Effect of electromagnetic waves on susceptibility of fungi of the genus Candida to miconazole

Increasing use of elctromagnetic fields (EF) in the treatment of various diseases may have potential impacts on fungi - possible aetiological factors of concomitant mycoses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EF on miconazole susceptibility among fungi of the genus Candida showing confirmed pathogenicity in humans. Fifteen Candida strains obtained from patients were used and their susceptibility to miconazole was determined by diffusion in agar gel. Antifungal activity of miconazole was assessed as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) which was calculated for Candida strains not exposed to EF (control) and EF-exposed (3 experiments). In the majority of cases the susceptibility of Candida species to miconazole decreased (higher MICs) after the first week of EF exposure, regardless of the EF's parameters. This was followed by an increase in susceptibility (lower MICs) after the second week of exposure to EF of 2 mT intensity and frequency 3 Hz (experiment I) and an EF of 9 mT intensity and 12.5 Hz frequency (experiment II) relative to control. An increase in susceptibility (lower MICs) was observed in the second week of exposure, whatever the parameters of the EF. The application of low intensity, low frequency EF for a period of at least two weeks may be beneficial in the treatment of mycoses caused by pathogenic fungi of Candida genus.