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Hypochlorous acid‐generating electrochemical scaffold eliminates Candida albicans biofilms
Author(s) -
Zmuda H.M.,
Mohamed A.,
Raval Y.S.,
Call D.R.,
Schuetz A.N.,
Patel R.,
Beyenal H.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.14656
Subject(s) - biofilm , candida albicans , corpus albicans , microbiology and biotechnology , hypochlorous acid , in vitro , ex vivo , in vivo , explant culture , chemistry , bacteria , biology , biochemistry , genetics
Aims Wound infections involving Candida albicans can be challenging to treat because of the fungus’ ability to penetrate wound tissue and form biofilms. The goal of this study was to assess the activity of a hypochlorous acid (HOCl)‐generating electrochemical scaffold (e‐scaffold) against C. albicans biofilms in vitro and on porcine dermal explants ( ex vivo ). Methods and Results C. albicans biofilms were grown either on acrylic‐bottom six‐well plates ( in vitro ) or on skin tissue excised from porcine ears ( ex vivo ), and the polarized e‐scaffold was used to generate a continuous supply of low concentration HOCl near biofilm surfaces. C. albicans biofilms grown in vitro were reduced to undetectable amounts within 24 h of e‐scaffold exposure, unlike control biofilms (5·28 ± 0·034 log 10 (CFU cm ‐ 2 ); P < 0·0001). C. albicans biofilms grown on porcine dermal explants were also reduced to undetectable amounts in 24 h, unlike control explant biofilms (4·29 ± 0·057 log 10 (CFU cm ‐ 2 ); P < 0·0001). There was a decrease in the number of viable mammalian cells (35·6 ± 6·4%) in uninfected porcine dermal explants exposed to continuous HOCl‐generating e‐scaffolds for 24 h compared to explants exposed to nonpolarized e‐scaffolds (not generating HOCl) ( P < 0·05). Conclusions Our HOCl‐generating e‐scaffold is a potential antifungal‐free strategy to treat C. albicans biofilms in chronic wounds. Significance and Impact of the Study Wound infections caused by C. albicans are difficult to treat due to presence of biofilms in wound beds. Our HOCl producing e‐scaffold provides a promising novel approach to treat wound infections caused by C. albicans .