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In vitro effect of fibrinogen on Candida albicans germ tube formation
A Rodrigues1, C P Vaz, P A Mårdh
1Department of Microbiology, Porto School of Medicine, Portugal.
Abstract:
Pseudohyphae formation by Candida albicans blastoconidia, as seen in vaginal smears, is a phenotypical change commonly assumed to mean fungal invasiveness, i.e. not mere colonization. C. albicans forms germ tubes in vitro in the presence of serum. In our search for inhibitory components of germ tube formation, we decided to study fibrinogen. The inhibition of germ tube formation by clinical isolates of C. albicans was evaluated in the presence of serial concentrations of fraction I, type IV and fraction I, type Is of fibrinogen from bovine plasma. Fibrinogen showed a dose-dependent, pH-independent inhibitory effect on the germ tube formation by C. albicans.
Insights
Fibrinogen inhibits Candida albicans germ tube formation, a key step in fungal invasiveness. This study shows fibrinogen
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Biochemistry
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pseudohyphae formation in Candida albicans blastoconidia suggests fungal invasiveness.
- Candida albicans forms germ tubes in vitro when exposed to serum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate fibrinogen as a potential inhibitor of Candida albicans germ tube formation.
Main Methods:
- Evaluating the inhibition of germ tube formation in clinical Candida albicans isolates.
- Testing serial concentrations of bovine plasma fibrinogen (fraction I, type IV and fraction I, type Is).
Main Results:
- Fibrinogen demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of germ tube formation.
- The inhibitory effect was independent of pH.
Conclusions:
- Fibrinogen effectively inhibits Candida albicans germ tube formation.
- This finding suggests a role for fibrinogen in modulating fungal invasiveness.