Adaptation of Candida albicans to the host environment: the role of morphogenesis in virulence and survival in mammalian hosts.
Although morphological flexibility could be a key contributor to fungal virulence, no molecular data has unambiguously established fungal morphogenesis as a virulence factor for Candida albicans, nor can specific forms of Candida be regarded as absolutely indicative of saprophytism or infection at a given site on the host. The fitness of the fungus in vivo probably reflects its adaptation to the variety of microenvironments in which this opportunist must survive.
Romani
Luigina
L
Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06122 Perugia, Italy. lromani@unipg.it
Bistoni
Francesco
F
Puccetti
Paolo
P
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals; D014774:Virulence