Importance of biofilm in Candida parapsilosis and evaluation of its susceptibility to antifungal agents by colorimetric method

The ability of C parapsilosis (an important cause of nosocomial infections) to produce biofilm was evaluated in 32 bloodstream isolates and 85 strains isolated from skin. The biofilm formation was found in 19 (59 %) blood isolates and only in 33 (39 %) isolates from skin. The antifungal susceptibility was assessed for amphotericin B, itraconazole and voriconazole in planktonic and biofilm form of the 19 biofilm-positive bloodstream strains by broth microdilution method according to NCCLS standards. The method was modified by the use of resazurin as a colorimetric indicator of the metabolically active cells which makes the determination of the effect of antifungal agents easier. Biofilm forms of all strains were more resistant than their planktonic form.