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NO Candida auris: Nitric Oxide in Nanotherapeutics to Combat Emerging Fungal Pathogen Candida auris

Levi G Cleare1, Kevin L Li2, Waleed M Abuzeid3

  • 1Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.

Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 18, 2020
PubMed

Insights

A novel nitric oxide (NO)-generating nanoparticle effectively eradicates the emerging fungal pathogen Candida auris. This innovative treatment significantly reduces both planktonic cells and biofilms, showing promise for future antifungal therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Nanotechnology
  • Antimicrobial Research

Background:

  • Candida auris is a concerning emerging fungal pathogen with high mortality and antifungal resistance.
  • Previous research indicates nitric oxide (NO) nanoparticles are effective against Candida species.
  • This study is the first to explore NO-generating nanoparticles against C. auris.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antifungal efficacy of a novel nitric oxide (NO)-generating nanoparticle against Candida auris.
  • To evaluate the nanoparticle's effect on both planktonic and biofilm forms of C. auris.

Main Methods:

  • Six strains of C. auris were treated with a nitric oxide (NO)-releasing nanoparticle (NAC-SNO-np).
  • Colony forming unit (CFU) assays were used to quantify viable C. auris cells.
  • Confocal laser scanning microscopy was employed to assess biofilm viability.

Main Results:

  • NAC-SNO-np demonstrated significant eradication of planktonic C. auris across all tested strains.
  • A concentration of 10 mg/mL NAC-SNO-np significantly reduced CFU counts (p < 0.05).
  • The nanoparticle achieved a >70% decrease in C. auris biofilm viability (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • The NO-generating nanoparticle NAC-SNO-np is effective against planktonic C. auris.
  • NAC-SNO-np significantly inhibits C. auris biofilm formation.
  • This novel NO-releasing nanoparticle presents a promising therapeutic candidate for C. auris infections.
Keywords:
C. aurisCandida aurisNACconfocal microscopynanoparticlesnitric oxide

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