Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Complementary Use of Microscopic Techniques and Fluorescence Reading in Studying Cryptococcus-Amoeba Interactions
10:56

Complementary Use of Microscopic Techniques and Fluorescence Reading in Studying Cryptococcus-Amoeba Interactions

Published on: June 22, 2019

Amoeba provide insight into the origin of virulence in pathogenic fungi

Arturo Casadevall1

  • 1Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. arturo.casadevall@einstein.yu.edu

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|December 1, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Fungal pathogens are rare, with soil amoebas potentially driving the evolution of fungal virulence. These traits may enable survival in mammalian hosts, explaining why some fungi become dangerous human pathogens.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Pathogen Discovery

Background:

  • Fungi exhibit diverse host interactions, with a small fraction causing human disease.
  • Mammals possess high resistance to fungal infections, unlike plants and insects.
  • The origin of fungal virulence remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolutionary origins of virulence in environmental fungi.
  • To investigate the role of environmental selection pressures in fungal pathogenicity.
  • To understand the mechanisms behind mammalian resistance to fungal diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of fungal interactions with amoebae and mammalian immune cells.
  • Review of existing literature on fungal virulence and host-pathogen interactions.
  • Exploration of evolutionary selection pressures in soil environments.

Main Results:

  • A small percentage of fungal species are pathogenic to humans.
  • Environmental fungi face selection pressures from amoeboid predators.
  • Interactions between Cryptococcus neoformans and amoebae resemble interactions with macrophages.

Conclusions:

  • Amoeboid predators may drive the evolution of fungal traits that promote mammalian host survival.
  • Thermal tolerance in soil fungi could contribute to their ability to infect mammals.
  • Environmental selection is a key factor in the emergence of fungal pathogens.

More Related Videos

Identification of Virulence Markers of Mycobacterium abscessus for Intracellular Replication in Phagocytes08:34

Identification of Virulence Markers of Mycobacterium abscessus for Intracellular Replication in Phagocytes

Published on: September 27, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
Diversity of Protists II01:27

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
Overview of Fungi01:29

Overview of Fungi

Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
Diversity of Protists IV01:27

Diversity of Protists IV

Amoebozoa represent a diverse group of terrestrial and aquatic protists that utilize lobe-shaped pseudopodia for locomotion and feeding. This characteristic differentiates them from the Rhizaria, which possess threadlike pseudopodia. The primary classifications within Amoebozoa include gymnamoebas, entamoebas, and the plasmodial and cellular slime molds. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that Amoebozoa diverged from a lineage that ultimately gave rise to fungi and animals.Gymnamoebas and...
Colonisation of Pathogens01:25

Colonisation of Pathogens

Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...