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Fungal Biofilms in the Clinical Lab Setting

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Abstract

Device-related infections are often associated with biofilms (microbial communities encased within polysaccharide-rich extracellular matrix) formed by pathogens on surfaces of these devices. Candida species are the most common fungi isolated from infections associated with catheters and dentures, and both Candida and Fusarium are commonly isolated from contact lens–related infections such as fungal keratitis. These biofilms exhibit decreased susceptibility to most antimicrobial agents, which contributes to the persistence of infection. Drug resistance in fungal biofilms is multifactorial and phase-dependent; for example, efflux pumps mediate resistance in biofilms during early phase, whereas altered membrane sterol composition contributes to resistance in mature phase. Both substrate type and surface coatings play an important role in the pathogenesis of device-related fungal biofilms. Host immune cells influence the ability of Candida to form biofilms in vitro. This review summarizes recent advances in research on fungal biofilms and discusses their clinical relevance.

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References

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Disclosure

Studies described in this article were funded by the Bristol-Myers Squibb Freedom to Discover Award and National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIDCR) (R01-DE017486-01A1, BRS-ACURE-Q0600136/Oral HIV/AIDS Research Alliance) grants to MAG, and funding from the NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID, R21-AI074077) and the American Heart Association (SDG0335313N) to PKM. MAG has also received fees and honoraria from Pfizer, Merck, and Astellas Pharma. PKM has received fees from Great Lakes Pharmaceuticals, NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, and Astellas Pharma. No other potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Medical Mycology and Mycology Reference Laboratory Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106-5028, USA

    Jyotsna Chandra, Pranab K. Mukherjee & Mahmoud A. Ghannoum

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  1. Jyotsna Chandra
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  2. Pranab K. Mukherjee
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  3. Mahmoud A. Ghannoum
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Correspondence to Mahmoud A. Ghannoum.

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Chandra, J., Mukherjee, P.K. & Ghannoum, M.A. Fungal Biofilms in the Clinical Lab Setting. Curr Fungal Infect Rep 4, 137–144 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-010-0020-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-010-0020-z

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