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The spectrum of fungi that infects humans

Julia R Köhler1, Arturo Casadevall2, John Perfect3

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine
|November 5, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Fungal infections in humans are rare due to robust immune systems. However, rising numbers of immunocompromised patients, including those with HIV, face increased risks from these opportunistic pathogens.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Only a small fraction of fungal species can cause human infections.
  • Host immune defenses typically prevent invasive fungal diseases in healthy individuals.
  • Modern medical advancements and conditions like HIV increase susceptibility to fungal infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the factors enabling fungal infections in humans.
  • To underscore the vulnerability of immunocompromised populations to fungal diseases.
  • To emphasize the need for a coordinated response to combat invasive fungal infections.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on fungal pathogenesis and host immunity.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data concerning invasive fungal diseases.
  • Synthesis of information on the impact of medical interventions and diseases like HIV on fungal infection risk.

Main Results:

  • Fungal infections require specific adaptations like thermotolerance and immune evasion.
  • Invasive fungal diseases are significantly more prevalent in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Medical progress, while beneficial, inadvertently increases the pool of at-risk patients.

Conclusions:

  • A multidisciplinary approach is essential to address the growing threat of invasive fungal infections.
  • Further research into fungal virulence factors and host-pathogen interactions is critical.
  • Public health strategies must adapt to the evolving landscape of opportunistic fungal infections.

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