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Immunotherapy of infections caused by rare filamentous fungi

A Katragkou1, E Roilides

  • 1Infectious Diseases Unit, 3rd Department of Paediatrics, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
|November 3, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients are a growing concern. Enhancing the host immune response shows promise for treating these rare but serious infections.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) caused by rare filamentous fungi lead to significant morbidity and mortality, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Emerging drug-resistant fungal strains and an increasing number of susceptible hosts exacerbate the challenge of IFIs.
  • Current antifungal agents face limitations, highlighting the need for alternative therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of immune reconstitution in resolving invasive fungal infections.
  • To explore immunomodulating therapeutic approaches for treating IFIs in susceptible hosts.
  • To emphasize the necessity of clinical trials for novel immunomodulatory strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical and clinical evidence on immunomodulatory therapies for IFIs.
  • Analysis of therapeutic modalities aimed at enhancing host immune function, including phagocyte augmentation and immune stimulation.
  • Discussion of the challenges posed by rare infections and the need for multicenter trials.

Main Results:

  • Preclinical studies demonstrate promising results for therapies that increase phagocyte numbers (e.g., granulocyte transfusions).
  • Administration of hematopoietic growth factors and proinflammatory cytokines shows potential in stimulating immune responses against fungi.
  • Indirect augmentation of immune function presents a viable strategy in managing IFIs.

Conclusions:

  • Reconstitution of host immune function is a critical factor in resolving invasive fungal infections.
  • Immunomodulatory approaches, while promising in preclinical settings, require rigorous clinical validation.
  • Multicenter clinical trials are essential to establish the efficacy and safety of novel immunomodulating treatments for rare IFIs.

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