title: Biofilm Formation by Cryptococcus neoformans.
abstract: The fungus Cryptococcus neoformans possesses a polysaccharide capsule and can form biofilms on medical devices. The increasing use of ventriculoperitoneal shunts to manage intracranial hypertension associated with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis highlights the importance of investigating the biofilm-forming properties of this organism. Like other microbe-forming biofilms, C. neoformans biofilms are resistant to antimicrobial agents and host defense mechanisms, causing significant morbidity and mortality. This chapter discusses the recent advances in the understanding of cryptococcal biofilms, including the role of its polysaccharide capsule in adherence, gene expression, and quorum sensing in biofilm formation. We describe novel strategies for the prevention or eradication of cryptococcal colonization of medical prosthetic devices. Finally, we provide fresh thoughts on the diverse but interesting directions of research in this field that may result in new insights into C. neoformans biology.
authors.affiliation: New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Old Westbury, NY 11568.
authors.forename: Luis R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205.
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casadevall
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000187:drug effects*; D026141:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Fungal; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D062607:Fungal Capsules / Q000378:metabolism*; D062610:Fungal Polysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016919:Meningitis, Cryptococcal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000382:microbiology*; D053038:Quorum Sensing / Q000502:physiology; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D062610:Fungal Polysaccharides