Evaluation of biofilm formation ability in different Candida strains and anti-biofilm effects of Fe3O4-NPs compared with Fluconazole: an in vitro study

Objective

Biofilm formation ability is one of the major virulence factors contributing to the pathogenesis of Candida species. Biofilms produced by Candida spp. cause complicated treatments and contribute to increasing unpleasant mortality rates. Nanoparticles of Fe₃O₄ (Fe₃O₄-NPs) are considered due to their magnetic and biochemical properties, as well as their low costs. The purpose of present study was to determine biofilm formation ability in different Candida strains and evaluation of anti-biofilm effect of Fe₃O₄-NPs compared with FLC.

Materials and methods

In this study, the biofilm-forming ability of Candida strains and the inhibitory effects of Fe₃O₄-NPs on Candida strains biofilms compared with FLC were measured by MTT assay.

Results

Our finding showed that the biofilm formation ability of C. lusitaniae was significantly higher than other tested Candida strains. However, all the studied Candida strains produced high degree of biofilms. The biofilm formation in different Candida strains was inhibited at concentrations ≥ 1000 μg/mL to ≥ 4000 μg/mL for Fe₃O₄-NPs and ≥ 512 μg/mL to ≥ 2048 μg/mL for FLC. After exposure to various concentrations of Fe₃O₄-NPs, biofilm formation reduction in C. albicans and C. parapsilosis were more than FLC. Although, this reduction was not significant. A significant reduction (P < 0.05) was observed in biofilm formation in presence of FLC compared with Fe₃O₄-NPs in C. krusei, C. tropicalis, and C. lusitaniae. The inhibitory effects of Fe₃O₄-NPs and FLC on biofilm formation of C. glabrata were approximately equal.

Conclusion

In accordance with the findings, the biofilm reduction effect of FLC for C. krusei, C. tropicalis, and C. lusitaniae were statistically higher than Fe₃O₄-NPs.