Candida survival strategies.

Polke M, Hube B, Jacobsen ID (2015) Candida survival strategies. Adv Appl Microbiol 91, 139-235.

Abstract

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.

Leibniz-HKI-Autor*innen

Bernhard Hube
Ilse Denise Jacobsen
Melanie Polke

Identifier

doi: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2014.12.002

PMID: 25911234