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Fungal Biofilms and Polymicrobial Diseases

Caroline B Costa-Orlandi1, Janaina C O Sardi2, Nayla S Pitangui3

  • 1Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara SP 14800-903, Brazil. carolbarceloscosta@gmail.com.

Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 27, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Pathogenic fungi form biofilms, creating drug-resistant communities. This review covers recent advances in understanding fungal biofilms, their resistance mechanisms, and new therapeutic strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Microbial Pathogenesis
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Fungal biofilms are crucial virulence factors, exhibiting resistance to antimicrobials and environmental stress.
  • While *Candida* biofilms are extensively studied, research on other fungal genera and polymicrobial communities is growing.
  • The extracellular matrix and quorum-sensing molecules are key to biofilm structure, resistance, and pathogenicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in the study of pathogenic fungal biofilms.
  • To highlight differences between yeast and filamentous fungal biofilms and the importance of polymicrobial studies.
  • To discuss emerging therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for combating fungal biofilms.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on fungal biofilm formation and characteristics.
  • Analysis of studies investigating morphological and molecular aspects of biofilms.
  • Examination of various in vitro techniques, including colorimetric assays and omics approaches.

Main Results:

  • Fungal biofilms present significant challenges due to their organized structure and resistance.
  • Extracellular matrix and quorum sensing are critical for biofilm survival and virulence.
  • Diverse fungal genera contribute to biofilm formation, necessitating broader research.
  • New diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are being developed to target fungal biofilms.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding fungal biofilm complexity is vital for developing effective treatments.
  • Further research into polymicrobial biofilms and novel antifungal compounds is essential.
  • Advanced techniques are improving the identification and combating of pathogenic fungal biofilms.
Keywords:
drug combinationdrug discoveryfungal biofilmsin vitro techniquesin vivo techniquesomics approachespolymicrobial biofilmsresistance

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