Altered phagocytosis and morphogenesis of phenotypic switching-derived strains of the pathogenic Candida tropicalis co-cultured with phagocytic cells.

Differences on phagocytosis and hyphal growth between switch states cells of C. tropicalis co-cultured with phagocytic cells were observed. The pronounced hyphal growth may affect the complex host-pathogen relationship and favor the pathogen to scape phagocytosis. The pleiotropic effects of phenotypic switching suggest that this event may contribute to the success of infection associated with C. tropicalis.