Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Jakob L. Sprague, Lydia Kasper, Bernhard Hube
Summary: This review focuses on the mechanisms of fungal translocation of Candida albicans from the intestine into the bloodstream that leads to systemic infections. It compares the differences between enteric bacterial pathogens and C. albicans, while discussing various hypotheses for how C. albicans enters and disseminates through the bloodstream following translocation.
Review
Orthopedics
Siegfried J. Adelhoefer, Marcos R. Gonzalez, Angad Bedi, Arne Kienzle, Henrik C. Baecker, Octavian Andronic, Daniel Karczewski
Summary: Knowledge of Candida spondylodiscitis is limited, and there is controversy regarding the most effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. This systematic review analyzed all reported cases to date and found that most patients affected by Candida spondylodiscitis were males in their sixties, with one in four being immunocompromised. Within two years of diagnosis, approximately one in five patients died, but younger age and prolonged antifungal treatment may have a protective effect.
INTERNATIONAL ORTHOPAEDICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Tatsuro Hirayama, Taiga Miyazaki, Makoto Sumiyoshi, Nobuyuki Ashizawa, Takahiro Takazono, Kazuko Yamamoto, Yoshifumi Imamura, Koichi Izumikawa, Katsunori Yanagihara, Shigeru Kohno, Hiroshi Mukae
Summary: Experimental studies using mouse models have shown that the ERG3 gene in Candida albicans plays a crucial role in intestinal infection and colonization, affecting virulence and pathogenicity. The results suggest that the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway may be associated with C. albicans gut colonization and subsequent dissemination.
Article
Immunology
Elvira Roman, Daniel Prieto, Susana Hidalgo-Vico, Rebeca Alonso-Monge, Jesus Pla
Summary: The transcriptional master regulator WOR1 plays a vital role in the white opaque transition of Candida albicans. Its overexpression in mutant cells defective in the Hog1 MAP kinase enables the establishment of commensalism in the murine gut and even competes with wild-type C. albicans cells. This enhanced fitness is associated with increased adherence to biotic surfaces, elevated production of proteinase and phospholipase, and reduced filamentation in vitro. Furthermore, hog1 WOR1(OE) does not exhibit virulence in a systemic candidiasis model in mice.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Grzegorz Chladek, Michal Nowak, Wojciech Pakiela, Anna Mertas
Summary: Yeast-like fungi, such as Candida albicans, are the main pathogens in the oral cavity of denture wearers. Research has shown that hard polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) prosthetic materials can be colonized and penetrated by microorganisms in a short period of time. This study investigated the mechanical properties of PMMA denture base material after exposure to a suspension of C. albicans. The results showed a significant decrease in surface hardness, but no penetration of the fungus was observed.
Article
Microbiology
Ashlee Junier, Anne Weeks, Ysabella Alcaraz, Carol A. Kumamoto
Summary: Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that is responsible for a larger proportion of candidiasis and candidemia cases compared to other Candida species. In this study, a link between contact-dependent filamentation and iron availability was identified. During tissue invasion, Candida albicans cells encounter different iron microenvironments. Increased expression of iron uptake genes regulated by Sef1, as a result of contact-dependent signaling, promotes the adaptation of Candida albicans cells to low-iron environments.
