In vitro screening of antifungal compounds able to counteract biofilm development

Methods Mol Biol. 2014:1147:187-201. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0467-9_13.

Abstract

Fungi are able to grow as a single-species or a more complex biofilm attached to inert surfaces (catheters…) or tissues (lung…). This last form is a microbial niche which must be considered as a major risk factor of developing a human fungal infection. Nowadays, only a few therapeutic agents have been shown to be active against fungal biofilms in vitro and/or in vivo. So there is a real need to find new anti-biofilm molecules. Here we describe in detail some rapid, 96-well microtiter plate-based methods, for the screening of compounds with anti-biofilm activity against Candida spp. yeasts. Two approaches will be considered: prophylactic or curative effects of the tested compounds by producing biofilms on two supports - polystyrene well surfaces and catheter sections.

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Candida / drug effects
  • Candida / physiology
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Fungi / drug effects*
  • Fungi / physiology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests / methods*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents