Document Type : Original Articles
Authors
1
Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran North Branch, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science, Islamic Azad University Tehran North Branch
3
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, S.R.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
10.22092/ari.2025.367485.3399
Abstract
The emergence of fluconazole-resistant C. glabrata presents a critical challenge in antifungal therapy, underscoring the urgent need for alternative treatment strategies. C. glabrata, an opportunistic yeast-like fungus, is increasingly problematic due to its high resistance to common antifungals like fluconazole, driven by mechanisms such as efflux pump overexpression. This resistance compromises treatment efficacy and leads to higher mortality rates, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. This study focuses on the fabrication and evaluation of polyvinyl alcohol-nystatin-thymol (PVA-NYS-THY) nanofibrous scaffolds as a novel antifungal approach against fluconazole-resistant C. glabrata. Clinical isolates of C. glabrata were identified and assessed for resistance using a combination of culture methods, molecular assays, and antifungal susceptibility testing. PVA-NYS-THY nanofibers were produced via electrospinning, yielding uniform fibers with an average diameter of approximately 100 nm, confirmed through scanning electron microscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the successful incorporation of the desired functional groups within the scaffold structure. The effect of the nanofibers on the expression of secreted aspartyl proteinases (SAP) and agglutinin-like sequence (ALS) genes in C. glabrata was evaluated via real-time PCR. The release kinetics of the scaffolds were also characterized, and antifungal efficacy was determined through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays. PVA-NYS-THY scaffolds exhibited favorable release profiles and significantly downregulated the expression of ALS and SAP genes in C. glabrata. The MIC values for PVA-NYS-THY, PVA-NYS, and PVA-THY were 7.81, 15.62, and 62.5 µg/mL, respectively, demonstrating the superior antifungal activity of the PVA-NYS-THY formulation. These findings suggest that PVA-NYS-THY nanofibrous scaffolds offer a promising and effective antifungal therapy for fluconazole-resistant C. glabrata, providing a novel and potentially impactful solution to overcome current therapeutic limitations.
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