Mechanism of Candida pathogenesis: revisiting the vital drivers

AbstractCandida is the most implicated fungal pathogen in the clinical setting. Several factors play important roles in the pathogenesis ofCandida spp. Multiple transcriptional circuits, morphological and phenotypic switching, biofilm formation, tissue damaging extracellular hydrolytic enzymes, metabolic flexibility, genome plasticity, adaptation to environmental pH fluctuation, robust nutrient acquisition system, adherence and invasions (mediated by adhesins and invasins), heat shock proteins (HSPs), cytolytic proteins, escape from phagocytosis, evasion from host immune system, synergistic coaggregation with resident microbiota, resistance to antifungal agents, and the ability to efficiently respond to multiple stresses are some of the major pathogenic determinants ofCandida species. The existence of multiple connections, in addition to the interactions and associations among all of these factors, are distinctive features that play important roles in the establishment ofCandida infections. This review describes all the underlying factors and mechanisms involved inCandida pathogenesis by evaluating pathogenic determinants ofCandida species. It reinforces the already available pool of data on the pathogenesis ofCandida species by providing a clear and simplified understanding of the most important factors implicated in the pathogenesis ofCandida species. TheCandida pathogenesis network, an illustration linking all the major determinants ofCandida pathogenesis, is also presente...
Source: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research