Comparison of difference between fluconazole and silver nanoparticles in antimicrobial effect on fluconazole-resistant Candida Albicans strains

Abstract

Background: Opportunistic fungi cause fungal infections. Whereas some microorganisms are resistant to chemical drugs, scientists are looking for new natural and inorganic antimicrobial agents. The recent research on metal nanoparticles showed that silver nanoparticles (nanosilver) exhibits lower toxicity to mammalian cells and higher toxicity to microorganisms. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the difference between antimicrobial effect of nanosilver and some antibiotic agents on Candida albicans. Materials and Methods: We studied effect of fluconazole, nanosilver, and their combination on 20 fluconazole-resistant C. albicans from two centers and one standard sample (ATCC10261) by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. Results: Result of fungi static and fungicidal activities of nanosilver plus fluconazole on fluconazole-resistant C. albicans showed better inhibitory effect on the growth of standard C. albicans when MIC of fluconazole (8 μg/mL) combined with MIC of Nanosilver (0.0625 μg/mL). Conclusions: Totally, our results showed nanosilver caused an increase of at least nine-fold in inhibitory effect of fluconazole.