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The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the effects of 13 mouth rinses on one hundred Candida strains isolated from the oral cavity of patients. Five of the rinses had no antifungal activity. Chlorhexidine, Colgate and Dentosept acted on all isolated strains; Corsodyl did not act on C. glabrata (2 strains), Octenidol on C. glabrata and C. guilliermondii (1 each), Sylveco on C. tropicalis (2), Oral B on C. parapsilosis, Curasept did not affect 17 strains, including on C. albicans (5), C. guilliermondii (4), C. dubliniensis (3), C. humicola and C. parapsilosis (2 each) and C. glabrata (1). The lowest MIC (the strongest potential activity), was observed for chlorhexidine, followed by Sylveco, Corsodryl and Colgate; in contrast, the highest MIC (the lowest activity) was calculated for Octenidol and Curasept. Eight of the mouthrinses inhibited the in vitro growth of potentially pathogenic fungal strains isolated from the oral cavity at varying dilutions of up to 1:16, depending on the rinse. Chlorhexidine demonstrated strong antifungal efficiency. The antifungal effect of a mouthrinse depends on its composition and the species of fungus. Mouthrinse use is an important complement to procedures ensuring proper oral hygiene and preventing certain oral diseases.

An oral cavity hygiene plays a key role in prophylactic and therapeutic measures to prevent pathological changes caused by different viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa. It is important to maintain proper oral hygiene and assist the removal of potent pathogens; use of the mouthrinses can be one of method providing to these goal. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of selected mouthrinses on the standard strains of Candida presented in the oral cavity. Eight reference strains of fungi were investigated: C. albicans (CBS 2312), C. albicans (L 45), C. albicans (ATCC 24433), C. dubliniensis (CBS 7987), C. glabrata (CBS 862), C. krusei (CBS 573), C. parapsilosis (CBS 10947) and C. tropicalis (CBS 2424). Thirteen mouthrinses were used in the study, including pure chlorhexidine (CHX), and 12 commercially available varieties: Azulan, Colgate Plax Complete Care Sensitive, Corsodyl 0,2%, Curasept ADS 205, Dentosept, Dentosept A, Eludril Classic, Listerine Total care, Octenidol, Oral-B Pro-Expert Clinic Line, Sylveco and Tinctura salviae. The present study used a qualitative diffusion in agar gel-well plate method to evaluated the antifungal properties of mouthrinses. Among the 12 commercially available mouthrinses examined in the study, the following were not found to show antifungal activity: Azulan, Dentosept, Eludril Classic, Listerine Total care, Tinctura salviae. The largest inhibition zones were produced by Dentosept, Chlorhexidine and Colgate. The smallest inhibition zones were produced by Octenidol and Curasept. With regard to mouthwash type, statistically significant differences in growth inhibition zone diameter were found between the following pairs of fungi: C. albicans and C. krusei for Colgate without dilution and with 1:2 dilution; C. albicans and C. glabrata for Corsodryl without dilution and with 1:2 dilution; C. albicans and C. dubliniensis for Dentosept A without dilution; C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis with 1:2 dilution; C. dubliniensis and C. tropicalis for Sylveco without dilution, 1:2 dilution and 1:4 dilution; C. dubliniensis and C. parapsilosis for Sylveco without dilution, 1:2 dilution and 1:4 dilution. The lowest MIC values calculated from the Iinear regression equation, indicating the strongest potential activity, were obtained for Dentosept A, followed by chlorhexidine; the lowest activity, was calculated for Curasept and for Octenidol. Some of the tested mouthrinses have antimycotic properties at commercially available concentrations. In spite of the fact that chlorhexidine is thought to be the gold standard for mouthrinse use, Dentosept has stronger antimycotic activity and acts on a wider spectrum of fungi species. Chlorhexidine and Colgate do not appear to act against C. tropicalis, neither does Curaspet against C.dubliniensis; therefore, the determination of the fungus species is necessary.

