Metal ions may suppress or enhance cellular differentiation in Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis biofilms.

ABSTRACT: Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis are polymorphic fungi that develop antimicrobial-resistant biofilm communities that are characterized by multiple cell morphotypes. This study investigated cell type interconversion and drug and metal resistance as well as community organization in biofilms of these microorganisms that were exposed to metal ions. To study this, Candida biofilms were grown either in microtiter plates containing gradient arrays of metal ions or in the Calgary Biofilm Device for high-throughput susceptibility testing. Biofilm formation and antifungal resistance were evaluated by viable cell counts, tetrazolium salt reduction, light microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy in conjunction with three-dimensional visualization. We discovered that subinhibitory con

SUBMITTER: Harrison JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1951024 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature