Evaluation of the potential virulence of Candida haemulonii species complex and Candida auris isolates in Caenorhabditis elegans as an in vivo model and correlation to their biofilm production capacity

Autor(es)

Lima, Soraia Lopes ^[1] ; Rossato, Luana ^[1] ; de Azevedo Melo, Analy Salles ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Special Lab Mycol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Microbial Pathogenesis; v. 148, NOV 2020.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Candida haemulonii species complex (Can. haemulonii sensu stricto, Can. duobushaemulonii and Can. haemulonii var. vulnera) and related species (Can. auris and Can. pseudohaemulonii) have attracted attention due to reduced susceptibility to azoles and amphotericin B. Furthermore, attributes of potential virulence have been recognized in Can. haemulonii species complex and Can. auris, like the capability to form biofilm, which represent the most important risk factors for persistent candidemia. However, the relationship between biofilm production and impact on host mortality is still unclear. To evaluate the potential virulence of Can. haemulonii species complex and Can. auris isolates by correlating biofilm production and capacity to kill Caenorhabditis elegans as an in vivo model. In this study, virulence factors were characterized among a total of sixty-six Can. haemulonii species complex and Can. auris isolates to gain insight about virulence traits of these pathogenic yeasts by evaluating the in vitro biofilm production and potential pathogenicity for Cae. elegans, as an in vivo infection model. All clinical isolates tested were biofilm producer, interand intra-specific differences on the biofilm forming capacity by the strains were observed. Can. auris and Can. haemuolonii var. vulnera showed similar biofilm production, both higher than Can. haemulonii sensu stricto and Can. duobushaemulonii. Regarding the virulence of the Cae. elegans model, Can. haemulonii species complex and Can. auris isolates were capable of causing infection in Cae. elegans, and our data suggest that the high biofilm production by Can. haemulonii var. vulnera and Can. duobushaemulonii isolates may impact in the pathogenicity caused on Cae. elegans. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 17/19095-2 - Avaliação da virulência e resposta imune frente à Candida auris utilizando o modelo alternativo Caenorhabditis elegans
• Beneficiário: Luana Rossato
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 17/19821-5 - Caracterização molecular, fenotípica e da resposta imune de isolados clínicos de Aspergillus nidulans
• Beneficiário: Rafael Wesley Bastos
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado