The influence of starvation on Candida albicans biofilm and persisters formation

Abstract

Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of starvation on Candida albicans(C. albicans) biofilm and persisters formation. METHODS: The growth curve was made by CFU counts methods in different culture times to find the exponential and stationary phases. C. albicans in exponential, stationary and starvation phases were developed respectively in 96-well microtiter plates to form 24 h biofilms model. Then the biofilms before and after amphotericin B (100 ?g/ml) treatment were quantified to determine the number of live cells. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS17.0 software package. The biofilm structure was observed by confocal scanning laser microscopy. RESULTS: Biofilm formation capacity of C. albicans in exponential, stationary and starvation phases reduced successively (P<0.05). The biofilms formed by starved C. albicans were predominately composed of yeast cells, compared with cells in exponential and stationary biofilms, which displayed filamentous growth. The ratios of persisters increased successively (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The formation of C. albicans persisters can be influenced by environment events, and starvation can increase the percentage of persister cells.

Key words: Candida albicans, Biofilm, Persister cells, Starvation

CLC Number:

R780.2

WU Xia, SUN Jing, CHU Hao-yue, QI Qing-guo. The influence of starvation on Candida albicans biofilm and persisters formation[J]. Shanghai Journal of Stomatology, 2014, 23(3): 285-289.

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