Biofilm formation ability by non-Candida albicans Candida species

The number of infections caused by Candida species has greatly increased in the past ten years. This has been attributed with an increase in the number of AIDS patients, the elderly population and immunocompromised patients. Moreover, the increased use of indwelling medical devices has also been implicated with the rise of candidal infections. Most candidiasis have been attributed to Candida albicans, however, recently, new non-Candida albicans Candida (NCAC) species have been identified as common pathogens, namely Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei and Candida dubliniensis. Formation of Candida biofilms has important clinical repercussions because of their increased resistance to antifungal therapy and the ability of cells wrthin biofilms to withstand host immune defences. Consequently further recognition and understanding of the role of Candida biofilms, particularly the ones formed by NCAC species, is of major importance in the study of human candidiasis.