Human Body Presentation

Candida albicans

Candida albicans

Classification

Candida albicans is classified as an opportunistic fungus because it usually only causes disease in those who are immunocompromised or whose natural flora have been altered. Candida species are yeast-type fungi. Candida albicans is the most common pathogen among the Candida species.

The Disease

Candida albicans is a fungus that naturally lives on your body. Candida is a yeast, a type of fungus, that is typically found in small amounts on your mouth, skin, and in your intestines. Healthy bacteria in your body (microbiome) control the balance of Candida. The moat common infection caused by Candida albicans is a vaginal yeast infection, which occurs in about 75% of people with a vagina at least once in their lifetime.

The Cause of THe Disease.

Candida albicans is the type of yeast that lives on your body. It can overgrow and turn into an infection if the balance of healthy bacteria and yeast is disrupted. Candidasis is the term used to describe an infection caused by an overgrowth of yeast.

The Facts

How Does it Invade The Immune System

Candida albicans has been demonstrated to gain entry into host epithelial cells through 2 mechanisms: induced endocytosis and active penetration. Endocytosis is mediated by adhesion by forcing epithelial cell actin to aggregate around invading microorganism to producepseudopods, which act like nets to catch the pathogen.

How Does the Immune System Respond

Epithelial cells produce cytokines via a mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1)- and FOS-dependent pathway when Candida hyphae are present, which leads to the recruitment of phagocytic immune cells. Epithelial cells can also respond by producing β-defensins that have direct anti-Candida activity.