Antifungal evaluation of amphotericin B and micafungin co-encapsulated in nanoemulsion against clinical isolates of Candida auris

• Grant number: 21/11120-3
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2022
• Effective date (End): January 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal researcher: Marlus Chorilli
• Grantee: Gabriel Davi Marena
• Supervisor abroad: Javier Peman
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/09831-9 - Microemulsion for co-encapsulation on amphotericin B and micafungin: development and characterizations of the in vitro and in vivo Candida auris potential., BP.DR

Abstract

Climate change, ineffective diagnoses, and uncontrolled use of antibiotics are factors that justify the emergence of new species of microorganisms with a high capacity for dissemination and mortality. This is the example of Candida auris, a yeast that appeared in Japan in 2009 and which today is a matter of worldwide concern due to its high resistance to therapy and mortality worldwide. Antifungal resistance is the main characteristic of this new species. In view of this, this project aims to explore the influence of nanoemulsion with amphotericin B (AmB) and micafungin (MICA) co-encapsulated against clinical isolates of C. auris, since this new species already present significant levels of resistance to these antifungals. Contributing to this project, the research group of Prof. Dr. Javier Pemán will contribute with his extensive experience facing this infection. The project will involve clinical isolates of C. auris from different geographic locations and will evaluate the antifungal potential (planktonic cells and biofilm) of the drugs free and incorporated against in vitro assays and using an alternative in vivo model with Galleria mellonella. Furthermore, the level of pathogenicity, tissue invasion and immune response to infection will be evaluated in model G. mellonella. (AU)