title: Effect of amphotericin B alone or in combination with rifampicin or clarithromycin against Candida species biofilms.
abstract: Effectiveness of amphotericin B alone or in combination with rifampicin or clarithromycin on the killing of Candida species biofilms was investigated in vitro. Amphotericin B was assayed at 0.005 to 10 mg/ml. Rifampin and clarithromycin were assayed at 10 mg/ml. We studied 7 Candida albicans, 3 Candida parapsilosis, 3 Candida glabrata, 3 Candida krusei and 2 Candida tropicalis strains. Biofilms were developed in 96-well, flat-bottomed microtiter plates for 48 hours. A synergistic effect between amphotericin B and clarithromycin was demonstrated against 66.6% of C. parapsilosis, 66.6% of C. glabrata, and 42.8% of C. albicans biofilms. A synergistic effect between amphotericin B and rifampin was demonstrated against 66.6% of C. parapsilosis, 42.8% of C. albicans, and 33.3% of C. glabrata biofilms. No synergistic effect was observed against C. krusei or C. tropicalis biofilms with any of the combinations. Rifampin or clarithromycin alone did not exert any effect on Candida species biofilms. Rifampin or clarithromycin combinations with amphotericin B might be of interest in the treatment of Candida biofilm-related infections.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Division, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain. jdelpozo@unav.es
authors.forename: Jose L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Del Pozo
authors.forename: María L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Francés
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hernáez
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serrera
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: Manuel F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Rubio
mesh_terms: D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D012293:Rifampin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B; D017291:Clarithromycin; D012293:Rifampin