Phenotypic Switching and Filamentation in Candida haemulonii, an Emerging Opportunistic Pathogen of Humans.

ABSTRACT: Phenotypic plasticity is a common strategy adopted by fungal pathogens to adapt to diverse host environments. Candida haemulonii is an emerging multidrug-resistant human pathogen that is closely related to Candida auris. Until recently, it was assumed that C. haemulonii is incapable of phenotypic switching or filamentous growth. In this study, we report the identification of three distinct phenotypes in C. haemulonii: white, pink, and filament. The white and pink phenotypes differ in cellular size, colony morphology, and coloration on phloxine B- or CuSO₄-containing agar. Switching between the white and pink cell types is heritable and reversible and is referred to as "the primary switching system." The additional switch phenotype, filament, has been identified and exhibits obvi

SUBMITTER: Deng Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8653834 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature