Antifungal and anti-virulence activity of six essential oils against important species - a preliminary study.

Opportunistic infections with species are becoming more problematic, considering their increasing virulence and resistance to antifungal drugs. To assess the antifungal and anti-virulence activity of basil, cinnamon, clove, melaleuca, oregano and thyme essential oils (EOs) on five species (, , , and ). The MIC, growth rate, antibiofilm activity, regulation of gene expression (, , ) and germ-tube formation were evaluated by specific methods. Most EOs inhibited species growth and reduced the expression of some virulence factors. Cinnamon and clove EO showed the most significant inhibitory effects. The tested EOs are promising agents for facilitating the management of some infections.