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A Carboxyl-Functionalized Graphene Quantum Dot Coating for Catheters Effective Against Emerging Drug-Resistant
Laure S van Hofwegen1, Muhammad Hassnain2, Payal P S Balraadjsing1
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Candidozyma auris is an emerging opportunistic fungal pathogen that can cause serious catheter-related blood stream infections associated with high morbidity and mortality. The traditional antifungal treatment with polyenes, azoles or echinocandins is becoming less effective due to both intrinsic and developed resistance, complicating treatment. This study demonstrates the potent fungicidal activity of carboxyl-functionalized graphene quantum dots (cGQDs) against a panel of C. auris strains, spanning clades I to V, and a Candida albicans reference strain. Photoactivation of cGQDs in suspension with 435 nm blue light killed 99.9% of the fungi within 30 min even though the majority of test strains were resistant to at least one conventional antifungal. Moreover, cGQDs coated on flexible polydimethylsiloxane surfaces and commercial catheters via electrostatic layer-by-layer deposition with alternating positively charged polydiallyldimethylammonium polymer showed strong fungicidal activity against C. auris and C. albicans. These findings show that the cGQDs, both in suspension and in a thin film coating, have potential for future clinical development. In particular, their application to catheters may help prevent Candidozyma and Candida catheter-related infections.
Insights
Carboxyl-functionalized graphene quantum dots (cGQDs) show potent antifungal activity against drug-resistant Candida auris. Photoactivated cGQDs and cGQDs coated on catheters effectively kill fungi, offering new strategies for infection prevention.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Candida auris is a challenging opportunistic fungal pathogen.
- Increasing antifungal resistance complicates treatment of C. auris infections.
- Catheter-related bloodstream infections caused by C. auris have high morbidity and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the fungicidal activity of carboxyl-functionalized graphene quantum dots (cGQDs) against Candida auris.
- To assess the efficacy of cGQDs in suspension and as a coating for medical devices.
- To explore novel therapeutic and preventative strategies against C. auris.
Main Methods:
- Testing cGQDs against multiple C. auris clades and Candida albicans.
- Photoactivation of cGQDs with blue light (435 nm).
- Coating polydimethylsiloxane surfaces and commercial catheters with cGQDs using layer-by-layer deposition.
Main Results:
- cGQDs demonstrated potent fungicidal activity, killing 99.9% of fungi within 30 minutes under blue light.
- Efficacy was observed against C. auris strains resistant to conventional antifungals.
- cGQDs coated on surfaces and catheters exhibited strong fungicidal activity against C. auris and C. albicans.
Conclusions:
- cGQDs possess significant fungicidal properties against C. auris.
- cGQDs show promise for clinical applications in both suspension and coating formats.
- Application of cGQDs to catheters could prevent C. auris and Candida catheter-related infections.
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