Candida albicans biofilm development under increased temperature.

ABSTRACT

C. albicans is one of the most important species of fungi known to produce biofilms on installed medical devices. The environment surrounding the fungi influences the development of the biofilm. Temperature is known to affect the yeast-to-hypha transition of C. albicans, but the impact of this factor on biofilm formation is still not understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of temperature (42°C versus 37°C) on the formation of C. albicans biofilms. Three reference C. albicans strains were used SC 5314, ATCC 90028, and ATCC 96901. Biofilm development was monitored in a series of time intervals, 2, 4, 6, 8, 24, and 48 h, at both 37°C and 42°C. Biofilm formation under each condition was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, crystal violet staining, and 2,3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-(phenylamino)-carbonyl-2H-tetrazoliumhydroxide reduction assay. Our results demonstrated that at 42°C, tested strains of C. albicans could produce a biofilm, but the mass, thickness, and metabolic activity were lower than those of the biofilm formed at 37°C.