Candida biofilm: a well-designed protected environment.
Biofilms are colonies of microbial cells encased in a self-produced organic polymeric matrix and represent a common mode of microbial growth. Microbes growing as biofilm are highly resistant to commonly used antimicrobial drugs. Recently, microbial biofilms have gained prominence because of the increase in infections related to indwelling medical devices (IMD). Candida albicans, the pathogenic fungus which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in blood stream infections, is the most common fungal pathogen isolated from patients with IMD-associated infections. Biofilm formation by Candida species is believed to contribute to invasiveness of these fungal species. We discuss experimental methods used to study fungal biofilms as well as the biology of biofilm formation by clinically relevant Candida species. Recent advances that are discussed in this review include the role of specific, differentially expressed genes and proteins, quorum sensing molecule in C. albicans biofilms, and the correlation between biofilm formation and fungal pathogenesis.
Mukherjee
Pranab K
PK
Center for Medical Mycology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-5028, USA.
Zhou
Guangyin
G
Munyon
Ryan
R
Ghannoum
Mahmoud A
MA
D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000382:microbiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression; D005800:Genes, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000382:microbiology; D040901:Proteomics; D013045:Species Specificity; D014774:Virulence
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D005656:Fungal Proteins