Biofilm, adherence, and hydrophobicity as virulence factors in Malassezia furfur.
Malassezia species are natural inhabitants of the healthy skin. However, under certain conditions, they may cause or exacerbate several skin diseases. The ability of this fungus to colonize or infect is determined by complex interactions between the fungal cell and its virulence factors. This study aims to evaluate "in vitro" the hydrophobicity levels, the adherence on a plastic surface and the biofilm formation of 16 clinical isolates of Malassezia furfur. Cellular surface hydrophobicity (CSH) levels were determined by two-phase system. The biofilm formation was determined by tetrazolium salt (XTT) reduction assay and by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results showed many isolates were hydrophobic, adherent, and producers of biofilm on abiotic surfaces with different capacity. SEM observations confirmed an abundant extracellular matrix after 48 h of biofilm formation. About 63% of strains with high production of biofilm showed medium to high percentage of hydrophobicity and/or adherence. In addition, it has been demonstrated a correlation between hydrophobicity, adherence, and biofilm formation in about 60% of strains examined. These important virulence factors could be responsible of this yeast changing from a commensal to a pathogenic status.
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases. University of Rome "Sapienza", Italy. Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00100 Roma, Italy.
Letizia
L
Angiolella
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases. University of Rome "Sapienza", Italy. Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00100 Roma, Italy.
Claudia
C
Leone
Departamento de Micología, Instituto de Medicina Regional, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Resistencia, Argentina.
Florencia
F
Rojas
Departamento de Micología, Instituto de Medicina Regional, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Resistencia, Argentina.
Javier
J
Mussin
Departamento de Micología, Instituto de Medicina Regional, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Resistencia, Argentina.
María
M
de Los Angeles Sosa
Departamento de Micología, Instituto de Medicina Regional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, CONICET, Resistencia, Argentina.
Gustavo
G
Giusiano
D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D005562:Formazans / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008290:Malassezia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000032:analysis*
D005562:Formazans; D037521:Virulence Factors; C059088:1,5-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-3-((phenylamino)carbonyl)formazan
Candida albicans; Malassezia furfur; adherence; biofilm; hydrophobicity