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Updated: Jun 15, 2025
Infecting Mice with Malassezia spp. to Study the Fungus-Host Interaction
Published on: November 6, 2019
The microbial damage and host response framework: lesson learned from pathogenic survival trajectories and
Kritsada Pruksaphon1,2, Artid Amsri3,4, Juthatip Jeenkeawpieam5,6
1Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
Abstract:
The adverse outcomes of fungal infection in mammalian hosts depend on the complex interactions between the host immune system and pathogen virulence-associated traits. The main clinical problems arise when the host response is either too weak to effectively eliminate the pathogen or overly aggressive, resulting in host tissue damage rather than protection. This article will highlight current knowledge regarding the virulence attributions and mechanisms involved in the dual-sided role of the host immune system in the immunopathogenesis of the thermally dimorphic fungus Talaromyces marneffei through the lens of the damage response framework (DRF) of microbial pathogenesis model.
Insights
Fungal infections cause harm when the host immune system is too weak or too aggressive. This review examines Talaromyces marneffei virulence and host immunity using the damage response framework (DRF).
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- Fungal infections in mammals result from intricate host-pathogen interactions.
- Clinical issues emerge from ineffective or excessive host immune responses.
- Talaromyces marneffei is a thermally dimorphic fungus causing significant infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review virulence factors and immune mechanisms in Talaromyces marneffei infection.
- To analyze the host immune system's dual role in immunopathogenesis.
- To apply the damage response framework (DRF) to understand pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Talaromyces marneffei pathogenesis.
- Analysis of host immune responses (under- and over-activation).
- Application of the damage response framework (DRF) model.
Main Results:
- Virulence traits of Talaromyces marneffei contribute to disease progression.
- Host immune responses can either clear the fungus or cause damaging inflammation.
- The DRF model provides a framework to understand this immune duality.
Conclusions:
- Understanding Talaromyces marneffei virulence and host immunity is crucial for managing infections.
- The DRF model offers insights into the immunopathogenesis of thermally dimorphic fungi.
- Balancing host immunity is key to preventing adverse outcomes in fungal infections.
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