Farnesol concentrations required to block germ tube formation in Candida albicans in the presence and absence of serum

Abstract

Concentrations of (E,E)-farnesol needed to inhibit germ tube formation were determined for Candida albicans strains A72 and SC5314 by using six different conditions known to trigger germination. For defined media, 1 to 2 μM farnesol was sufficient. However, with serum at 2 to 20%, up to 250 μM farnesol was required. Farnesol blocked germ tube formation but did not block elongation of existing germ tubes. Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.