Alterations in surface morphology of Candida albicans produced by rilopirox: a scanning electron microscopy study.

The topological changes produced in Candida albicans cells by incubation in vitro with rilopirox have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Rilopirox is a new hydroxypyridone compound with fungicidal activity and the effects of 1x MIC (2.9 micrograms/ml) and 4 x MIC (11.6 micrograms/ml) after 1, 12, 24 hours of incubation were evaluated. The morphological alterations produced by rilopirox are round shapes, collapsed cells, surface folds, clusters, holes and thorn-like extrusion. The effects of rilopirox are already evident at 1 x MIC and after 1 h but their frequency and severity are correlated with the time of incubation and the MIC.