Candida albicans is implicated in many biomaterial-related infections. Typically, these infections are associated with biofilm formation. Cells biofilms display phenotypic traits that dramatically different from those of their free-floating planktonic counterparts and notoriously resistant to antimicrobial agents. Consequently, biofilm-related inherently difficult treat fully eradicate normal treatment regimens. Here, we report a rapid highly reproducible microtiter-based colorimetric assay...

Farnesol is a quorum-sensing molecule that inhibits filamentation in Candida albicans. Both and quorum sensing are deemed to be important factors C. albicans biofilm development. Here we examined the effect of farnesol on formation. adherent cell populations (after 0, 1, 2, 4 h adherence) preformed biofilms (24 h) were treated with various concentrations (0, 3, 30, 300 micro M) incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h. The extent characteristics formation then assessed microscopically...

It is widely assumed that the ability of Candida albicans to switch between different morphologies required for pathogenesis. However, most virulence studies have used mutants are permanently locked into either yeast or filamentous forms which avirulent but unsuitable discerning role morphogenetic conversions at various stages infectious process. We constructed a strain in this developmental transition can be externally modulated both vitro and vivo. This was achieved by placing one copy...

ABSTRACT Molecular mechanisms of azole resistance in Candida albicans , including alterations the target enzyme and increased efflux drug, have been described, but epidemiology has not established. We investigated molecular to azoles C. strains displaying high-level fluconazole (MICs, ≥64 μg/ml) isolated from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis. The levels expression genes encoding lanosterol 14α-demethylase ( ERG11 ) transporters MDR1 CDR)...

Biofilms are dynamic microbial communities in which transitions between planktonic and sessile modes of growth occur interchangeably response to different environmental cues. In the last decade, early events associated with C. albicans biofilm formation have received considerable attention. However, very little is known about dispersion or mechanisms signals that trigger it. This important because it precisely cells dispersed from biofilms main culprits candidemia establishment disseminated...

Candida albicans is the most common pathogenic fungus isolated in bloodstream infections hospitalized patients, and candidiasis represents fourth infection United States hospitals, mostly due to increasing numbers of immune- medically-compromised patients. C. has ability form biofilms morphogenetic conversions between yeast hyphal morphologies contribute biofilm development represent an essential virulence factor. Moreover, these attached communities cells are surrounded by a protective...

Fungal biofilms are a major cause of human mortality and recalcitrant to most treatments due intrinsic drug resistance. These complex communities multiple cell types form on indwelling medical devices their eradication often requires surgical removal infected devices. Here we implicate the molecular chaperone Hsp90 as key regulator biofilm dispersion We previously established that in leading fungal pathogen, Candida albicans, enables emergence maintenance resistance planktonic conditions by...

Most manifestations of candidiasis are associated with biofilm formation on biological or inanimate surfaces. Candida albicans biofilms recalcitrant to treatment conventional antifungal therapies. Here we report the activity caspofungin, a new semisynthetic echinocandin, against C. biofilms. Caspofungin displayed potent in vitro sessile cells within biofilms, MICs at which 50% were inhibited well drug's therapeutic range. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal scanning laser used...

ABSTRACT We have examined the in vitro activities of fluconazole, amphotericin B, and caspofungin against Candida albicans biofilms by time-kill methodology. Fluconazole was ineffective biofilms. Killing biofilm cells suboptimal at therapeutic concentrations B. Caspofungin displayed most effective pharmacokinetic properties, with ≥99% killing physiological concentrations.

The specific ability of the major human fungal pathogen Candida albicans, as well many other pathogenic fungi, to extend initial short filaments (germ tubes) into elongated hyphal is important for a variety virulence-related processes. However, molecular mechanisms that control extension have remained poorly understood years. We report identification novel C. albicans transcriptional regulator, UME6, which induced in response multiple host environmental cues and specifically extension....

ABSTRACT Resistance to fluconazole is becoming an increasing problem in the management of oropharyngeal candidiasis human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. Strains obtained from five patients developed decreased susceptibility over time. DNA strain typing confirmed high degree relatedness among isolates one patient and variability different Expression genes involved development resistance was monitored each isolate using probes specific for ERG11 (lanosterol 14α-demethylase), MDR1 (a...

Candida albicans, the major human fungal pathogen, undergoes a reversible morphological transition from single yeast cells to pseudohyphal and hyphal filaments (elongated attached end-to-end). Because typical C. albicans infections contain mixture of these morphologies it has, for many years, been difficult assess relative contribution each form virulence. In addition, regulatory mechanisms that determine growth in are largely unknown. To address questions we have generated strain can be...

ABSTRACT Candida dubliniensis has been associated with oropharyngeal candidiasis in patients infected human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). C. isolates may have improperly characterized as atypical albicans due to the phenotypic similarity between two species. Prospective screening of oral rinses from 63 HIV-infected detected dark green on CHROMagar compared typical isolates, which are light green. Forty-eight and three control strains were by germ tube formation, differential growth at 37,...

Cells within Candida albicans biofilms display decreased susceptibility to most clinically used antifungal agents. We recently demonstrated that extracellular DNA (eDNA) plays an important role in biofilm integrity, as a component of the matrix. This study aimed at gaining insights into contributions eDNA C. by investigation impact combined use deoxyribonuclease I (DNase) and antifungals treat biofilms. were formed using simple reproducible 96-well plate-based method. The activity 0.13 mg...