Activity of anti-CR3-RP polyclonal antibody against biofilms formed by Candida auris , a multidrug-resistant emerging fungal pathogen

AbstractFungal biofilm has remained a serious medical problem that complicates treatment of mycoses. In particular, once biofilms are formed, they display high levels of resistance against most common antifungals.Candida auris is currently considered as a serious emerging fungal pathogen frequently exhibiting high levels of resistance to antifungals. Recent studies have confirmed thatC. auris shares similarity withCandida albicans in regards to virulence-associated proteins involved in adherence and biofilm development. Complement receptor 3-related protein (CR3-RP) is one of the key surface antigens expressed byCandida species during biofilm formation. Here, we have investigated the presence of this cell surface moiety on the surface ofC. auris, as well as the potential of anti-CR3-RP polyclonal antibody (Ab) to inhibit biofilm formation by this emerging fungal pathogen. Using indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA, we were able to confirm the presence of CR3-RP inC. auris cells within biofilms. Further, not only anti-CR3-RP Ab was able to inhibit biofilm formation by multipleC. auris strains when added during the adherence phase, but it also demonstrated activity againstC. auris 24-h pre-formed biofilms, which compared favorably to levels of inhibition achieved by treatment with current conventional antifungals fluconazole, amphotericin B, and caspofungin. Overall, our data demonstrate the presence of this antigen on the surface ofC. auris and points to the potential of anti...
Source: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research