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Gastrointestinal Colonization of Fungi

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Abstract

The human gastrointestinal tract is colonized with trillions of commensal microbes, and disturbances in the equilibrium of the gut microbiota have now been shown to be associated with a number of human diseases. Fungi, particularly Candida spp., are normal, harmless residents of the human gut, but in certain instances can cause invasive infections and inflammatory disorders. This paper will review the fungal diversity in the human gut, host and fungal factors that regulate GI colonization, and how these factors play into the pathogenesis of human disease.

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Conflict of Interest

A. Koh has received grants from Global Probiotics Council, Children's Cancer Fund, Children's Clinical Research Advisory Committee (Children's Medical Center Dallas) and has sponsored research collaboration with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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  1. Department of Pediatrics and Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390-9063, USA

    Andrew Y. Koh

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Koh, A.Y. Gastrointestinal Colonization of Fungi. Curr Fungal Infect Rep 7, 144–151 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-013-0133-2

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