Pendleton KM, Huffnagle GB, Dickson RP. The significance of Candida in the human respiratory tract: our evolving understanding.
Pathog Dis 2017;
75:3102948. [PMID:
28423168 DOI:
10.1093/femspd/ftx029]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida is an opportunistic pathogen and the most commonly isolated fungal genus in humans. Though Candida is often detected in respiratory specimens from humans with and without lung disease, its significance remains undetermined. While historically considered a commensal organism with low virulence potential, the status of Candida as an innocent bystander has recently been called into question by both clinical observations and animal experimentation. We here review what is currently known and yet to be determined about the clinical, microbiological and pathophysiological significance of the detection of Candida spp. in the human respiratory tract.
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