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Updated: Mar 13, 2026
Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis
Published on: March 19, 2019
Dissecting Candida albicans Infection from the Perspective of C. albicans Virulence and Omics Approaches on
Voon Kin Chin1, Tze Yan Lee2, Basir Rusliza3
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia. cvk717@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Candida bloodstream infections remain the most frequent life-threatening fungal disease, with Candida albicans accounting for 70% to 80% of the Candida isolates recovered from infected patients. In nature, Candida species are part of the normal commensal flora in mammalian hosts. However, they can transform into pathogens once the host immune system is weakened or breached. More recently, mortality attributed to Candida infections has continued to increase due to both inherent and acquired drug resistance in Candida, the inefficacy of the available antifungal drugs, tedious diagnostic procedures, and a rising number of immunocompromised patients. Adoption of animal models, viz. minihosts, mice, and zebrafish, has brought us closer to unraveling the pathogenesis and complexity of Candida infection in human hosts, leading towards the discovery of biomarkers and identification of potential therapeutic agents. In addition, the advancement of omics technologies offers a holistic view of the Candida-host interaction in a non-targeted and non-biased manner. Hence, in this review, we seek to summarize past and present milestone findings on C. albicans virulence, adoption of animal models in the study of C. albicans infection, and the application of omics technologies in the study of Candida-host interaction. A profound understanding of the interaction between host defense and pathogenesis is imperative for better design of novel immunotherapeutic strategies in future.
Insights
Candida bloodstream infections are a major threat, increasing due to drug resistance and immunocompromised patients. Animal models and omics technologies are key to understanding Candida virulence and developing new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Candida bloodstream infections are life-threatening fungal diseases, with Candida albicans causing most cases.
- Increasing drug resistance, treatment inefficacy, and a rise in immunocompromised individuals contribute to higher mortality rates.
- Candida species are commensals that become pathogenic upon host immune compromise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review milestone findings on Candida albicans virulence.
- To summarize the use of animal models in studying Candida infections.
- To highlight the application of omics technologies in understanding Candida-host interactions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Candida virulence factors.
- Analysis of studies employing animal models (minihosts, mice, zebrafish) for Candida infection research.
- Integration of omics technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, etc.) for a holistic view of host-pathogen interactions.
Main Results:
- Animal models have advanced the understanding of Candida pathogenesis and identified potential biomarkers and therapeutics.
- Omics technologies provide unbiased, comprehensive insights into the complex Candida-host interplay.
- Past and present findings offer a foundation for future research directions.
Conclusions:
- A deep understanding of host defense mechanisms and Candida pathogenesis is crucial.
- Novel immunotherapeutic strategies can be developed based on this profound understanding.
- Continued research integrating virulence studies, animal models, and omics is essential for combating Candida infections.
