In-vitro Post-antifungal Effect of Posaconazole and its Impact on Adhesion related Traits and Hemolysin Production of Oral Candida dubliniensis Isolates

Objective: Candidal adherence to denture acrylic surfaces (DAS) and oral buccal epithelial cells (BEC), formation of candidal germ tubes (GT), candidal cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) and hemolysin production are important pathogenic traits of Candida. Antifungal drug-induced post-antifungal effect (PAFE) also impact the virulence of Candida. Candida dubliniensis isolates are associated with the causation of oral candidiasis which could be managed with posaconazole. Thus far there is no evidence on posaconazole-induced PAFE and its impact on adhesion-related attributes and production of hemolysin by C. dubliniensis. Hence the PAFE, adhesion to DAS and BEC, formation of GT, CSH and hemolysin production of 20 C. dubliniensis isolates after brief exposure to posaconazole was ascertained. Materials and Methods: The PAFE, adherence to DAS and BEC, formation of GT, candidal CSH and hemolysin production was investigated by hitherto described in-vitro assays. Results: Mean PAFE (hours) induced by posaconazole on C. dubliniensis isolates was 1.66. Exposure to posaconazole suppressed the ability of C. dubliniensis to adhere to DAS, BEC, formation of candidal GT, candidal CSH and to produce hemolysin by a reduction of 44%, 33%, 34%, 36% and 15% (p
Source: Medical Principles and Practice - Category: Internal Medicine Source Type: research