Candida albicans Recovered From Persistent Candidemia Exhibits Enhanced Virulence Traits.

ABSTRACT: Candida albicans catheter-related candidemia is largely driven by microbial adhesion and biofilm formation on central venous catheters. Cells that disperse from these biofilms can enter the bloodstream, spread to distant organs, and sustain the cycle of infection. In this study, we investigated the virulence potential of C. albicans isolates obtained from the blood of catheterized patients experiencing persistent candidemia, comparing them to isolates that were cleared from the bloodstream early in the infection. Our results show that isolates persisting in the bloodstream for 4 days or longer, despite antifungal treatment, exhibited enhanced adherence, filamentation, and biofilm formation in vitro, along with increased expression of key virulence-related genes. Notably, cells dispersed fr

SUBMITTER: Ribeiro FC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11998578 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature