Fungi pathogenic to humans: molecular bases of virulence of Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus

• Authors: Justyna Karkowska-Kuleta , Maria Rapala-Kozik , Andrzej Kozik
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

The frequency of severe systemic fungal diseases has increased in the last few decades. The clinical use of antibacterial drugs, immunosuppressive agents after organ transplantation, cancer chemotherapy, and advances in surgery are associated with increasing risk of fungal infections. Opportunistic pathogens from the genera Candida and Aspergillus as well as pathogenic fungi from the genus Cryptococcus can invade human organism and may lead to mucosal and skin infections or to deep-seated mycoses of almost all inner organs, especially in immunocompromised patients. Nowadays, there are some effective antifungal agents, but, unfortunately, some of the pathogenic species show increasing resistance. The identification of fungal virulence factors and recognition of mechanisms of pathogenesis may lead to development of new efficient antifungal therapies. This review is focused on major virulence factors of the most common fungal pathogens of humans: Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans. The adherence to host cells and tissues, secretion of hydrolytic enzymes, phenotypic switching and morphological dimorphism contribute to C. albicans virulence. The ability to grow at 37°C, capsule synthesis and melanin formation are important virulence factors of C. neoformans. The putative virulence factors of A. fumigatus include production of pigments, adhesion molecules present on the cell surface and secretion of hydrolytic enzymes and toxins.

Keywords

EN

cryptococcosis; virulence factors; aspergillosis; candidiasis; pathogenic fungi

• Publisher: Polish Biochemical Society
• Journal: Acta Biochimica Polonica
• Year: 2009
• Volume: 56
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 211-224

Dates

published

2009

received

2009-04-07

revised

2009-06-06

accepted

2009-06-17

(unknown)

2009-06-18

Contributors

author

Justyna Karkowska-Kuleta

• Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

author

Maria Rapala-Kozik

• Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

author

Andrzej Kozik

• Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

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