Question

Although candida species are not virulent as some microbial pathogens, the fungus can still invade every human tissue. Propose a possible explanation for this observation 10 marks

Answer 1

Candida albicans is the fungal species that are pathogenic to humans and cause diseases ranging from mucosal to systemic infections. This opportunistic pathogen that has the potential to develop virulence that can be expressed due to favourable conditions can lead to infectious state. Candida albicans is one of the commensal human microflora that colonizes the various human body like Gastro-intestinal tract, Mucosal tract and also urethral tract.

Due to disruption in the host environment or in case of immune dysfunction, Candida albicans becomes virulent. As they are part of the microflora of different parts of the human body, they can proliferate and invade virtually any various site in the host.

C. albicans does not cause damage to human and lives symbiotically with the human it also helps in breakdown minute amounts of fibre. In normal condition, the bacterial flora of the gut, mouth, and vaginal mucosa avoid the overgrowth of C. albicans by providing a barrier for the fungus. But due to loss of this normal bacterial flora, C. albicans over-growth takes places that leading to its virulence and infection. Intake of large amount of antibiotics can lower the normal bacterial flora of the human and leads to the overgrowth of C. albicans.

C. albicans also has the property of formation of biofilms.  Hence the infections are associated with biofilm formation on host or surfaces like medical devices that carry biofilms of the pathogens. Biofilms that are formed by C. albicans are tolerant to antimicrobial agents.

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