Bacterial fungal interactions – mechanisms: a review

Bacterial-fungal interaction (BFIs) means how bacteria initiate and maintain relationship with fungi. The BFIs form physically and metabolically interdependent consortia that harbour properties distinct from those of their single components. The BFIs were mainly associated in two ways namely, ectosymbionts and endosymbionts having either positive or negative interactions. The physical associations and molecular communications lead to alteration in the morphology, reproduction, pathogenecity and symbiosis. Molecular communications of BFIs were mainly through antibiosis, modulation of physiochemical environment, chemo taxis, gene transfer and trophic interactions. The BFIs were excellent model systems, which can be effectively used to understand the fundamental bases of host-pathogen interactions and for identifying different mechanisms of interaction among strains of bacteria and fungi, and also to help design suitable management practices with a broader spectrum of microbial weapons.