UCLA

Candida albicans is a normal constituent of the human microbiota and a ubiquitous human threat. This fungus causes diseases ranging from superficial cutaneous and mucosal candidiasis to life-threatening disseminated candidiasis. C. albicans hyphae secrete candidalysin, a cytolytic peptide toxin that damages host cells and activates immune responses. Candidalysin plays a key role in both pathogenicity and commensalism. In this Pearl, we review the host targets of candidalysin and how they modulate the interaction of C. albicans with the host.