Antifungal activity of local anesthetics against Candida species

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2000

Authors

pina-vaz, c (Author) FMUP; rodrigues, ag (Author) FMUP; Sansonetty, F (Author) Other; Martinez De Oliveira, J (Author) Other; Fonseca, AF (Author) Other; Mardh, PA (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Vol. 8

Pages: 124-137

ISSN: 1064-7449

Publisher: Hindawi

Indexing

Scopus - 53 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-007-QAH

Abstract (EN): Objective: To evaluate the activity of benzydamine, lidocaine, and bupivacaine, three drugs with local anesthetic activity, against Candida albicans and non-albicans strains and to clarify their mechanism of activity. Methods: The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for 20 Candida strains (18 clinical isolates and two American Type Culture Collection strains). The fungistatic activity was studied with the fluorescent probe FUN-1 and observation under epifluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The fungicidal activity of the three drugs was assayed by viability counts. Membrane alterations induced in the yeast cells were evaluated by staining with propidium iodide, by quantitation of intracellular K+ leakage and by transmission electron microscopy of intact yeast cells and prepared spheroplasts. Results: The MIC ranged from 12.5-50.0 ¿g/mL, 5.0-40.0 mg/mL, and 2.5-10.0 mg/mL for benzydamine, lidocaine, and bupivacaine, respectively. The inhibitory activity, of these concentrations could be detected with the fluorescent probe FUN-1 after incubation for 60 minutes. A very fast fungicidal activity was shown by 0.2, 50, and 30 mg/mL of benzydamine, lidocaine, and bupivacaine, respectively. Conclusions: At lower concentrations, the tested drugs have a fungistatic activity, due to yeast metabolic impairment, while at higher concentrations they are fungicidal, due to direct damage to the cytoplasmic membrane. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific