Fungi interact in the human body with other microorganisms and form a changing ecological niche. Among these interactions, we describe antagonism, mutualism, or synergism which affects several fungal features, as growth and antifungal resistance. Interactions between eukaryotes and prokaryotes, as fungi and bacteria, are abundant in nature. Fungal interactions have been described in several human diseases. Most of these interactions are with bacteria.
Interactions of fungi with other organisms can be antagonistic, typically illustrated by competition for niche colonization and nutrient sources, or synergistic, for example, by cooperating for mutual growth. Among the interactions observed in mixed biofilms, the literature demonstrates the significance of metabolite-driven communication on human health.
Fungal interactions can be mediated by several means, as: signaling-bases, modulation of the physiochemical environment, cooperative metabolism, protein secretion and gene transfer, and trough antibiosis. These interactions involve physical relationships between related proteins, cell wall carbohydrates and diffusible molecules. The result of these interactions induces morphological and metabolic modifications in the microorganisms.
Metabolic fungal interactions involve a wide range of primary and secondary metabolites. Correspondingly, through these multiple metabolites, bacteria and fungi induce various effects on each other, which affect many aspects of the microorganism’s development that may contribute positively or negatively to human health.
The aim of this research topic is to understand the mechanisms that rule the interactions among fungi and other microorganisms, and the impact of these interactions in the changes of the microenvironment that affect human health.
The important issues to consider will be those referring to the types of interactions that exist between fungi and other microorganisms, such as:
- BFI (Bacterial Fungal Interaction).
- Topics that describe the diffusible molecules excreted in the interaction, as well as quorum sensing molecules, virulence factors, resistance mechanisms (genes, proteins, structures, etc.) and antimicrobials.
- The analysis of gene and protein expression related to fungal and microbial metabolism, and their effects on the interaction and the surrounding microenvironment.
- The issue regarding the immune response that occurs in these interactions, studied in in vitro, in vivo, and human models.
- The effect on the microbiome through the interaction with fungi present in various human anatomical niches and its relationship with diseases.
- The search for biomarkers that allow establishing elements for diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic targets for diseases related to these interactions.
We welcome review articles, original research, and short communications, with novel and innovative proposal that increase knowledge in the field of the interactions of fungi with various microorganisms and how it is related to the development of diseases in humans.
Keywords:
Bacterial-fungal interactions, antagonism, synergysm, infection, biofilm, antibiotic resistance
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Fungi interact in the human body with other microorganisms and form a changing ecological niche. Among these interactions, we describe antagonism, mutualism, or synergism which affects several fungal features, as growth and antifungal resistance. Interactions between eukaryotes and prokaryotes, as fungi and bacteria, are abundant in nature. Fungal interactions have been described in several human diseases. Most of these interactions are with bacteria.
Interactions of fungi with other organisms can be antagonistic, typically illustrated by competition for niche colonization and nutrient sources, or synergistic, for example, by cooperating for mutual growth. Among the interactions observed in mixed biofilms, the literature demonstrates the significance of metabolite-driven communication on human health.
Fungal interactions can be mediated by several means, as: signaling-bases, modulation of the physiochemical environment, cooperative metabolism, protein secretion and gene transfer, and trough antibiosis. These interactions involve physical relationships between related proteins, cell wall carbohydrates and diffusible molecules. The result of these interactions induces morphological and metabolic modifications in the microorganisms.
Metabolic fungal interactions involve a wide range of primary and secondary metabolites. Correspondingly, through these multiple metabolites, bacteria and fungi induce various effects on each other, which affect many aspects of the microorganism’s development that may contribute positively or negatively to human health.
The aim of this research topic is to understand the mechanisms that rule the interactions among fungi and other microorganisms, and the impact of these interactions in the changes of the microenvironment that affect human health.
The important issues to consider will be those referring to the types of interactions that exist between fungi and other microorganisms, such as:
- BFI (Bacterial Fungal Interaction).
- Topics that describe the diffusible molecules excreted in the interaction, as well as quorum sensing molecules, virulence factors, resistance mechanisms (genes, proteins, structures, etc.) and antimicrobials.
- The analysis of gene and protein expression related to fungal and microbial metabolism, and their effects on the interaction and the surrounding microenvironment.
- The issue regarding the immune response that occurs in these interactions, studied in in vitro, in vivo, and human models.
- The effect on the microbiome through the interaction with fungi present in various human anatomical niches and its relationship with diseases.
- The search for biomarkers that allow establishing elements for diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic targets for diseases related to these interactions.
We welcome review articles, original research, and short communications, with novel and innovative proposal that increase knowledge in the field of the interactions of fungi with various microorganisms and how it is related to the development of diseases in humans.
Keywords:
Bacterial-fungal interactions, antagonism, synergysm, infection, biofilm, antibiotic resistance
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.