When Candida albicans yeast cells are engulfed by immune cells called macrophages, they transform into thread-like hyphae. Researchers discovered that these hyphae sometimes develop swollen, bulbous compartments rather than maintaining their normal shape. Surprisingly, these swollen fungal cells survive much better inside the hostile macrophage environment than normal-shaped hyphae. This swelling appears to be a clever survival strategy that helps the fungus resist being killed by the immune system.