Department of Molecular Microbiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.
Curr Genet. 2013 Nov;59(4):251-64. doi: 10.1007/s00294-013-0400-3. Epub 2013 Aug 25.
Like other microorganisms, free-living Candida albicans is mainly present in a three-dimensional multicellular structure, which is called a biofilm, rather than in a planktonic form. Candida albicans biofilms can be isolated from both abiotic and biotic surfaces at various locations within the host. As the number of abiotic implants, mainly bloodstream and urinary catheters, has been increasing, the number of biofilm-associated bloodstream or urogenital tract infections is also strongly increasing resulting in a raise in mortality. Cells within a biofilm structure show a reduced susceptibility to specific commonly used antifungals and, in addition, it has recently been shown that such cells are less sensitive to killing by components of our immune system. In this review, we summarize the most important insights in the mechanisms underlying biofilm-associated antifungal drug resistance and immune evasion strategies, focusing on the most recent advances in this area of research.
与其他微生物一样，自由生活的白色念珠菌主要以三维多细胞结构存在，称为生物膜，而不是浮游形式。白色念珠菌生物膜可从宿主内各种位置的无生命和有生命表面分离出来。随着无生命植入物（主要是血流和导尿管）数量的增加，与生物膜相关的血流或尿路生殖道感染的数量也在强烈增加，导致死亡率上升。生物膜结构内的细胞对特定常用抗真菌药物的敏感性降低，此外，最近还表明，此类细胞对我们免疫系统成分的杀伤作用的敏感性降低。在这篇综述中，我们总结了与生物膜相关的抗真菌药物耐药性和免疫逃避策略的机制的最重要见解，重点介绍了该研究领域的最新进展。
