Antibiotic-induced alterations in taurocholic acid levels promote gastrointestinal colonization of Candida albicans

Abstract

Candida albicans is a fungal pathogen that poses a significant public health risk due to high incidence and mortality rates among immunocompromised patients. Candida albicans infections begin with successful gastrointestinal (GI) colonization; however, the mechanisms behind this colonization remain to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the role of taurocholic acid (TCA) on growth and GI colonization of C. albicans. Our results indicate that cefoperazone-treated mice susceptible to C. albicans infection had significantly increased levels of TCA in the gut contents. In addition, an increase in TCA levels directly correlates with higher C. albicans load in the fecal and gut contents of antibiotic-treated infected mice. Using in vitro assays, we also demonstrated that TCA enhances the growth of C. albicans and its ability to develop filamentous hyphae. Furthermore, TCA significantly increased the ability of C. albicans to attach to mammalian cells. These results demonstrate that antibiotic treatment alters TCA levels in the gut and potentially enhances GI colonization of C. albicans.