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Key thermally dimorphic fungal pathogens: shaping host immunity
Maxine A Höft1,2,3, Lucian Duvenage1,2,3, J Claire Hoving1,2,3
1CMM AFRICA Medical Mycology Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
Open Biology
|March 9, 2022
Summary
Invasive fungal infections are increasing, especially in immunocompromised individuals. This review details thermally dimorphic fungi, their host immune response, and key recognition components for better diagnostics and treatments.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Invasive fungal infections are rising, particularly in immunocompromised populations.
- Thermally dimorphic fungi shift from a mycelial environmental form to a pathogenic host form.
- Endemic dimorphic fungi like Histoplasma, Coccidioides, and Talaromyces pose significant health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key endemic dimorphic fungal pathogens.
- To describe their prevalence, infection routes, and clinical presentations.
- To elucidate fungal cell wall components and host recognition mechanisms in innate immunity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of endemic dimorphic fungal pathogens.
- Analysis of fungal cell wall components.
- Examination of host pattern recognition receptors.
- Review of innate immune responses to fungal pathogens.
Main Results:
- Dimorphic fungi present unique challenges due to their phase transition.
- Key fungal cell wall components are crucial for host recognition.
- Host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) initiate innate immune responses.
- Immune responses can lead to fungal clearance or persistent infection.
Conclusions:
- Understanding dimorphic fungal pathogenesis is vital for combating invasive infections.
- Identifying fungal cell wall structures and host PRRs can inform therapeutic strategies.
- Further research into innate immune responses is needed for improved diagnostics and treatments.
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