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Candida albicans Biofilm: Risks, Complications and Preventive Strategies

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Implication of Quorum Sensing and Biofilm Formation in Medicine, Agriculture and Food Industry

Abstract

Candida albicans, a dimorphic opportunistic fungal pathogen, can cause a wide range of diseases in humans. Its ability to switch from commensal to pathogenic form is governed by several virulence attributes. The major feature which leads to pathogenicity is its ability to form biofilm. Biofilm formation is a highly regulated multistep process; there are several clinical implications associated with biofilm formation, as sessile cells exhibit high level of resistances against most of the antifungals, and it also protects the cells from harsh hostile environments. The implantable medical devices like catheter support biofilm mode of development by Candida which negatively impacts the health of immunocompromised individuals by causing recurrent infections. This review highlights the mechanism of Candida albicans biofilm formation and its clinical consequences, as well as currently available drugs against biofilm and alternative to drug therapy.

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Acknowledgements

The author gratefully acknowledges the University Grant Commission, Government of India, for awarding Junior and Senior Research Fellowship.

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The author has no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India

    Prerna Pathak

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  1. Prerna Pathak
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Correspondence to Prerna Pathak .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Krishna University, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Pallaval Veera Bramhachari

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Pathak, P. (2019). Candida albicans Biofilm: Risks, Complications and Preventive Strategies. In: Bramhachari, P. (eds) Implication of Quorum Sensing and Biofilm Formation in Medicine, Agriculture and Food Industry . Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9409-7_9

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