Our Current Understanding of Fungal Biofilms

Abstract

Gordon Ramage*a, Eilidh Mowata, Brian Jonesb, Craig Williamsc & Jose Lopez-Ribotda Section of Infection and Immunity, Glasgow Dental School and Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Glasgow, UKb Microbiology Department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USAc Microbiology Department, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill Division, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USAd Department of Biology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USAAddress for Correspondence: Gordon Ramage, Section of Infection and Immunity, Glasgow Dental School, Faculty of Medicine, University of Glasgow, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JZ, UK. Phone: +44(0)141 211 9752. Fax: +44(0) 141. e-mail: 0141 353 1593. e-mail: g.ramage@dental.gla.ac.ukFungal biofilms are an escalating clinical problem associated with significant rates of mortality. Candida albicans is the most notorious of all fungal biofilm formers. However, non-Candida species, yeasts such as Cryptococcus neoformans, and filamentous moulds such as Aspergillus fumigatus, have been shown to be implicated in biofilm-associated infections. Fungal biofilms have distinct developmental phases, including adhesion, colonisation, maturation and dispersal, which are governed by complex molecular events. Recalcitrance to antifungal therapy remains the greatest threat to patients with fungal biofilms. This review discusses our current understanding of the basic biology and clinical implications associated with fungal biofilms.