Pathogenicity analysis of Candida auris and C. haemulonii using the murine and Galleria mellonella experimental models

Candida auris and Candida haemulonii complex are phylogenetically very similar species and easily confused by some diagnostic methods. C. auris is a multidrug resistant yeast that is considered an emerging agent that causes invasive infections. In this study, we compared the virulence of these two species of yeasts using two different experimental models. In the case of Galleria mellonella model, we studied the survival curve of the infected larvae, the fungal burden determined by Colony Forming Units (CFU) and histological sections stained with Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS). Male BALB/c mice were used as the other experimental model and merely the survival curve was considered. Moreover, the fungal capacity of biofilm formation was evaluated. Our results showed that in both experimental models, the animal survival was lower when infected with C. auris. Additionally, it was observed a mayor capacity of biofilm formation by C. auris. In conclusion, we observed that the C. auris presented a greater virulence when compared with C. haemulonii.