Inhibition–Disruption of Candida glabrata Biofilms: Symmetrical Selenoesters as Potential Anti-Biofilm Agents

Abstract

<i>Candida glabrata</i> is one of the most prevalent pathogenic <i>Candida</i> species in dental plaque on tooth surfaces. <i>Candida</i> biofilms exhibit an enhanced resistance against most antifungal agents. Thus, the development of alternative more potent and effective antimicrobials is required to overcome this resistance. In this study, three novel fluorinated derivatives and nine selenoester compounds were screened as novel antifungal and antibiofilm agents against <i>C. krusei</i>, <i>C. parapsilosis</i>, and <i>C. glabrata</i> (N = 81 dental isolates). <i>C. glabrata</i> strains were susceptible only to fluorinated compounds while <i>C. krusei</i>, <i>C. parapsilosis</i>, and <i>C. glabrata</i> were susceptible to the action of the selenoesters. The evaluated symmetrical selenoester compounds presented very good antifungal activity against all the tested <i>C. glabrata</i> dental isolates (1-4 μg/mL of minimum inhibitory concentration-MIC). The most active compound (Se-5) was able to inhibit and disperse <i>C. glabrata</i> biofilms. These results demonstrated that selenoesters may be novel and promising biocide agents against <i>C. glabrata</i> clinical dental isolates.