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Effects of alkali metal ions on some virulence traits ofCandida albicans

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Abstract

The effects of the alkali metal ions (Li+, Na+ and K+) on the growth and on certain virulence factors (adhesion, cell-surface hydrophobicity and germinating ability) ofCandida albicans were determined. High concentrations of these ions displayed an inhibitory effect on the growth of theCandida cells; preincubation in their presence showed a negative effect on all virulence factors studied. The changes induced during the preincubation remained there even when high concentration of the ions was removed from the cell suspension. In contrast, a considerable growth was found at high Na+ and K+ concentrations. Although alkali metal ions significantly decreased certain virulence traits of the fungus they did not totally inhibit adhesion and germ-tube formation. This suggests thatC. albicans may represent a health hazard even at a high salt concentration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

    P. Hermann

  2. Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary

    K. Forgács, E. Gál & B. Lenkey

  3. Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

    G. Nagy

  4. Institute of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1445, Budapest, Hungary

    F. Rozgonyi

Authors
  1. P. Hermann
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  2. K. Forgács
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  3. E. Gál
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  4. B. Lenkey
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  5. G. Nagy
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  6. F. Rozgonyi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Rozgonyi.

Additional information

This work was supported in part by theHungarian National Scientific Research Fund, grant no. OTKA T 032 473.

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Hermann, P., Forgács, K., Gál, E. et al. Effects of alkali metal ions on some virulence traits ofCandida albicans . Folia Microbiol 48, 173–176 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02930951

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02930951

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