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Methods for obtaining reliable and reproducible results in studies of C andida biofilms formed in vitro
Author(s) -
Costa Anna C. B. P.,
Pereira Cristiane A.,
Freire Fernanda,
Junqueira Juliana C.,
Jorge Antonio O. C.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
mycoses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.13
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1439-0507
pISSN - 0933-7407
DOI - 10.1111/myc.12092
Subject(s) - biofilm , antifungal , in vitro , microbiology and biotechnology , virulence , chemistry , biology , bacteria , biochemistry , gene , genetics
Summary Biofilm formation is one of the most important attributes for virulence in C andida species and contributes to increased resistance to antifungal drugs and host immune mechanisms. These features have led to the development of several methodologies to reproduce a sessile community in vitro that can be used to study the development of a biofilm, its interaction with other microorganisms and the environment, and its susceptibility to available antifungal agents and also to search for new therapy strategies. The purpose of this review is to describe the most commonly used methods to study C andida biofilms in vitro , to discuss the benefits and limitations of the different methods to induce biofilm formation, and to analyse the architecture, viability and growth kinetics of C andida biofilms.