NO Candida auris: Nitric Oxide in Nanotherapeutics to Combat Emerging Fungal Pathogen Candida auris

Abstract

<i>Candida auris</i> (<i>C. auris</i>) is an emerging pathogenic fungal species that is especially worrisome due to its high mortality rates and widespread antifungal resistance. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of nitric oxide (NO) nanoparticles on <i>Candida</i> species, and, to our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the antifungal effects of a NO-generating nanoparticle on <i>C. auris</i>. Six <i>C. auris</i> strains were incubated with a nanoparticle (NAC-SNO-np), which releases <i>N</i>-acetylcysteine <i>S</i>-nitrosothiol (NAC-SNO) and <i>N</i>-acetylcysteine (NAC), and generates NO, through colony forming unit (CFU) assays, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. NAC-SNO-np effectively eradicates planktonic and biofilm <i>C. auris</i>. Across all six strains, 10 mg/mL NAC-SNO-np significantly reduced the number of CFUs (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and demonstrated a >70% decrease in biofilm viability (<i>p</i> < 0.05). NAC-SNO-np effectively eradicates planktonic <i>C. auris</i> and significantly reduces <i>C. auris</i> biofilm formation. Hence, this novel NO-releasing nanoparticle shows promise as a future therapeutic.