Candida auris is an emerging species responsible for life‐threatening infections. Its ability to be resistant to most systemic antifungal classes and its capacity to persist in a hospital environment have led to health concerns. Currently, data about environmental reservoirs are limited but remain essential in control of C. auris spread. The aim of our study was to explore the interactions between C. auris and two free‐living amoeba (FLA) species, Vermamoeba vermiformis and Acanthamoeba castellanii, potentially found in the same water environment. Candida auris was incubated with FLA trophozoites or their culture supernatants. The number of FLA and yeasts was determined at different times and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed. Supernatants of FLAs promoted yeast survival and proliferation. Internalization of viable C. auris within both FLA species was also evidenced by TEM. A water environmental reservoir of C. auris can therefore be considered through FLAs and contamination of the hospital water networks would consequently be possible.

中文翻译：

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自由生活的变形虫促进耳念珠菌在水中的存活和增殖

耳念珠菌是一种导致危及生命的感染的新兴物种。它对大多数全身性抗真菌药物具有抵抗力的能力以及在医院环境中持续存在的能力导致了健康问题。目前，关于环境水库的数据有限，但在控制耳念珠菌传播方面仍然必不可少。我们研究的目的是探索 C. auris 和两种自由生活的变形虫 (FLA) 物种之间的相互作用，Vermamoeba vermiformis 和 Acanthamoeba castellanii，可能在同一水环境中发现。耳念珠菌与 FLA 滋养体或其培养上清液一起孵育。在不同时间测定 FLA 和酵母菌的数量，并进行透射电子显微镜 (TEM)。FLA 的上清液促进酵母存活和增殖。可行的内化 C. TEM 也证实了两种 FLA 物种中的 auris。因此，可以通过 FLA 考虑 C. auris 的水环境水库，因此可能会污染医院供水网络。