## 4 Discussion  
The effects of different treatment times with the antibacterial protocol were tested on planktonic _C. albicans_ in order to find alternative treatments that could kill or increase the susceptibility of this fungus to traditional antifungals [30; 31; 32]. The inhibitory effect of CMFs with the antibacterial protocol was significant by using the first five programs (p1-p5). On the contrary, 3 min of treatment were not effective in significantly reducing the CFUs with respect to the controls. No difference was reported for the programs (p1-p5) and A1, and no additive effects were measured by applying a double session (A2). The program used in this study is a sequence of six steps (3-5 min each, and overall duration of 23 min), with frequency ranging between 6 and 70 Hz, intensity between 6 and 95 \(\mu\)T, and complex waveforms with multiple harmonics. Each step of the program is focused on a specific fungal function to be interfered with. The influence of EFs, both static and pulsing, on microorganisms has been extensively demonstrated. Bacteria exposed to these fields lose the capability of dividing and multiplying [33]. In particular, the authors showed that the frequency of the EFs has a paramount importance when it comes to the effect: at a 4-Hz frequency, the survival rate of _E. coli_ K 121 was 20%; meanwhile, at 50 Hz, the survival rate turned out to be 53%. Figure 4: The colony forming units (log\({}_{10}\) CFUs/mL) at 24 h of _Candida albicans_ exposed and unexposed to EFs and cultivated on resin discs. UE were the unexposed controls. A1: one complete session of the antibacterial protocol with CMFs. A2: two complete sessions of the antibacterial protocol with CMFs. Statistical significance with \(p<0.05\). Error bars = standard deviation. The mechanisms of action of electromagnetic fields on bacteria proposed in the literature are variable: it is usually accepted that they could interact with cell membranes, causing a physicochemical change, with a consequent influence in the signal transduction system. Other hypotheses include changes in transmembrane potential, in the membrane potential of mitochondria, in the surface charge, and in hydrophobicity [21; 34; 35]. [PERSON] et al. hypothesized that pulsing EFs (between 0 and 110 uT) influence bacterial polar surface macromolecules following the ion resonance model according to [PERSON] (Stark effect), a model very similar to what had been demonstrated for calcium, magnesium, and chlorine ions. The molecular rotation induced by complex magnetic fields (CMFs) interferes with the bacterial capability of producing filaments and reproducing [36]. Moreover, as suggested by many authors, magnetic fields seem to interfere with fungal plasma membrane organization. It seems to alter the sphingolipid-ergosterol domain that is fundamental for the hyphal formation and consequently for the _Candida_'s ability to adhere to different surfaces and invade tissues. It has been shown that the plasma membrane alteration provided by the exposure to magnetic fields to _Candida albicans_ have a synergic effect with antifungal treatments, increasing the drug susceptibilities of _Candida albicans_[37; 38]. The results of this study using an alternative therapeutic approach are very encouraging because a recent paper reported that C. _albicans_ showed 50% resistance to fluconazole and itraconazole, two antifungal drugs currently used to treat candidiasis [39]. Moreover, these results were in accordance with the recent studies of [PERSON] et al. and [PERSON] et al. that showed the inhibitory effects of pulsed electric fields on the viability and hyphal length of C. _albicans_[40; 41]. _C. albicans_ is characterized by its polymorphism: it can exist as a unicellular yeast, or filamentous hyphae and pseudohyphae. Some authors have hypothesized that the different shapes could be connected with different virulence levels: the presence of hyphae should promote the ability of C. _albicans_ to adhere onto surfaces and penetrate into epithelial cells [42; 43]. [PERSON] et al.