Activity of Fusarium oxysporum-Based Silver Nanoparticles on Candida spp. Oral Isolates

Abstract

<i>Candida</i> spp. resistant to commercially available antifungals are often isolated from patients with oral candidiasis, a situation that points to the need for the development of new therapies. Thus, we evaluated the activity of <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i>-based silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on <i>Candida</i> spp. isolated from denture stomatitis lesions. <i>Candida</i> isolates were molecularly identified and submitted to susceptibility assays using AgNPs and commercial fungicides. The interference on biofilm formation and the mechanisms of action of AgNPs on <i>Candida</i> spp. were also investigated. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the morphology of AgNP-treated <i>Candida</i>. <i>Candida albicans</i> was the most frequent species isolated from denture stomatitis cases. All <i>Candida</i> spp. were susceptible to AgNPs at low concentrations, except <i>Candida parapsilosis</i>. AgNPs caused surface damage, cell disruption, and biofilm formation inhibition. The ergosterol supplementation protected <i>C. albicans</i> against the AgNP action. AgNPs are effective against <i>Candida</i> spp. and can be faced as a promising new therapeutic agent against oral candidiasis.