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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis
Published on: March 19, 2019
Low-level direct currents eradicate multi-drug-resistant Candidozyma auris through physiological stress and
Camila S Cué Royo1, Colin Landis2, Maria Geraghty3
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, United States.
Abstract:
As multi-drug-resistant microorganisms continue to emerge and evolve, infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat and, in some cases, life-threatening. Pathogens like Candidozyma auris pose serious challenges to healthcare, with new isolates exhibiting resistance to all available antifungal drugs. The demand for innovative therapies to effectively combat C. auris infections is greater than ever, given that this pathogen causes outbreaks globally. Electrochemical therapy (ECT) has recently gained interest due to its promising antimicrobial effects; however, its efficacy against C. auris remains unexplored. This study examines the mechanisms of ECT by analyzing its effects on cell viability, morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in a clinical isolate of C. auris. Additionally, the synergy between ECT and the antifungal caspofungin (CSF) is explored to understand how ECT enhances drug diffusion and accumulation within C. auris cells. Results revealed a profound reduction in the pathogen's metabolic state, culminating in a 99.998 % killing efficiency with 70 μA/cm2 DC. Further analysis suggests that this reduction in cell viability is linked to alteration in key cellular functions, particularly membrane permeability. Notably, exposing C. auris to a sublethal current density of 17.5 μA/cm2 DC resulted in significant diffusion and intracellular accumulation of CSF, which presents a significant contrast to untreated C. auris cells. These findings provide new insights into the antimicrobial properties of ECT and its capacity to potentiate antifungal drugs, offering a promising strategy for managing C. auris-related infections.
Insights
Electrochemical therapy (ECT) effectively eliminates multidrug-resistant Candida auris, achieving 99.998% killing efficiency. ECT also enhances antifungal drug diffusion, offering a novel strategy against resistant fungal infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biophysics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms, including Candida auris, present significant global health challenges due to limited treatment options.
- Emerging fungal pathogens like C. auris exhibit resistance to existing antifungal drugs, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.
- Electrochemical therapy (ECT) shows potential antimicrobial effects, but its efficacy against C. auris is not yet understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antimicrobial mechanisms of electrochemical therapy (ECT) against a clinical isolate of Candida auris.
- To evaluate the impact of ECT on C. auris cell viability, morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
- To explore the synergistic effects of ECT and caspofungin (CSF) in enhancing drug diffusion and intracellular accumulation in C. auris.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of C. auris clinical isolates to varying direct current (DC) densities.
- Assessment of cell viability using metabolic assays.
- Microscopic examination of cell morphology.
- Measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS production.
- Quantification of caspofungin (CSF) diffusion and intracellular accumulation following ECT exposure.
Main Results:
- ECT demonstrated a significant reduction in C. auris metabolic activity, achieving 99.998% killing efficiency at 70 μA/cm² DC.
- ECT-induced cell death is associated with alterations in cell membrane permeability and disruption of key cellular functions.
- Sublethal ECT (17.5 μA/cm² DC) significantly enhanced the diffusion and intracellular accumulation of caspofungin (CSF) in C. auris cells compared to untreated controls.
Conclusions:
- Electrochemical therapy is a potent antimicrobial agent against multidrug-resistant Candida auris.
- ECT disrupts C. auris cellular integrity, leading to cell death.
- ECT potentiates the efficacy of existing antifungal drugs like caspofungin by improving drug delivery, offering a promising adjunctive therapy for C. auris infections.
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