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Katsipoulaki M, Stappers MHT, Malavia-Jones D, Brunke S, Hube B, Gow NAR. Candida albicans and Candida glabrata: global priority pathogens. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0002123. [PMID: 38832801 PMCID: PMC11332356 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00021-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYA significant increase in the incidence of Candida-mediated infections has been observed in the last decade, mainly due to rising numbers of susceptible individuals. Recently, the World Health Organization published its first fungal pathogen priority list, with Candida species listed in medium, high, and critical priority categories. This review is a synthesis of information and recent advances in our understanding of two of these species-Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. Of these, C. albicans is the most common cause of candidemia around the world and is categorized as a critical priority pathogen. C. glabrata is considered a high-priority pathogen and has become an increasingly important cause of candidemia in recent years. It is now the second most common causative agent of candidemia in many geographical regions. Despite their differences and phylogenetic divergence, they are successful as pathogens and commensals of humans. Both species can cause a broad variety of infections, ranging from superficial to potentially lethal systemic infections. While they share similarities in certain infection strategies, including tissue adhesion and invasion, they differ significantly in key aspects of their biology, interaction with immune cells, host damage strategies, and metabolic adaptations. Here we provide insights on key aspects of their biology, epidemiology, commensal and pathogenic lifestyles, interactions with the immune system, and antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrto Katsipoulaki
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Mark H. T. Stappers
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Dhara Malavia-Jones
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Neil A. R. Gow
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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Brilhante RSN, Costa ADC, de Mesquita JRL, dos Santos Araújo G, Freire RS, Nunes JVS, Nobre AFD, Fernandes MR, Rocha MFG, Pereira Neto WDA, Crouzier T, Schimpf U, Viera RS. Antifungal Activity of Chitosan against Histoplasma capsulatum in Planktonic and Biofilm Forms: A Therapeutic Strategy in the Future? J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1201. [PMID: 38132801 PMCID: PMC10744476 DOI: 10.3390/jof9121201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Histoplasmosis is a respiratory disease caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, a dimorphic fungus, with high mortality and morbidity rates, especially in immunocompromised patients. Considering the small existing therapeutic arsenal, new treatment approaches are still required. Chitosan, a linear polysaccharide obtained from partial chitin deacetylation, has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxicity properties. Chitosan with different deacetylation degrees and molecular weights has been explored as a potential agent against fungal pathogens. In this study, the chitosan antifungal activity against H. capsulatum was evaluated using the broth microdilution assay, obtaining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 32 to 128 µg/mL in the filamentous phase and 8 to 64 µg/mL in the yeast phase. Chitosan combined with classical antifungal drugs showed a synergic effect, reducing chitosan's MICs by 32 times, demonstrating that there were no antagonistic interactions relating to any of the strains tested. A synergism between chitosan and amphotericin B or itraconazole was detected in the yeast-like form for all strains tested. For H. capsulatum biofilms, chitosan reduced biomass and metabolic activity by about 40% at 512 µg/mL. In conclusion, studying chitosan as a therapeutic strategy against Histoplasma capsulatum is promising, mainly considering its numerous possible applications, including its combination with other compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira Brilhante
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Barão de Canindé, 210, Montese, Fortaleza 60425-540, CE, Brazil; (A.d.C.C.); (A.F.D.N.); (M.R.F.); (W.d.A.P.N.)
| | - Anderson da Cunha Costa
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Barão de Canindé, 210, Montese, Fortaleza 60425-540, CE, Brazil; (A.d.C.C.); (A.F.D.N.); (M.R.F.); (W.d.A.P.N.)
| | | | - Gessica dos Santos Araújo
- Postgraduate in Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, State University of Ceará, Dr. Silas Munguba Avenue, 1700, Itaperi Campus, Fortaleza 60714-903, CE, Brazil; (G.d.S.A.); (M.F.G.R.)
| | - Rosemeyre Souza Freire
- Analytical Center, Department of Physics, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, CE, Brazil; (R.S.F.); (J.V.S.N.)
| | - João Victor Serra Nunes
- Analytical Center, Department of Physics, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, CE, Brazil; (R.S.F.); (J.V.S.N.)
| | - Augusto Feynman Dias Nobre
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Barão de Canindé, 210, Montese, Fortaleza 60425-540, CE, Brazil; (A.d.C.C.); (A.F.D.N.); (M.R.F.); (W.d.A.P.N.)
| | - Mirele Rodrigues Fernandes
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Barão de Canindé, 210, Montese, Fortaleza 60425-540, CE, Brazil; (A.d.C.C.); (A.F.D.N.); (M.R.F.); (W.d.A.P.N.)
| | - Marcos Fábio Gadelha Rocha
- Postgraduate in Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, State University of Ceará, Dr. Silas Munguba Avenue, 1700, Itaperi Campus, Fortaleza 60714-903, CE, Brazil; (G.d.S.A.); (M.F.G.R.)
| | - Waldemiro de Aquino Pereira Neto
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Barão de Canindé, 210, Montese, Fortaleza 60425-540, CE, Brazil; (A.d.C.C.); (A.F.D.N.); (M.R.F.); (W.d.A.P.N.)
| | - Thomas Crouzier
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Department of Chemistry, Division of Glycoscience, AlbaNova University Center, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.C.); (U.S.)
| | - Ulrike Schimpf
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Department of Chemistry, Division of Glycoscience, AlbaNova University Center, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.C.); (U.S.)
