Candida albicans normally causes superficial infections of the mucous membranes

Question

Candida albicans normally causes superficial infections of the mucous membranes that are typically resolved with topical drugs. However, infection within the lungs of immunocompromised patients can develop if C. albicans is aspirated and treatment is usually just as toxic to the patient than to the pathogen itself. Based upon your understanding of fungal biology, explain how this pathogen is able to cause a more severe form of disease within this area of the body and why such an infection is difficult to treat.

Explanation / Answer

Ans. Candida albicans causes infections by the following pathogenic mechanism adhesions and invasions to host cells, the secretion of hydrolases, yeast to hypha transition, contact sensing and thigmotropism, biofilm formation, phenotypic switching and a range of fitness attributes.

Adhesinn and invasins lead to formation of glycoproteins which lead to the adherence of fungi to host cells and lead to its invasions. It induces endocytosis and actively penetrates into the host cell.

Biofilm formation is a sequential process where adherence of cells occur, proliferation of these cells take place, formation of hyphal cells in upper part of the biofilm, accumulation of extracellular matrix material and finally dispersion of the cells from the biofilm complex.

After the adhesion to the cell surface and hyphal growth, the hyphae secretes hydrolases which promotes active penetration and enhances the active nutritient acquisition. Hydrolases are further subdivided into three classes which are proteases, phospholipases and lipases.

The side effects associated with candida albicans infection is more hence the risks outweigh the benefits. Patients with compromised immune system are more prone to such infections and it is generally difficult to treat them.

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