Candida albicans Recovered From Persistent Candidemia Exhibits Enhanced Virulence Traits

Author(s)

Ribeiro, Felipe de Camargo ; Kemmerich, Karoline Kristina ; Goncale, Juliana Caparroz ; Junqueira, Juliana Campos ; Mannan, Mohammad ; Nabeela, Sunna ; Colombo, Arnaldo Lopes ; Uppuluri, Priya

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Infectious Diseases; v. N/A, p. 10-pg., 2025-01-21.

Abstract

Candida albicans catheter-related candidemia is largely driven by microbial adhesion and biofilm formation on central venous catheters. Cells that disperse from these biofilms can enter the bloodstream, spread to distant organs, and sustain the cycle of infection. In this study, we investigated the virulence potential of C. albicans isolates obtained from the blood of catheterized patients experiencing persistent candidemia, comparing them to isolates that were cleared from the bloodstream early in the infection. Our results show that isolates persisting in the bloodstream for 4 days or longer, despite antifungal treatment, exhibited enhanced adherence, filamentation, and biofilm formation in vitro, along with increased expression of key virulence-related genes. Notably, cells dispersed from second-generation biofilms formed by these persistent isolates displayed even more pronounced pathogenic characteristics, including improved immune evasion. Furthermore, in vivo experiments using Galleria mellonella revealed that persistent isolates were significantly more virulent than their nonpersistent counterparts. Candida albicans may enhance its pathogenic traits within the host during persistent candidemia, and these traits appear to be heritable across cell generations. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/00527-5 - Mechanisms of virulence and pathogenicity expressed by strains of Candida spp. during episodes of persistent Candidemia
• Grantee: Felipe de Camargo Ribeiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 22/01975-4 - Assessment of virulence characteristics of cells dispersed from biofilms formed by clinical isolates of Candida albicans responsible for persistent candidemia
• Grantee: Felipe de Camargo Ribeiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• 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: 21/10599-3 - The Antimicrobial Resistance Institute of São Paulo (The Aries Project)
• Grantee: Arnaldo Lopes Colombo
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC