Susceptibility of the <i>Candida haemulonii</i> Complex to Echinocandins: Focus on Both Planktonic and Biofilm Life Styles and a Literature Review

<i>Candida haemulonii</i> complex (<i>C. haemulonii</i>, <i>C. duobushaemulonii</i> and <i>C. haemulonii</i> var. <i>vulnera</i>) is well-known for its resistance profile to different available antifungal drugs. Although echinocandins are t...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lívia S. Ramos, Laura N. Silva, Marta H. Branquinha, André L. S. Santos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-10-01
Series:Journal of Fungi
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/6/4/201
Description
Summary:<i>Candida haemulonii</i> complex (<i>C. haemulonii</i>, <i>C. duobushaemulonii</i> and <i>C. haemulonii</i> var. <i>vulnera</i>) is well-known for its resistance profile to different available antifungal drugs. Although echinocandins are the most effective class of antifungal compounds against the <i>C. haemulonii</i> species complex, clinical isolates resistant to caspofungin, micafungin and anidulafungin have already been reported. In this work, we present a literature review regarding the effects of echinocandins on this emergent fungal complex. Published data has revealed that micafungin and anidulafungin were more effective than caspofungin against the species forming the <i>C. haemulonii</i> complex. Subsequently, we investigated the susceptibilities of both planktonic and biofilm forms of 12 Brazilian clinical isolates of the <i>C. haemulonii</i> complex towards caspofungin and micafungin (anidulafungin was unavailable). The planktonic cells of all the fungal isolates were susceptible to both of the test echinocandins. Interestingly, echinocandins caused a significant reduction in the biofilm metabolic activity (viability) of almost all fungal isolates (11/12, 91.7%). Generally, the biofilm biomasses were also affected (reduction range 20–60%) upon exposure to caspofungin and micafungin. This is the first report of the anti-biofilm action of echinocandins against the multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogens comprising the <i>C. haemulonii</i> complex, and unveils the therapeutic potential of these compounds.
ISSN:2309-608X