Research Keyword: biofilm

Virulence factors of Candida spp. isolated from COVID-19 patients: hydrolytic enzyme activity and biofilm formation

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitalized patients developed fungal infections caused by Candida yeasts alongside their coronavirus infection. Researchers studied 71 Candida samples from COVID-19 patients to understand how these fungi cause disease by examining three damaging enzymes they produce and their ability to form protective biofilm layers. The findings showed that these fungi are highly virulent, producing strong enzyme activity that helps them invade tissues and resist treatment, which helps explain why these infections are particularly dangerous in COVID-19 patients.

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Candida albicans Goliath cells pioneer biofilm formation

When Candida albicans fungi run out of zinc, they transform into larger cells called ‘Goliath cells’ that are exceptionally sticky to plastic surfaces. Scientists found that these Goliath cells are much better at sticking to catheters and other medical devices than regular yeast cells, even when blood is flowing past them. This discovery helps explain why fungal infections on catheters are so common and could lead to better ways to prevent these dangerous infections that affect hospitalized patients.

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