Anticandidal activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from clinical specimens

Pseudomonads represent the major group of non-differentiating microorganisms that produce antibiotics. The antibiotic substances produced by this group of organisms are pyocyanin, pyrolnitrin and pseudomonic acid. This study was designed to investigate the in vivo and in vitro anticandidal activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains against Candida species. Forty-four P. aeruginosa strains isolated from various specimens of intensive care patients were included in the study. All P. aeruginosa strains have pyocyanin pigment. Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019, Candida krusei ATCC 6258 and a clinical isolate of Candida tropicalis were used to measure the anticandidal activity of Pseudomonas strains by Kerr's method. The total inhibition rates obtained by using blood agar of C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei and C. tropicalis were 41%, 34%, 34% and 25% respectively. When Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) was used, the rates were detected as 45%, 39%, 48% and 25% respectively. In the mouse model of concomitant subcutaneous infection with Candida species and P. aeruginosa no yeast were recovered from skin cultures despite 100% detection of P. aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from intensive care patients showed anticandidal activity against the Candida species in the present study and this point may be important in the following and treatment of patients. © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd