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Updated: May 29, 2025
A Soluble Tetrazolium-Based Reduction Assay to Evaluate the Effect of Antibodies on Candida tropicalis Biofilms
Published on: September 16, 2022
Fungal biofilms in human health and disease
Gordon Ramage1,2, Ryan Kean3,4, Riina Rautemaa-Richardson4,5,6
1School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK. gordon.ramage@gcu.ac.uk.
Abstract:
Increased use of implanted medical devices, use of immunosuppressants and an ageing population have driven the rising frequency of fungal biofilm-related diseases. Fungi are now recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an emergent threat to human health, with most medically important species defined as critical or high-priority organisms capable of forming biofilms. Although we strive for a better understanding of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to detect and treat these fungal diseases more generally, the issue of hard-to-treat biofilms is an ever-increasing problem. These are communities of interspersed cells that are attached to one another on a surface, such as a catheter, or trapped into a cavity such as a paranasal sinus. Biofilms are difficult to detect, difficult to remove and intrinsically tolerant to most antifungal agents. These factors can lead to devastating consequences for the patient, including unnecessary morbidity and mortality, need for reoperations and prolonged hospital stay. This Review describes the breadth and growing impact fungal biofilms have on patient management and explains the mechanisms promoting biofilm formation, focusing on how targeting these can improve therapeutic options.
Insights
Fungal biofilms are a growing threat, causing difficult-to-treat infections associated with medical devices and immunosuppression. Understanding biofilm formation mechanisms is key to developing new antifungal therapies.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Fungal infections are increasing due to medical advancements and an aging population.
- Fungi forming biofilms are a significant threat, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Biofilms are microbial communities that are difficult to detect, eradicate, and treat with antifungals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of fungal biofilms on patient care.
- To explain the mechanisms underlying fungal biofilm formation.
- To highlight therapeutic strategies targeting biofilm formation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of fungal biofilm-related diseases.
- Analysis of mechanisms promoting fungal biofilm development.
- Discussion of current and potential therapeutic interventions.
Main Results:
- Fungal biofilms present a major challenge in clinical settings, leading to severe patient outcomes.
- Biofilm formation involves complex mechanisms that confer intrinsic tolerance to antifungal drugs.
- Targeting these mechanisms offers promising avenues for improved treatment strategies.
Conclusions:
- Fungal biofilms represent an escalating global health concern requiring urgent attention.
- Further research into biofilm biology is crucial for developing effective diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
- Novel strategies targeting biofilm formation are essential to combat these persistent infections.
