Susceptibility of Candida spp. clinical isolates to antimycotics and disinfectants

Abstract

Abstract:The incidence of candidiasis among immunocompromised patients and emergence of antimycotics resistant strains has increased significantly. The aims of this study were: to examine the in vitro activity of antimycotics and biocides against Candida clinical isolates; to detect cross-resistance of fungi to these preparations and to estimate whether disinfectants applied in hospital areas are active against clinical Candida isolates. In vitro susceptibility of 102 Candida isolates to eight antimycotics was examined by Etest and ATB Fungus. Sensitivity of these strains to four disinfectants and an antiseptic agent was tested according to EN 1275:2005. Amphotericin B, caspofungin and 5-fluorocytosine were the most effective antimycotics against all Candida isolates. Resistance to itraconazole and fluconazole was observed among C. krusei and C. glabrata. The MICs (Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations) for ketoconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole against Candida albicans ranged: 0.003 ->32 µg/ml and one strain was resistant to three agents tested. All analysed Candida strains were sensitive to biocides containing either chlorine, aldehyde, alcohol mixtures, glucoprotamin or chlorhexidine gluconate with isopropanol. Sensitivity to these agents was observed at concentrations lower than those concentrations recommended by manufacturers to achieve proper biocidal activity to those preparations. Our data suggest that these disinfectants can be effectively applied in clinical wards to prevent nosocomial Candida infections.

Herbal Antimycotics and Their Prospects in Therapeutics

“…Comparatively yeasts are more sensitive to antibiotics as well as herbal antimycotics than molds [4,[13][14][15]. A variety of herbal compounds including essential oils of ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi), betel (Piper betle), guggul (Commiphora mukul), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum and Cinnamomum zeylanicum), marjoram (Origanum majorana), holy basil (Ocimum sanctum), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citrates), sandalwood (Santalum album), Zanthoxyllum rhetsa, patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), thymus (Thymus villosus), peppermint (Mentha piperita), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), ginger grass (Cymbopogon martinii), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis), Eupatorium odoratum and Ageratum conizoides can restrict the growth or kill the yeasts [4,9,12,15,16].…”

Effect of disinfectants on biofilm development by five species of Candida

“…They are multitargeted agents and often used as environmental disinfectants or for medical devices. To reduce the spread of infections, it is very important that appropriate disinfecting agents and methods are used (Stanizewska et al, 2010). So far, although biofilm resistance to antifungals has been well described, Candida biofilm susceptibility to biocides has received less attention (Nett et al, 2008).…”