Post-antifungal effect and adhesion to buccal epithelial cells of oral Candida dubliniensis isolates subsequent to limited exposure to amphotericin B, ketoconazole and fluconazole.
OBJECTIVE
The post-antifungal effect (PAFE) of Candida and its adherence to oral mucosal surfaces are important determinants of candidal pathogenicity. Candida dubliniensis is allied with recurrent oral candidosis. Oral candidosis can be treated with amphotericin B, ketoconazole and fluconazole. There is no information on the PAFE and its impact on adhesion to oral buccal epithelial cells (BEC) of oral C. dubliniensis isolates. Therefore, the main objective was to reconnoiter the PAFE and adhesion to BEC of 20 C. dubliniensis isolates following brief exposure to aforementioned antimycotics.


METHODS
After determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), C. dubliniensis isolates were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of these drugs for 1 h. Following subsequent drug removal, the PAFE and adhesion to BEC, was determined by a turbidometric method, and an adhesion assay, respectively.


RESULTS
Minimum inhibitory concentration (μg/mL) to amphotericin B, ketoconazole and fluconazole, ranged from 0.002 to 0.125, 0.002 to 0.012 and 0.016 to 0.38, respectively. Amphotericin B and ketoconazole induced mean PAFE (hours) were 2.21 and 0.6, respectively. Fluconazole failed to produce a detectable PAFE. Compared to controls, amphotericin B, ketoconazole and fluconazole suppressed the ability to adhere to BEC with a mean percentage reduction of 74.31%, 49.80% (P < 0.0001) and 29.36% (P < 0.05), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Brief exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of aforementioned drugs would exert an antifungal effect by modifying the growth and adhesion of C. dubliniensis isolates.
Department of Bioclinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Health Sciences Center, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait.
Arjuna N B
AN
Ellepola
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Center, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait.
Rachel
R
Chandy
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Center, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait.
Zia U
ZU
Khan
D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000382:microbiology; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology*; D009172:Mycology / Q000379:methods; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B; D015725:Fluconazole; D007654:Ketoconazole
Candida dubliniensis; adhesion; amphotericin B; ketoconazole and fluconazole; post-antifungal effect