Inhibition of Virulence Factors of Candida spp. by Different Surfactants

Abstract

Candida yeasts are opportunistic pathogens responsible for infections in immunocompromised individuals. Among the virulence factors present in these yeasts we can mention the ability to adhere to host cells, exoenzyme production and germ tube formation. Several compounds, such as antifungal agents, plants extracts, protein inhibitors and surfactants, have been tested regarding their capacity in inhibit Candida spp. virulence factors. Among these compounds, a significant lower number of works are focused on the inhibition action caused by different types of surfactant. The present work aimed to evaluate the effect generated by the surfactants cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), N-hexadecyl-N-N'-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propane-sulfonate (HPS) and octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol (Triton X-100) on the viability, adhesion ability and exoenzyme production by Candida species. CTAC and HPS were capable to inhibit Candida spp. growth at very low concentrations. All surfactants demonstrated to be capable to inhibit the adhesion of Candida species to buccal epithelial cells (BEC) and the proteinase production. On the other hand, the phospholipase production remained unaltered after the treatment with these compounds. The present data denote that cationic and zwitterionic surfactants are interesting prototypes of inhibitory agents against Candida spp., which is probably associated with the cationic punctual charge of both surfactants. The results are discussed in details in agreement with recent reports from literature.

1-Alkyl-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridinium bromides: inhibitory effect on virulence factors of Candida albicans and on the growth of bacterial pathogens

“…The viability of cells was confirmed before the proteolytic activity assay by the plating method. Compound 8 did not show any significant activity (data not shown) on phospholipase inhibition at the tested concentrations, and these results correlated with a previous study by Lyon et al, (2011) using different surfactant molecules such as cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, SDS, N-hexadecyl-N-N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propane-sulfonate and Triton X-100.…”

Fungistatic and Fungicidal Capacity of a Biosurfactant Extract Obtained from Corn Steep Water

“…It is well known that Candida spp. can produce biofilm layers that act as a protective structure for the microorganism [8], making them more resistant than other microorganisms. In this work, the biofilm formation was not investigated, although it can be speculated that if the biosurfactant extract from CSW could inhibit the growth of C. albicans, it would also inhibit the formation of biofilms.…”

“…On the other hand, Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that is widely known for being the most pathogenic yeast species and responsible for causing infections in humans by colonizing oral cavities through saliva and oral mucosa, resulting in oropharyngeal candidiasis or oral thrush disease; C. albicans is especially virulent in immune-compromised patients [7]. Moreover, the pathogenicity of C. albicans can be related to its capacity for producing biofilms that act as protective structures for the microorganism [8]. Therefore, it can be speculated that if a fungicide is effective against C. albicans, it should also be effective against food spoilage by Candida species, which possess fewer resistant mechanisms.…”

Targeting Adhesion in Fungal Pathogen Candida Albicans

“…Research has also been carried out on surfactants 22-25 to test their anti-adhesive properties against C. albicans: cetyltrimethylammonium chloride ( 22 (HPS; 24) and octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol (Triton X-100; 25). All the surfactants tested displayed a decrease in the number of yeasts adhered to BEC; however, the greatest reduction was obtained by 22 (37.1-53.8%) and 24 (32.7-43.5%) in all concentrations tested (0.3-3 μg/ml) and for 23 (28.2-35.8%) and 25 (28.8-30.1%) at the concentrations of 1.5 and 3 μg/ml, respectively [71].…”