Current trends to control fungal pathogens: exploiting our knowledge in the host-pathogen interaction.

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Immunology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Human fungal infections pose significant medical challenges, compounded by limited antifungal drugs and increasing drug resistance.
• Understanding host-pathogen interactions is vital for developing alternative treatments and effective vaccines.
• Current antifungal therapies are often associated with severe adverse effects, necessitating new therapeutic avenues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state of antifungal vaccine development.
• To highlight advances in understanding host-fungus interactions and antigenic molecules.
• To discuss the potential of vaccines and passive immunization for treating fungal infections.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of host innate and adaptive immune responses to fungal pathogens.
• Analysis of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs).
• Review of antigenic molecules (peptides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycans) from fungal cell walls and capsules.

Main Results:

• Antigens from fungal cell walls and capsules can elicit specific immune responses and antibody production.
• Biotechnological advances have enabled the development of anti-fungal vaccines, mirroring successes in viral and bacterial vaccines.
• Passive immunization shows promise for treating disseminated mycosis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

Conclusions:

• Antifungal vaccines and passive immunization strategies offer promising new therapeutic options, potentially used alone or with existing drugs.
• Further research and development are needed to translate these approaches into clinical practice.
• Advances in understanding fungal immunology pave the way for novel treatments against challenging fungal infections like those caused by *Candida albicans*, *Aspergillus fumigatus*, *Cryptococcus neoformans*, *Paracoccidioides brasiliensis*, and *Sporothrix* spp.