Our current understanding of fungal biofilms.
Fungal biofilms are an escalating clinical problem associated with significant rates of mortality. Candida albicans is the most notorious of all fungal biofilm formers. However, non-Candida species, yeasts such as Cryptococcus neoformans, and filamentous moulds such as Aspergillus fumigatus, have been shown to be implicated in biofilm-associated infections. Fungal biofilms have distinct developmental phases, including adhesion, colonisation, maturation and dispersal, which are governed by complex molecular events. Recalcitrance to antifungal therapy remains the greatest threat to patients with fungal biofilms. This review discusses our current understanding of the basic biology and clinical implications associated with fungal biofilms.
Section of Infection and Immunity, Glasgow Dental School and Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK. g.ramage@dental.gla.ac.uk
Gordon
G
Ramage
Eilidh
E
Mowat
Brian
B
Jones
Craig
C
Williams
Jose
J
Lopez-Ribot
D000818:Animals; D018441:Biofilms; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005658:Fungi / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy
D005656:Fungal Proteins