Pathogenicity Levels of Colombian Strains of Candida auris and Brazilian Strains of Candida haemulonii Species Complex in Both Murine and Galleria mellonella Experimental Models.

Julián E Muñoz,Laura M Ramirez,Lívia S Ramos,Claudia M Parra-Giraldo,Lucas Dos Santos Dias,André L S Santos,Laura A Rivas,Carlos P Taborda

doi:10.3390/jof6030104

Abstract

Candida auris and Candida haemulonii complex (C. haemulonii, C. haemulonii var. vulnera and C. duobushaemulonii) are phylogenetically related species that share some physiological features and habits. In the present study, we compared the virulence of these yeast species using two different experimental models: (i) Galleria mellonella larvae to evaluate the survival rate, fungal burden, histopathology and phagocytosis index and (ii) BALB/c mice to evaluate the survival. In addition, the fungal capacity to form biofilm over an inert surface was analyzed. Our results showed that in both experimental models, the animal survival rate was lower when infected with C. auris strains than the C. haemulonii species complex. The hemocytes of G. mellonella showed a significantly reduced ability to phagocytize the most virulent strains forming the C. haemulonii species complex. Interestingly, for C. auris, it was impossible to measure the phagocytosis index due to a general lysis of the hemocytes. Moreover, it was observed a greater capability of biofilm formation by C. auris compared to C. haemulonii species complex. In conclusion, we observed that C. auris and C. haemulonii complex have different levels of pathogenicity in the experimental models employed in the present study.

Highlights

Candida auris and Candida haemulonii complex (C. haemulonii, C. haemulonii var. vulnera andC. duobushaemulonii) are phylogenetic related species, being the first one constantly related with healthcare-related infectious diseases (HID)
Regarding the strains belonging to the C. haemulonii complex, the most pathogenic ones were LIPCh3 and LIPCh7 (C. haemulonii) as well as LIPCh11 (C. haemulonii var. vulnera) (Figure 1B—Group 3), while the strains with the lowest virulence capability were LIPCh1 and LIPCh6 belonging to C. duobushaemulonii and LIPCh12 belonging to C. haemulonii (Figure 1B—Group 4)
One of them is C. auris, recognized for its resistance and persistence on the surfaces and the other yeasts belong to the C. haemulonii complex (C. haemulonii, C. haemulonii var. vulnera and C. duobushaemulonii), which are phylogenetically related to C. auris

Summary

Introduction

C. duobushaemulonii) are phylogenetic related species, being the first one constantly related with healthcare-related infectious diseases (HID). These yeast species present ubiquitously distribution and. Candida auris was isolated for the first time from the external auditory canal of a female patient in Japan in 2009 and in 15 South Korean patients in the same year [2,3]. It is a multidrug-resistant agent mainly related with HID, showing high rate of mortality and diversity of susceptibility profiles

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