Siderophore production by the pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans

Abstract

Biochemical assays were used to determine that some strains of Candida albicans were capable of simultaneous secretion of both the hydroxamate and phenolate-type siderophores when grown in a deferrated medium at 37 degrees C. All isolants of C. albicans released hydroxamate-type siderophores into the culture medium; whereas, approximately 40% of the strains simultaneously secreted phenolate-type siderophores. The presence of phenolate and hydroxamate-type siderophores in the culture medium was further confirmed by assaying the culture media with type specific siderophore-dependent bacterial auxotrophs. This is the first report showing production of both classes of siderophores by a pathogenic yeast.