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Rhodotorula sp. and Trichosporon sp. are more Virulent After a Mixed Biofilm

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Abstract

Rhodotorula spp. and Trichosporon spp. are opportunistic pathogens, and although an association between these two species in the same infection appears to be uncommon, it has been reported. This is the first study that aimed to evaluate the pathogenesis of a co-infection by R. mucilaginosa and T. asahii, using a new in vivo model, the Zophobas morio larvae. Suspensions from planktonic and biofilm-recovered cells were injected in the larvae as in monospecies as mixed (a ratio of 1:1 for both agents of a of 105 inoculum). Individual and mixed biofilms of R. mucilaginosa and T. asahii were produced for 24 and 48 h, and they were partially characterized by crystal violet and reduction of tetrazolium salt. When evaluating the impact of the planktonic suspension in vivo we verified that the fungi in monoculture were more able to kill the larvae than those from planktonic mixed suspension. On the other hand, regarding biofilm-recovered cells, there was an increase in the death of larvae infected for mixed suspensions. Moreover, the death rate was more pronounced when the larvae were infected with 48 h biofilm-recovered cells than the 24 h ones. T. asahii was the best producer of total biomass, mainly in 48 h. The metabolic activity for both yeasts organized in biofilm maintained the same pattern between 24 and 48 h. The present study proves a synergistic interaction between R. mucilaginosa and T. asahii after an experience in a mixed biofilm. Our results suggest that both species were benefited from this interaction, acquiring a greater potential for virulence after passing through the biofilm and this ability was acquired by the cells released from the biofilm.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) no. 421620/2018-8 and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Paraná (Fundação Araucária).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Medical Mycology, Teaching and Research Laboratory in Clinical Analyses, Department of Clinical Analysis of State, University of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil

    Isabele Carrilho Jarros, Isabella Letícia Esteves Barros, Andressa Prado, Jakeline Luiz Corrêa, Amanda Milene Malacrida, Melyssa Negri & Terezinha Inez Estivalet Svidzinski

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  1. Isabele Carrilho Jarros
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  2. Isabella Letícia Esteves Barros
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Contributions

Isabele Carrilho Jarros: Conceived of or designed study, Performed research, Analyzed data and Wrote the paper. Isabella Letícia Esteves Barros: Performed research and Analyzed data. Andressa Prado: Performed research. Jakeline Luiz Corrêa: Performed research. Amanda Milene Malacrida: Analyzed data and Wrote the paper. Melyssa Negri: Analyzed data and Wrote the paper. Terezinha Inez Estivalet Svidzinski: Conceived of or designed study, Analyzed data and Wrote the paper.

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Correspondence to Terezinha Inez Estivalet Svidzinski.

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Jarros, I.C., Barros, I.L.E., Prado, A. et al. Rhodotorula sp. and Trichosporon sp. are more Virulent After a Mixed Biofilm. Mycopathologia 187, 85–93 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-021-00606-5

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