Candida albicans is a dimorphic and opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes superficial or systemic infections in immunocompromised individuals. Biofilms, in general are universal, complex, interdependent communities of surface associated microbes. Candida albicans cells adhere to surfaces of medical devices, encase itself inside extracellular polymer matrix, and form a biofilm. Candidal biofilm consists of a dense network of yeast cells, pseudohyphae, and hyphae. Biofilms possess unique developmental characteristics that are in stark contrast to the characteristics of free-floating planktonic cells, and biofilms are much more difficult to treat chemotherapeutically. The present study aimed to demonstrate the perfusive efficacy of an active fraction of the methanolic extract of the traditional medicinal plant A. calamus in biofilm of Candida albicans in comparison with conventional antifungal agents. 

Key words

Acorus calamus, biofilm, perfusion, Candida sp.

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