Comparative Evaluations of the Pathogenesis of Candida auris Phenotypes and Candida albicans Using Clinically Relevant Murine Models of Infections

Abstract

The newly emerged Candida species C. auris has been associated with an exponential rise in invasive disease in health care facilities worldwide with a mortality rate approaching 60%. C. auris exhibits a high level of transmissibility, multidrug resistance, and persistence in hospital environments, yet little is known about its pathogenesis largely due to limited data from animal studies. We used clinically relevant murine models of infection to comparatively evaluate the host niche-specific pathogenic potential of C. auris and C. albicans . Findings demonstrated that C. auris adheres more avidly, forming robust biofilms on catheters implanted in mice. However, although C. auris adhered to oral tissue ex vivo , it failed to colonize the oral cavity in vivo . In contrast, in the intraperitoneal infection model, C. auris persisted longer in the peritoneal cavity and kidneys. Understanding the host-pathogen factors contributing to the rise of C. auris as a nosocomial pathogen is critical for controlling the spread of this species.