Disarming Fungal Pathogens: Bacillus safensis Inhibits Virulence Factor Production and Biofilm Formation by Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans.

ABSTRACT: Bacteria interact with each other in nature and often compete for limited nutrient and space resources. However, it is largely unknown whether and how bacteria also interact with human fungal pathogens naturally found in the environment. Here, we identified a soil bacterium, Bacillus safensis, which potently blocked several key Cryptococcus neoformans virulence factors, including formation of the antioxidant pigment melanin and production of the antiphagocytic polysaccharide capsule. The bacterium also inhibited de novo cryptococcal biofilm formation but had only modest inhibitory effects on already formed biofilms or planktonic cell growth. The inhibition of fungal melanization was dependent on direct cell contact and live bacteria. B. safensis also had anti-vi

SUBMITTER: Mayer FL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5626971 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature