Antifungal potential of some collagen-based nanocomposites Against Candida lusitaniae

Candida albicans is the most common pathogenic fungus isolated in bloodstream infections in hospitalized patients, and candidiasis represents the fourth most common infection in United States hospitals, mostly due to the increasing numbers of immuneand medically-compromised patients. C. albicans has the ability to form biofilms and morphogenetic conversions between oval cells and hyphal morphologies contribute to biofilm development. Moreover, these attached communities of cells are surrounded by a protective exopolymeric matrix that effectively shelters Candida against the action of antifungals. Because of dismal outcomes, novel antifungal strategies, and in particular those targeting biofilms are urgently required. As fungi are eukaryotic, research and development of new antifungal agents is difficult due to the limited number of selective targets, also leading to toxicityto macro-organism [2].