Cotter, Gary and Kavanagh, Kevin (2000) Adherence mechanisms of Candida albicans. British journal of biomedical science, 57 (3). pp. 241-249. ISSN 0967-4845

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Abstract

The yeast Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that is capable of inducing a range of superficial and systemic diseases in the immunocompromised host. Although it displays a variety of virulence factors, one--the ability to adhere to host tissue--is considered essential in the early stages of colonisation and tissue invasion. Adherence is achieved by a combination of specific (ligand-receptor interactions) and non-specific (electrostatic charge, van der Waals forces) mechanisms which allow the yeast to attach to a wide range of tissue types and inanimate surfaces. Conventional methods for treating disease cause by C. albicans rely upon the use of antifungal drugs designed to kill the yeast or arrest its growth. An alternative approach, aimed at disrupting the adherence of the yeast to host tissue in cases of superficial infection, may have potential for controlling disease, particularly in situations where the unattached fungal cell can be removed from the affected site, either by the flushing action of the oropharynx or by the production of mucus in the vagina.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Adherence; Adhesins; Antifungal agents; Candida; Virulence;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Biology
Item ID:	11131
Depositing User:	Dr. Kevin Kavanagh
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2019 16:07
Journal or Publication Title:	British journal of biomedical science
Publisher:	Royal Society of Medicine
Refereed:	Yes
URI:
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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