Candida Species: New Insights into Biofilm Formation

Abstract

Biofilms of Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis are associated with high indices of hospital morbidity and mortality. Major factors involved in the formation and growth of Candida biofilms are the chemical composition of the medical implant and the cell wall adhesins responsible for mediating Candida–Candida, Candida–human host cell and Candida–medical device adhesion. Strategies for elucidating the mechanisms that regulate the formation of Candida biofilms combine tools from biology, chemistry, nanoscience, material science and physics. This review proposes the use of new technologies, such as synchrotron radiation, to study the mechanisms of biofilm formation. In the future, this information is expected to facilitate the design of new materials and antifungal compounds that can eradicate nosocomial Candida infections due to biofilm formation on medical implants. This will reduce dissemination of candidiasis and hopefully improve the quality of life of patients.

Keywords:

• adhesins
• ALS
• biofilm
• Candida species
• cell wall
• EPA
• GPI proteins
• mannoproteins
• medical device
• synchrotron light

Acknowledgements

The authors thank M Napsuciale Mendívil for his assistance in reviewing and editing the manuscript, especially the section on synchrotron light. They also thank J Dye for his invaluable review of this edition of the manuscript, as well as all the collaborators and students who contributed directly or indirectly in this review.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Research in the authors‘ laboratories was supported by grants No. UGTO-000165/11 and UGTO-00023/11 from the University of Guanajuato, Mexico (E López-Romero and JC Villagómez-Castro, respectively). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

Research in the authors‘ laboratories was supported by grants No. UGTO-000165/11 and UGTO-00023/11 from the University of Guanajuato, Mexico (E López-Romero and JC Villagómez-Castro, respectively). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.