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Role of Candida species in pathogenesis, immune regulation, and prognostic tools for managing ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease

Summary

This article explores how fungi, particularly Candida species, contribute to inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The fungal microbiota becomes imbalanced in IBD patients, triggering harmful immune responses and worsening inflammation. The researchers propose that measuring specific Candida levels could help doctors diagnose disease severity and predict treatment response, opening new possibilities for personalized IBD management.

Background

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis. While bacterial microbiome research has been extensive, recent studies have shifted focus to host-fungal interactions and the mycobiota’s role in immune regulation, particularly Candida species which function as both commensals and potential pathogens.

Objective

This review examines the relationship between Candida species and IBD, specifically ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, investigating how Candida affects gut barrier function, immune responses, and microbiota balance. The article aims to establish altered Candida abundance as a biomarker for disease severity and treatment outcomes.

Results

Studies consistently show elevated Candida species levels in CD and UC patients, with C. albicans and C. parapsilosis particularly elevated in CD. Various Candida species correlate with disease activity, inflammatory phenotypes, and treatment response. Candidalysin and β-glucans trigger proinflammatory responses through Dectin-1 and CARD9 pathways.

Conclusion

Fungal dysbiosis is a hallmark of IBD with specific fungal profiles correlating to disease activity and treatment response. C. albicans plays a key role in IBD pathogenesis through strain-specific virulence factors. Improved characterization of fungal populations could lead to better diagnostic accuracy and personalized therapeutic options.
  • Published in:World Journal of Gastroenterology,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 39735273, DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i48.5212
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