Octenidine effectively reduces Candida auris colonisation on human skin

Abstract Candidozyma (formerly Candida) auris (C. auris), a WHO critical priority pathogen known for its multi-drug resistance and strong skin tropism, is posing a significant health threat. This study evaluates the efficacy of commercial octenidine-based antiseptics in reducing C. auris colonisatio...

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Main Authors: Diana Cerbu, Saskia Seiser, Trinh Phan-Canh, Doris Moser, Christian Freystätter, Johannes Matiasek, Karl Kuchler, Adelheid Elbe-Bürger
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11914-x
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author Diana Cerbu
Saskia Seiser
Trinh Phan-Canh
Doris Moser
Christian Freystätter
Johannes Matiasek
Karl Kuchler
Adelheid Elbe-Bürger
author_facet Diana Cerbu
Saskia Seiser
Trinh Phan-Canh
Doris Moser
Christian Freystätter
Johannes Matiasek
Karl Kuchler
Adelheid Elbe-Bürger
author_sort Diana Cerbu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Candidozyma (formerly Candida) auris (C. auris), a WHO critical priority pathogen known for its multi-drug resistance and strong skin tropism, is posing a significant health threat. This study evaluates the efficacy of commercial octenidine-based antiseptics in reducing C. auris colonisation on intact and wounded human skin. Using an established ex vivo human skin model to simulate clinical settings, skin samples from healthy donors were exposed to planktonic C. auris cells. Six hours post-contamination, two ready-to-use octenidine-based antiseptics were applied, and fungal colonisation was assessed after 18 h via periodic acid-Schiff staining, bright field and scanning electron microscopy and colony forming unit quantification. In vitro biofilm assays with various C. auris strains, including drug resistant ones, were performed to determine the antifungal effects of octenidine formulations. Results showed that octenidine-based antiseptics significantly reduced C. auris viability on intact and wounded human skin, and also demonstrated a nearly complete eradication across tested strains in vitro. These findings highlight the potential of octenidine-based products in reducing C. auris colonisation, supporting infection prevention and control strategies in healthcare settings and enhancing patient safety.
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spelling doaj-art-c516d2f271804c56a01072df7642874e2025-08-20T04:03:03ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-11914-xOctenidine effectively reduces Candida auris colonisation on human skinDiana Cerbu0Saskia Seiser1Trinh Phan-Canh2Doris Moser3Christian Freystätter4Johannes Matiasek5Karl Kuchler6Adelheid Elbe-Bürger7Department of Dermatology, Medical University of ViennaDepartment of Dermatology, Medical University of ViennaMax Perutz Labs Vienna, Medical University of ViennaDepartment of Cranio-Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Medical University of ViennaDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of ViennaPlastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic SurgeryMax Perutz Labs Vienna, Medical University of ViennaDepartment of Dermatology, Medical University of ViennaAbstract Candidozyma (formerly Candida) auris (C. auris), a WHO critical priority pathogen known for its multi-drug resistance and strong skin tropism, is posing a significant health threat. This study evaluates the efficacy of commercial octenidine-based antiseptics in reducing C. auris colonisation on intact and wounded human skin. Using an established ex vivo human skin model to simulate clinical settings, skin samples from healthy donors were exposed to planktonic C. auris cells. Six hours post-contamination, two ready-to-use octenidine-based antiseptics were applied, and fungal colonisation was assessed after 18 h via periodic acid-Schiff staining, bright field and scanning electron microscopy and colony forming unit quantification. In vitro biofilm assays with various C. auris strains, including drug resistant ones, were performed to determine the antifungal effects of octenidine formulations. Results showed that octenidine-based antiseptics significantly reduced C. auris viability on intact and wounded human skin, and also demonstrated a nearly complete eradication across tested strains in vitro. These findings highlight the potential of octenidine-based products in reducing C. auris colonisation, supporting infection prevention and control strategies in healthcare settings and enhancing patient safety.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11914-xAntisepticsHuman skinEx vivo modelCandidozyma auris (formerly Candida auris)Antifungal stewardship
spellingShingle Diana Cerbu
Saskia Seiser
Trinh Phan-Canh
Doris Moser
Christian Freystätter
Johannes Matiasek
Karl Kuchler
Adelheid Elbe-Bürger
Octenidine effectively reduces Candida auris colonisation on human skin
Scientific Reports
Antiseptics
Human skin
Ex vivo model
Candidozyma auris (formerly Candida auris)
Antifungal stewardship
title Octenidine effectively reduces Candida auris colonisation on human skin
title_full Octenidine effectively reduces Candida auris colonisation on human skin
title_fullStr Octenidine effectively reduces Candida auris colonisation on human skin
title_full_unstemmed Octenidine effectively reduces Candida auris colonisation on human skin
title_short Octenidine effectively reduces Candida auris colonisation on human skin
title_sort octenidine effectively reduces candida auris colonisation on human skin
topic Antiseptics
Human skin
Ex vivo model
Candidozyma auris (formerly Candida auris)
Antifungal stewardship
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11914-x
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AT trinhphancanh octenidineeffectivelyreducescandidaauriscolonisationonhumanskin
AT dorismoser octenidineeffectivelyreducescandidaauriscolonisationonhumanskin
AT christianfreystatter octenidineeffectivelyreducescandidaauriscolonisationonhumanskin
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