Liposomal amphotericin B eradicates Candida albicans biofilm in a continuous catheter flow model

FEMS Yeast Res. 2010 Jun;10(4):492-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1567-1364.2010.00618.x. Epub 2010 Mar 5.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test whether a Candida albicans biofilm can be eradicated by liposomal amphotericin B (LAMB) at the minimal inhibitory concentration in a novel catheter continuous flow model. After 24-h biofilm formation and a 24-h treatment with LAMB, the growth of the hyphal network was reduced to 20% in comparison with the untreated control, whereas fluconazole and caspofungin remained at an intermediate phase (50%). After 24-h biofilm formation and a 24-h treatment with LAMB, 20% of the surface was covered in biofilm and LAMB caused an uneven surface. For caspofungin and fluconazole, the surface covering was 80%. The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the infected, but untreated catheters had a thickness of 5-20 microm at 24 h and 10-150 microm at 48 h. After 24-h biofilm formation and a 24-h treatment with LAMB, the ECM was virtually cleared with 0 microm ECM. After 24-h biofilm formation and a 24-h treatment with fluconazole, the ECM thickness was comparable to the infected, but untreated catheter at 24 h with 10-25 microm; with caspofungin, the ECM thickness was comparable to the infected, but untreated catheter at 48 h with 10-130 microm. Comparing the blastospores, pseudohyphae and ECM, 0.5 microg mL(-1) LAMB could eradicate Candida biofilm, whereas fluconazole and caspofungin were less effective.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / pharmacology*
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Biofilms / growth & development
  • Candida albicans / drug effects*
  • Candida albicans / growth & development
  • Caspofungin
  • Catheter-Related Infections / drug therapy*
  • Catheters, Indwelling / microbiology*
  • Echinocandins / pharmacology
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Fluconazole / pharmacology
  • Lipopeptides
  • Microbial Viability / drug effects
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Echinocandins
  • Lipopeptides
  • liposomal amphotericin B
  • Amphotericin B
  • Fluconazole
  • Caspofungin