Catalase plays an essential role in degrading hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is one of the major enzymatic ROS scavenging mechanisms. Here, using wild-type Candida albicans along with its catalase-deficient mutant, we report that catalase inside fungi could be effectively and universally inactivated by blue light 410 nm, subsequently rendering these pathogens extremely sensitive to H2O2 and ROS-generating agents. This strategy could also significantly eradicate multiple notorious clinical Candida strains, including Candida auris. The antimicrobial efficacy of catalase photoinactivation is further validated using immune cell co-culturing system and a Candida albicans-induced mouse model of skin abrasion. Taken together, our findings offer a novel catalase-targeting approach against multidrug-resistant fungal infections.
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