Candida albicans — der Pilz in uns

Fungal infections are often underestimated as a significant cause of mortality. Most pathogenic fungi originate from the environment, but one of the most common and important fungal pathogens, Candida albicans, lives as a commensal within the vast majority of humans. It is becoming more and more evident that many adaptations that allow its commensal lifestyle also support its pathogenicity. These include morphological flexibility and toxin production that serve as competition and virulence factors.