Pulsed electric field-assisted sensitization of multidrug-resistant Candida albicans to antifungal drugs.

Authors :: Novickij V
Švedienė J
Paškevičius A
Markovskaja S
Girkontaitė I
Zinkevičienė A
Lastauskienė E
Novickij J
Source :: Future microbiology [Future Microbiol] 2018 Apr; Vol. 13, pp. 535-546. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Dec 11.
Publication Year :: 2018
Abstract: Aim: Determine the influence of pH on the inactivation efficiency of Candida albicans in pulsed electric fields (PEF) and evaluate the possibilities for sensitization of a drug-resistant strain to antifungal drugs.<br />Materials & Methods: The effects of PEF (2.5-25 kVcm <superscript>-1</superscript> ) with fluconazole, terbinafine and naftifine were analyzed at a pH range of 3.0-9.0. Membrane permeabilization was determined by flow cytometry and propidium iodide.<br />Results: PEF induced higher inactivation of C. albicans at low pH and increased sensitivity to terbinafine and naftifine to which the strain was initially resistant. Up to 5 log reduction in cell survival was achieved.<br />Conclusion: A proof of concept that electroporation can be used to sensitize drug-resistant microorganisms was presented, which is promising for treating biofilm-associated infections.

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