Susceptibility profile of biofilms of non-albicans Candida spp. to echinocandins

Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralové Department of Biological and Medical Sciences Candidate: Pavla Pešková Supervisor: Ing. Lucie Křivčíková Diploma Thesis: Susceptibility profile of biofilms of non-albicans Candida spp. to echinocandins Yeasts of the genus Candida are one of the most frequent human fungal pathogens. Infections caused by them are related to a specific form of growth - biofilm (BF), which has increased their resistance to antifungal treatment. Since bloodstream infections caused by non-albicans Candida species are increasing, it is important to focus on their susceptibility characteristics. The main aim of our experiment was to examine the susceptibility profiles of BF produced by rare non-albicans Candida species to echinocandins. We tested 3 species of the genus Candida - C. lusitaniae, C. guilliermondii and C. krusei and 3 different echinocandins - anidulafungin (AND), caspofungin (CAS) and micafungin (MFG). Echinocandins have unique mechanisms of action. They inhibit the function of the enzyme β-1,3-glucan synthase. Disruption of its function leads to inhibition of β-1,3-glucan production, damage of fungal cell wall and loss of viability of the cell. In experimental part we used YNB medium and RPMI 1640 medium to grow Candida species BF and..