title: Virulence and pathogenicity of Candida albicans is enhanced in biofilms containing oral bacteria.
abstract: This study examined the influence of bacteria on the virulence and pathogenicity of candidal biofilms. Mature biofilms (Candida albicans-only, bacteria-only, C. albicans with bacteria) were generated on acrylic and either analysed directly, or used to infect a reconstituted human oral epithelium (RHOE). Analyses included Candida hyphae enumeration and assessment of Candida virulence gene expression. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and Candida tissue invasion following biofilm infection of the RHOE were also measured. Candida hyphae were more prevalent (p < 0.05) in acrylic biofilms also containing bacteria, with genes encoding secreted aspartyl-proteinases (SAP4/SAP6) and hyphal-wall protein (HWP1) up-regulated (p < 0.05). Candida adhesin genes (ALS3/EPA1), SAP6 and HWP1 were up-regulated in mixed-species biofilm infections of RHOE. Multi-species infections exhibited higher hyphal proportions (p < 0.05), up-regulation of IL-18, higher LDH activity and tissue invasion. As the presence of bacteria in acrylic biofilms promoted Candida virulence, consideration should be given to the bacterial component when managing denture biofilm associated candidoses.
authors.affiliation: a Piracicaba Dental School , State University of Campinas , Piracicaba, SP , Brazil.
authors.forename: Yuri Wanderley
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Cavalcanti
authors.forename: Daniel James
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Morse
authors.forename: Wander José
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Altair Antoninha
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Del-Bel-Cury
authors.forename: Xiaoqing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Milward
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bradshaw
authors.forename: David Wynne
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D057055:Aspartic Acid Proteases / Q000235:genetics; D001419:Bacteria; D018441:Biofilms; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000382:microbiology*; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D025301:Hyphae / Q000254:growth & development; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D013282:Stomatitis, Denture / Q000382:microbiology; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D057055:Aspartic Acid Proteases
keywords: Candida albicans; RHOE; biofilm; candidosis; co-infection; virulence