Evaluation of Antifungal Resistance in Candida albicans Associated to Vaginal Candidiasis

Abstract

Introduction: Candida albicans is one of the opportunistic pathogenic fungi that cause candidiasis in women between the ages of 20 and 35. This infection is commonly observed, particularly in pregnant individuals and those with weakened immune systems. Candida have the ability to create a biofilm on mucous membranes, which reduces the effectiveness of antifungal medications. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of antifungal medications in inhibiting the production of biofilms by C. albicans.

Methods: Candida albicans was obtained from 40 female patients diagnosed with candidiasis, specifically married women between the ages of 20 and 40, at Jayapura General Hospital in Indonesia. The antifungal medicines utilized in this investigation include amphotericin at a concentration of 10% and fluconazole at a dosage of 50 mg. Antifungal susceptibility was assessed using the microdilution technique on Mueller-Hinton agar. The crystal violet assay (CV) was used in microtiter plates to measure how much biofilm was formed.

Results: Indicative inhibitory halo diameters of 1 cm and 1.5 cm from the antifungal susceptibility test show that C. albicans demonstrated reduced sensitivity to fluconazole and amphotericin B at low concentrations. At high concentrations, the inhibitory halo diameter was between 0.08 cm and 2.3 cm.

Conclusion: C. albicans demonstrated reduced sensitivity to fluconazole and amphotericin B at low concentrations and had moderate biofilm formation and antifungal susceptibility  against all tested products at lower and stronger concentrations.