<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Synergized with <i>Candida albicans</i> to Increase the Pathogenesis and Drug Resistance in Cutaneous Abscess and Peritonitis Murine Models

• Main Authors: Yao Hu, Yulong Niu, Xingchen Ye, Chengguang Zhu, Ting Tong, Yujie Zhou, Xuedong Zhou, Lei Cheng, Biao Ren
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
• Series: Pathogens
• Subjects: <i>Candida albicans</i>; <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>; synergistic effect; virulence; drug resistance
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/8/1036

The mixed species of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Candida albicans</i> can cause infections on skin, mucosa or bloodstream; however, mechanisms of their cross-kingdom interactions related to pathogenesis and drug resistance are still not clear. Here an increase of <i>S. aureus</i> proliferation and biofilm formation was observed in <i>S. aureus</i> and <i>C. albicans</i> dual-species culture, and the synergistic pathogenic effect was then confirmed in both local (cutaneous abscess) and systemic infection (peritonitis) murine models. According to the transcriptome analysis of the dual-species culture, virulence factors of <i>S. aureus</i> were significantly upregulated. Surprisingly, the beta-lactams and vancomycin-resistant genes in <i>S. aureus</i> as well as azole-resistant genes in <i>C. albicans</i> were also significantly increased. The synergistic effects on drug resistance to both antibacterial and antifungal agents were further proved both in vitro and in cutaneous abscess and peritonitis murine models treated by methicillin, vancomycin and fluconazole. The synergistic interactions between <i>S. aureus</i> and <i>C. albicans</i> on pathogenesis and drug resistance highlight the importance of targeting the microbial interactions in polyspecies-associated infections.