(MeOPhSe)2, a synthetic organic selenium compound, inhibits virulence factors of Candida krusei: Adherence to cervical epithelial cells and biofilm formation.

Background: Systemic candidiasis is produced by Candida albicans or non-albicans Candida species, opportunistic fungi that produce both superficial and invasive infections. Despite the availability of a wide range of antifungal agents for the treatment of candidiasis, failure of therapy is observed frequently, which opens new avenues in the field of alternative therapeutic strategies.

Methods: The effects of p,p'-methoxyl-diphenyl diselenide [(MeOPhSe)], a synthetic organic selenium (organochalcogen) compound, were investigated on virulence factors of C. krusei and compared with its antifungal effects on the virulence factors related to adhesion to cervical epithelial cell surfaces with C. albicans.

Results: (MeOPhSe), a compound non-toxic in epithelial (HeLa) and fibroblastic (Vero) cells, inhibited the growth in a dose-dependent manner and changed the kinetics parameters of C. krusei and, most importantly, extending the duration of lag phase of growth, inhibiting biofilm formation, and changing the structure of biofilm. Also, (MeOPhSe) reduced C. albicans and C. krusei adherence to cervical epithelial cells, an important factor for the early stage of the Candida-host interaction. The reduction was 37.24 ± 2.7 % in C. krusei (p = 0.00153) and 32.84 ± 3.2 % in C. albicans (p = 0.0072) at 20 µM (MeOPhSe), and the effect is in a concentration-dependent manner. Surprisingly, the antifungal potential on adhesion was similar between both species, indicating the potential of (MeOPhSe) as a promising antifungal drug against different Candida infections.

Conclusion: Overall, we demonstrated the potential of (MeOPhSe) as an effective antifungal drug against the virulence factors of Candida species.