Candida albicans and virulence factors that increases its pathogenicity

Candida albicans are yeasts frequently human commensal and it is the main cause of different forms of oral, superficial or systemic candidiasis. The transformation from a harmless commensal to a virulent pathogen under the conditions of a dysfunctional host defense system is attributable to an extensive repertoire of selectively expressed virulence determinants. Several virulence factors contribute to the pathogenicity of C. albicans, including the ability to adhere to epithelial cells through production of hydrolytic enzymes, hemolytic factors and germ tubes formation. Cell surface hydrophobicity, also is considered important virulence factor, which increased the ability of mycelia-phase Candida cells to adhere to host tissues and for resistance to phagocytic killing. Additionally biofilm formation, which consists of a complex community of cells embedded in a matrix of extracellular polysaccharides that also promotes resistance to antimicrobial agents. Therefore, the aim of this chapter is a comprehensive analysis of virulence factors that increases the pathogenicity of C. albicans.