IRON-LIMITED BIOFILMS OF CANDIDA-ALBICANS AND THEIR SUSCEPTIBILITY TOAMPHOTERICIN-B

Biofilms of Candida albicans were grown in vitro under iron limitation and at a low growth rate to simulate conditions for implant-associate d biofilms in vivo. Their properties were compared with those of gluco se-limited biofilms grown under analogous conditions. At steady state, the adherent cell populations of iron-limited biofilms were double th ose of glucose-limited biofilms, although the growth rates were simila r (0.038 to 0.043 h(-1)). Both biofilm types were resistant to amphote ricin B, but daughter cells from iron-limited biofilms were significan tly more susceptible to the drug than those from glucose-limited biofi lms.