Unveiling the impact of atmospheric temperature on antifungal resistance and virulence factors in Candida spp. isolated from forest ecosystem.

Antifungal resistance is an emerging global health concern, particularly in opportunistic fungal pathogens like Candida. While environmental factors such as atmospheric temperature fluctuations have been linked to antimicrobial resistance in bacteria, their impact on fungal resistance remains underexplored. This study investigates the relationship between atmospheric temperature variations and antifungal resistance as well as virulence factors in Candida isolated from a forest ecosystem. A total of 30 fecal samples were collected from the Margalla Hills region, and Candida isolates were identified using culture-based and biochemical assays. Antifungal susceptibility was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, testing the efficacy of amphotericin B, fluconazole, ketoconazole, and voriconazole. Biofilm formation was analyzed using the Congo Red Assay, while enzymatic virulence factors (phospholipase and esterase activity) were evaluated using Tween-80 and egg yolk media, respectively. The results revealed a significant temperature-dependent increase in resistance to different antifungals. Biofilm formation was also significantly influenced by temperature, whereas phospholipase and esterase activities showed no meaningful variation. Statistical analysis indicated weak but positive correlations between temperature and resistance as well as biofilm formation, but not statistically significant. These findings suggest that rising global temperatures could contribute to increased antifungal resistance and enhanced biofilm formation in Candida, potentially making infections more persistent and difficult to treat. The stability of phospholipase and esterase activity indicates that not all virulence factors are temperature-sensitive, emphasizing the complexity of fungal adaptation. This study highlights the critical need for further research on the influence of climate change on fungal pathogenicity and treatment efficacy.