SUSCEPTIBILITY assays using white and opaque Candida albicans were performed against two antifungals: fluconazole (FLU) and terbinafine (TRB). The microdilution method (NCCLS M27-A2) was used for determination of the MIC90. It was found that FLU and TRB were active antifungal drugs against C. albicans either in white or opaque forms but FLU more efficient than TRB.
The expression of five resistance genes was measured by RT-PCR after treatment of C. albicans with both FLU and TRB. The results indicated that Candida drug resistant gene CDR1 was expressed in susceptible and resistant isolates. However, Candida drug resistant gene CDR2, Candida multidrug resistant gene CaMDR1 and ergosterol resistant gene ERG11 were up regulated in only resistant C. albicans against FLU and TRB. Fluconazole resistant gene FLU1 in C. albicans not expressed at all antifungal treatments.