# Host factors affecting susceptibility to Candida auris.

> **NIH VA I01** · LOUIS STOKES CLEVELAND VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2022 · —

## Abstract

This VA Merit research project aims to define host factors associated with mucosal infection by an emerging multi-drug
resistant human fungal pathogen, Candida auris. Most human fungal infections are caused by Candida spp, the most
common being C. albicans which colonizes approximately half of healthy adults. Pathological overgrowth can occur with
perturbations to the commensal microbiota or host immunity and is normally limited to mucosal surfaces. However,
bloodstream infections due to Candida spp. are common in healthcare settings and are associated with a high rate of
mortality. Recently, the highly virulent strain Candida auris has emerged as an important healthcare-associated
pathogen that has rapidly disseminated to multiple countries. This yeast is particularly concerning because it is often
resistant to commonly used antifungal agents, with some strains exhibiting resistance to all currently available classes of
antifungals (i.e., azoles, amphotericin B, and echinocandins). As of June, 2019, a rising number of clinical cases of C. auris
have been reported in the United States, now over 700. Alarmingly, screening of close contacts in health care facilities
shows that additional patients and care givers can be colonized with C. auris, showing the potential for widespread
dissemination in healthcare settings. At this time, C auris outbreaks have just started to be detected in VA facilities.
Based on the demographics of at risk patients (elderly, immunosuppressed, ICU or nursing home residents) and the
rapid emergence of this pathogen in the US, it is likely just a matter of time before this emerging strain of Candida is
more widely detected in veteran patient populations. To develop effective approaches to prevent transmission, there is
an urgent need for studies that clarify the propensity for C. auris to colonize mucosal surfaces including the oral and
intestinal tracts and to identify host factors that promote infection and overgrowth of this emerging pathogen. To date,
few animal models of C. auris have been developed and currently there are no mucosal animal models of C auris
infection or colonization. We have developed a novel mucosal model in which C. auris oral and gastrointestinal mucosal
infection is observed as well as persistent shedding of the pathogen in stool. Our overall research goal is to define host
factors including immune and microbiome profiles that alter susceptibility to Candida auris. In this project we plan to
utilize our models of oral and GI infection to investigate the impact of factors such as antibiotic pre-exposure, alterations
of the microbiome, and innate immune activation on infection with C. auris. We will utilize both in vitro and in vivo
models to define critical innate immune receptors and pathways that impact mucosal infection with Candida auris. As
many patients who are infected with C auris have previously received antibiotics to treat other infections, we will next
determine the impact of antibioti...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10347167
- **Project number:** 5I01BX004951-02
- **Recipient organization:** LOUIS STOKES CLEVELAND VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Amy G Hise
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-01-01 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10347167

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10347167, Host factors affecting susceptibility to Candida auris. (5I01BX004951-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10347167. Licensed CC0.

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