The aim of the research was to evaluate the proteolytic activity of various Candida strains isolated from the oral cavity of persons without clinical symptoms of fungal infection, outpatients with oral cavity disorders and patients hospitalized due to head and neck tumors. A secondary aim was to confirm the presence of secreted aspartyl protease (SAP) genes in the isolated strains and then to compare it depending on the fungal species. Material consisted of 134 fungal strains that were analysed by a modified Staib method and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the use of specific primer pairs. The greatest proteolytic activity of fungi was observed at pH 3.5. The proteolysis were the strongest for strains isolated from dental patients and the weakest from persons without changes in the oral cavity. In total, 61.9% of the strains exhibited the presence of at least one of the SAP1-3 genes in all examined groups, SAP1 being the most common; SAP4-6 genes were not observed. All genes were more frequent in the strains isolated from the dental patients than from other groups. SAP1-3 genes were present in Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. humicola and C. lipolytica, but were not noted in other isolated species. The lowest activity of proteolytic enzymes and the least number of aspartyl protease genes are observed among strains isolated from patients without clinical symptoms of mycosis. SAP1-3 genes are most frequently detected in the strains isolated from the oral cavity; their presence varies depending on the species of the fungi., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The ability of Candida sp. cells to adhere to the mucosal surfaces of various host organs as well as synthetic materials is an important pathogenicity feature of those fungi which contributes to the development of infection. This property varies depending on the species of the fungus and is the greatest for C. albicans. The process of adhesion depends on plenty of factors related to the fungal and host cells as well as environmental conditions. The main adhesins present on the fungal cell wall are: Als, Epa, Hwp1, but also Eap1, Sun41, Csh1 and probably Hyr1; for adhesion significant are also secreted aspartyl proteases Sap. Various researchers specify a range of genes which contribute to adhesion, such as: CZF1, EFG1, TUP1, TPK1, TPK2, HGC1, RAS1, RIM101, VPS11, ECM1, CKA2, BCR1, BUD2, RSR1, IRS4, CHS2, SCS7, UBI4, UME6, TEC1 and GAT2. Influence for adherence have also heat shock proteins Hsp70, Mediator Middle domain subunit Med31 and morphological transition. Among factors affecting adhesion related to host cells it is necessary to mention fibronectins and integrins (receptors for Candida sp. adhesins), type of epithelial cells, their morphology and differentiation phase. To a lesser degree influence on adhesion have non-specific factors and environmental conditions.

Radio- and chemotherapy for malignant neoplasms, especially in head and neck region, is associated with a greater risk of fungal infections due to secondary alterations in the mucous membranes. The study had three aims: 1.to determine the signs and symptoms which occur among patients undergoing radiotherapy; 2. to determine the fungi prevalence in the mouth and throat of patients before, during and after radiotherapy; 3. to examine the sensitivity of strains to antimycotic drugs. The study comprised 44 patients (11 female, 33 male) with head and neck cancers,examined at the following stages: before radiotherapy (44 patients – batch 1), 3rd week of therapy (30 of the 44 patients– batch 2), last day of therapy (28 of batch 2 – batch 3) and the 6th week after completion of radiotherapy (10 of batch 3 – batch 4). Clinical examination was performed and mycological status was estimated from an oral rinse on a selected medium. The fungal strains were isolated and sensitivity to antifungal drugs was determined. The most common symptoms were pain, dysphagia, and dysgeusia. Physical examination revealed signs of mucositis mainly among patients from batches 2 and 3. The presence of fungi in the mouth and throat was noted in over 2/3 (66.2%) of the patients from batch 1, and in 4/5 (80%) of batch 2. The fungi were detected in over half (57.1%) of patients from batch 3 and also in patients from batch 4. In all cases, fungi of various Candida species were identified: 6 species in batch 1,8 in batch 2, 6 in batch 3 and 5 in batch 4. The most frequently detected species was C. albicans, constituting 40–60%;the other species detected are known to be resistant to antimycotic drugs. The isolated strains were the most sensitive to nystatin and miconazole, and the least to ketoconazole and fluconazole. Conclusions: 1. Patients undergoing radiotherapy complain of pain, dysphagia, and dysgeusia; in most cases mucositis is diagnosed. 2. The high prevalence of fungi in the mouth and throat of patients treated by radiotherapy reinforces the need to perform mycological examinations in this group of patients to detect fungi, identify their species and determine of their sensitivity to drugs in order to prevent complications. 3. The species most frequently isolated from the patients are C. albicans and C.glabrata. The latter is characterized by resistance to the majority of antimycotic medications. 4. Most of the isolated strains are sensitive to nystatin and miconazole (applied locally) and to itraconazole (absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract).

