In vitro effectiveness of anidulafungin against Candida sp. biofilms

J Antibiot (Tokyo). 2013 Dec;66(12):701-4. doi: 10.1038/ja.2013.83. Epub 2013 Sep 11.

Abstract

This study furnishes deeper insights to previous works on anidulafungin, demonstrating the potent activity against Candida strains planktonic cells and biofilms. Candida sp., associated with many biomaterial-related infections, give rise to infective pathologies typically associated with biofilm formation. We recently determined the in vitro antifungal activities of echinocandin anidulafungin in association with some antifungal drugs against some Candida strains in their planktonic states. A total of 11 Candida strains biofilms were tested in this study: six Candida albicans, three C. parapsilosis and two C. tropicalis. All yeast isolates and ATCC strains were stored at -20°C in glycerol stocks and were subcultured on antimicrobial agent-free Sabouraud dextrose agar plates. MIC endpoints were determined colorimetrically by using the indicator 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulphophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT) with menadione as electron-coupling agent. The activity of anidulafungin was assessed using in vitro microbiological model relevant for clinical practice. Anidulafungin showed a strong activity in vitro against both planktonic and biofilms cells, and our study confirms that high anidulafungin concentrations might establish paradoxical growth effect in C. albicans and C. tropicalis biofilms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anidulafungin
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / adverse effects
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Biofilms / growth & development
  • Candida / drug effects*
  • Candida / growth & development
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / growth & development
  • Candida tropicalis / drug effects
  • Candida tropicalis / growth & development
  • Candidiasis / prevention & control
  • Catheter-Related Infections / prevention & control
  • Echinocandins / administration & dosage
  • Echinocandins / adverse effects
  • Echinocandins / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Echinocandins
  • Anidulafungin