The effects of the alkali metal ions (Li+, Na+ and K+) on the growth and on certain virulence factors (adhesion, cell-surface hydrophobicity and germinating ability) of Candida albicans were determined. High concentrations of these ions displayed an inhibitory effect on the growth of the Candida cells; preincubation in their presence showed a negative effect on all virulence factors studied. The changes induced during the preincubation remained there even when high concentration of the ions was removed from the cell suspension. In contrast, a considerable growth was found at high Na+ and K+ concentrations. Although alkali metal ions significantly decreased certain virulence traits of the fungus they did not totally inhibit adhesion and germ-tube formation. This suggests that C. albicans may represent a health hazard even at a high salt concentration.

Department of Prosthodontics Faculty of Dentistry Semmelweis University Budapest Hungary

Zobrazit více v PubMed

Folia Microbiol (Praha). 2001;46(4):333-7 PubMed

Folia Microbiol (Praha). 2002;47(2):179-81 PubMed

J Bacteriol. 2001 Jun;183(12):3582-8 PubMed

Microbios. 1994;77(310):29-40 PubMed

Infect Immun. 1983 Oct;42(1):374-84 PubMed

Folia Microbiol (Praha). 2002;47(2):105-12 PubMed

Annu Rev Microbiol. 1991;45:187-218 PubMed

Mycoses. 2000 Sep;43(7-8):273-9 PubMed

Nihon Hifuka Gakkai Zasshi. 1989 Nov;99(12):1227-34 PubMed

Microbiology. 1997 Dec;143 ( Pt 12):3757-65 PubMed

Infect Immun. 1999 Dec;67(12):6637-42 PubMed

EMBO J. 1997 Dec 1;16(23):7184-95 PubMed

Microbios. 1994;79(318):27-30 PubMed

FEMS Microbiol Lett. 1996 Dec 1;145(2):167-72 PubMed

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1987 Aug;53(8):1762-7 PubMed

Four pathogenic Candida species differ in salt tolerance

Functional comparison of plasma-membrane Na+/H+ antiporters from two pathogenic Candida species

Detection of Candida albicans by culture, serology and PCR in clinical specimens from patients with ulcerative colitis: re-evaluation of an old hypothesis with a new perspective

Distribution of secreted aspartyl proteinases using a polymerase chain reaction assay with SAP specific primers in Candida albicans isolates

Occurrence of Candida strains in cases of paronychia

Secreted aspartate proteinases, a virulence factor of Candida spp.: occurrence among clinical isolates