Candida albicans biofilms and polymicrobial interactions

Ponde, N. O., Lortal, L., Ramage, G. , Naglik, J. R. and Richardson, J. P. (2021) Candida albicans biofilms and polymicrobial interactions. Critical Reviews in Microbiology, 47(1), pp. 91-111. (doi: 10.1080/1040841X.2020.1843400) (PMID:33482069)

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Abstract

Candida albicans is a common fungus of the human microbiota. While generally a harmless commensal in healthy individuals, several factors can lead to its overgrowth and cause a range of complications within the host, from localized superficial infections to systemic life-threatening disseminated candidiasis. A major virulence factor of C. albicans is its ability to form biofilms, a closely packed community of cells that can grow on both abiotic and biotic substrates, including implanted medical devices and mucosal surfaces. These biofilms are extremely hard to eradicate, are resistant to conventional antifungal treatment and are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, making biofilm-associated infections a major clinical challenge. Here, we review the current knowledge of the processes involved in C. albicans biofilm formation and development, including the central processes of adhesion, extracellular matrix production and the transcriptional network that regulates biofilm development. We also consider the advantages of the biofilm lifestyle and explore polymicrobial interactions within multispecies biofilms that are formed by C. albicans and selected microbial species.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported by grants from the Wellcome Trust (214229_Z_18_Z), Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/N014677/1), National Institutes of Health (R37- DE022550) and the NIH Research at Guys and St. Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust and the King’s College London Biomedical Research Centre (IS-BRC-1215-20006) to J.R.N.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Ramage, Professor Gordon
Authors: Ponde, N. O., Lortal, L., Ramage, G., Naglik, J. R., and Richardson, J. P.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
Journal Name:Critical Reviews in Microbiology
Publisher:Taylor and Francis
ISSN:1040-841X
ISSN (Online):1549-7828
Published Online:22 January 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Authors
First Published:First published in Critical Reviews in Microbiology 2021
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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