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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
Candida albicans Biofilm Development on Medically-relevant Foreign Bodies in a Mouse Subcutaneous Model Followed by Bioluminescence Imaging
Published on: January 27, 2015
The catheterized bladder environment promotes Efg1- and Als1-dependent Candida albicans infection
Alyssa Ann La Bella1, Marissa Jeme Andersen1, Nicholas C Gervais2
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA.
Insights
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are common. This study reveals *Candida albicans* forms biofilms on catheters, requiring specific fungal factors and bladder conditions for infection, aiding new therapy development.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Urology
Background:
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) represent 40% of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).
- Candida albicans is a significant, yet understudied, cause of CAUTI compared to bacteria.
- Understanding fungal CAUTI mechanisms is crucial for effective prevention and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanisms of biofilm formation by *Candida albicans* in the catheterized bladder environment.
- To identify key fungal factors and host interactions involved in establishing fungal CAUTI.
- To provide insights for developing novel therapeutic strategies against CAUTI.
Main Methods:
- Investigated *C. albicans* biofilm formation in a simulated catheterized bladder environment.
- Utilized genetic approaches to identify essential fungal adhesins and regulatory pathways.
- Assessed the roles of filamentation and attachment in infection models.
Main Results:
- The catheterized bladder environment promotes Efg1- and fibrinogen (Fg)-dependent biofilm formation by *C. albicans*.
- The adhesin Als1 was identified as critical for *C. albicans* fibrinogen-urine biofilm development.
- Both filamentation and attachment are necessary but not sufficient for fungal CAUTI establishment in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Fungal CAUTI establishment involves a complex interplay of fungal factors and the host environment.
- Als1-mediated biofilm formation is a key mechanism for *C. albicans* pathogenesis in catheterized bladders.
- These findings pave the way for targeted therapies to prevent fungal CAUTI.
Abstract:
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) account for 40% of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). As 20 to 50% of hospitalized patients receive catheters, CAUTIs are one of the most common HAIs, resulting in increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Candida albicans is the second most common CAUTI uropathogen, yet relative to its bacterial counterparts, little is known about how fungal CAUTIs are established. Here, we show that the catheterized bladder environment induces Efg1- and fibrinogen (Fg)-dependent biofilm formation that results in CAUTI. In addition, we identify the adhesin Als1 as the critical fungal factor for C. albicans Fg-urine biofilm formation. Furthermore, we show that in the catheterized bladder, a dynamic and open system, both filamentation and attachment are required, but each by themselves are not sufficient for infection. Our study unveils the mechanisms required for fungal CAUTI establishment, which may aid in the development of future therapies to prevent these infections.
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