Ultrastructural alterations of Candida albicans induced by a new imidazole antimycotic omoconazole nitrate.

The antifungal effects of an imidazole-antimycotic omoconazole nitrate (OMZ) on the morphology and ultrastructure of Candida albicans yeast cells were studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The treatment of growing Candida cultures with fungistatic doses (0.4 to 4 micrograms/ml) of OMZ produced the formation of a chain or cluster of cells. Thickening of the cell wall and accumulation of electrondense vesicles in the wall were clearly observed. Development of Golgi-like complex membranous structures in the cytoplasm was the most prominent finding. The cytological alteration induced by exposure to a higher concentration (40 micrograms/ml) of the drug was characterized by disruption of the intracytoplasmic organelles. Our results confirm the strong antifungal activity of OMZ against fungal cells.