Activity of Free and Liposome-Encapsulated Essential Oil from Lavandula angustifolia against Persister-Derived Biofilm of Candida auris

Abstract

The high virulence of <i>Candida auris</i>, a pathogen fungus considered as a global threat for public health, is due to its peculiar traits such as its intrinsic resistance to conventional antifungals. Its biofilm lifestyle certainly promotes the prolonged survival of <i>C. auris</i> after disinfection or antifungal treatments. In this work, for the first time, we detected persister cells in a biofilm of <i>C. auris</i> in a microwell plate model, following caspofungin treatment. Furthermore, we showed how persisters can progressively develop a new biofilm in situ, mimicking the re-colonization of a surface which may be responsible for recalcitrant infections. Plant-derived compounds, such as essential oils, may represent a valid alternative to combat fungal infections. Here, <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> essential oil, as free or encapsulated in liposomes, was used to eradicate primary and persister-derived biofilms of <i>C. auris</i>, confirming the great potential of alternative compounds against emergent fungal pathogens. As in other <i>Candida</i> species, the action of essential oils against <i>C. auris</i> involves ROS production and affects the expression of some biofilm-related genes.