Clinical Candida albicans vaginal isolates differ

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is one of the most common fungal infections in humans and is mainly caused by the species Candida albicans. In order to analyze the infection process better, clinical isolates are increasingly coming into focus. In their study, Dr. Franziska Gerwien and colleagues of JRG Host Fungal Interfaces (Head: Dr. Slavena Vylkova) have for the first time examined several clinical C. albicans vaginal isolates for their interaction with key players of the human immune system, the macrophages. The data show that the clinical isolates differ significantly among themselves and compared to the laboratory strain in their interaction with human immune cells. This heterogeneity has to be carefully taken into account when results generated in the laboratory are associated with the course of disease in patients. Furthermore, these observations underline the importance of investigating more niche-specific nutritional, immunological and microbiological conditions.

Publication:
Gerwien F, Dunker C, Brandt P, Garbe E, Jacobsen ID, Vylkova S. (2020) Clinical Candida albicans Vaginal Isolates and a Laboratory Strain Show Divergent Behaviors during Macrophage Interactions. mSphere. 5(4):e00393-20. doi: 10.1128/mSphere.00393-20.