Marine bacterial DNase curtails virulence and disrupts biofilms of <i>Candida albicans</i> and non <i>-</i> albicans <i>Candida</i> species

Abstract

<i>Candida</i> is one of the most prevalent fungal pathogens in clinical settings which form antibiotic-resistant biofilms on biomedical devices. Hence, there is a need for non-antimicrobial alternatives to combat these infections. The present study investigates the anti-biofilm effect of marine bacterial DNase by targeting the eDNA present in the biofilms of <i>Candida</i> spp. A strain of <i>Vibrio alginolyticus</i> (AMSII) which showed enhanced DNase activity was isolated from marine sediment. Treatment of young and mature <i>Candida</i> biofilms with purified marine bacterial DNase (MBD) caused a 60-80% reduction in biofilm biomass, similar to treatment with DNase I from Bovine pancreas. Scanning electron microscopy showed that MBD significantly reduced the formation of biofilms on urinary catheters and more importantly prevented the virulent yeast to hyphae dimorphic switch in <i>C. albicans</i>. The present study identified a potential non-antibiotic alternative therapy to eradicate <i>Candida</i> biofilms and can be used to develop enzyme fabricated antifouling indwelling medical devices.