Candida survival strategies.
Only few Candida species, e.g., Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida dubliniensis, and Candida parapsilosis, are successful colonizers of a human host. Under certain circumstances these species can cause infections ranging from superficial to life-threatening disseminated candidiasis. The success of C. albicans, the most prevalent and best studied Candida species, as both commensal and human pathogen depends on its genetic, biochemical, and morphological flexibility which facilitates adaptation to a wide range of host niches. In addition, formation of biofilms provides additional protection from adverse environmental conditions. Furthermore, in many host niches Candida cells coexist with members of the human microbiome. The resulting fungal-bacterial interactions have a major influence on the success of C. albicans as commensal and also influence disease development and outcome. In this chapter, we review the current knowledge of important survival strategies of Candida spp., focusing on fundamental fitness and virulence traits of C. albicans.
Research Group Microbial Immunology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany; Department Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany.
Melanie
M
Polke
Department Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany; Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany; Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
Bernhard
B
Hube
Research Group Microbial Immunology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany; Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany.
Ilse D
ID
Jacobsen
D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D002175:Candida / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D014774:Virulence; D037521:Virulence Factors
D037521:Virulence Factors
Adhesion; Biofilm; C. albicans; Immune evasion; Invasion; Morphology; Polymicrobial; Quorum sensing; Stress resistance; Survival