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Cited by 548Antifungal resistance and susceptibilityBacterial biofilms and quorum sensingFungal and yeast genetics research

Biofilm matrix of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis: chemical composition and role in drug resistance

Al-Fattani, Mohammed A., Douglas, L. Julia·2006·Journal of Medical Microbiology
DOI 10.1099/jmm.0.46569-0
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Abstract

Matrix material was extracted from biofilms of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis and analysed chemically. Both preparations contained carbohydrate, protein, hexosamine, phosphorus and uronic acid. However, the major component in C. albicans matrix was glucose (32 %), whereas in C. tropicalis matrix it was hexosamine (27 %). Biofilms of C. albicans were more easily detached from plastic surfaces by treatment with the enzyme lyticase (β-1,3-glucanase) than were those of C. tropicalis. Biofilms of C. albicans were also partially detached by treatment with proteinase K, chitinase, DNase I, or β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, whereas C. tropicalis biofilms were only affected by lipase type VII or chitinase. To investigate a possible role for the matrix in biofilm resistance to antifungal agents, biofilms of C. albicans were grown under conditions of continuous flow in a modified Robbins device (MRD). These biofilms produced more matrix material than those grown statically, and were significantly more resistant to amphotericin B. Biofilms of C. tropicalis synthesized large amounts of matrix material even when grown statically, and such biofilms were completely resistant to both amphotericin B and fluconazole. Mixed-species biofilms of C. albicans and a slime-producing strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis (RP62A), when grown statically or in the MRD, were also completely resistant to amphotericin B and fluconazole. Mixed-species biofilms of C. albicans and a slime-negative mutant of S. epidermidis (M7), on the other hand, were completely drug resistant only when grown under flow conditions. These results demonstrate that the matrix can make a significant contribution to drug resistance in Candida biofilms, especially under conditions similar to those found in catheter infections in vivo, and that the composition of the matrix material is an important determinant in resistance.

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  • In Candida species biofilms, carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids form the extracellular matrix surrounding the cells.

    “In Candida species biofilms, carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids form the extracellular matrix that surround the cells in the biofilms [149,150,151,152,153,154].”

    From Candida glabrata Biofilms: How Far Have We Come? (2017) · cites this paper as [150]

  • Biofilms prevent, to a greater or lesser extent, antifungal drug penetration through a diffusion barrier that acts as an ion-exchange resin binding charged antibiotic molecules, contributing to biofilm drug resistance including in C. glabrata.

    “It is thought that biofilms prevent, to a greater or lesser extent, the penetration of antifungal drugs through their structure, by the establishment of a diffusion barrier, which acts as an ion-exchange resin, binding charged antibiotic molecules, contributing to biofilm drug resistance, including in the case of C. glabrata [44,150,155].”

    From Candida glabrata Biofilms: How Far Have We Come? (2017) · cites this paper as [150]

  • Secreted extracellular matrix contributes to biofilm drug resistance, both acting as a physical barrier to drug penetration and directly contributing to the overall structural integrity of the biofilm.

    “Secreted extracellular matrix also contributes to biofilm drug resistance, both acting as a physical barrier to drug penetration and directly contributing to the overall structural integrity of the biofilm (2, 11, 130, 135).”

    From <i>Candida albicans</i> Biofilms and Human Disease (2015) · cites this paper as [2]

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Authors
Al-Fattani, M. A., & Douglas, L. J.
Affiliations
University of Glasgow (GB)
ORCID
Douglas, L. Julia
Venue
Journal of Medical Microbiology
Publisher
Microbiology Society
Published
2006-08-01
Volume
55
Issue
8
Pages
999-1008
ISSN
  • 0022-2615 (ISSN-L)
  • 1473-5644
DOI
10.1099/jmm.0.46569-0
OpenAlex
W2136195640
Cited by
548
References
49
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 46 · 2016: 31 · 2015: 53 · 2014: 38 · 2013: 25 · 2012: 20
FWCI
12.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Medical Microbiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Ministry of Health – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Fungal and yeast genetics research
Keywords
Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, biofilm matrix, antifungal resistance, amphotericin B resistance, fluconazole resistance, hexosamine, glucose, lyticase, β-1,3-glucanase, polymicrobial biofilms, Staphylococcus epidermidis, catheter-related infection
MeSH terms
Amphotericin B, Antifungal Agents, Candida albicans, Candidiasis, Humans, Polymers, Polyvinyl Chloride, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Fluconazole, Biofilms, Drug Resistance, Fungal, Candida tropicalis

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