Antifungal activity of citronellal against candida non-albicans of pediatric clinical importance

Abstract

Despite their commensal interaction, Candida yeasts may infect the human being, causing candidiasis which can vary from a superficial to a disseminated form, namely candidemia. The most common etiological agent of these infections is C. albicans; however, the profile of these fungal infections is changing, where non-albicans species becomes the main pathogens associated with candidiasis. The high mortality rate associated with the development of resistance against standard antifungal agents are factors that make candidemia a serious public health problem worldwide, especially in fragile patients as children, especially when there is an aggravating as a suppressed immune system. Citronellal, one of the main phytochemicals of the essential oils of several plants, is a potential candidate for an antifungal agent. In order to evaluate the antifungal profile of this natural product, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (CFM) were determined against strains of Candida non-albicans from blood infections in pediatric patients. It was observed that both MIC50 and MFC50 of citronellal were 128 μg/mL, attesting the antifungal efficacy of this monoterpene against strains of clinical relevance.