What is the Difference Between Candida Albicans and Candida Auris?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Candida albicans and Candida auris are both yeast species that can cause infections, but they have some key differences:
- Morphological switching: Unlike C. albicans, C. auris does not undergo morphological switching between yeast and hyphal forms, which may explain the distinct niches of colonization between the species.
- Colonization: While C. albicans can colonize and infect mucosal surfaces, C. auris does not colonize oral tissue in vivo. However, C. auris isolates avidly adhere to tongue tissue ex vivo.
- Pathogenicity: C. auris is generally considered to be less virulent than C. albicans. However, it can still induce systemic infection and high mortality rates in some cases.
- Biofilm formation: Both C. albicans and C. auris can form biofilms, which are structures that support the growth and survival of the yeast cells. The biofilm composition and catheter recovery rates are similar between the two species.
- Antifungal resistance: C. auris is known for its antifungal resistance, making it difficult to treat with commonly used medications.
- Transmission: C. auris is known for its ability to persist in clinical settings for long periods of time and spread easily in healthcare facilities.
In summary, C. albicans and C. auris are both Candida species that can cause infections, but they differ in their morphology, colonization, pathogenicity, biofilm formation, antifungal resistance, and transmission. Proper identification and understanding of these differences are crucial for effective infection prevention and control measures.
Comparative Table: Candida Albicans vs Candida Auris
Here is a table comparing the differences between Candida albicans and Candida auris:
Feature | Candida albicans | Candida auris |
---|---|---|
Type of Germ | Yeast or Fungus | Yeast or Fungus |
Medical Term for Infection | Candidiasis | Currently none, but the term "Candida auris infection" is used |
Comparison to Other Candida Species | Most common Candida species causing human infections | A specific type (species) of yeast that is resistant to medicines usually used to treat Candida infections |
Growth Temperature | Typically grows well at 35-37°C | Grows well at 40-42°C, making it better adapted to the human body temperature |
Colony Appearance on Chromogenic Media | Usually white or pink | Can appear white, pink, red, or purple |
Biofilm Formation | Forms biofilms, which can contribute to infections | Some strains form biofilms, but not all |
Invasive Disease | Can cause invasive infections | Associated with an exponential rise in life-threatening invasive disease in healthcare settings |
Mouse Model of Oropharyngeal Candidiasis | Candida auris isolates do not colonize oral tissue in vivo, but avidly adhere to tongue tissue ex vivo | Differs from Candida albicans in oropharyngeal infection models |
Mouse Model of Intraperitoneal Infection | Candida auris isolates are more adept at persisting and disseminating in an intraperitoneal infection model | Differs from Candida albicans in intraperitoneal infection models |
Identification | Sometimes misidentified as Candida lusitaniae or Candida famata on VITEK 2 platform | Misidentified as Candida haemulonii, Rhodotorula glutinis, Candida intermedia, Candida sake, Saccharomyces kluyveri, or Candida parapsilosis in various identification systems |
Please note that the terms "Candida auris infection" and "Candida lusitaniae" are used in the table for clarity, although the CDC does not indicate a specific medical term for Candida auris infection and Candida lusitaniae is not mentioned in the search results.
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