Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
10:08
Visualization of Candida albicans in the Murine Gastrointestinal Tract Using Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization
Published on: November 5, 2019
Cross-kingdom interactions: Candida albicans and bacteria
Mark E Shirtliff1, Brian M Peters, Mary Ann Jabra-Rizk
1Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Dental School, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. mrizk@umaryland.edu
FEMS Microbiology Letters
|June 26, 2009
Summary
Fungal-bacterial interactions, like those between Candida albicans and bacteria, are crucial in polymicrobial infections. Understanding these complex relationships can lead to new treatments for diseases caused by microbial colonization.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Fungi and bacteria coexist in biofilms, engaging in complex signaling.
- Research on fungal-bacterial interactions, especially in polymicrobial infections, is emerging.
- Interactions between Candida albicans and bacteria are increasingly reported.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the diverse interactions between Candida albicans and various bacterial pathogens.
- To highlight the significance of understanding these interactions for clinical implications.
- To investigate mechanisms of adhesion and signaling in fungal-bacterial relationships.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on fungal-bacterial interactions.
- Analysis of reported interactions, including coaggregation and antagonism.
- Examination of synergistic and competitive relationships between Candida albicans and bacterial species.
Main Results:
- Coaggregation between Candida albicans and oral bacteria is beneficial for oral cavity colonization.
- Interactions between Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are competitive and antagonistic.
- The interaction between Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans appears initially synergistic.
Conclusions:
- Understanding fungal-bacterial interactions is vital for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
- Mechanisms of adhesion and signaling are key targets for impeding microbial colonization.
- These interactions have significant clinical implications, particularly in immunocompromised hosts.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Candidiasis
Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...
01:26Microbial Interactions: Cooperation
Microbial cooperation involves beneficial interactions in which different species work together for individual or mutual advantage. These interactions can profoundly influence ecological dynamics and evolutionary processes, and they are essential to many pathogenic and symbiotic relationships.Nematode–Bacteria CooperationA striking example is the relationship between the Gram-negative bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila and the parasitic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae. Juvenile nematodes...
01:25Colonisation of Pathogens
Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...
01:22Microbial Interactions: Parasitism
Parasitism is a form of microbial interaction in which parasitic microbes exploit a host organism for nutrients and shelter, often at the host's expense. Unlike mutualistic relationships, where both organisms benefit, parasitism benefits only the parasite and harms the host.Classification of ParasitesMicrobial parasites are broadly classified based on their location relative to the host.Ectoparasites remain on the host’s surface, such as the skin or outer tissues, drawing nutrients...
01:09Microbe-Plant Interactions
Microbe-plant interactions represent a dynamic spectrum of associations shaped by intricate chemical signaling. These interactions can be neutral, beneficial, or detrimental, and profoundly influence plant physiology, growth, and ecosystem function. The plant microbiome, comprising bacteria, fungi, archaea, protists, and viruses, plays a pivotal role in mediating these effects through surface colonization, internal colonization, or systemic symbiosis.Mutualistic associations, particularly with...
01:27The Oral Microbiota
The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...