Aspirin as an Antifungal-Lock Agent in Inhibition of Candidal Biofilm Formation in Surgical Catheters

• Main Authors: Chan AKY, Tsang YC, Chu CH, Tsang CSP
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2021-04-01
• Series: Infection and Drug Resistance
• Subjects: candida species; lock therapy; antifungal; aspirin; catheter-related infection
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/aspirin-as-an-antifungal-lock-agent-in-inhibition-of-candidal-biofilm--peer-reviewed-article-IDR

Alice Kit Ying Chan, Yiu Cheung Tsang, Chun Hung Chu, Chiu Shun Peter Tsang Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Chiu Shun Peter TsangFaculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, 34 Hospital Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of ChinaTel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [e-mail]: The antibiotic lock technique (ALT) has been recommended for the prevention and treatment of catheter-related candidaemia. Biofilms of Candida species are resistant to some of the antifungal agents currently used. Aspirin has been shown to have anti-fungal effect but its effect on candidal biofilm is poorly understood.Purpose: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the anti-biofilm effect of aspirin on Candida biofilms including C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. krusei and C. tropicalis formed on surgical catheters and the concentration and time required to eradicate the biofilms.Methods: Biofilms of Candida species were grown on silicone catheters and incubated in aspirin at different concentrations for 2, 4 and 24 hours. The biofilms remaining were then determined quantitatively by colony-forming unit (CFU) counts and XTT assays.Results: The results demonstrated that among the tested Candida species, C. albicans was the most sensitive species towards aspirin. Aspirin at a concentration of 40 mg/mL in 4 hours was effective in eradicating the biofilm. For all the other tested species, they were eradicated by aspirin at a concentration of 40 mg/mL in 24 hours.Conclusion: Our results showed that aspirin may be used as an anti-fungal agent in lock therapy in the treatment of catheter-related candidaemia.Keywords: Candida species, lock therapy, antifungal, aspirin, catheter-related infection