DMV at CU examines a various aspects of the community of microorganisms – biofilm, such as communication, adaptation to adverse conditions, the immune-modulatory properties of surface antigens and their role in the adherence to biotic and abiotic surfaces. The main focus covers investigation of biofilm formed by different Candida spp., namely Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, and a new pathogen of Candida auris together with bacteria, mainly with Staphylococcus aureus. Different methods of microbiology and molecular biology (CLSM, real time PCR, different antimicrobial assays), biocompatibility and cytotoxicity testing on ex vivo (cell lines, i.e. HeLa cells) and in vivo model organism of Galleria mellonella are the part of the group expertise. A few years ago, the group involved a study of anti-biofilm properties of new materials based on clay minerals and photoactive compounds.

List of the most relevant references and projects (last 5 years)

Publications

Štefánek M, Garaiová M, Valček A, Jordao L, Bujdáková H. Comparative Analysis of Two Candida parapsilosis Isolates Originating from the Same Patient Harbouring the Y132F and R398I Mutations in the ERG11 Gene. Cells. 2023 Jun 7;12(12):1579. doi: 10.3390/cells12121579. PMID: 37371049; PMCID: PMC10296954.

Bugyna L, Kendra S, Bujdáková H. Galleria mellonella-A Model for the Study of aPDT-Prospects and Drawbacks. Microorganisms. 2023 May 31;11(6):1455. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11061455. PMID: 37374956; PMCID: PMC10301295.

Gaálová-Radochová B, Kendra S, Jordao L, Kursawe L, Kikhney J, Moter A, Bujdáková H. Effect of Quorum Sensing Molecule Farnesol on Mixed Biofilms of Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotics (Basel). 2023 Feb 23;12(3):441. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics12030441. PMID: 36978309; PMCID: PMC10044556.

Štefánek M, Černáková L, Dekkerová J, Bujdáková H. Photodynamic Inactivation Effectively Eradicates Candida auris Biofilm despite Its Interference with the Upregulation of CDR1 and MDR1 Efflux Genes. J Fungi (Basel). 2022 Oct 27;8(11):1137. doi: 10.3390/jof8111137. PMID: 36354904; PMCID: PMC9697027.

Štefánek M, Wenner S, Borges V, Pinto M, Gomes JP, Rodrigues J, Faria I, Pessanha MA, Martins F, Sabino R, Veríssimo C, Nogueira ID, Carvalho PA, Bujdáková H, Jordao L. Antimicrobial Resistance and Biofilms Underlying Catheter-Related Bloodstream Coinfection by Enterobacter cloacae Complex and Candida parapsilosis. Antibiotics (Basel). 2022 Sep 14;11(9):1245. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics11091245. PMID: 36140024; PMCID: PMC9495738.

Dekkerová J, Černáková L, Kendra S, Borghi E, Ottaviano E, Willinger B, Bujdáková H. Farnesol Boosts the Antifungal Effect of Fluconazole and Modulates Resistance in Candida auris through Regulation of the CDR1 and ERG11 Genes. J Fungi (Basel). 2022 Jul 27;8(8):783. doi: 10.3390/jof8080783. PMID: 35893151; PMCID: PMC9332773.

Jozefíková A, Valček A, Šoltys K, Nováková E, Bujdáková H. Persistence and multi-ward dissemination of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium ST17 clone in hospital settings in Slovakia 2017-2020. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2022 Apr;59(4):106561. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2022.106561. Epub 2022 Mar 8. PMID: 35271995.

Dadi NCT, Radochová B, Vargová J, Bujdáková H. Impact of Healthcare-Associated Infections Connected to Medical Devices-An Update. Microorganisms. 2021 Nov 11;9(11):2332. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9112332. PMID: 34835457; PMCID: PMC8618630.

Dadi NCT, Dohál M, Medvecká V, Bujdák J, Koči K, Zahoranová A, Bujdáková H. Physico-chemical characterization and antimicrobial properties of hybrid film based on saponite and phloxine B. Molecules. 2021 Jan 10;26(2):325. doi: 10.3390/molecules26020325.

Joao I, Bujdáková H, Jordao L. Opportunist coinfections by nontuberculous mycobacteria and fungi in immunocompromised patients. Antibiotics (Basel). 2020 Nov 2;9(11):771. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics9110771.

Ramstedt M, Ribeiro IAC, Bujdakova H, Mergulhão FJM, Jordao L, Thomsen P, Alm M, Burmølle M, Vladkova T, Can F, Reches M, Riool M, Barros A, Reis RL, Meaurio E, Kikhney J, Moter A, Zaat SAJ, Sjollema J. Evaluating Efficacy of Antimicrobial and Antifouling Materials for Urinary Tract Medical Devices: Challenges and Recommendations. Macromol Biosci. 2019 May;19(5):e1800384. doi: 10.1002/mabi.201800384. Epub 2019 Mar 18. Review

Gaalova B, Vyletelova I, Pokorna K, Kikhney J, Moter A, Bujdak J, Bujdakova H. Decreased vitality and viability of Escherichia coli isolates by adherence to saponite particles. Applied Clay Science. 2019 Vol.: 183; ArticleNumber: 105316. DOI: 10.1016/j.clay.2019.105316.

Černáková L, Dižová S, Gášková D, Jančíková I, Bujdáková H. Impact of farnesol as a modulator of efflux pumps in a fluconazole-resistant strain of Candida albicans. Microb Drug Resist. 2019 Jul/Aug;25(6):805-812. doi: 10.1089/mdr.2017.0332.

Bujdakova H.; Bujdakova, V.; Majekova-Koscova H.; Gaalova B.; Bizovska V.; Bohac P.; Bujdak J.: Antimicrobial activity of organoclays based on quaternaryalkylammonium and alkylphosphonium surfactants and montmorillonite. AppliedClay Science. 2019 Volume: 158; Pages: 21-28. DOI:10.1016/j.clay. 2018.03.010.

Dekkerová J, Lopez-Ribot JL, Bujdáková H. Activity of anti-CR3-RP polyclonal antibody against biofilms formed by Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant emerging fungal pathogen. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2019 Jan;38(1):101-108. doi: 10.1007/s10096-018-3400-x. Epub 2018 Oct 16.

Domestic and international projects

Grant VEGA 1/0537/19 Photodynamic inactivation–a unique approach in eradication of microbial biofilms (01/2019 – 12.2022)

Grant APVV-15-0347 Prevention and eradication of microbial biofilms in relationship to nanomaterials (07/2016 – 06/2020).

Grant SK-PT-18-0006 Understanding biofilms associated with infections, (01/2019-12/2021, bilateral project with Instituto Nacional de SaúdeDoutor Ricardo Jorge, Portugal)

COST Action, TD1305 Improved Protection of Medical Devices against Infection (IPROMEDAI; 05/2014-04/2018 Management Committee Member)

WIDESPREAD-05-2020; EU project 952398 Excellence in the research area of Combating and evaluation of mixed biofilms. Horizon 2020 Grant Scheme; (12/2020-11/2023)

Grant APVV-21-0302 Towards nanotechnologies using bioactive particles/molecules in the fight against microbial biofilms (07/2022 – 12/2026)

Grant VEGA 1/0240/23 Possibilities of photodynamic inactivation to fight resistant microorganisms (01/2023 – 12/2026)