Abstract
Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen in humans, and recently some studies have reported the antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against some Candida species. However, ultrastructural analyses on the interaction of AgNPs with these microorganisms have not been reported. In this work we evaluated the effect of AgNPs on C. albicans, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was found to have a fungicidal effect. The IC50 was also determined, and the use of AgNPs with fluconazole (FLC), a fungistatic drug, reduced cell proliferation. In order to understand how AgNPs interact with living cells, the ultrastructural distribution of AgNPs in this fungus was determined. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed a high accumulation of AgNPs outside the cells but also smaller nanoparticles (NPs) localized throughout the cytoplasm. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis confirmed the presence of intracellular silver. From our results it is assumed that AgNPs used in this study do not penetrate the cell, but instead release silver ions that infiltrate into the cell leading to the formation of NPs through reduction by organic compounds present in the cell wall and cytoplasm.
Highlights
Fungal infections are among the leading causes of infectious diseases [1,2], with Candida being the most representative model of pathogenic yeasts in humans [3,4]
Candida albicans is a dimorphic fungus which is present as an important component of the normal flora in healthy people [5], but in conditions of a weakened immune system Candida becomes an opportunistic pathogen following a transition from a commensal to a pathogenic phase [6]
It is known that AgNPs are highly unstable, and previous studies have shown that size of AgNPs could influence their antimicrobial activity
Summary
Fungal infections are among the leading causes of infectious diseases [1,2], with Candida being the most representative model of pathogenic yeasts in humans [3,4]. More research is necessary to elucidate the safety of using AgNPs in the treatment of human diseases In this respect the majority of reports currently aim at their use against pathogenic bacteria, but studies on the effect of AgNPs against other microorganisms such as fungi, protozoans, and viruses are limited. Antifungal activity by AgNPs has been proved against different Candida species; C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. tropicalis were completely inhibited using AgNPs [37]. The objective of this work is to evaluate the effect of a commercial AgNPs product against C. albicans and to determine how AgNPs interact with Candida cells at the ultrastructural level; this information will complement existing information and could contribute to generating novel broadspectrum antifungal treatments
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