Farnesol inhibits planktonic cells and antifungal-tolerant biofilms of Trichosporon asahii and Trichosporon inkin

Abstract

Trichosporon species have been considered important agents of opportunistic systemic infections, mainly among immunocompromised patients. Infections by Trichosporon spp. are generally associated with biofilm formation in invasive medical devices. These communities are resistant to therapeutic antifungals, and therefore the search for anti-biofilm molecules is necessary. This study evaluated the inhibitory effect of farnesol against planktonic and sessile cells of clinical Trichosporon asahii (n = 3) andTrichosporon inkin (n = 7) strains. Biofilms were evaluated during adhesion, development stages and after maturation for metabolic activity, biomass and protease activity, as well as regarding morphology and ultrastructure by optical microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Farnesol inhibited Trichosporon planktonic growth by 80% at concentrations ranging from 600 to 1200 μM for T. asahii and from 75 to 600 μM for T. inkin. Farnesol was able to reduce cell adhesion by 80% at 300 μM for T. asahii and T. inkin at 600 μM, while biofilm development of both species was inhibited by 80% at concentration of 150 μM, altering their structure. After biofilm maturation, farnesol decreased T. asahii biofilm formation by 50% at 600 μM concentration and T. inkin formation at 300 μM. Farnesol inhibited gradual filamentation in a concentration range between 600 and 1200 μM. Farnesol caused reduction of filament structures of Trichosporon spp. at every stage of biofilm development analyzed. These data show the potential of farnesol as an anti-biofilm molecule.

Fatty Acid, Triacylglycerol and Unsaponifiable Matters Profiles and Physicochemical Properties of Chinese Evening Primrose Oil

“…Phytol, farnesol and amyrin were found at contents of 114.12 mg/kg, 31.42 mg/kg and 96.63 mg/kg, respectively. Farnesol has been proved to be an anti-biosis molecule 19 . Previous studies confirmed that amyrin had analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antidepressive effects 20 .…”

Insight into the Antifungals Used to Address Human Infection Due to Trichosporon Spp.: A Scoping Review

“…Another study examined the inhibitory effect of farnesol against planktonic and biofilm cells of clinical T. asahii and T. inkin . Farnesol inhibited planktonic growth, filamentation, adhesion and biofilm development, demonstrating its potential as an antibiofilm molecule [ 49 ]. The potential of a cationic nanoemulsion of zinc 2,9,16,23-tetrakis(phenylthio)-29H,31H-phthalocyanine (ZnPc) has also been reported because its use with photodynamic inactivation caused a reduction of 0.85 log for biofilms formed by T. mucoides [ 50 ].…”

Combinatory Effect of ALA‐PDT and Itraconazole Treatment for Trichosporon asahii

“…Chronic infections are often associated with the formation of biofilms, so new strategies are needed for the eradication of biofilms. Several non-antifungal drugs such as ethanol [26], nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [27], farnesol [28], and sodium butyrate [29] are available to resist T. asahii biofilms. PDT has been explored as an alternative treatment for localized infections and microbial biofilms [13,30].…”