Article
Microbiology
Ashlee Junier, Anne Weeks, Ysabella Alcaraz, Carol A. Kumamoto
Summary: This study identified a link between contact-dependent filamentation and iron availability in Candida albicans. The transcription factors Sef1 and Czf1 play important roles in cell formation and gene expression regulation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xin Li, Irina Leonardi, Gregory G. Putzel, Alexa Semon, William D. Fiers, Takato Kusakabe, Woan-Yu Lin, Iris H. Gao, Itai Doron, Alejandra Gutierrez-Guerrero, Meghan B. DeCelie, Guilhermina M. Carriche, Marissa Mesko, Chen Yang, Julian R. Naglik, Bernhard Hube, Ellen J. Scherl, Iliyan D. Iliev
Summary: The study reveals the rich genetic diversity of pathogenic Candida albicans strains in the colonic mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, with some strains having high immune-cell-damaging capacity (HD strains). These strains exacerbate intestinal inflammation in vivo through specific mechanisms, highlighting new insights into host-fungal interactions and potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for inflammatory diseases.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Margot Delavy, Natacha Sertour, Etienne Patin, Emmanuelle Le Chatelier, Nathaniel Cole, Florian Dubois, Zixuan Xie, Violaine Saint-Andre, Chaysavanh Manichanh, Alan W. Walker, Lluis Quintana-Murci, Darragh Duffy, Christophe d'Enfert, Marie-Elisabeth Bougnoux
Summary: This study investigated the host factors that influence the colonization of Candida albicans in the gut. It found that gut microbiota composition, lifestyle factors including diet, and genetics could shape the intestinal carriage of C. albicans. Additionally, the study showed that the levels of C. albicans in the intestine might influence the host immune response. These findings provide potential new strategies to control C. albicans intestinal overgrowth.
Article
Microbiology
Chien-Hsiung Pan, Hsiu-Jung Lo, Jia-Ying Yan, Yu-Ju Hsiao, Jun-Wei Hsueh, Di-Wei Lin, Tsung-Han Lin, Sze-Hsien Wu, Yee-Chun Chen
Summary: This study established a mouse model of disseminated candidiasis developed through translocation of Candida from the gut, providing a new investigative tool for delineating the pathogenesis of C. albicans and its cross-talk with the gut microbiota. The model mimics the infection route of Candida and demonstrated features of gastrointestinal colonization and dissemination without interference from antibiotics or chemotherapeutic agents.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Gabriele Sass, David J. J. Larwood, Marife Martinez, David A. A. Stevens
Summary: This study investigated the therapeutic effect of Nikkomycin Z on disseminated candidiasis in mice. The results showed that Nikkomycin Z had a significant impact on the survival rate of mice, but it did not completely cure the infection. The inhibitory effect of Nikkomycin Z in exogenous infections may be related to its concentration in the target tissue and its action on mycelial formation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pratsanee Hiengrach, Wimonrat Panpetch, Ariya Chindamporn, Asada Leelahavanichkul
Summary: Macrophage depletion exacerbates sepsis by promoting bacterial dysbiosis and gut leakage.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Itai Doron, Marissa Mesko, Xin Li, Takato Kusakabe, Irina Leonardi, Dustin G. Shaw, William D. Fiers, Woan-Yu Lin, Meghan Bialt-DeCelie, Elvira Roman, Randy S. Longman, Jesus Pla, Patrick C. Wilson, Iliyan D. Iliev
Summary: sIgA in gut barrier protection plays a crucial role, with a portion induced and directed by intestinal fungi. sIgA can influence fungal morphotypes, regulating fungal commensalism, which might be dysregulated in patients with Crohn's disease.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Wafa Bouglita, Sameh Rabhi, Natacha Raich, Cyrine Bouabid, Cyrine Belghith, Olfa Slimani, Chaima Hkimi, Kais Ghedira, Roger E. Karess, Lamia Guizani-Tabbane, Leila Attia, Imen Rabhi
Summary: This study aims to assess the prevalence of Candida spp. in asymptomatic pregnant women and determine the susceptibility of the isolated strains to antifungal drugs.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Liviana Ricci, Joanna Mackie, Gillian E. Donachie, Ambre Chapuis, Kristyna Mezerova, Megan D. Lenardon, Alistair J. P. Brown, Sylvia H. Duncan, Alan W. Walker
Summary: This study found variations in the ability of gut microbiota to inhibit the fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Bifidobacteria and their fermentation acids were identified as important components in inhibitory gut microbiota. The findings provide insights into the potential mechanisms of gut microbiome-mediated colonization resistance against Candida albicans and suggest bifidobacteria and fermentation acids as targets for further study.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2022)
