Gut bacteria: protective mediators, pathogenic contributors and novel therapeutic targets in Candida albicans infections

Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that resides in the human gut alongside a diverse array of microorganisms, including enteric bacteria, archaea, and viruses, which collectively form the gut microbiota. Recent studies have shown that the development of Candida albicans infections involves both weakened host immunity and enhanced invasiveness of Candida albicans, with intestinal microecology serving as a critical mediator of these processes. It has been demonstrated that disturbances in the gut microbiome can potentiate the invasive capacity of Candida albicans. Moreover, a compromised immune system, along with the use of antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs, can lead to gut microbiome imbalances. Consequently, modulators of the intestinal microecology represent promising therapeutic interventions for managing Candida albicans infections. In this review, we examine the mechanisms underlying the increased invasiveness of Candida albicans following significant disruption of intestinal bacteria and highlighting the interplay among immune dysfunction, antibiotic use, and their effects on gut microbiome imbalance and Candida albicans infection. Additionally, we summarize the roles of microbiome-based therapies, such as probiotics, prebiotics, dietary interventions, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), in addressing Candida albicans infections. This review provides a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the development of more effective microecological therapeutic strategies in the future.