The Role of the Oral Immune System in Oropharyngeal Candidiasis-Facilitated Invasion and Dissemination of Staphylococcus aureus

Raymond Pasman, Bastiaan P Krom, Sebastian A J Zaat, Stanley Brul

Research output: Contribution to JournalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus account for most invasive fungal and bacterial bloodstream infections (BSIs), respectively. However, the initial point of invasion responsible for S. aureus BSIs is often unclear. Recently, C. albicans has been proposed to mediate S. aureus invasion of immunocompromised hosts during co-colonization of oral mucosal surfaces. The status of the oral immune system crucially contributes to this process in two distinct ways: firstly, by allowing invasive C. albicans growth during dysfunction of extra-epithelial immunity, and secondly following invasion by some remaining function of intra-epithelial immunity. Immunocompromised individuals at risk of developing invasive oral C. albicans infections could, therefore, also be at risk of contracting concordant S. aureus BSIs. Considering the crucial contribution of both oral immune function and dysfunction, the aim of this review is to provide an overview of relevant aspects of intra and extra-epithelial oral immunity and discuss predominant immune deficiencies expected to facilitate C. albicans induced S. aureus BSIs.

Original languageEnglish
Article number851786
Pages (from-to)851786
JournalFrontiers in oral health
Volume3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2022 Pasman, Krom, Zaat and Brul.

Funding

The work of RP in the laboratory of SB, in collaboration with the labs of BK and SZ, was funded by strategic investments of the University of Amsterdam in the framework of the Research Priority areas Host-Microbiome Interactions and Personal Microbiome Health.

FundersFunder number
Universiteit van Amsterdam

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