Characterizing the Interaction Between Candida albicans and Two Enterobacter Species

Candida albicans is the most common human fungal pathogen. The relationship between C. albicans and Enterobacter bacteria have yet to be explored. The hypothesis of this study is that C. albicans and both E. aerogenes and E. cloacae have a positive relationship and work together to infect the host. In this study, the physical cell-to-cell interaction, molecular components of said interaction, and the impact of the interaction on a live organism were explored. Results indicate that Enterobacter adheres to C. albicans and inhibits growth with unidentified secreted molecules. Als1p has potential involvement in the attachment of E. cloacae to C. albicans. Out of 480 E. cloacae mutants, 6 showed reductions in attachment to C. albicans. The presence of C. albicans in C. elegans may lead to less Enterobacter colonization. Future work involving this interaction should strive to identify the Enterobacter secreted molecules and genes necessary for their production