Candida auris is an emerging pathogen that exhibits a reduced susceptibility to antifungal agents and demonstrates a potential to cause a wide spectrum of human mycotic infections. C. auris genotypes vary based on geography and cluster into four clades. Given the genetic diversity among the clades, we hypothesized that neutrophils may respond differently to C. auris of other clades. Considering the resilience of Candida auris to antifungal treatments, we examined interactions of human neutrophils with C. auris isolates from each clade. Phagocytosis was examined using time-lapse fluorescent microscopy. Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation was quantified by Sytox Green staining and assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fungal viability was evaluated by Live-or-Dye viability stain and plate counts. Genetically diverse isolates of C. auris are recognized differently by neutrophils. The rates of phagocytosis and susceptibility to neutrophil vary among strains. However, each impairs the formation of NETs. These experimental findings should be useful for future exploration regarding the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prevention of Candida auris in the bloodstream of patients.
