Skip to content
cookies to track usage and preferences." data-cookieaccepttext="I Understand" data-cookiedeclinetext="Disable Cookies" data-cookiepolicytext="Privacy Policy">
1887

Candida

/content/candida-nbsp
Candida
OK
Cancel


In conjunction with the Candida and Candidiasis meeting, Microbiology Society is bringing together research on Candida biology – species that are major causes of infectious disease in AIDS patients, cancer chemotherapy patients, premature infants, etc. The polymorphic yeast Candida albicans is the most important fungal pathogen in humans. Beyond the clinics, basic research in this organism deals with a variety of topics of interest, like the genetics and molecular biology behind antifungal drug resistance; the molecular determinants of endurance to nutritional, pH and oxidative stress imposed by the host defences; or its interactions with both the host epithelia and bacterial partners that share the mucosal microbiota with the fungus. This collection of research articles published on diverse aspects of Candida biology showcases the journals’ range of Candida research. This collection is open for submissions across our portfolio. Authors are invited to submit on any aspect of Candida research. Upon submission, please indicate that your manuscript is to be considered for the Candida collection.

Collection Contents

21 - 26 of 26 results

    • Role of biofilm morphology, matrix content and surface hydrophobicity in the biofilm-forming capacity of various species

      The present study aimed to evaluate the role of biofilm morphology, matrix content and surface hydrophobicity in the biofilm-forming capacity of and non- (NAC) spp. Biofilm formation was determined by microtitre plate assay and bright-field and scanning electron microscopy. The matrix carbohydrates, proteins and e-DNA were quantified by phenol-sulfuric acid, bicinchoninic acid and UV spectroscopy, respectively. Specific glycosyl residues were detected by dot blot. The cell-surface hydrophobicity was determined by hydrocarbon adhesion assay. was found to exhibit the highest adherence to polystyrene. It formed dense biofilms with extensive pseudohyphae and hyphal elements, high hydrophobicity and the greatest amount of matrix carbohydrates, proteins and e-DNA. displayed higher adherence and a complex biofilm morphology with larger aggregates than and , but had lower matrix content and hydrophobicity. Thus, the combinatorial effect of increased filamentation, maximum matrix content and high hydrophobicity contributes to the enhanced biofilm-forming capacity of

    • Anti-inflammatory effect of two strains during infection with and in a HeLa cell culture model

      Lactobacilli are the dominant bacteria of the vaginal tract of healthy women and they play a major role in the maintenance of mucosal homeostasis, preventing genital infections, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). It is now known that one mechanism of this protection is the influence that lactobacilli can exert on host immune responses. In this context, we evaluated two strains ( 59 and 137) for their immunomodulatory properties in response to (BV) or (VVC) infections in a HeLa cell infection model. and triggered the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8) and the activation of NF-κB in HeLa cells, in contrast to 59 and 137. Treatments with the strains or their cell-free supernatants before (pre-treatment) or after (post-treatment) the challenge with the pathogens resulted in decreased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased activation of NF-κB. The treatments with strains not only decreased the secretion of IL-8, but also its expression, as confirmed by gene reporter luciferase assay, suggesting transcription-level control by lactobacilli. In conclusion, 59 and 137 were confirmed to have an anti-inflammatory effect against and and they were able to influence signalling in NF-κB pathway, making them interesting candidates as probiotics for the prevention or treatment of BV and VVC.

    • Short- and long-term influence of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena®) on vaginal microbiota and

      Recurrent vulvovaginal infections are a frequent complaint in young women in need of contraception. However, the influence of the contraceptive method on the course of the disease is not well known.

      To investigate the influence of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine-system (LNG-IUS) on the vaginal microflora.

      Short-term (3 months) and long-term (1 to 5 years) changes of vaginal microbiota were compared with pre-insertion values in 252 women presenting for LNG-IUS insertion. Detailed microscopy on vaginal fluid was used to define lactobacillary grades (LBGs), bacterial vaginosis (BV), aerobic vaginitis (AV) and the presence of . Cultures for enteric aerobic bacteria and were used to back up the microscopy findings. Fisher's test was used to compare vaginal microbiome changes pre- and post-insertion.

      Compared to the pre-insertion period, we found a temporary worsening in LBGs and increased rates of BV and AV after 3 months of LNG-IUS. After 1 and 5 years, however, these changes were reversed, with a complete restoration to pre-insertion levels. increased significantly after long-term carriage of LNG-IUS compared to the period before insertion [OR 2.0 (CL1.1–3.5), =0.017].

      Short-term use of LNG-IUS temporarily decreases lactobacillary dominance, and increases LBG, AV and BV, but after 1 to 5 years these characteristics return to pre-insertion levels, reducing the risk of complications to baseline levels. colonization, on the other hand, is twice as high after 1 to 5 years of LNG-IUS use, making it less indicated for long-term use in patients with or at risk for recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis.

    • A novel mechanism of fluconazole: fungicidal activity through dose-dependent apoptotic responses in

      Fluconazole (FLC) is a well-known fungistatic agent that inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis. We showed that FLC exhibits dose-dependent fungicidal activity, and investigated the fungicidal mechanism of FLC on . To confirm the relationship between fungicidal activity and the inhibition of ergosterol, we assessed membrane dysfunctions via propidium iodide influx and potassium leakage, as well as morphological change. Interestingly, while membrane disruption was not observed at all tested concentrations of FLC, potassium efflux and cell shrinkage were observed at high dosages of FLC (HDF). Low-dosage FLC (LDF) treatment did not induce significant changes. Next, we examined whether the fungicidal activity of FLC was associated with apoptosis in . FLC caused dose-dependent apoptotic responses, including phosphatidylserine externalization and DNA fragmentation. It was also involved in glutathione depletion followed by oxidative damage. In particular, unlike LDF, HDF leads to the disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis, including mitochondrial membrane depolarization and accumulation of calcium and reactive oxygen species. HDF-induced mitochondrial dysfunction promoted the release of cytochrome from mitochondria to the cytosol, and activated intracellular metacaspase. In conclusion, the dose-dependent fungicidal activity of FLC was due to an apoptotic response in .

◄ 1 2
20 | 50 | 100 per page
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error