Enhancement of secretory aspartyl protease production in biofilms of Candida albicans exposed to sub-inhibitory concentrations of fluconazole.

The production of Secretory Aspartyl Proteases (Sap) is an important virulence factor of Candida albicans. Many studies have shown that a challenge with sub-inhibitory concentrations of antifungals lead species of Candida to the secretion of higher concentrations of Sap. Nevertheless, published studies only reported the secretion of such enzymes by cells growing in planktonic phase, with few mention of biofilms.

Cell surface hydrophobicity of Candida albicans isolated from elder patients undergoing denture-related candidosis.

Background: The virulence potential of Candida albicans strains enrolled in denture-related candidosis still remains uncertain. Candida albicans cells with higher cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) rates, so-called hydrophobic, present higher adhesion success in different host tissues than cells with lower rates, or even hydrophilic.

Objective: The proposition of this study was to evaluate the differences in the CSH of strains isolated from denture users with and without denture-related candidosis.

Candida albicans biofilms produce more secreted aspartyl protease than the planktonic cells.

By using a simple, low-cost system of polystyrene centrifuge tubes we compared the secreted aspartyl proteases (Saps) secretion during the biphasic growth modes of Candida albicans using twenty-one clinical isolates. Our results indicate that biofilms of C. albicans consistently secrete more Saps than their planktonic counterparts.