Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen whose ability
to become virulent is primarily determined by the immune
status of the host. Major determinants of virulence are dimorphic
switching (Yang, 2003), secretion of hydrolytic enzymes such as
proteinases and phospholipases. These enzymes are responsible for
adhesion, tissue damage and invasion of host tissues. Therefore,
screening for compounds that inhibit hyphal growth and secretion
of hydrolytic enzymes will lead to the development of new
antifungal therapies.