C. albicans colonization of human mucosal surfaces.
BACKGROUND
Candida albicans is a low level commensal organism in normal human populations with the continuous potential to expand and cause a spectrum of clinical conditions.


RESULTS
Using ex vivo human organ cultures and populations of primary human cells, we have developed several related experimental systems to examine early-stage interactions between C. albicans and mucosal surfaces. Experiments have been conducted both with exogenously added C. albicans and with overtly normal human mucosal surfaces supporting pre-existing infections with natural isolates of Candida. Under different culture conditions, we have demonstrated the formation of C. albicans colonies on human target cells and filament formation, equivalent to tissue invasion.


CONCLUSIONS
These organ culture systems provide a valuable new resource to examine the molecular and cellular basis for Candida colonization of human mucosal surfaces.
Southern
Peter
P
Department of Microbiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America. south003@umn.edu
Horbul
Julie
J
Maher
Diane
D
Davis
Dana A
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000382:microbiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology