Apoptosis of Multi‐Drug Resistant Candida Species on Microstructured Titanium Surfaces

Abstract

The proportion of hospital‐acquired medical device infections caused by pathogenic, multi‐drug resistant Candida species occurs in up to 10% of implantations. In this study, a unique antifungal micro‐pillared titanium surface pattern is developed, which demonstrates both fungicidal and fungistatic activity, persistently deterring biofilm formation by Candida albicans and multi‐drug resistant Candida auris fungi for up to 7 days. The Ti micropillars of 3.5 µm height are fabricated using maskless inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching. The micro‐textured surface consistently kills ≈50% of Candida spp. irreversibly attached cells and prevent the proliferation of the remaining cells by inducing programmed cell death. Proteomic analysis reveals that Candida cells undergo extensive metabolic stress, preventing the transformation from yeast to the filamentous/hyphal cell phenotype that is essential for establishing a typical in vitro biofilm. The mechanical stress imparted following interaction with the micropillars injures attaching cells and induces apoptosis whereby the Candida cells are unable to be revived in a non‐stress environment. These findings shed new insight toward the design of durable antifungal surfaces that prevent biofilm formation by pathogenic, multi‐drug resistant yeasts.

Antibacterial and Antifogging Nanopillar Array Films: Targeted Efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus

“…Following the rinsing phase, the samples were transferred into a conical tube containing 1 mL of PBS. Vortexing was employed for a span of 5 min to facilitate the removal of bacteria adhered to the samples. , The resulting bacterial solution underwent serial dilution and was then evenly spread onto LB agar plates, which were subsequently incubated for 18 h at 37 °C. To conclude, the bacterial colonies grown on the agar plates were counted, enabling the determination of CFU for each individual sample.…”

Recent Advances in Antibacterial Coatings to Combat Orthopedic Implant-Associated Infections

“…Here, it is worth mentioning that the design of such nanopatterned antibacterial orthopedic implants, having anti-biofouling properties and enhancing superhydrophobic implant–bacteria interactions, is promising for effectively preventing biofilm formation on the implants through a direct contact with bacteria, leading to a significant increase in its oxidative stress [ 45 , 144 , 145 ]. Those nano-protrusions cause bacterial cells to rupture without inducing any resistance, and without significant harm to mammalian cells [ 146 ]. Moreover, nanopatterned antimicrobial surfaces are effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria without involving any antibacterial agents [ 145 , 146 , 147 ].…”

“…Those nano-protrusions cause bacterial cells to rupture without inducing any resistance, and without significant harm to mammalian cells [ 146 ]. Moreover, nanopatterned antimicrobial surfaces are effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria without involving any antibacterial agents [ 145 , 146 , 147 ]. Such nano-patterned surfaces can be combined with soft materials to obtain more effective and long-lasting antibacterial coatings, and they may be used as innovative nanocatalytic therapies.…”

Cell Adhesion, Elasticity, and Rupture Forces Guide Microbial Cell Death on Nanostructured Antimicrobial Titanium Surfaces

“…Conversely, C. albicans was more resistant to the antimicrobial action of the nanostructured titanium for both nanostructure architectures, as seen in recent literature. 115,116 For both bacteria and fungi, increased cell death on the nanostructured surfaces correlates with lower rupture force and higher elasticity.…”