Phenotypic switch Candidozyma auris (Candida auris) modulates biofilm formation and virulence genes SAP5 and ALS5 in mono- and co-culture environments with Staphylococcus aureus

Zainal, Mukarramah and Ibahim, Mohd Johari and Mohd Sarmin, Nurul ‘Izzah and Ismail, Soraya and Cirillo, Nicola and Dashper, Stuart and Arzmi, Mohd Hafiz (2026) Phenotypic switch Candidozyma auris (Candida auris) modulates biofilm formation and virulence genes SAP5 and ALS5 in mono- and co-culture environments with Staphylococcus aureus. Biofouling, 42 (6). pp. 633-647. ISSN 0892-7014 E-ISSN 1029-2454

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Abstract

Candidozyma auris (formerly Candida auris) (C. auris), an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen, forms biofilms as a virulence factor. This study aimed to determine the effect of phenotypic switch on C. auris biofilm formation and virulence gene expression in mono- and co-culture with Staphylococcus aureus. Phenotypic switching was induced by prolonged incubation, and biofilms were developed in RPMI-1640, YEPD, SDB, and BHIYE. The biofilm biomass and total cell count were measured. SAP5 and ALS5 gene expression was quantified using qPCR. The 4th switched generation mono-culture biofilm in BHIYE produced the highest biomass (3.34 ± 0.08) and total cell count (5.66 ± 0.03 log10 cells mL−1). In addition, SAP5 and ALS5 expression peaked in the 2nd switched generation mono-culture by 10.43 ± 0.44-fold and 4.764 ± 0.01-fold, respectively. Co-culture biofilms exhibited significantly higher ALS5 expression in selected switched generations compared to unswitched C. auris (p<0.05). In conclusion, phenotypic switching enhanced biofilm formation and modulated the expression of SAP5 and ALS5 in C. auris.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Candida auris; biofilm; phenotype switch; Staphylococcus aureus; SAP5; ALS5
Subjects:	Q Science > QR Microbiology R Medicine > RK Dentistry
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Dentistry > Department of Fundamental Dental and Medical Sciences Kulliyyah of Dentistry
Depositing User:	Prof Ts Dr Mohd Hafiz Arzmi
Date Deposited:	23 Jul 2026 15:25
Last Update:	23 Jul 2026 15:25
Queue Number:	2026-07-Q4115
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/129999

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