Exploring Biofilm Inhibition of Candida auris against Lactic Acid
Disciplines
Immunology of Infectious Disease | Integrative Biology | Pathogenic Microbiology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
The emerging fungal pathogen Candida auris, which primarily affects immunocompromised patients, is known for its robust biofilm and resistance to most antifungals. However, biofilm production and antifungal resistance varies between strains within the species, thus there is no standard of treatment for C. auris infections. Seventy-five percent of women will experience a vulvovaginal infection at least once in their lifetime. This infection is commonly caused by Candida species. Lactobacillus spp., which produce lactic acid, have been shown to be effective at preventing vulvovaginal infections caused by Candida. The lactic acid inhibits Candida growth, sometimes resolving the infection without the aid of antifungal antibiotics. The principles of lactic acid treatment have not been applied to Candida auris infections, which typically begins with the colonization of a patient’s nose, armpits, and groin. MIC assays with lactic acid and Candida auris were conducted in ninety-six well plates via a microdilution assay. Our findings indicate that lactic acid does inhibit Candida auris growth. This is important because the success of such a lactic acid treatment would mean that there is a widely available, cost-effective, and non-invasive treatment for Candida auris infections.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Molecular and Cellular Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Christopher Cornelison
Additional Faculty
Alexis P. Williams, CSM- Molecular and Cellular Biology, awill659@kennesaw.edu
Exploring Biofilm Inhibition of Candida auris against Lactic Acid
The emerging fungal pathogen Candida auris, which primarily affects immunocompromised patients, is known for its robust biofilm and resistance to most antifungals. However, biofilm production and antifungal resistance varies between strains within the species, thus there is no standard of treatment for C. auris infections. Seventy-five percent of women will experience a vulvovaginal infection at least once in their lifetime. This infection is commonly caused by Candida species. Lactobacillus spp., which produce lactic acid, have been shown to be effective at preventing vulvovaginal infections caused by Candida. The lactic acid inhibits Candida growth, sometimes resolving the infection without the aid of antifungal antibiotics. The principles of lactic acid treatment have not been applied to Candida auris infections, which typically begins with the colonization of a patient’s nose, armpits, and groin. MIC assays with lactic acid and Candida auris were conducted in ninety-six well plates via a microdilution assay. Our findings indicate that lactic acid does inhibit Candida auris growth. This is important because the success of such a lactic acid treatment would mean that there is a widely available, cost-effective, and non-invasive treatment for Candida auris infections.