Unraveling Candida auris: The Sticky Menace
Scientists at the University of Michigan have discovered that the life-threatening fungus Candida auris uses a unique adhesin called Surface Colonization Factor 1 (SCF1) to stick to surfaces, including skin and catheters. This adhesin, unlike those found in other fungi, forms strong cation-pi bonds similar to those used by oceanic organisms like barnacles and mollusks. The researchers also found that SCF1 is associated with increased colonization and enhanced disease-causing ability. Understanding the link between SCF1 and virulence could lead to more effective anti-fungal therapies for C. auris, which is often resistant to current medications. The adhesive properties of SCF1 suggest a possible oceanic origin for C. auris.