The prevalence of fungi from the genus Candida in humans is increasing, but the mere fact of their detection does not allow, in general, to diagnose a disease. In fact the development of fungal infection depends on several factors of the host-pathogen relationship. The occurrence of symptoms and the course of the disease are associated, inter alia, with general and immunological conditions of an infected person as well as the properties of strains. Differences between the strains responsible for asymptomatic and symptomatic invasion have been shown. Thus the determination of their pathogenicity parameters is an important element leading to proper identification, both mycological and clinical, which allows for the implementation of therapeutic intervention. There are several virulence factors that are essential for surviving in host's organism and play important role in each phase of fungal infection. This review provides an update on selected pathogenicity features: formation of hyphae and/or pseudohyphae, phenotypic switching, tropic reactions and biofilm production.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare the susceptibility of Candida species to caspofungin and itraconazole., Material and Methods: 118 strains of Candida species were used in the study: 8 pattern strains and 110 strains isolated from different ontocenoses. The susceptibility of fungi strains to drugs was determined by diffusion in agar gel. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was calculated from the linear regression equation with the use of the method by Kadłubowski., Results: The MIC value for caspofungin for the pattern strains ranged from 0.321 mg/L to 0.552 mg/L and for itraconazole from 0.019 mg/L to 0.11 mg/L. All the analyzed strains isolated from patients exhibited susceptibility to caspofungin; 5 strains of Candida albicans (8.06%) proved to be resistant to itraconazole. The MIC values for caspofungin ranged from 0.114 mg/L to 1.26 mg/L and for itraconazole from 0.012 mg/L to 16.1 mg/L., Conclusions: 1. All the studied pattern strains are susceptible to the examined drugs; all those isolated from patients show susceptibility to caspofungin; some Candida albicans strains (8.06%) are resistant to itraconazole. 2. The mean MIC values calculated from the activity curves are 0.426 mg/L for caspofungin and 1.0245 mg/L for itraconazole. 3. The mean MIC values calculated for caspofungin are lower than for itraconazole in the case of Candida albicans, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis. Having compared the influence of the drugs on C. famata, C. lusitaniae, C. parapsilosis and C. ciferri we proved there are statistically significant differences (0.0046>p<0.044).

Formation of fungal biofilms in patients with implanted biomedical prosthesis constitutes very serious clinical problems. The biofilm can lead to dysfunction of implanted material and can be a reservoir for chronic and systemic infections. Numerous investigations demonstrated differences in quantity and structure of biofilms that had been formed by various species of fungi belonged to Candida genus. Stages of biofilm formations had been examined carefully in in vitro conditions. Biofilm formation begin with adhesion of fungi to the surface, microcolonies are formed subsequently. At the end of the process, extracellular material is excreted, and its formula, that is various in different fungi Candida species, contribute to its resistance to antifungal drugs. Farnesol and tyrosol are two quorum-sensing molecules. They are acting inversely, regulating formation of "germ tubes" and influencing morphogenetic conversion between yeast and filamentous forms, which plays a very important role in pathogenicity and formation of biofilm. Drug resistance of fungi from Candida has been shown to create a very important clinical problem. Many experiments in vitro confirm significantly lower activity of antifungal drugs toward Candida biofilm than toward Candida, in the form of planctonic cells. Surprisingly, some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can inhibit biofilm formation.

