Effect of biogenic selenium nanoparticles on ERG11 and CDR1 gene expression in both fluconazole-resistant and -susceptible isolates.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

is the most common species (sp.) isolated from fungal infections. Azole resistance in species has been considerably increased in the last decades. Given the toxicity of the antimicrobial drugs, resistance to antifungal agents, and drug interactions, the identification of new antifungal agents seems essential. In this study, we assessed the antifungal effects of biogenic selenium nanoparticles on and determined the expression of and genes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Selenium nanoparticles were synthesized with sp. MSH-1. The ultrastructure of selenium nanoparticles was evaluated with a transmission electron microscope. The antifungal susceptibility test was performed according to the modified Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M27-A3 standard protocol. The expression levels of the and genes were analyzed using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.

RESULTS

The azole-resistant and wild type strains were inhibited by 100 and 70 µg/mL of selenium nanoparticle concentrations, respectively. The expression of and genes was significantly down-regulated in these selenium nanoparticle concentrations.

CONCLUSION

As the findings indicated, selenium nanoparticles had an appropriate antifungal activity against fluconazole-resistant and -susceptible strains. Accordingly, these nanoparticles reduced the expression of and genes associated with azole resistance. Further studies are needed to investigate the synergistic effects of selenium nanoparticles using other antifungal drugs.