Candida albicans—The Virulence Factors and Clinical Manifestations of Infection

Abstract

Candida albicans is a common commensal fungus that colonizes the oropharyngeal cavity, gastrointestinal and vaginal tract, and healthy individuals’ skin. In 50% of the population, C. albicans is part of the normal flora of the microbiota. The various clinical manifestations of Candida species range from localized, superficial mucocutaneous disorders to invasive diseases that involve multiple organ systems and are life-threatening. From systemic and local to hereditary and environmental, diverse factors lead to disturbances in Candida’s normal homeostasis, resulting in a transition from normal flora to pathogenic and opportunistic infections. The transition in the pathophysiology of the onset and progression of infection is also influenced by Candida’s virulence traits that lead to the development of candidiasis. Oral candidiasis has a wide range of clinical manifestations, divided into primary and secondary candidiasis. The main supply of C. albicans in the body is located in the gastrointestinal tract, and the development of infections occurs due to dysbiosis of the residential microbiota, immune dysfunction, and damage to the muco-intestinal barrier. The presence of C. albicans in the blood is associated with candidemia–invasive Candida infections. The commensal relationship exists as long as there is a balance between the host immune system and the virulence factors of C. albicans. This paper presents the virulence traits of Candida albicans and clinical manifestations of specific candidiasis.

Mycobiota in the Carposphere of Sour and Sweet Cherries and Antagonistic Features of Potential Biocontrol Yeasts

“…Yeast strains with killing properties were used for the evaluation of antagonistic activity against fungal microorganisms from Aureobasidium , Candida , Cryptococcus , Rhodotorula , and Sporobolomyces genera ( Figure 6 , Figure S3 ). Some of these species may be attributed to potential pathogens [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. The halo of inhibition was dependent not only on the species but also on the strain.…”

EQUIPAMENTOS DE PROTEÇÃO INDIVIDUAL (EPIs) E SUA IMPORTÂNCIA NO COMBATE E CONTROLE DA PANDEMIA DA COVID-19: REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

“…A candidíase oral é classificada de acordo com a manifestação clínica, como candidíase pseudomembranosa ou eritematosa. Em crianças, a pseudomembranosa é a forma mais comum e é caracterizada por manchas ou placas brancas na mucosa oral que podem ser facilmente destacadas por raspagem suave, pois apenas a camada superior do epitélio da mucosa está infectada (TALAPKO et al, 2021…”

Oral Candidal Colonization in Patients with Different Prosthetic Appliances

“…Although the positive finding of Candida in the oral cavity does not represent a pathological finding per se, this fungus has all the characteristics of the oportunistic pathogen, meaning it may cause an infection in the mouth when conditions arise. Candida may cause various forms of infections, from superficial to systemic conditions, which in extreme cases may lead to death [ 5 ]. The occurence of infection is influenced by factors altering the local oral environment as well as mucosal resistance.…”

“…Moreover, it has been found that patients who are denture wearers are more predisposed to having their mucosa colonized by Candida spp. compared to the patients who are denture-free [ 5 , 17 ]. Removable dentures replace—beside the missing teeth—a fraction of the resorbed alveolar ridge and have a large contact area with oral mucosa, therefore creating the perfect conditions for unhindered reproduction of Candida in the narrow space between the denture and mucosa [ 3 ].…”

“…Therefore, in cases where less stable materials are used, there is generally a greater risk of Candida growth and spread causing the clinically manifested oral infection. Knowledge of the factors contributing to disease development facilitates the prevention and reduces the occurence of infection [ 5 ]. Available evidence shows the correlation between the presence [quantity] of Candida spp.…”