The role of hyphae and hypha-associated genes in the pathogenesis of Candida dubliniensis

Abstract

Candida albicans is a major cause of superficial and systemic fungal infections in humans. In contrast, its most closely related phylogenetic neighbour, Candida dubliniensis, causes disease much less frequently, despite sharing many characteristics. Candida albicans is capable of a reversible switch between an ellipsoid yeast form and an elongated filamentous form in response to various environmental cues. Morphological plasticity is considered to contribute to the virulence and pathogenesis of C. albicans. Candida dubliniensis shares this dimorphic trait, although the less pathogenic species forms true hyphae at much lower rates under infection-simulative conditions in vitro and in vivo.