Abstract

Candida species are frequently found in the normal microorganism of humans, which facilitates their encounter with most implanted biomaterials and host surfaces. Medical devices such as stents, prostheses, implants and various types of catheters have all been shown to support colonization and biofilm formation by Candida. Candida albicans remains the fungal species most commonly associated with biofilm formation and the increase in Candida infections in the last decades has almost paralleled the increase and widespread use of a broad range of medical implant devices, mainly in populations with impaired host defenses. The formation of C. albicans biofilms carries important clinical repercussions because of their increased resistance to antifungal therapy and the ability of cells within biofilms to withstand host immune defenses. Also, biofilm formation on medical devices can negatively impact the host by serving as a reservoir or source for future continuing infections. This review article aims to provide insights on various aspects of C. albicans biofilms, formation and structure, their role in pathogenesis and antifungal drug resistance.

Keywords

Candida albicans Biofilm Pathophysiology

KJMM 2010 September;15(3):116-123(8). Epub 2016 February 18
Copyright © 2010 by Korean Journal of Medical Mycology

Language

Korean/English

Author

Song Mi Moon; Departments of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Kiho Park; Departments of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Yang Soo Kim; Departments of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Jun Hee Woo; Departments of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Corresponding

Jun Hee Woo, Departments of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Tel: (02) 3010-3300, Fax: (02) 3010-6970, e-mail: thanks1126@paran.com

Publication history

Received 9 July 2010; Revised 28 August 2010; Accepted 31 August 2010.

Acknowledgements

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Song Mi Moon

Departments of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Kiho Park

Departments of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Yang Soo Kim

Departments of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Jun Hee Woo

Departments of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Since epub date 2016 February 18