Susceptibility ofCandida glabratabiofilms to echinocandins: alterations in the matrix composition

Abstract

Candidiases are the most recurrent fungal infections, especially among immunosuppressed patients. Although Candida albicans is still the most widespread isolated species, non-Candida albicans Candida species have been increasing. The goal of this work was to determine the susceptibility of C. glabrata biofilms to echinocandins and to evaluate their effect on the biofilm matrix composition, comparing the results with other Candida species. Drug susceptibilities were assessed through the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of caspofungin (Csf) and micafugin (Mcf). The β-1,3 glucans content of the matrices was assessed after contact with the drugs. The data suggest that, generally, after contact with echinocandins, the concentration of β-1,3 glucans increased. These adjustments in the matrix composition of C. glabrata biofilms and the chemical differences between Csf and Mcf, seem responsible and may determine the effectivity of the drug responses.

Opportunistic invasive fungal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus from Southern China: Clinical features and associated factors

“…However, that of C. glabrata seemed to increase from 0% to 12.3% during the past two decades. In addition, caspofungin shows a higher biomass reduction capacity compared with micafungin, implying that caspofungin might be superior to micafungin in treating biofilm‐forming fungi.…”

Candida sp. Infections in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

“…On average, the oral isolates of C. glabrata were considered strong biofilm producers, whereas C. albicans (the most common species) and C. tropicalis were moderate producers. This might be because C. glabrata has been shown to have a higher aggressiveness, producing a great quantity of biofilm matrices yet also increasing chitin concentrations in the cell walls [125,126,127].…”

Fungal Resistance to Echinocandins and the MDR Phenomenon in Candida glabrata

“…We have shown that treatment of colonized mice with a combination of caspofungin and the chitin synthase inhibitor Nikkomycin Z caused an increase in killing of C. glabrata within the murine GI tract and a decrease of dissemination upon immunosuppression [ 30 ]. In addition to the apparent compensation for β-glucan loss, recent studies have also noted the elevated expression of specific genes (e.g., BGL2 , XOG1 , GAS2 ) that are related to the replacement of β-1,3-glucans in the biofilm matrix following echinocandin exposure [ 54 , 55 ], which may also influence adaptation.…”