Pathogenesis of the Candida parapsilosis Complex in the Model Host Caenorhabditis elegans

Author(s)

Remondi Souza, Ana Carolina ^{[1, 2]} ; Fuchs, Beth Burgwyn ^[1] ; Alves, Viviane de Souza ^[3] ; Jayamani, Elamparithi ^[1] ; Colombo, Arnaldo Lopes ^[2] ; Mylonakis, Eleftherios ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Brown Univ, Rhode Isl Hosp, Alpert Med Sch, Div Infect Dis, Providence, RI 02903 - USA

^[2] Fed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Div Infect Dis, Special Mycol Lab, BR-04039032 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Biol Sci Inst, Microbiol Dept, Microorganisms Cell Biol Lab, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: GENES; v. 9, n. 8 AUG 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 4

Abstract

Caenorhabditis elegans is a valuable tool as an infection model toward the study of Candida species. In this work, we endeavored to develop a C. elegans-Candida parapsilosis infection model by using the fungi as a food source. Three species of the C. parapsilosis complex (C. parapsilosis (sensu stricto), Candida orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis) caused infection resulting in C. elegans killing. All three strains that comprised the complex significantly diminished the nematode lifespan, indicating the virulence of the pathogens against the host. The infection process included invasion of the intestine and vulva which resulted in organ protrusion and hyphae formation. Importantly, hyphae formation at the vulva opening was not previously reported in C. elegans-Candida infections. Fungal infected worms in the liquid assay were susceptible to fluconazole and caspofungin and could be found to mount an immune response mediated through increased expression of cnc-4, cnc-7, and fipr-22/23. Overall, the C. elegans-C. parapsilosis infection model can be used to model C. parapsilosis host-pathogen interactions. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/02203-7 - Multidisciplinary and international network to characterize microbiological aspects and natural history of invasive fungal infections due Candida spp
• Grantee: Arnaldo Lopes Colombo
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/04769-4 - Candida parapsilosis complex: epidemiological peculiarities, virulence and mechanisms of antifungal resistance
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Remondi Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/07405-6 - Pathogenicity analysis of C. parapsilosis species complex in experimental models of invertebrates
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Remondi Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate