Korean J Med Mycol.  2013 Dec;18(4):83-89.

The effect of Candida albicans and Bacterial Mixed Culture on C. albicans

• Kim TH
• Lee MK

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Fungal-bacterial interactions are ubiquitous. Implanted medical devices, including urinary bladder catheters, are particularly susceptible to colonization by Candida spp. and opportunistic bacterial pathogens. Less is known about the fungal side of fungal-bacterial interactions.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of mixed culture on C. albicans and bacteria.
METHODS
After C. albicans was incubated either alone or in mixed culture with bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, and E. faecium) in blood agar plate, colony count and diameter were read. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of C. albicans to fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole were tested by broth microdilution method of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M27-A3. The expression of target gene (ERG11) was analyzed by RT-PCR using real-time PCR system.
RESULTS
When C. albicans and P. aeruginosa were mixed cultured, the colony count of C. albicans significantly decreased (p=0.021). The colony size, MIC, and ERG11 mRNA expression were no significant differences between single and mixed culture.
CONCLUSIONS
Further investigations are warranted to understand the fungal-bacterial interaction in order to aid in the design of new strategies for the treatment and prevention of infections.

Keyword

Candida albicans; Bacteria; Interaction; Mixed culture

MeSH Terms

Acinetobacter baumannii
Agar
Bacteria
Candida albicans*
Candida*
Catheters
Colon
Enterococcus faecalis
Fluconazole
Itraconazole
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Methods
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
RNA, Messenger
Staphylococcus aureus
Urinary Bladder
Agar
Fluconazole
Itraconazole
RNA, Messenger