Biofilm formation is an important virulence factor of pathogenic filamentous fungi and yeasts. These organized structures can be formed on biotic and abiotic surfaces, and is a major contributor to antifungal resistance as well as resistance to host immune responses and environmental stresses. Although Candida albicans biofilms remain the best studied in terms of their molecular mechanisms and contribution to disease, many other pathogenic yeasts and fungi are increasingly being recognized as important biofilm producers with potential roles in infection. In addition, the formation of biofilms by mycotoxigenic and allergenic fungi in the environment is also studied as potential causes of disease, due to the ability of these fungi to produce copious amounts of mycotoxins or allergens.
In recent years, the polymicrobial nature of many infections involving fungi have gained attention. These polymicrobial biofilms have unique characteristics which may be synergistic or antagonistic depending on the specific organisms in the biofilm. Examples of well-studied polymicrobial biofilms are those comprising of Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. Of concern is the findings that many of these polymicrobial biofilms are more resistant to treatment than their monomicrobial counterparts.
In this Research Topic, we aim to put together a collection of articles (Reviews, Perspectives and Original Research articles) that can contribute to our understanding of the diversity of fungi and yeasts capable of forming biofilms that are of clinical relevance. We welcome studies that advances our knowledge of the roles of these biofilms in infection in humans and animals as well as their resistance to drugs, immune responses and environmental stresses as they relate to their ability to cause disease.
We particularly welcome manuscripts on the following themes:
- Characterization of biofilm formation by especially non C. albicans fungi
- Interaction of fungal biofilm grown cells (including C. albicans) with the host immune system
- Antifungal resistance mechanisms of fungal biofilms
- Pathogenesis and clinical relevance of fungal biofilms
- New tools to study fungal biofilms in vitro and in vivo
- Novel therapeutics to treat, remove or prevent fungal biofilms on biotic and abiotic surfaces
- All these aspects as they pertain to environmental fungal biofilms that may impact health
- Articles exploring these aspects in polymicrobial biofilms are especially welcome
Biofilm formation is an important virulence factor of pathogenic filamentous fungi and yeasts. These organized structures can be formed on biotic and abiotic surfaces, and is a major contributor to antifungal resistance as well as resistance to host immune responses and environmental stresses. Although Candida albicans biofilms remain the best studied in terms of their molecular mechanisms and contribution to disease, many other pathogenic yeasts and fungi are increasingly being recognized as important biofilm producers with potential roles in infection. In addition, the formation of biofilms by mycotoxigenic and allergenic fungi in the environment is also studied as potential causes of disease, due to the ability of these fungi to produce copious amounts of mycotoxins or allergens.
In recent years, the polymicrobial nature of many infections involving fungi have gained attention. These polymicrobial biofilms have unique characteristics which may be synergistic or antagonistic depending on the specific organisms in the biofilm. Examples of well-studied polymicrobial biofilms are those comprising of Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. Of concern is the findings that many of these polymicrobial biofilms are more resistant to treatment than their monomicrobial counterparts.
In this Research Topic, we aim to put together a collection of articles (Reviews, Perspectives and Original Research articles) that can contribute to our understanding of the diversity of fungi and yeasts capable of forming biofilms that are of clinical relevance. We welcome studies that advances our knowledge of the roles of these biofilms in infection in humans and animals as well as their resistance to drugs, immune responses and environmental stresses as they relate to their ability to cause disease.
We particularly welcome manuscripts on the following themes:
- Characterization of biofilm formation by especially non C. albicans fungi
- Interaction of fungal biofilm grown cells (including C. albicans) with the host immune system
- Antifungal resistance mechanisms of fungal biofilms
- Pathogenesis and clinical relevance of fungal biofilms
- New tools to study fungal biofilms in vitro and in vivo
- Novel therapeutics to treat, remove or prevent fungal biofilms on biotic and abiotic surfaces
- All these aspects as they pertain to environmental fungal biofilms that may impact health
- Articles exploring these aspects in polymicrobial biofilms are especially welcome
