of drugs available for the treatment of fungal infections associated with biofilm formation and point to the urgent need to search for new molecules with antifungal activity not only against planktonic cells but also against biofilms.…”

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confidence: 99%

In Vitro Activity of Miltefosine against Candida albicans under Planktonic and Biofilm Growth Conditions and In Vivo Efficacy in a Murine Model of Oral Candidiasis

Vila

Chaturvedi

Rozental

et al. 2015

Antimicrob Agents Chemother

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The generation of a new antifungal against Candida albicans biofilms has become a major priority, since biofilm formation by this opportunistic pathogenic fungus is usually associated with an increased resistance to azole antifungal drugs and treatment failures. Miltefosine is an alkyl phospholipid with promising antifungal activity. Here, we report that, when tested under planktonic conditions, miltefosine displays potent in vitro activity against multiple fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant C. albicans clinical isolates, including isolates overexpressing efflux pumps and/or with well-characterized Erg11 mutations. Moreover, miltefosine inhibits C. albicans biofilm formation and displays activity against preformed biofilms. Serial passage experiments confirmed that miltefosine has a reduced potential to elicit resistance, and screening of a library of C. albicans transcription factor mutants provided additional insight into the activity of miltefosine against C. albicans growing under planktonic and biofilm conditions. Finally, we demonstrate the in vivo efficacy of topical treatment with miltefosine in the murine model of oropharyngeal candidiasis. Overall, our results confirm the potential of miltefosine as a promising antifungal drug candidate, in particular for the treatment of azole-resistant and biofilm-associated superficial candidiasis.T he recent elevated incidence of fungal infections is related to the indiscriminate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and corticosteroids, the increase in the number of invasive medical procedures, and the AIDS epidemic. The persistence of these infections is usually associated with the fungal ability to form biofilms on implantable medical devices (1). Candida spp. can adhere and form biofilms on the surface of different medical devices (such as catheters, prostheses, pacemakers, and heart valves) and on the mucosal surface, leading to a superficial infection with a complex structure in which hyphae, pseudohyphae, and yeasts grow surrounded by a dense extracellular matrix, composed mainly of proteins, polysaccharides, and extracellular DNA (eDNA) (2). Hematogenous dissemination may occur due to the detachment of yeasts from the top layer of the biofilm, a phenomenon known as dispersion (3). Candida albicans is the third leading cause of infections related to the use of catheters (4, 5). Development of candidemia during hospitalization when central venous catheters are used can happen in 72% of cases in Latin America (6), and the worldwide mortality rate for catheter-related candidemia can reach 41% (7). Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is characterized by Candida growth as a biofilm over the tongue and oral mucosa. OPC has been described as the most frequent opportunistic fungal infection among HIV-positive patients, and it is estimated that more than 90% of these patients develop this infection at some time during the progression of their disease (8, 9).The increased resistance to antifungal agents is the main clinical complication associated with biofilm formation. ...

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“…Bacterial keratitis, especially contact lens-associated infection, is caused by both Gram negative pathogens, such as P. aeruginosa and Serratia spp., and Gram positive organisms, such as S. aureus [6] and other staphylococcal species [5,7]. The recognition of fungal biofilms brought attention to nosocomial infections and now it is believed that several fungal genera are capable of organizing into a biofilm [8]. Here in this review, we will be discussing theformation of fungal biofilms and its role in fungal keratitis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of Biofilms in Fungal Keratitis- An Overview

Sharma

Singh

Goel

et al. 2017

JBMOA

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Biofilms are generally defined as a community of sessile microbes held together by a polymeric extracellular matrix (ECM), adherent to a surface that are phenotypic ally distinct from their plank tonic counterparts. Fungal keratitis is an important cause of ocular morbidity in the form of corneal opacity and visual loss, especially in developing countries. Predisposing factors for fungal keratitis include tropical or subtropical climate, agricultural work, contact lens users and corneal trauma. Fungal keratitis is most commonly caused by filamentous fungi like Fusarium spp. (F. solani and F. oxysporum) followed by Aspergillus spp. and dematiaceous fungi. Fungal biofilm formation plays an important role in the development of fungal keratitis. Here in this review, we will be discussing the formation of biofilms and its role in fungal keratitis. Keywords: Fungal KeratitisFungal keratitis is an important cause of ocular morbidity in the form of corneal opacity and visual loss especially in developing countries, where it may account for nearly half of corneal ulcers [23]. Predisposing factors for fungal keratitis include tropical or subtropical climate, agricultural work, contact lens users and corneal trauma. Fungal keratitis is most commonly caused by filamentous fungi like Fusarium spp. (F. solani and F. oxysporonoxysporum) followed by Aspergillus spp. and dematiaceous fungi [23,24] (Figure 2). Contact Lens-Associated Fungal KeratitisHigh risk of fungal keratitis in contact lens wearers has been associated with the ability of the lens to induce modification of the corneal epithelium and to carry organisms to the ocular surface [25,26]. Use of lens induces local alterations like hypoxia and hypercapnia, which affect the ability of the epithelium to respond to damage. Tear fluid exchange may also be compromised between the anterior and posterior sides of the lens thereby limiting its antimicrobial properties [25]. In addition, contact lenses provide a surface where microorganisms may attach and colonize the surface as a biofilm and can spread to a previously damaged corneal epithelium [26]. Poor hygiene and infrequent replacement of the contact lens storage cases are independent risk factors for moderate and sever keratitis [27]. The incidence of contact lens-associated microbial keratitis has been shown to be impacted by thecontact lens material, and also by the wear schedule. Higher risk for development of keratitis was seen with daily wear soft contact lenses compared to daily wear rigid gas permeable lenses, and it was further increased for extended wear (overnight wear) soft contact lenses [28,29]. Recently introduced daily disposable and silicone hydrogel contact lenses have also been associated with higher incidence of keratitis compared to rigid gas permeable contact lenses [30,31]. Role of Contact Lenses in Biofilm FormationOnce the lens is placed on the surface of the eye, the disinfectant diffuses off the lens and is replaced by lipids and proteins present in the tear fluid [32]. Microbial adh...

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Highlights in pathogenic fungal biofilms

Cited by 128 publications

References 136 publications

Assessment of biofilm formation by Scedosporium apiospermum, S. aurantiacum, S. minutisporum and Lomentospora prolificans

Assessment of biofilm formation by Scedosporium apiospermum, S. aurantiacum, S. minutisporum and Lomentospora prolificans

In Vitro Activity of Miltefosine against Candida albicans under Planktonic and Biofilm Growth Conditions and In Vivo Efficacy in a Murine Model of Oral Candidiasis

Role of Biofilms in Fungal Keratitis- An Overview

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