Medically important interactions of staphylococci with pathogenic fungi
1Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
Abstract:
Staphylococci are common inhabitants at several human body sites and are also implicated in infections either as primary or opportunistic pathogens. These bacteria can thus both contribute to the host defense being a part of the commensalistic microbiota or synergize with the other microbes during the infection process. Among fungi, staphylococci interact synergistically with Candida spp. and Aspergillus fumigatus, and antagonistically with Cryptococcus neoformans and Trichosporon asahii. These interactions are highly dynamic and are orchestrated by a multitude of microbial and host factors. During such cross-talks, staphylococci can modulate the virulence, immune response or drug resistance of the coexisting microbe(s), thereby influencing the infection course, disease severity, treatment strategy and the clinical outcome.
Related Concept Videos
06:58Isolation, Behavioral Identification, and Pathogenicity Assessment of Entomopathogenic Fungi from a Forest Wood Borer
07:58Use of Image Cytometry for Quantification of Pathogenic Fungi in Association with Host Cells
02:11The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
07:35Double Labeling Immunofluorescence using Antibodies from the Same Species to Study Host-Pathogen Interactions
12:33Determination of Biofilm Initiation on Virus-infected Cells by Bacteria and Fungi
08:58Filamentous Fungi
Demonstrating Author: Bradley Schmitz
Fungi are heterotrophic eukaryotic organisms, and with the exception of yeasts, are aerobic. They are abundant in surface soils and are important for their role in nutrient cycling and the decomposition of organic matter and organic contaminants. White rot fungi (phanerochaete chryosporium) for example, (Figure 1) are known to degrade aromatics.