The investigations concerning the activity of antimycotic drugs on pathogenic fungi, revealed a decrease of sensitivity of fungi, especially of the Candida species. In other investigations we have stated that strains isolated from patients have other than standard enzymatic activity. So it seems to be interesting to have evaluated the model for analysis in vitro the influence of antimycotic drug for egzoenzyme of fungi. The aims of the study were: 1. estimation of the influence in vitro ketoconazole, which was added everyday for 3 weeks on curves of activity of the drug, on strains isolated from patients; 2. estimation of asparagine protease activity on strains before, during and after the added drug to the culture. During the study we evaluated the model in vitro to obtain strains with lower sensitivity for a antimycotic drug. Everyday during a 3 week period we added to the culture ketoconazole in the concentration of about 2, 4 and 6 times higher than the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Before, 1, 2 and 3 weeks after we investigated the activity of asparaginee protease. We obtained the following results: 1. Ketoconazole added to the culture of Candida strains during 3 weeks had influenced the response curves, which was observed as statistical significant changes between MIC values. 2. Ketoconazole after 1 week of administration decreased and after 2 and 3 weeks increased of asparagine protease activity.

Increasing use of elctromagnetic fields (EF) in the treatment of various diseases may have potential impacts on fungi--possible aetiological factors of concomitant mycoses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EF on miconazole susceptibility among fungi of the genus Candida showing confirmed pathogenicity in humans. Fifteen Candida strains obtained from patients were used and their susceptibility to miconazole was determined by diffusion in agar gel. Antifungal activity of miconazole was assessed as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) which was calculated for Candida strains not exposed to EF (control) and EF-exposed (3 experiments). In the majority of cases the susceptibility of Candida species to miconazole decreased (higher MICs) after the first week of EF exposure, regardless of the EF's parameters. This was followed by an increase in susceptibility (lower MICs) after the second week of exposure to EF of 2 mT intensity and frequency 3 Hz (experiment I) and an EF of 9 mT intensity and 12.5 Hz frequency (experiment II) relative to control. An increase in susceptibility (lower MICs) was observed in the second week of exposure, whatever the parameters of the EF. The application of low intensity, low frequency EF for a period of at least two weeks may be beneficial in the treatment of mycoses caused by pathogenic fungi of Candida genus.

We have evalueated the activity of acidous asparagine protease in 48 strains of Candida isolated from homogenates of palatine tonsils from 116 patients after tonsilectomy. Strains most frequently isolated were C. albicans (66.7 +/- 6.8%) and C. tropicalis (14.6 +/- 5.09%). The range of proteolysis zone for Candida strains was 4.6 to 12.5 mm. Over 60% of the studied strains showed high and very high proteolytic activity (>6.6 mm) and the remaining strains showed moderate activity (4.6-6.5). There were no strains with low medium activity (to 4.5 mm zone). The range of the number of rosettes E formed by lymphocytes obtained from the studied tonsils was 0-268.3. Lymphocytes isolated from 70 % of tonsils infected with Candida formed only 0-130 rosettes E; in the remaining cases the number ranged between 131 and 220. The number of lymphocytes T forming rosettes E isolated from palatine tonsils from patients not infected with fungi was 2.5 times higher. There was no correlation between the size of proteolysis zone and the number of rosettes E.

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Copyright of Mycoses is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary. Local lesions observed in otitis, create favourable conditions for the growth of fungi and development of mycoses both in the external and middle ear, as well as in post-operative cavities, especially in cases of open-type surgery. The objective of this study was: (1) to determine the prevalence of mycotic infections in inflammatory conditions of the ear; (2) to evaluate the relationship between the presence of fungi and clinical symptoms of inflammation; and (3) to construct a model of therapeutic procedure. The study concerned 345 individuals, including 295 patients (381 ears) who presented with symptoms of otitis. The mycological examinations revealed presence of fungi in 30.4% cases (116 ears). Positive culture results were obtained predominantly in patients with post-operative suppuration (52.8%). Otomycosis was more often associated with fungi of the genus Candida (3/5) than with fungi of the genus Aspergillus (2/5). The analysis of symptoms in otomycoses showed that in bacteria-induced otitis, pruritus, discharge, post-operative defective hearing and headaches are most common; the analysis of signs showed that reddened epidermis and lining of the tympanic cavity are statistically more frequent. The therapeutic protocol adopted in otomycoses yields good results: 89% – complete cure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]