Host/Candida albicans interactions: commensal colonization or disease?

As both an opportunistic pathogen and a commensal colonizer, the fungus Candida albicans is frequently found in association with humans. In most individuals, intestinal colonization does not become clinically significant. However, in the immunocompromised patient, organisms that were previously colonizing in a benign fashion can develop into invasive pathogens. Morbidity and mortality from Candida bloodstream infection is significant in all populations studied. Thus, understanding the factors that promote Candida colonization, and allow the commensal-to-invasive pathogen transition is important. Research in the Kumamoto lab focuses on understanding factors that control the level of C. albicans colonization of the host intestinal tract and influence the likelihood that C. albicans cells will become pathogenic.