| | - Rodrigo Silveira Viera
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60440-900, CE, Brazil;
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Rai MN, Rai R, Sethiya P, Parsania C. Transcriptome analysis reveals a common adaptive transcriptional response of Candida glabrata to diverse environmental stresses. Res Microbiol 2023:104073. [PMID: 37100335 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2023.104073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Candida glabrata, an opportunistic fungal pathogen, causes superficial and life-threatening infections in humans. In the host microenvironment, C. glabrata encounters a variety of stresses, and its ability to cope with these stresses is crucial for its pathogenesis. To gain insights into how C. glabrata adapts to adverse environmental conditions, we examined its transcriptional landscape under heat, osmotic, cell wall, oxidative, and genotoxic stresses using RNA sequencing and reveal that C. glabrata displays a diverse transcriptional response involving ∼75% of its genome for adaptation to different environmental stresses. C. glabrata mounts a central common adaptation response wherein ∼25% of all genes (n = 1370) are regulated in a similar fashion at different environmental stresses. Elevated cellular translation and diminished mitochondrial activity-associated transcriptional signature characterize the common adaptation response. Transcriptional regulatory association networks of common adaptation response genes revealed a set of 29 transcription factors acting as potential activators and repressors of associated adaptive response genes. Overall, the current work delineates the adaptive responses of C. glabrata to diverse environmental stresses and reports the existence of a common adaptive transcriptional response upon prolonged exposure to environmental stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maruti Nandan Rai
- Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL, USA.
| | - Rikky Rai
- Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, FL, USA.
| | - Pooja Sethiya
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead 2145 NSW, University of Sydney, Australia.
| | - Chirag Parsania
- Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Faculty of medicine and health, University of Sydney, Australia.
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Characterization of the Candida glabrata Transcription Factor CgMar1: Role in Azole Susceptibility. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8010061. [PMID: 35050001 PMCID: PMC8779156 DOI: 10.3390/jof8010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of antifungal resistance in Candida glabrata, especially against azole drugs, results in difficult-to-treat and potentially life-threatening infections. Understanding the molecular basis of azole resistance in C. glabrata is crucial to designing more suitable therapeutic strategies. In this study, the role of the transcription factor encoded by ORF CAGL0B03421g, here denominated as CgMar1 (Multiple Azole Resistance 1), in azole susceptibility was explored. Using RNA-sequencing, CgMar1 was found to regulate 337 genes under fluconazole stress, including several related to lipid biosynthesis pathways. In this context, CgMar1 and its target CgRSB1, encoding a predicted sphingoid long-chain base efflux transporter, were found to contribute to plasma membrane sphingolipid incorporation and membrane permeability, decreasing fluconazole accumulation. CgMar1 was found to associate with the promoter of CgRSB1, which contains two instances of the CCCCTCC consensus, found to be required for CgRSB1 activation during fluconazole stress. Altogether, a regulatory pathway modulating azole susceptibility in C. glabrata is proposed, resulting from what appears to be a neofunctionalization of a Hap1-like transcription factor.
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Hernando-Ortiz A, Eraso E, Quindós G, Mateo E. Candidiasis by Candida glabrata, Candida nivariensis and Candida bracarensis in Galleria mellonella: Virulence and Therapeutic Responses to Echinocandins. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7120998. [PMID: 34946981 PMCID: PMC8708380 DOI: 10.3390/jof7120998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the major etiological agent of invasive candidiasis but the increasing prevalence of emerging species of Candida, such as Candida glabrata and phylogenetically closely related species, Candida nivariensis and Candida bracarensis, requires special attention. Differences in virulence among these species and their therapeutic responses using in vivo non-mammalian models are scarcely analysed. The aim of this study was analyse the survival of G. mellonella and host-pathogen interactions during infection by C. glabrata, C. nivariensis and C. bracarensis. Moreover, therapeutic responses to echinocandins were also assessed in the G. mellonella model of candidiasis. These three species produced lethal infection in G. mellonella; C. glabrata was the most virulent species and C. bracarensis the less. Haemocytes of G. mellonella phagocytised C. bracarensis cells more effectively than those of the other two species. Treatment with caspofungin and micafungin was most effective to protect larvae during C. glabrata and C. nivariensis infections while anidulafungin was during C. bracarensis infection. The model of candidiasis in G. mellonella is simple and appropriate to assess the virulence and therapeutic response of these emerging Candida species. Moreover, it successfully allows for detecting differences in the immune system of the host depending on the virulence of pathogens.
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Role of CgTpo4 in Polyamine and Antimicrobial Peptide Resistance: Determining Virulence in Candida glabrata. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031376. [PMID: 33573089 PMCID: PMC7866538 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida glabrata is an emerging fungal pathogen whose success depends on its ability to resist antifungal drugs but also to thrive against host defenses. In this study, the predicted multidrug transporter CgTpo4 (encoded by ORF CAGL0L10912g) is described as a new determinant of virulence in C. glabrata, using the infection model Galleria mellonella. The CgTPO4 gene was found to be required for the C. glabrata ability to kill G. mellonella. The transporter encoded by this gene is also necessary for antimicrobial peptide (AMP) resistance, specifically against histatin-5. Interestingly, G. mellonella’s AMP expression was found to be strongly activated in response to C. glabrata infection, suggesting AMPs are a key antifungal defense. CgTpo4 was also found to be a plasma membrane exporter of polyamines, especially spermidine, suggesting that CgTpo4 is able to export polyamines and AMPs, thus conferring resistance to both stress agents. Altogether, this study presents the polyamine exporter CgTpo4 as a determinant of C. glabrata virulence, which acts by protecting the yeast cells from the overexpression of AMPs, deployed as a host defense mechanism.
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